U.S. patent application number 13/041926 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for drainage device for treating wounds using a reduced pressure.
Invention is credited to Birgit Riesinger.
Application Number | 20110172617 13/041926 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34745572 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110172617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Riesinger; Birgit |
July 14, 2011 |
DRAINAGE DEVICE FOR TREATING WOUNDS USING A REDUCED PRESSURE
Abstract
A drainage device for the treatment of wounds using reduced
pressure, includes (a) a gas-type wound-covering element, which is
fastened cohesively at the skin surface around the region of the
wound and forms a sealed wound space, remaining between the
respective wound and the wound-covering element; (b) at least one
drainage tube, which can be connected to a device generating
reduced pressure and can be inserted into the wound space
approximately parallel to the wound-covering element; and (c) at
least one absorption body in the form of at least one layer of a
textile section, which is interspersed with super-absorbing
particles and enclosed in an envelope. Due to the size of the pores
of the envelope, the absorbed wound secretions remain within the
absorption body and underneath the wound-covering element until the
absorption body is removed from the wound space. An air opening is
provided for the wound-covering element.
Inventors: |
Riesinger; Birgit;
(Ostbevern, DE) |
Family ID: |
34745572 |
Appl. No.: |
13/041926 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11791058 |
Jul 5, 2007 |
7922703 |
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PCT/EP2005/011702 |
Nov 2, 2005 |
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13041926 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2013/00748
20130101; A61F 2013/00182 20130101; A61M 1/0088 20130101; A61F
2013/00255 20130101; A61F 2013/00536 20130101; A61F 2013/00863
20130101; A61F 2013/00846 20130101; A61F 2013/00714 20130101; A61F
2013/00412 20130101; A61F 2013/00744 20130101; A61F 2013/00174
20130101; A61M 1/0031 20130101; A61M 27/00 20130101; A61F 2013/0054
20130101; A61F 2013/0057 20130101; A61F 2013/0074 20130101; A61F
13/00068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/319 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/00 20060101
A61M001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2004 |
DE |
20 2004 018 245.9 |
Claims
1. Drainage device for the treatment of wounds using reduced
pressure, comprising: (a) a gas-tight wound-covering element, which
comprises a sheet-like material and, in the state placed in contact
with the body of the patient, is fastened adhesively to the surface
of the skin around the region of the wound and forms a sealed wound
space between the respective wound and the wound-covering element,
(b) at least one means for producing a reduced pressure, connected
to a drainage tube, which can be inserted into the wound space
approximately parallel to the wound-covering element, by means of
which material in the wound space can be evacuated, and (c) at
least one absorption body, which is disposed in the wound space and
absorbs the wound secretions, wherein the absorption body has at
least one layer, which is enclosed in an envelope, of a textile
section interspersed with super-absorbing particles, the envelope
being permeable to liquids and having pores, the size of which
essentially does not exceed that of the super-absorbing particles,
the absorption body, which is to be inserted in the wound space,
has an initial volume (V1), which increases in the course of the
absorption process and assumes a final volume (V2), so that, due to
the pore size of the envelope, the absorbed wound secretions remain
within the absorption body and, with that, underneath the
wound-covering element until the absorption body is removed from
the wound space.
2. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein, in plan view of its
flat side, the layer has an area, which is 3% to 90% smaller than
that of the envelope, so that the absorption body can unimpededly
approach a circular shape in cross section in the vicinity of its
total filling capacity.
3. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the wound-covering
element has a window-like treatment opening, through which the
absorption body can be placed into and removed out of the wound
space, it being possible to close off the treatment opening
gas-tight with a lid.
4. The drainage device of claim 3, wherein at least one air
opening, with which the reduced pressure within the wound space can
be regulated, is disposed in at least one of the wound-covering
element and the lid.
5. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the textile section of
the absorption body comprises a non-woven material of cellulose
fibers.
6. The drainage device of claim 1, further comprising a
liquid-permeable mucous membrane-compatible protective element,
which is disposed on a side of the absorption body, opposite to the
wound covering element and is approximately equal in area to the
enveloped absorption body.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the protective element is in the
form of a sheet.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the protective element is a
section of textile material.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the protective element consists
of a foam material.
10. The device of claim 6, wherein the protective element is a bed
of pieces of nonwoven material or of foam, lying underneath the
absorption body.
11. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the wound-covering
element is transparent at least at a portion of its surface.
12. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the wound-covering
element is fastened over a flexible connecting plate to the body of
the patient, at least one opening being incorporated in the
flexible connecting plate.
13. The drainage device of claim 12, wherein the wound-covering
element is part of a medical care pouch, the side wall of which,
lying opposite the wound-covering element, is affixed at least
partly to the connecting plate.
14. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the envelope of the
absorption body is sealed by ultrasonic seams.
15. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the absorption body has
an overhang of enveloping material at its periphery.
16. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the drainage tube is
passed to a collecting container, which is connected upstream from
a vacuum pump and a pressure manometer.
17. The drainage device of claim 16, wherein the vacuum pump is
driven by at least one of electrical and mechanical means.
18. The drainage device of claim 1, wherein the drainage tube lies
between two absorption bodies forming a sandwich arrangement.
19. The drainage device of claim 18, wherein the sandwich
arrangement has an absorption body, which is interspersed with
super-absorbents, and at least one additional absorption body which
is not provided with super-absorbents.
20. The drainage device of claim 19, wherein the additional
absorption body is an open pore foam body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/791,058 filed on Jul. 5,
2007, which is the national stage of PCT/EP2005/011702, filed on
Nov. 2, 2005, which claims the benefit of German application 20
2004 018 245.9, filed on Nov. 24, 2004, the contents of all of the
foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a drainage device for treating
wounds using a reduced pressure, comprising: a gas-tight
wound-covering element, which consists of a sheet-like material
and, when placed in contact with the body of the patient, is
fastened adhesively to the surface of the skin about the region of
the wound, forming a sealed, wound space remaining between the
respective wound and the wound-covering element, and at least one
drainage tube, which can be connected to a means, such as a vacuum
pump, for producing the reduced pressure and can be inserted prone
into the wound space approximately parallel to the wound-covering
element and over which the materials in the wound space can be
evacuated, and at least one absorption body, which is disposed in
the wound space and absorbs the wound secretions.
[0003] A device of the type named above is known from the DE 195 17
699. The known device has a covering sheet for covering the wound
flat and closing it off air-tight, so that a wound space, into
which an insert of a foam material and a drainage hose, which is
pulled into this insert, are inserted, is formed underneath the
covering sheet in the region of the wound. With the help of the
insert of foam material, the wound secretions are to be withdrawn
uniformly over the whole of the wound surface. A collecting
container with a vacuum pump for producing the reduced pressure is,
in turn, connected to the drainage tube. The whole device is
disposed of when the collecting container is filled with wound
secretion. The purpose of the disposable device is to pass the
wound secretions continuously through the drainage tube into the
collecting container.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,584 shows a device for vacuum
treatments, which consists of a wound cover, a membrane pump, which
is disposed at the suction tube, and a pouch-like collector, which
is connected downstream from the membrane pump. A layer of material
or a loose bed of liquid-absorbing fibers, which rest on a
perforated layer and under which a further adhesive layer, in turn,
is placed, is disposed underneath the wound covering. Furthermore,
the fibers are covered by a liquid-permeable upper layer, which has
several windows. Beneath each window, there is a section of
material, which is also permeable to liquids. The suction tube is
connected with a connecting piece, which is disposed above the
wound cover, and does not have any direct contact with the
absorption material, which is located within the wound space. The
device, so designed, seems complicated and expensive to
produce.
[0005] The DE 299 53 373 C2 also discloses a device, which uses
reduced pressure for the treatment of wounds and comprises a
wound-covering element, a foam material insert underneath the
wound-covering element and at least one flexible conduit, which
communicates with the pores of the foam material insert. In the DE
38 50 798 T2, a sterile, rectangular, yet rigid cassette, in which
a surgical dressing is accommodated, is shown. The lower edge of
the cassette is fastened to the skin of the patient. For enclosing
the surgical field at the patient, the cassette is open at the top
and at the bottom.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,763 A discloses a cassette-like
wound-treating device, which is also fastened to the skin of the
patient. An exchangeable wound dressing is placed at the underside
of a swiveling lid.
