Smith & Nephew PLC

Methods of manufacturing a wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus and/or wound dressing include positioning electronic components and connections in regions of a substrate that are not configured to be perforated. The methods can also include following a set of rules for positioning the components as well as positioning and shaping the connections based on the constraints stemming from, among other things, the positioning of the perforations on the substrate and with the goal of maintaining acceptable levels of signal integrity. The methods further include manufacturing a multi-layered substrate. Wound monitoring and/or therapy apparatus manufactured using such methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a fluid communication path to a wound site through a drape. The apparatus comprises a body portion having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one connection port, at least one suction port and at least one fluid communication passageway between the connection port and the suction port. A connector at an end of at least one tubular conduit is locatable through the drape into an orifice in the connection port to thereby provide a fluid communication path through the drape between the tubular conduit and the wound site.

In some cases, a method of coating a wound dressing includes coating a wound facing side of a substantially flexible substrate of the wound dressing with a coating, the wound facing side of the substrate supporting at least one optical sensor and reducing and/or controlling surface texture of the coating to improve detection by the at least one optical sensor. In some cases, a wound dressing includes a substantially flexible substrate supporting at least one optical sensor, the at least one optical sensor including a light source and a detector configured to sense reflected light, a void in the substrate, the void positioned between the light source and the detector, and coating applied to the substrate and covering the at least one optical sensor. The void can prevent transmission of light emitted by the light source to the detector through the coating.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to negative pressure treatment systems and wound dressing systems, apparatuses, and methods that may be used for the treatment of wounds. In particular, some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressings comprising an obscuring layer that may hide fluid contained therein and a stabilizing structure that may aid in wound closure.

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 towards wound dressings comprising a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable. 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.

In some embodiments, a wound therapy apparatus includes a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound, the wound dressing including a substantially stretchable wound contact layer supporting a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the plurality of the electronic components. The wound contact layer can include a first plurality of flocked fibers positioned on a wound facing side of the wound contact layer, the first plurality of flocked fibers including soft material configured to cushion the wound contact layer when the wound dressing is positioned over the wound. The wound contact layer can include a second plurality of flocked fibers positioned on a non-wound facing side opposite the wound facing side.

A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by utilizing a stabilizing structure that preferentially contracts to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a protective layer, such as a mesh or net layer, attached to a top surface of the stabilizing structure. The protective layer prevents a drape positioned over the stabilizing structure from being drawn into cells of the stabilizing structure, and permits visualization of the collapse of the cells.

Systems and methods for controlling a pump system for use in negative pressure wound therapy are described herein. In some embodiments, a method for controlling a pump system includes causing provision of negative pressure, via a flow path, to a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound, the flow path configured to fluidically connect the pump system to the wound dressing, measuring a first pressure value in the flow path at a first time, measuring a second pressure value in the flow path at a second time, calculating a first rate of pressure change using the first and second pressure values, and in response to determining that the calculated first rate of pressure change satisfies a threshold rate of change, providing an indication that the wound dressing is full, wherein the method is performed under control of a controller of the pump system.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure apparatus and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed towards improved fluidic connectors configured to transmit irrigation fluid and to apply aspiration to a wound, for example using softer, kink-free conformable layers. Some embodiments may comprise a first channel for delivering irrigation fluid to the wound and a second channel for transmitting negative pressure and removing fluid comprising irrigation fluid and wound exudate from the wound, wherein the channels comprise a flexible spacer material. Some embodiments are directed toward an irrigation manifold attachable to or incorporated as part of a distal end of an irrigation and aspiration fluidic connector.

Embodiments of negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wound dressing, negative pressure source, user interface, sensor, and control circuitry. The user interface can receive an activation input. The sensor can detect whether the wound dressing is positioned over a wound. The control circuitry can cause supply of negative pressure in response to receipt of the activation input and a determination that the sensor detects that the wound dressing is positioned over the wound. In addition, the control circuitry can prevent supply of negative pressure in response to a determination that the sensor does not detect that the wound dressing is positioned over the wound.