Wound dressing with a discontinuous contact layer surface

Abstract

A therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a permeable structure having a plurality of depressions formed in a surface thereof. In use, the surface having the depressions is disposed adjacent a surface of the wound. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal comprising the steps of providing a permeable substrate, and forming a plurality of depressions into a surface of the permeable substrate to provide the therapeutic device. A method of treating a wound comprises: providing a permeable structure comprising a plurality of randomly disposed fibers and having i) a plurality of wound surface contact elements disposed between end portions of the structure, and ii) a plurality of voids defined by the contact elements; and applying the permeable structure to at least one surface of the wound.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of facilitating the healing of a wound in a mammal by encouraging cellular activity at the wound comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of dressings each comprising a permeable structure comprising a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of interstices located between the first surface and the second surface, wherein (i) the first surface comprises a plurality of discrete voids, (ii) each of the plurality of discrete voids is in communication with at least some of the interstices, (iii) the first surface is arranged to contact the wound, and (iv) the discrete voids are resistant to collapse in a force range from 0.1 to 5.0 psi so as to maintain at least some empty space in them when the dressing is under a compressive force of suction, such that the dressing is adapted to cause tissue of the wound to adopt a caternary shape to facilitate healing of the wound by encouraging cellular activity;   (b) applying one dressing of said dressings on the wound so that said first surface is in engagement with the tissue of the mammal at the wound;   (c) applying suction to the dressing to produce a compressive force on said dressing while maintaining empty space within said voids, whereupon a force in a force range of 0.1 PSI to 5.0 PSI is applied on the tissue at said voids by the suction, which force encourages cellular activity within said voids without completely collapsing said voids, thereby facilitating wound healing;   (d) terminating the applying of suction to the dressing;   (e) conducting a dressing change by replacing the dressing with a replacement dressing of said dressings and repeating steps (c) and (d);   (f) optionally repeating step (e) at least one time, wherein each replacement dressing differs from the dressing it replaces such that voids of each replacement dressing do not line up with new tissue growth after each dressing change.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said permeable structure consists essentially of a fibrous material or a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said permeable structure consists of polyester fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cover is provided over said dressing to establish a confined space to which suction is applied by a vacuum source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said cover comprises an adhesive film for forming a conformable seal with the tissue of the mammal adjacent the wound, such that no adhesive is applied to the wound. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein an average depth of said voids is greater than 0.1 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the average depth of said voids is 0.2 mm to 5mm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said empty space in said voids when suction is applied to said confined space extends to at least about 0.1 mm above the surface of the wound. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said empty space in said voids when suction is applied to said confined space extends to within a range of about 0.2 mm to 5 mm above the surface of the wound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said voids are randomly arranged on each dressing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein voids on said dressing have a diameter differing from that of voids on said replacement dressing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein spacing between voids on said dressing differs from spacing between voids on said replacement dressing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said voids are randomly arranged on each dressing, and/or voids on said dressing have a diameter differing from that of voids on said replacement dressing and/or spacing between voids on said dressing differs from spacing between voids on said replacement dressing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (e) is repeated at least one time.