[0007] A pouch-like wound-treating and wound drainage device, known
from AT E33 446 B, has a lower, peripheral edge, by which it may be
glued to the skin of a patient, a catheter holder, two treatment
openings with caps, which are disposed at an upper wall, as well as
an opening at the lower wall of the pouch for enabling access to
the wound. The publication describes only the construction of the
pouch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to design a cost-effective
device for the vacuum treatment of wounds, the design of which is
simplified.
[0009] This objective is accomplished by a device of the type named
above, for which the absorption body is at least one textile
section, in which super-absorbing particles are interspersed and
which is enclosed in an envelope, the envelope being permeable to
liquids and having pores, the size of which essentially does not
exceed that of the super-absorbing particles, the absorption body,
which is to be inserted in the wound space, having an initial
volume, which enlarges in the course of the absorption process and
assumes a final volume, so that the absorbed wound secretions, due
to the size of the pores of the envelope, remain within the
absorption body and, with that, below the wound-covering element
until the absorption body is removed from the wound space.
[0010] The wound-covering element may be fastened over a flexible
connecting plate, the so-called base plate, to the body of the
patient. One or more openings, which are fitted to the wound
area(s), are cut from the base plate before it is glued to the
skin. It is, however, possible to do without the base plate, if a
peripheral adhesive surface is applied, provided that the adhesive
substance is harmless and an appropriate connection site for
introducing the drainage hose is provided at the wound-covering
element. However, a conventional commercial wound-repair pouch with
a gas-tight treatment window and a drain, the side wall of which,
opposite to the wound-covering element, is glued to the connection
plate at the factory, is preferred.
[0011] It is important that at least one absorption body, which is
enriched with super-absorbents and can be exchanged, and one
drainage hose, which rests on the absorption body, are disposed
within the wound-repair pouch.
[0012] The drainage tube may, however, also lie between two
absorption bodies, which have the same or a different suction force
and form a sandwich arrangement. For the sandwich arrangement, an
absorption body, enriched with super-absorbents, and an additional
absorption body, which is not provided with super-absorbents, such
as a flat, open-pored foam body, may be used. Different
possibilities are provided here, namely, a sandwich arrangement,
for which the foam body lies between the connecting plate and the
absorption body, enriched with super-absorbents, or between the
wound-covering element and the absorption body, which is enriched
with super-absorbents.
[0013] An optimum wound-healing process can be "programmed" by the
selection of absorption bodies and their suction force.
[0014] The enveloped absorption body and/or the additional and/or
the additional foam-like absorption body and/or the adhesive film
element may be provided with silver-, copper- or zinc-containing
substances, for example, in nanocrystalline form, in order to kill
germs.
[0015] Without restricting the scope of the present invention, the
term "super absorbents" as used herein, includes, but is not
limited to: [0016] polyacrylates, particularly sodium polyacrylates
and copolymers thereof, including those in crosslinked form; [0017]
derivatives of cellulose, which for example may include, but are
not limited to, (a) sulfoalkylated celluloses and derivatives,
including cellulose ethyl sulfonate; (b) carboxyalkylated
cellulose, for example carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl
cellulose and/or carboxypropyl cellulose; (c) more complex
derivatives of cellulose, for example sulphoethyl carboxymethyl
cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose,
hydroxy-propyl-methyl cellulose, and the like; and/or (d) amidated
derivatives of cellulose, for example carboxymethyl cellulose amide
or carboxypropyl cellulose amide; [0018] alginates; [0019] hydrogel
nanoparticles including hydroxy-terminated methacrylate monomers,
for example 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and/or
2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate (HPMA), marketed, e.g., as
Altrazeal.TM.; and [0020] mixtures thereof.
[0021] All these materials can be used in form of fibers,
particles, yarns, sponges, textiles, sheets and/or beads.
[0022] In some embodiments, the absorption body 2 may also contain
compounds for the modulation of proteases, for example
collagenases, elastases and matrix metal proteases (MMPs). Without
restricting the scope of the present invention, such compounds may
be selected from, but are not limited to, the group consisting of
collagen, super absorbent polymers, or specific protease
inhibitors.
[0023] In some embodiments, the absorption body 2 may also contain
compounds for inducing hemostasis (arrest of bleeding). Without
restricting the scope of the present invention, such compounds may
be selected from, but are not limited to, the group consisting of
gelatine, collagen, oxidized regenerated celluloses, and
pharmaceutical hemostatics.
