Wound suction peg apparatus

An apparatus is provided for placement in a wound to treat and promote healing of the wound by suctioning unwanted fluids and debris from the wound. The apparatus includes a suction head peg made of multi-fibered material that is softenable in the human body by body fluids. A membrane and cuff are included for attachment to the body, and a suction tube is in operable communication with the suction head peg and a suction pump to provide suction at the suction head peg. While the stiffened peg is capable of insertion into the body, it is designed to soften in fluid such as the body fluids with which the peg comes into contact after insertion into the wound or abscess. This softening allows the peg to change shape and conform to the shrinking wound or abscess cavity as material is suctioned therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Applicants' invention relates generally to a device in the wound healing arts. More particularly, it relates to a novel wound healing apparatus having a multi-fibered peg for acting a suction head for removing excess fluid from a wound.

2. Description of Related Art

A wound cavity, such as a seroma, is sometimes created in human flesh after the removal of a bulk of tissue during surgery or other invasive trauma to the body. Such interior cavities commonly develop after the surgery is completed and the skin is closed. A need exists for a system and method that will treat these cavities, and like wound and abscess cavities such as those that arise due to infection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for placement in a wound to treat and promote healing of the wound by suctioning unwanted fluids and debris from the wound. The apparatus preferably comprises a suction head peg made of multi-fibered material that is softenable in the human body by body fluids.

The device has a head unit that is designed to be placed on the patient's body, generally over the wound area. The head unit is anticipated to take a number of forms, but in a first embodiment is comprised of a membrane and cuff for attachment to the body, a suction tube in operable communication with a suction pump (or communicable with a suction pump), and the peg, which is in operable communication with the suction tube. The suction tube may be removably attachable to the remainder of the head unit via a connector. A suction line is continuous through the suction tube, the peg, and the remainder of the head unit, and the suction line provides the operative communication for the components.

The peg is made from a stiffened material that is capable of being inserted through the epidermal, scar, scab, and other tissue that can close or cover a wound or abscess. While the stiffened peg is capable of insertion, it is designed to soften in fluid such as the body fluids it comes into contact with after insertion into the wound or abscess. This softening allows the peg to change shape and conform to the shrinking wound or abscess cavity as material is suctioned therefrom. This conforming actions helps limits the unwanted penetration by a peg that does not soften and conform into the good tissue surrounding the wound/abscess cavity.

The suction tube, or tubes, serve as conduits to remove fluids from the wound, preferably under the power of a suction device to which the tubes are connected outside the body. The peg acts as the tip of that suction apparatus. During the healing process, the suction tube serves as a conduit to remove excess fluid from the wound through the suction tube. Preferably, the suction tube is connected to a suction device such as a vacuum pump (not shown) outside the body to facilitate removal of excess fluid from the cavity.

The present apparatus and method may be used with animals as well as humans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures,FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of the present invention inserted into a wound abscess cavity11. The membrane13and cuff15make up a part of the head unit17and sit on the surface of the body, with the peg21, or suction tip, inserted through the skin layer25and into the abscess cavity11. The peg21is hollow and has one or more apertures or pores. The apertures and pores are in communication with the suction line31through the head unit17. Suction applied through the peg21pulls body fluids and debris in the abscess cavity11into the peg pores or apertures and through the suction line31, draining the abscess cavity11.

The initial insertion of the peg21is facilitated due to the peg21being stiffened. This stiffening of the peg21may be a natural characteristic of the material used in the manufacture of the peg21, or it may induced through the use of stiffening agent applied to the peg21. The stiffening agent is anticipated to be a starch, complex carbohydrate, or gelatin, but other substances that exhibit the necessary stiffening in air and softening in fluid characteristics may be used as well. An anticipated alternative is that a flexible peg21could be used in conjunction with the stiffening agent, and the stiffening agent be one that simply dissolves in the presence of fluids leaving the flexible peg21in the abscess, rather than the stiffening agent itself softening.

FIG. 2shows the present invention with a flange35and connector37that allows for the attachment of the suction tube31. The cuff15and membrane13can be attached to the skin in a variety of ways such as a strap or adhesives, or they may simply sit on top of the skin and allow the peg21to hold the unit in place.

FIG. 3shows the present invention with the suction tube disconnected from the connector. The peg is anticipated to be made from a multi-fibered material that provides enough stiffness to allow the peg to puncture the tissue and debris over the abscess cavity. It also provides the apertures necessary to allow for suction of the fluid and debris in the wound to be suctioned into the suction line. The peg is anticipated to be hollow along its longitudinal axis to allow for communication with the suction line. Although there are many materials that the peg could be fashioned from, some of those that are anticipated to be used are silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene sold under the name Teflon™, plastic, and like fibers or meshes.

As persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, materials may be used in lieu of or in addition to the above described peg and stiffening agent in accordance with the present invention.