Instrumented wound closure device

Abstract

A wound or incision closure apparatus comprises a first and second panel. Each of the panels comprises a bottom adhesive layer, a medial substrate layer, and an upper load distribution layer which connect the two panels. A sensory or therapeutic element is disposed adjacent, within, or between two or more of the layers. The sensory or therapeutic element can provide sensing and/or therapy for the incision and/or monitor the incision so that the therapy can be customized and updated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring a subject undergoing a therapeutic regimen on a joint of the subject, the method comprising:
 adhering a first adhesive panel onto skin of the subject on a first side of the joint, wherein a first sensory element is positioned in a pocket within the first adhesive panel and configured to measure at least one physiological parameter of the joint, and wherein the first sensory element is in communication with a first transmitter to wirelessly transmit the measured at least one physiological parameter to a receiving device;   receiving the measured at least one physiological parameter with the receiving device; and   updating the therapeutic regimen based on the received at least one physiological parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the updated therapeutic regimen to the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving the measured at least one physiological parameter comprises determining a compliance of the subject with the therapeutic regimen, and wherein providing the updated therapeutic regimen comprises alerting a user when the compliance is determined to be inadequate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adhering a second adhesive panel onto the skin of the subject on a second side of the joint, wherein a second sensory element is positioned in a pocket within the second adhesive panel and configured to measure the at least one physiological parameter of the joint, and wherein the second sensory element is in communication with a second transmitter to transmit the measured at least one physiological parameter to the receiving device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive panel is configured to be adhered onto the skin for long-term wear. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first adhesive panel is adhered onto the skin for up to 14 days. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a knee. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter comprises one or more of a range of motion of the joint, a frequency of motion of the joint, an activity level of the subject, a temperature of the skin, a pressure at the skin, an oxygenation of the subject, a pH at the skin, or a glucose level of the subject. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter comprises the range of motion of the joint, and wherein one or more of a minimum range or a maximum range of motion of the joint is detected with the first sensory element. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein updating the therapeutic regimen based on the received at least one physiological parameter comprises changing or adding elements to the therapeutic regimen based on the detected one or more of the minimum range or the maximum range of motion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter comprises one or more of the temperature of the skin or the pressure at the skin, and wherein one or more of swelling or inflammation of the joint is determined in response to the measured temperature of the skin or the measured pressure at the skin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein updating the therapeutic regimen based on the received at least one physiological parameter comprises adding one or more of additional cooling or elevation of the joint to the therapeutic regimen. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter received by the receiving device is further transmitted to a remote clinician. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving device comprises a workstation, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a wearable computer, or a dedicated receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensory element is configured to measure at least one physiological parameter of the joint intermittently or continuously. 
     
     
         16 . A method for monitoring a subject undergoing a therapeutic regimen on a joint of the subject, the method comprising:
 providing a first adhesive panel adhered onto skin of the subject on a first side of the joint;   measuring at least one physiological parameter of the joint with a first sensory element positioned in a pocket within the first adhesive panel;   transmitting the measured at least one physiological parameters from a first transmitter in communication with the first sensory element to a receiving device;   receiving transmitted at least one physiological parameter from the first transmitter; and   providing an alert to a user based in response to the received at least one physiological parameter.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a second adhesive panel adhered onto skin of the subject on a second side of the joint;   measuring the at least one physiological parameter of the joint with a second sensory element positioned in a pocket within the second adhesive panel;   transmitting the measured at least one physiological parameters from a second transmitter in communication with the second sensory element to the receiving device; and   receiving transmitted at least one physiological parameter from the second transmitter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first adhesive panel is adhered onto the skin for long-term wear. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first adhesive panel is adhered onto the skin for up to 14 days. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the joint comprises a knee. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter comprises one or more of a range of motion of the joint, a frequency of motion of the joint, an activity level of the subject, a temperature of the skin, a pressure at the skin, an oxygenation of the subject, a pH at the skin, or a glucose level of the subject. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter comprises the range of motion of the joint, and wherein measuring the at least one physiological parameter comprises detecting one or more of a minimum or a maximum range of motion of the joint with the first sensory element. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein providing the alert to the user comprises notifying the user to change or add elements to the therapeutic regimen based on the detected one or more of the minimum or the maximum range of motion. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter comprises one or more of the temperature of the skin or the pressure at the skin, and wherein one or more of swelling or inflammation of the joint is determined in response to the measured temperature of the skin or the measured pressure at the skin. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the alert to the user comprises notifying the user to add one or more of additional cooling or elevation of the joint to the therapeutic regimen. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising determining a compliance of the subject with the therapeutic regimen, and wherein providing the alert to the user comprises alerting the user when the compliance is determined to be inadequate. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising transmitting the received at least one physiological parameter received to a remote clinician. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the alert is provided to the user with a receiving device comprising a workstation, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a wearable computer, or a dedicated receiver. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one physiological parameter of the joint is measured intermittently or continuously.