Externally-applied patient interface system and method

Abstract

A surface-wound healing dressing for a wound or incision includes a slip drain located within the closed wound or incision. A wick is placed over the closed wound or incision in contact with the slip drain. A mat is placed over the wick and adapted for fluidic communication therewith. A recoil core includes a foam material and is adapted for placement on the mat. A wound healing method includes the steps of placing a slip drain, placing a wick over the slip drain, placing a recoil core over the wick and covering the recoil core with an overdrape. The overdrape is adapted for connection to an external negative pressure source, such as a vacuum.

Having thus described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing assembly for a wound or incision, which comprises:
 an external fluid transfer component including a porous recoil core and configured for placement over and extracting fluid from the wound or incision;   a semi-permeable overdrape placed over said external fluid transfer component, said overdrape including a perimeter configured for attachment to a skin surface around said wound or incision;   an internal fluid transfer component located in said wound or incision in fluidic communication with said external fluid transfer component; and   said recoil core configured for connection to a negative pressure source and having a compressed configuration for extracting fluid from said wound or incision under negative pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 1 , which includes:
 said overdrape having an opening to said external fluid transfer component, said opening forming a discharge port for fluid extracted from said wound.   
     
     
         3 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 2 , which includes:
 said external fluid transfer component including a wicking material cover over said recoil core;   said recoil core forming a fluid transfer zone at its outer surface adjacent to said wicking material cover; and   said fluid transfer zone being adapted for directing fluid from said wound or incision to said discharge port.   
     
     
         4 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 1 , which includes:
 a wicking material layer between said wound or incision and said external fluid transfer component.   
     
     
         5 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 4 , which includes:
 a porous, fluid-permeable mat between said wicking material layer and said external fluid transfer component, said mat and said wicking material layer configured for conveying fluid from said wound or incision to said external fluid transfer component.   
     
     
         6 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 5 , which includes:
 said internal fluid transfer component comprising a drain strip having an internal portion located within said wound or incision and an external portion located externally thereto in fluidic contact with said external fluid transfer component via said wicking material layer and said mat.   
     
     
         7 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 6 , which includes:
 said drain strip external portion configured for folding over the skin surface adjacent to said wound or incision and placement between and in contact with the skin surface and said wicking material layer.   
     
     
         8 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 7 , which includes:
 multiple said drain strips positioned in spaced relation along said wound or incision; and   said external portions of said drain strips configured for adhesively attaching to the overdrape with the dressing assembly in place.   
     
     
         9 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 6 , which includes:
 a suture encircling said external fluid transfer component and connected to said internal fluid transfer component.   
     
     
         10 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 1 , which includes:
 inlet and outlet ports formed in said overdrape and configured for fluid inflow and outflow respectively.   
     
     
         11 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 10 , which includes:
 said inlet and outlet ports formed in an outer surface of said overdrape.   
     
     
         12 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 10 , which includes:
 said external fluid transfer component having a perimeter; and   said inlet and outlet ports formed in said overdrape at said external fluid transfer component perimeter.   
     
     
         13 . A dressing assembly for a wound or incision, which comprises:
 an external fluid transfer component configured for transferring fluid from the wound or incision;   said external fluid transfer component including a porous recoil core with a surface;   an overdrape placed over said external fluid transfer component, said overdrape having a perimeter configured for adhesive connection to a skin surface adjacent to said wound or incision;   an internal fluid transfer component configured for placement in said wound or incision in fluidic communication with said external fluid transfer component;   said fluid transfer component configured for connection to a source of negative pressure external to said dressing assembly;   a wicking material cover enclosing said core and including a perimeter edge;   said fluid transfer component having compressed and uncompressed configurations;   said porous core forming a fluid transfer zone at its outer surface and adjacent to said wicking material cover;   said fluid transfer zone configured for directing fluid from said wound or incision to said discharge port;   a wicking material layer configured for placement between said wound or incision and said external fluid transfer component;   said internal fluid transfer component including multiple drain strips configured for placement in spaced relation along said wound or incision;   each said drain strip having an internal portion configured for placement within said wound or incision and an external portion configured for placement external to said wound or incision in fluidic contact with said external fluid transfer component via said wicking material layer and said mat;   said drain strip external portions configured for folding over the skin surface adjacent to said wound or incision and placement between and in contact with the skin surface and said wicking material layer; and   inlet and outlet ports formed in said overdrape and configured for fluid inflow and outflow to and from said external fluid transfer component, respectively.   
     
     
         14 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 13 , which includes:
 a porous, fluid-permeable mat between said wicking material layer and said external fluid transfer component, said mat and said wicking material layer configured for conveying fluid from said wound or incision to said external fluid transfer component for draining said dressing assembly; and   said external portions of said drain strips configured for adhesively attaching to the overdrape.   
     
     
         15 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 13 , which includes:
 said inlet and outlet ports formed in an outer surface of said overdrape.   
     
     
         16 . The dressing assembly according to  claim 15 , which includes:
 said external fluid transfer component having a perimeter; and   said inlet and outlet ports located in said overdrape at said external fluid transfer component perimeter.   
     
     
         17 . A method of treating a closed wound or incision, which comprises the steps of:
 providing a negative pressure source;   locating an internal fluid transfer component comprising a drain strip within said wound or incision;   placing a wick over the closed wound or incision in contact with the drain strip;   placing an external fluid transfer component over the wound or incision;   placing an overdrape with a perimeter over said fluid transfer component;   adhesively connecting said overdrape perimeter to a skin surface surrounding said wound or incision;   providing said fluid transfer component with a recoil core including a surface and a wicking material layer engaging same; and   connecting said negative pressure source to said external fluid transfer component; and   transferring fluid from the wound or incision under negative pressure to said external fluid transfer component via said drain strip.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , which includes the additional steps of providing said drain strip with an internal portion located within said wound or incision and an external portion located externally thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , which includes the additional steps of:
 providing a sensor connected to said external fluid transfer component;   sensing a characteristic of said external fluid transfer component and providing an output signal corresponding to said characteristic;   providing a controller connected to said sensor and receiving input signals therefrom; and   providing an output signal from said controller to said negative pressure source and thereby controlling the operation of said negative pressure source in response to a characteristic of said external fluid transfer component.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , which includes the additional steps of:
 providing a feedback loop connected to said controller output and to said controller; and   said feedback loop providing an output signal corresponding to said controller output and inputting same to said controller in said feedback loop.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , which includes the additional steps of:
 applying a subdermal hemostatic pressure via said external fluid transfer component and thereby providing a hemostasis treatment to said wound or incision.