[0024] In some embodiments, the absorption body 2 may also contain
antimicrobial compounds. Without restricting the scope of the
present invention, such compounds may be selected from, but are not
limited to, the group consisting silver or silver ions, octenidin,
iodine-based compounds, bacteriostatics, chlorine-based compounds,
primary and secondary quorum sensing inhibitors, polyhexamethylene
biguanide (PHMB), di-alkyl carbamoyl chloride (DACC), and lysing
agents for exopolysaccharides.
[0025] It is also important that the area of the textile section of
the absorption body, enriched with super-absorbent particles, is
significantly smaller that that of the envelope, so that the
absorption body, without being impeded in its cross section, can
approach a circular form. The full utilization of the maximum or
almost maximum filling capacity of the absorption body contributes
to lowering the costs of treating the wound.
[0026] The wound-covering element may be transparent at least over
a portion of its surface, so that the state of the wound-healing
process may be observed. The drainage device may be provided with a
liquid permeable, mucous membrane compatible protective element,
which is disposed on a side of the absorption body, opposite to the
wound-covering element and the surface area of which is
approximately equal to that of the enveloped absorption body. The
protective element may also be produced from a soft, open cell foam
material or a very loose nonwoven fabric. Finally, the protective
element may also be a loose bed of pieces of a nonwoven material or
of a foam underneath the absorption body. At the end of the
absorption process, these pieces are removed from the wound, for
example with forceps. Moreover, a voluminous formation fulfills not
only the function of protecting the mucous membrane, but also that
of an absorber. The open cell foam or the nonwoven material may
have pores, which are several times larger than those of the
envelope, so that the larger particles of wound exudate may be
taken up.
[0027] If the device is glued to the body of the patient, the
reduced pressure in the wound space beneath the wound-covering
element can be produced manually or mechanically or electrically. A
most simple manual production of vacuum can be brought about, for
example, with the help of a so called scissors grip vacuum pump or
a known rubber bellows ("ball pump"), which can be compressed by
hand. Different conventional, commercial vacuum pumps, which can be
supplied, for example, together with a tube and a pressure
regulator, are suitable for producing a vacuum electrically.
[0028] For an in-patient, for example, post-operative treatment of
a wound, the reduced pressure can be produced by connecting the
drainage device to an existing, stationary vacuum installation,
optionally by way of a pressure regulator.
[0029] In a plan view of its flat side, the device may be
polygonal, oval or circular or it may also be pouch-shaped, similar
to the known wound-repair pouches.
[0030] The envelope consists of a liquid-permeable, mucous
membrane-compatible natural material or plastic, to which the wound
secretions adhere hardly, if at all. This enables liquid wound
secretions to be transported into the absorption material. The
wound secretions pass through the envelope and are absorbed by the
absorption material, which has been enriched with
super-absorbents.
[0031] Advantageously, a peripheral overhang of envelope material
is provided at the envelope of the absorption body, so that any
painful contact of the relative hard seam with the surface of the
wound can be limited or even avoided. The envelope material a
peripheral seam and the outer extent of the envelope is understood
to be the overhang here.
[0032] The envelope of the absorption body many be provided with
pulling means, so that the consumed, swollen absorption body can be
pulled more easily out of the wound region.
[0033] The envelope, as well as the absorption material within the
envelope may be provided with an odor-inhibiting and/or
odor-neutralizing or odor-masking additive, such as activated
charcoal.
[0034] It is of great advantage that, during the evacuation of the
gases, wound secretion particles are not carried along. These
remain within the envelope of the absorption body until the whole
device is removed from the body of the patient and disposed of or
until the swollen absorption body is exchanged. Overall, a device
is created for the treatment of wounds using a reduced pressure,
for which the wound secretions are aspirated by the nonwoven
material of the absorption body, which is interspersed with super
absorber, and remain within the envelope surrounding the absorption
body without getting back from the envelope into the covered wound
space. As the absorption increases, the cross sectional area of the
absorption body increases greatly by a multiple and approaches a
circular shape. Essentially, no wound secretions are carried along
while the reduced pressure is being maintained with the help of a
vacuum pump, which can be connected to the device, that is, when
evacuating gases. Moreover, it is possible to do without an
additional collecting container. If an excess of wound secretion is
to be drained off, it is advisable to connect the drainage tube
over a check valve to a collecting container, which, in turn, is
connected upstream from a vacuum pump with a pressure manometer. In
this case, the exchangeable absorption body acts as an intermediate
storage device for the secretions emerging from the wound.
