Wound treatment device employing negative pressure

Abstract

Devices and methods for wound treatment are disclosed. A chamber may define a treatment space having an interior engineered surface including a plurality of structures configured to provide pathways for the distribution of negative pressure and to exert mechanical stress on a wound. In some specific embodiments, the devices and methods may treat wounds on the head, neck, and face. One or more tubes may be in fluid communication with the treatment space to facilitate the application of negative pressure, the introduction of therapeutic agents, and the removal of wound material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for wound treatment, comprising:
 a chamber that includes an inner surface and a sealing portion that defines an isolated treatment space;   a plurality of embossed structures arranged in a pattern on the inner surface of the chamber, the structures having a height of about 0.2 mm to about 5 mm and spaced about 0.2 mm to about 10 mm from one another, the structures configured to directly contact a wound and to create pathways for distributing negative pressure between the inner surface of the chamber and the wound; and   at least one tube having a first end connected to the chamber, the at least one tube being in fluid communication with the isolated treatment space so as to enable at least one selected from the group of applying negative pressure to the isolated treatment space and applying a therapeutic agent to the wound.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured to form an isolated treatment space over a head and neck of a human patient. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber is formed from a single sheet of material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber is formed from two or more sheets of material that are configured to seal together to define the isolated treatment space. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the seal is one of a mechanical seal or an adhesive seal. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structures intrudes into the isolated treatment space in a direction generally perpendicular to the inner surface of the chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each embossed structure has a shape selected from the group consisting of a cone, a pyramid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a half sphere, a dome, a rod, an elongated ridge with rounded sides, and an elongated ridge with square sides. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is made of a substantially transparent material. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic agent may be applied to the wound at a concentration that is up to or greater than about 1000 times a recommended intravenous treatment concentration. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tube is further configured to remove wound fluid from the treatment space. 
     
     
         11 . A wound treatment device, comprising:
 a chamber configured to enclose a head and neck region of a patient, the chamber being made of an impermeable material that is sufficiently thin to conform to the head and neck of the patient, the chamber having a sealing portion at a base and an interior surface defining an isolated treatment space;   a plurality of embossed structures on the interior surface of the chamber, the structures being configured to directly contact a wound and to create pathways for distributing negative pressure between the inner surface of the chamber and the wound; and   at least one tube connected to the chamber and in fluid communication with the isolated treatment space so as to enable at least one selected from the group of applying negative pressure to the treatment space and applying a therapeutic agent to the wound.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the chamber wall is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the therapeutic agent may be applied at a concentration that is up to or greater than about 1000 times a recommended intravenous treatment concentration. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of embossed structures have a height of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of embossed structures are positioned at a distance of about 0.2 mm to about 10 mm apart from one another. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of the embossed structures are positioned in a uniform pattern on the inner surface. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each embossed structure has a shape selected from the group consisting of a cone, a pyramid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a half sphere, a dome, a rod, 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is configured to treat the wound for a prolonged duration of a healing process. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a patient having a facial wound, comprising:
 debriding the facial wound;   fitting a wound treatment device of  claim 11  over a head of the patient;   applying at least one therapeutic agent to the wound via the device at a concentration of up to or greater than about 1000 times a concentration suitable for intravenous delivery; and   applying negative pressure wound therapy to the treatment space of the device for a sufficient duration to effect healing of the wound.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising surgically or non-surgically closing a mouth and a nose of the patient; applying a protective shield over an eye of the patient; and applying a tracheostomy tube and a gastrostomy tube to the patient.