Apparatus for vacuum bridging and/or exudate collection

Abstract

An apparatus for promoting the healing of an exuding wound includes a cover layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound. An exudate conduit having a fibrous core includes a plurality of fibers communicates with the reservoir for wicking fluids away from the wound.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
 a wound dressing comprising a cover layer having an aperture;   an elongate bridge having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned over the aperture in the wound dressing and the second end disposed at a remote location away from the wound dressing, wherein the elongate bridge comprises:
 an upper layer portion; 
 an elongate core comprising a fabric material positioned beneath the upper layer portion, the elongate core positioned over the aperture in the wound dressing at the first end of the elongate bridge; and 
 a lower layer portion positioned beneath the elongate core; 
 wherein at least the elongate core extends from the aperture in the wound dressing to the remote location; 
 wherein the elongate core is in contact with the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion along an entire length of the elongate core; and 
 wherein the first end of the elongate bridge is provided with an adhesive coating to establish a substantially fluid tight seal over the aperture in the wound dressing and that adheres the first end of the elongate bridge to the cover layer; and 
   a check valve at the second end of the elongate bridge.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the elongate bridge is positioned partially over the cover layer. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the lower layer portion overlaps with the cover layer at a peripheral region away from the aperture of the cover layer toward the edge of the cover layer. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the lower layer portion and the upper layer portion form a sleeve substantially enclosing the elongate core. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the wound dressing comprises a contact layer and a filler positioned between the contact layer and the cover layer. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising a connection member coupled to the second end of the elongate bridge for delivering negative pressure to the elongate bridge, wherein the check valve is disposed at the connection member. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a vacuum source configured to apply negative pressure to the elongate bridge via the connection member. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the check valve is configured to maintain a closed position in the absence of negative pressure from the vacuum source. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the elongate core comprises hydrophobic fiber material. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the elongate core comprises a plurality of fibers that are crimped, bulked or lofted. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the elongate core comprises polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate or combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the elongate core comprises a fabric material defining a sleeve. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion comprises a transparent material to allow for viewing of wound exudate. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the elongate bridge has a generally flattened, planar profile. 
     
     
         31 . A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus comprising:
 a wound dressing comprising a cover layer for defining a vacuum reservoir over a wound in which negative pressure may be maintained; and   an elongate bridge configured to provide fluid communication between the vacuum reservoir and a remote location from the wound dressing, the elongate bridge comprising:
 a lower layer portion; 
 an elongate core positioned over the lower film layer portion and having a length that spans a distance between the wound dressing and the remote location, wherein the elongate core is configured to be in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir of the wound dressing; and 
 an upper layer portion positioned over the elongate core and partially over the cover layer of the wound dressing; 
 wherein the elongate core is in contact with the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion along an entire length of the elongate core; and 
   a vacuum source configured to apply negative pressure to the elongate bridge, wherein the wound dressing and the elongate bridge are configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the vacuum source and configured to apply negative pressure from the vacuum source to the wound without positioning a collection canister configured to collect fluid between the elongate core and the vacuum source.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the cover layer includes an aperture therein through which negative pressure may be applied to the vacuum reservoir. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the elongate bridge is positioned partially over the cover layer. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the lower layer portion overlaps with the cover layer at a peripheral region away from the aperture of the cover layer toward the edge of the cover layer. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 34 , further comprising an adhesive coating layer, wherein the adhesive coating layer is at least partially placed between the lower layer and the cover layer adjacent the peripheral region of the cover layer. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the wound dressing comprises a contact layer configured to be positioned over the wound and a filler between the contact layer and the cover layer. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the elongate core comprises polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate or combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the elongate core comprises a fabric material defining a sleeve. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion form a sleeve substantially enclosing the elongate core. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the upper film layer portion and the lower film layer portion comprises a transparent material to allow for viewing of wound exudate. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , further comprising a check valve at the end of the elongate bridge near the remote location. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 41 , further comprising a connection member coupled to the end of the elongate bridge near the remote location, wherein the check valve is disposed in the connection member. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 41  wherein the check valve is configured to maintain a closed position in the absence of negative pressure from the vacuum source. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the elongate bridge has a generally flattened, planar profile.