[0035] The inventive drainage device can also be used for
compression therapy, for example, for the treatment of open
legs.
[0036] For a full understanding of the present invention, reference
should now be made to the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a drainage device in plan view of the
wound-covering element.
[0038] FIGS. 2a to 2d show the device of FIG. 1, glued to the skin
of the patient, in a diagrammatic section.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows the device of FIG. 1, however with a neck, also
in plan view of its flat side.
[0040] FIGS. 4a to 4c show a section A-A of FIG. 3 with three
different sandwich arrangements of two absorption bodies.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows the device of FIG. 1 or 3 in a diagrammatic
longitudinal section, connected to a portable or a stationary
vacuum installation.
[0042] FIG. 6a shows a further embodiment of the drainage device in
plan view of the wound-covering element.
[0043] FIG. 6b shows a section, similar to that of FIG. 6a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings. Identical
elements in the figures are designated with the same reference
numerals.
[0045] FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2d show a drainage device 100 for the
treatment of wounds using a reduced pressure is shown, comprising a
rectangular and a sheet-like, transparent wound-covering 3, a
connecting plate 10 of a hydrocolloidlike material, between which
there is an absorption body 2, and a drainage tube 4. An opening 11
(compare FIG. 2a), the size of which corresponds to that of the
wound, is cut out of the connecting plate 10, so that, when the
device 100 is glued to the skin of the patient, a gas-tight wound
space 5 results in the region of the wound (compare FIG. 2b). A
peripheral edge 25 of the wound-covering element 3 is glued firmly
to the connecting plate 10.
[0046] The gas-tight wound space 5 is thus bounded by the wound
surface, the wound covering element 3 and the inner edge of the
opening 11 at the connecting plate. This wound space has a variable
volume, since the wound-covering element 3 is not tensioned. The
wound space, if it is considered as a reduced pressure space, also
includes the interior of the drainage tube 4 up to the obstruction
element, such as the check valve 17, shown diagrammatically in FIG.
5.
[0047] The drainage tube 4 is pushed over an envelope piece 22,
which is disposed at the edge of the wound-covering element 3, and
under the wound covering element and rests on the absorption body
2, without contacting the wound surface.
[0048] Furthermore, at each of its two flat sides, the connecting
plate 10 has a protective film 19, 24, of, which the protective
film 19, facing the later wound region, can be pulled off. The
other protective film 24 is finished to be adhesive on the side
facing the wound-covering element 3.
[0049] The absorption body 2 is a layer 7 (compare FIG. 2a) of a
textile section 33, which is enriched with super-absorbents and
surrounded by the liquid-permeable envelope 6. The envelope 6 has a
peripheral overhang 9 of material at its periphery, the area of the
layer 7 being about 40% smaller than that of the envelope 11.
[0050] A drainage device 200, similar to the one described above,
is sharing in FIGS. 3 and 5. For this drainage device 200, the
wound covering element 3 is part of a known wound-repair pouch 13
with a neck 27, the side wall 8 (compare FIG. 5) of which, opposite
the wound-covering element 3, is glued rigidly to the
hydrocolloidal connecting plate 10, an outline 26 of the
wound-repair pouch, placed flat, protruding beyond the connecting
plate. The flat absorption body 2 is accommodated in the interior
of the wound-repair pouch 13, which is glued to the skin of the
patient. The wound contour 28 is outlined with a line 28 of
dashes.
[0051] FIG. 4a shows the drainage device 200 in the section A-A of
FIG. 3. A sandwich arrangement 20 of two absorption bodies 2.1,
2.2, between which the drainage tube 4 is located, is a special
feature of this embodiment. FIG. 4b also shows a sandwich
arrangement, for which an additional absorption body 32, which is
not provided with super-absorbents, is located between the
wound-covering element 3 and the absorption body 2, which is
enriched with super-absorbents. In FIG. 4c, once again a sandwich
arrangement is shown, for which the additional absorption body 32
is located between the connecting plate 10 and the absorption body
2, which is enriched with super-absorbents. In the last two cases,
the drainage tube 4 is disposed between the absorption bodies 2;
32, which differ from one another. The additional
super-absorber-free absorption body 32 is present in the form of an
open pore foam body.
