Apparatuses and methods for negative pressure wound therapy

Abstract

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A suction device comprising an attachment portion adapted to be attached to a wound cover member, said suction device comprising a fluid inlet being at least partially circumscribed by said attachment portion, said suction device also comprising a fluid outlet, said suction device further comprising a connection portion adapted to, at least during one operation condition of said suction device, provide a fluid communication between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, wherein said connection portion comprises a duct wall at least partially defining a connection duct from said inlet to said outlet, said connection portion comprising a partition wall extending at least partially from said duct wall, wherein said fluid inlet extends in a circumferential direction, said fluid inlet further extending in an axial direction being substantially perpendicular to said circumferential direction, wherein said partition wall does not extend in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         55 . The suction device according to  claim 54 , wherein said fluid outlet extends in a longitudinal direction (L), said partition wall extending in a partition wall extension (E PW ) that is substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         56 . A kit for a negative pressure wound therapy system, said kit comprising:
 a suction device according to  claim 54 ;   a wound cover member adapted to be attached over a wound.   
     
     
         57 . The kit according to  claim 56 , wherein said wound cover member comprises a wound cover film. 
     
     
         58 . The kit according to  claim 56 , wherein said kit further comprises fluid communication means adapted to provide a fluid communication between said fluid outlet and a negative pressure source. 
     
     
         59 . A method comprising:
 providing a cover member,   providing the suction device according to  claim 54 ,   providing said cover member with an opening,   positioning said suction device such that said fluid inlet aligns with said opening in said cover member.   
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 59 , further comprising:
 applying suction to said suction device.   
     
     
         61 . A fluid communication assembly comprising the suction device according to  claim 54 ,
 i) wherein the fluid outlet comprises a first channel that is in fluid communication with a first conduit configured to provide a fluid communication with a negative pressure source; and   ii) wherein the fluid outlet further comprises a second channel that is in fluid communication with a second conduit configured to provide a fluid communication to a source of air for introducing an air volume into the suction device.   
     
     
         62 . The fluid communication assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein the fluid communication assembly further comprises the negative pressure source, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with the negative pressure source. 
     
     
         63 . The fluid communication assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein the source of air is ambient air. 
     
     
         64 . The fluid communication assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein the first channel and the second channel enters the connection portion on a respective side of the partition wall. 
     
     
         65 . A suction device comprising an attachment portion adapted to be attached to a wound cover member, said suction device comprising a fluid inlet being at least partially circumscribed by said attachment portion, said suction device also comprising a fluid outlet, said suction device further comprising a connection portion adapted to, at least during one operation condition of said suction device, provide a fluid communication between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, wherein said connection portion comprises a duct wall at least partially defining a connection duct from said inlet to said outlet, said connection portion comprising a partition wall extending at least partially from said duct wall, wherein said fluid inlet extends in a circumferential direction, said fluid inlet further extending in an axial direction being substantially perpendicular to said circumferential direction. 
     
     
         66 . The suction device according to  claim 65 , wherein said fluid outlet extends in a longitudinal direction (L), said partition wall extending in a partition wall extension (E PW ) that is substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         67 . A kit for a negative pressure wound therapy system, said kit comprising:
 a suction device according to  claim 65 ;   a wound cover member adapted to be attached over a wound.   
     
     
         68 . The kit according to  claim 67 , wherein said wound cover member comprises a wound cover film. 
     
     
         69 . The kit according to  claim 67 , wherein said kit further comprises fluid communication means adapted to provide a fluid communication between said fluid outlet and a negative pressure source. 
     
     
         70 . A method comprising:
 providing a cover member,   providing the suction device according to  claim 65 ,   providing said cover member with an opening,   positioning said suction device such that said fluid inlet aligns with said opening in said cover member.   
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 70 , further comprising:
 applying suction to said suction device.   
     
     
         72 . A fluid communication assembly comprising the suction device according to  claim 65 ,
 i) wherein the fluid outlet comprises a first channel that is in fluid communication with a first conduit configured to provide a fluid communication with a negative pressure source; and   ii) wherein the fluid outlet further comprises a second channel that is in fluid communication with a second conduit configured to provide a fluid communication to a source of air for introducing an air volume into the suction device.   
     
     
         73 . The fluid communication assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the fluid communication assembly further comprises the negative pressure source, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication with the negative pressure source. 
     
     
         74 . The fluid communication assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the source of air is ambient air. 
     
     
         75 . The fluid communication assembly according to  claim 70 , wherein the first channel and the second channel enters the connection portion on a respective side of the partition wall.