Assemblies, systems, and methods for vacuum assisted internal drainage during wound healing

Abstract

Assemblies, systems, and methods convey fluid from an internal wound site or body cavity by applying negative pressure from a source outside the internal wound site or body cavity through a wound drain assembly that, is placed directly inside the internal wound site or body cavity.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A drain system, comprising:
 a branched array that includes a plurality drain assemblies configured to be inserted into a volume within a body, each drain assembly including a housing having:
 an open interior; and 
 at least one perforation; and 
   a main tube configured to couple to a source of negative pressure and communicate with the branched array, such that negative pressure from the source of negative pressure is conveyed to the open interiors of the plurality of drain assemblies,   wherein the at least one perforation is configured such that, in a presence of the negative pressure in the open interior, matter accumulated in the volume within the body passes through the at least one perforation and into the open interior.   
     
     
         38 . The drain system of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of drain assemblies are further configured such that the presence of the negative pressure in the open interiors of the plurality of drain assemblies draws and holds together internal tissue forming the volume within the body. 
     
     
         39 . The drain system of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of drain assemblies are further configured such that the presence of the negative pressure in the open interiors of the plurality of drain assemblies reduces a size of the volume within the body. 
     
     
         40 . The drain system of  claim 37 , wherein:
 the branch array is removable from the plurality of drain assemblies, such that the branch array and main tube are removable from the body; and   the plurality of drain assemblies consist of material that is absorbable by the body.   
     
     
         41 . The drain system of  claim 40 , wherein at least a portion of the material of the plurality of drain assemblies is at least one of impregnated or coated with a bioactive or chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         42 . The drain system of  claim 41 , wherein the agent includes one or more of a hormone, a growth factor, an antibiotic, or an antibacterial. 
     
     
         43 . The drain system of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 the source of negative pressure, wherein the source of negative pressure is configured to apply the negative pressure to the main tube.   
     
     
         44 . The drain system of  claim 43 , wherein the source of negative pressure is portable. 
     
     
         45 . The drain system of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a tubular sleeve including:
 a bore configured to pass the housing of a drain assembly; and 
 a tissue-penetrating distal tip forming an end of the bore; 
   wherein the tubular sleeve is configured to provide access to the volume within the body and enable deployment of the plurality of drain assemblies therein.   
     
     
         46 . The drain system of  claim 37 , wherein each of the plurality of drain assemblies further includes an open cell component positioned within the open interior of the housing, and configured to take in the matter accumulated in the volume within the body that passes through the at least one perforation and into the open interior. Application No.:
 Attorney Docket No.:  00181 - 0003 - 02000     
     
     
         47 . A method of treating a body, comprising:
 deploying a branched array that includes a plurality of drain assemblies into a volume within the body;   operating a source of negative pressure to apply a negative pressure to an open interior of respective housings of the plurality of drain assemblies, wherein:   the negative pressure is applied via a main tube coupled to the source of negative pressure and to the branched array; and   each of the respective housings has a plurality of perforations at least one perforation that provide provides communication between the open interior of the housing and the volume within the body.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 via the negative pressure in the plurality of drain assemblies, drawing and holding together internal tissue forming the volume within the body.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 via the negative pressure in the plurality of drain assemblies, reducing a size of the volume within the body.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 via the negative pressure in the plurality of drain assemblies, drawing matter accumulated in the volume within the body through the at least one perforation pluralities of perforations and into the open interiors of the plurality of drain assemblies. Application No.:   Attorney Docket No.:  00181 - 0003 - 02000     
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 inserting at least one housing of the plurality of drain assemblies into a bore of a tubular sleeve;   advancing a penetrating distal tip of the tubular sleeve into the volume of the body;   advancing the at least one housing to the penetrating distal tip;   holding the at least one housing in place, and withdrawing the tubular sleeve to deploy the at least one housing into the volume of the body.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein, after the plurality of drain assemblies are deployed, the main tube passes from within the body to outside of the body. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 decoupling the plurality of drain assemblies from the branched array; and   removing the main tube and the branched array.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein:
 the plurality of drain assemblies consist of material that is absorbable by the body; and   the method further comprises allowing the plurality of drain assemblies to be absorbed by the body. Application No.:   Attorney Docket No.:  00181 - 0003 - 02000     
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein:
 the plurality of drain assemblies include material that is at least one of coated or impregnated with a bioactive or chemotherapeutic agent; and   the method further comprises delivering the agent to the body via the plurality of drain assemblies.   
     
     
         56 . A treatment system, comprising:
 a branched array that includes a plurality of drain assemblies configured to be inserted into a volume within a body, each drain assembly formed from material that is absorbable by the body and including a housing having:   an open interior; and   a plurality of perforations at least one perforation; and   a main tube configured to couple to a source of negative pressure and communicate with the branched array, such that negative pressure from the source of negative pressure is conveyed to the open interiors of the plurality of drain assemblies, wherein the plurality of drain assemblies are further configured such that a presence of the negative pressure in the open interiors of the plurality of drain assemblies draws and holds together internal tissue forming the volume within the body and at least partially closes the volume; and   wherein the main tube is removable from the plurality of drain assemblies.