[0052] A relatively wide, round treatment opening 12, through which
the absorption body 2 or the additional absorption body 32 can be
placed in or removed from the wound space 5, is incorporated at the
wound covering element 3. The treatment opening 12 can be closed
off gas-tied with a swiveling lid 23. An air opening 34, which is
disposed in the center of the swiveling lid 23 and with which the
reduced pressure can be regulated and adjusted in such a manner,
that there may be a draft of air within the wound space during the
suction process, is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. FIGS. 6a and
6b show a drainage device 300, which is essentially similar to that
shown in FIG. 1. The difference consists therein that the
perforated part of the drainage tube 4 underneath the
wound-covering element 3 is forked. A stable pressure distributor
40 results in this way, since the two branches 41.1, 41.2 rest on
the 15 absorption body 2 and press against a reinforced rim 42 of
the swiveling lid 23.
[0053] A different pressure distributor 43 is present in the form
of a flat, open cell foam piece 44 (compare FIG. 4c). The foam
piece 44 is hardly compressible and therefore retains its
thickness, which defines a required distance A between the
wound-covering element 3 and the absorption body 2.
[0054] In addition, a sterile, air-tight packaging (not shown) is
provided for the device.
[0055] Function (see FIGS. 2a to 2d and 5):
[0056] A deep wound 29 is covered completely by gluing the drainage
device (100) of FIG. 1 to the skin of the patient. Previously, an
opening 11 was cut out of the connecting plate 10 and, after that,
the protective film 19, shown in FIG. 2a, was removed, so that an
adhesive surface 30 at the underside of the connecting plate 10 is
exposed.
[0057] To begin with, the mucous membrane-compatible, perforated,
film-like protective element 1 and then the flat absorption body 2
together with the envelope 6 were carefully placed through the
treatment opening 12 with sterilized forceps 16 (not shown) onto
the surface of the wound. The absorption body 2 has an initial
volume V1. The drainage tube 4 is then pushed in over the envelope
piece 22 and under the wound covering element 3 in such a manner
that it rests on the envelope of the absorption body 2 (see FIG.
2b). By gluing the drainage device to the skin, a gas-tight wound
space 5 is formed between the wound-covering element 3 and the
surface of the wound.
[0058] A vacuum pump 15, which can be operated by hand and is
equipped with a pressure manometer 15 (see FIG. 5), is connected
over a line 31 with the drainage tube 4. Since the wound space 5 is
sealed, the gases in the wound space 5 can be evacuated with the
help of the vacuum pump 15. The state is shown in FIGS. 2b and 5. A
reduced pressure of about 100 mm Hg was produced within the wound
space 5 with the help of the vacuum pump 15. A check valve 17,
which permits the flow of gases and possibly of liquid wound
secretions only in the direction of a collection container 16,
which is connected upstream from the vacuum pump 16, is disposed in
the line 31 between the envelope piece 22 and the vacuum pump
14.
[0059] The wound secretions, emerging from the wound, reach the
absorption body 2 and bring about a compression underneath the
wound-covering element 3. After the aspiration of wound secretions,
the absorption body 2 assumes a final volume V2 (see FIGS. 2c and
2d). All wound secretions, which have emerged from the wound, are
absorbed by the absorption body 2. Basically, the outside of the
envelope 6 remains dry.
[0060] The consumed absorption body 2 and the protective element 1
are now removed carefully from the region of the wound by raising
the pivoting lid 23 with the help of forceps (see FIG. 2d). If
required, a new absorption body and a new protective element 1 can
be placed on the wound. If the wounds discharge very heavily, there
may be an excess of wound secretion, which is passed over the
drainage tube 4 to the collecting container 16.
[0061] If the patient is to be subjected to an in-patient wound
treatment, the reduced pressure can be produced in the wound space
in the wound region by an existing, clinical vacuum installation 21
(FIG. 5). For this purpose, it is advisable to incorporate a
pressure regulator 18, with which the reduced pressure range can be
adjusted, in the line between the drainage tube 4 and the vacuum
installation 21.
[0062] There has thus been shown and described a novel drainage
device for treating wounds using a reduced pressure which fulfills
all the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the
subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled
in the art after considering this specification and the
accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments
thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses
and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is
to be limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *