Patent Description:
Clinical studies and practices have shown that providing reduced pressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates the growth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has been particularly successful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequently referred to in the medical community as "negative pressure wound therapy," "reduced pressure therapy," or "vacuum therapy") provides a number of benefits, which may include faster healing and increased formulation of granulation tissue. Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, "or" does not require mutual exclusivity.

Providing reduced pressure to limited-access locations has been difficult. One example of a difficult limited-access location is the bottom sole (plantar) of a patient's foot or other anatomical locations that are difficult to service. A related illustrative example of a limited-access location is inside an offloading device, such as a walking boot or removable walker. Another example of a limited-access location is a tissue site on a bed-ridden patient's back. Other illustrative examples include a tissue site under a compression garment and sacral wounds on the foot.

<CIT> discloses a multi-layer pressure delivery apparatus include a tissue contact layer, a release layer, and a manifold layer.

<CIT> discloses a patient interface system having primary and secondary fluid transfer elements.

The invention is defined by a reduced-pressure bridge for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site from a remote site for treating a tissue site, the reduced-pressure bridge comprising: a delivery manifold operable to transfer the reduced pressure; the bridge comprising an first encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side ; an reduced-pressure interface site formed proximate to an second end of the reduced-pressure bridge; and an second aperture formed on the patient-facing side of the first encapsulating envelope, wherein reduced pressure is transferable to the tissue site via the second aperture, and a moisture-removing device on at least a portion of the first encapsulating envelope ; wherein the first encapsulating envelope comprises: a first encapsulating member having a first perimeter portion; a second encapsulating member having a second perimeter portion; and wherein the first perimeter portion is coupled to the second perimeter portion such that the delivery manifold is at least partially enclosed by the first encapsulating member and the second encapsulating member; wherein the moisture-removing device comprises a comfort manifold and a third encapsulating member for encapsulating at least a portion of the comfort manifold on the patient-facing side and wherein the third encapsulating member has a plurality of apertures.

A selection of optional features is set out in the dependent claims.

Problems with existing reduced-pressure treatment devices and systems are addressed by the systems and apparatus of the illustrative embodiments described herein.

Methods not forming part of the invention are also described.

According to an illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure treatment system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location on a patient includes a reduced-pressure source, a treatment manifold for placing proximate the tissue site and operable to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site, and a sealing member for placing over the tissue site and operable to form a pneumatic seal over the tissue site. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a reduced-pressure bridge that includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer the reduced pressure to the treatment manifold, an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side, a reduced-pressure-interface site formed proximate one end of the reduced-pressure bridge. The reduced-pressure treatment system also includes a moisture-removing device.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure bridge for delivering reduced pressure to a reduced-pressure dressing from a remote site includes a delivery manifold operable to transfer a reduced pressure and an encapsulating envelope at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold and having a patient-facing side. A reduced-pressure-interface site is formed proximate a second end of the reduced-pressure bridge. The encapsulating envelope has a second aperture formed on the patient-facing side of the encapsulating envelope. The reduced-pressure bridge also includes a moisture-removing device on at least a portion of the encapsulating envelope.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site at a limited-access location includes the steps of: disposing a first manifold proximate the wound and disposing a sealing member over the first manifold. The sealing member has a first aperture. The method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site further includes providing a reduced-pressure bridge having a first end and a second end. The reduced-pressure bridge has a second aperture proximate the first end, a moisture-removing device, and a second manifold. The method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site further includes coupling a reduced-pressure interface to the second end of the reduced-pressure bridge; disposing the first end of the reduced-pressure bridge over at least a portion of the sealing member with the second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. The first manifold may be at least partially encapsulated with an encapsulating envelope that has a patient-facing side. The method for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site may further include fluidly coupling a reduced-pressure source to the reduced-pressure interface.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a reduced-pressure treatment kit includes a reduced-pressure bridge, the reduced-pressure bridge, a reduced-pressure interface, a reduced-pressure delivery conduit, a manifold unit, and a perforated sealing sheet. The manifold unit has a plurality of preformed treatment manifolds. The perforated sealing sheet is operable to be torn into a plurality of securing strips and a sealing member.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the illustrative embodiments will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow.

In the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended claims.

Referring to <FIG>, an illustrative embodiment of a reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> is presented. The reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> has an illustrative embodiment of a reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>. The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> facilitates reduced-pressure treatment of a tissue site <NUM> and in particular a limited-access tissue site, which in this illustration is on the bottom sole (plantar) of a patient's foot <NUM> and also within an offloading device, e.g., offloading boot <NUM> (shown in hidden lines). The reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> may be used with a tissue site at a non-limited-access site or a limited-access site. Other illustrative examples of limited-access tissue sites include on a patient's back, under a compression garment, in a total contact casting (TCC), in a removable walker, in a healing sandal, in a half shoe, in an ankle foot orthoses, etc. The reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> may be used with the bodily tissue of any human, animal, or other organism, including bone tissue, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, dermal tissue, vascular tissue, connective tissue, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, or any other tissue.

The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> provides a low profile source of reduced pressure to be supplied to the limited-access tissue site <NUM> and thereby may increase patient comfort and enhance reliability of the reduced-pressure supply to the limited-access tissue site <NUM>. Because of the low profile of the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>, the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> may readily be used with an offloading device. As such, the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> may allow the patient the benefit of both reduced-pressure treatment as well as the offloading of physical pressure. As described further below, the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> may include a moisture-removing device, e.g., moisture-removing device <NUM> in <FIG>, that helps to avoid maceration of a patient's skin by removing moisture from the patient's skin.

The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> has a first end <NUM> that is placed proximate the limited-access tissue site <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The second end <NUM> has a reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM> that is for receiving a reduced-pressure interface <NUM>, which may be a port, such as a TRAC Pad® interface or a SensaT. ™ pad interface from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. The second end <NUM> is typically placed at a location on or near the patient that provides convenient access by the healthcare provider, such as a convenient location for applying reduced-pressure to the reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM>. When an offloading device, e.g., offloading boot <NUM>, is utilized, the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> would extend from the tissue site to a place outside of the offloading device. The actual length (L) of the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> may be varied to support use with a particular offloading device or application.

A reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> may fluidly couple the reduced-pressure interface <NUM> to a reduced-pressure source <NUM>. The reduced-pressure source <NUM> may be any device or means for supplying a reduced pressure, such as a vacuum pump or wall suction. While the amount and nature of reduced pressure applied to a site will vary according to the application, the reduced pressure will typically be between -<NUM> Hg and -<NUM> Hg or more typically between -<NUM> Hg to -<NUM> Hg. For vertical applications of the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>, such as is shown in <FIG> on an ambulatory patient's leg, a specified minimum reduced pressure may be necessary to ensure proper fluid flow. For example in one embodiment, a reduced pressure of at least -<NUM> Hg has been suggested as a minimum, but other pressures may be suitable for different situations. As used herein, "reduced pressure" generally refers to a pressure less than the ambient pressure at a tissue site that is being subjected to treatment. In most cases, this reduced pressure will be less than the atmospheric pressure at which the patient is located. Alternatively, the reduced pressure may be less than a hydrostatic pressure at the tissue site. Unless otherwise indicated, values of pressure stated herein are gauge pressures. Although the terms "vacuum" and "negative pressure" may be used to describe the pressure applied to the tissue site, the actual pressure applied to the tissue site may be more than the pressure normally associated with a complete vacuum. Consistent with the use herein, an increase in reduced pressure or vacuum pressure typically refers to a relative reduction in absolute pressure. In one illustrative embodiment, a V. ® Therapy Unit by Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio may be used as the reduced-pressure source <NUM>.

Depending on the application, a plurality of devices may be fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM>. For example, a fluid canister <NUM> or a representative device <NUM> may be included. The representative device <NUM> may be another fluid reservoir or canister to hold exudates and other fluids removed. Other examples of device <NUM> that may be included on the reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> include the following non-limiting examples: a pressure-feedback device, a volume detection system, a blood detection system, an infection detection system, a flow monitoring system, a temperature monitoring system, a filter, etc. Some of these devices may be formed integral to the reduced-pressure source <NUM>. For example, a reduced-pressure port <NUM> on the reduced-pressure source <NUM> may include a filter member that includes one or more filters, e.g., an odor filter.

Referring now to <FIG>, an illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> will be presented. The illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> of the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is configured to provide reduced pressure to a first manifold, or treatment manifold (e.g., treatment manifold <NUM> in <FIG>) and the second end <NUM> has a reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM>.

Referring primarily to <FIG>, the layers that make up the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> are presented. A first encapsulating member <NUM> is on a first side <NUM> of the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>. The first encapsulating member <NUM> may have an aperture <NUM> formed proximate the second end <NUM>. A second manifold, or delivery manifold <NUM>, is disposed proximate the first encapsulating member <NUM>. A second encapsulating member <NUM> is disposed proximate a second side of the delivery manifold <NUM>. The second encapsulating member <NUM> may be formed with an aperture <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM>. A moisture-removing device <NUM> is disposed proximate the second encapsulating member <NUM>, which in this illustrative embodiment is a wicking layer <NUM>. A releasable backing member or release liner <NUM> may be included on the first end <NUM> to releasably cover an adhesive as is explained further below. The releasable backing member <NUM> may be formed with an aperture <NUM> that aligns with the aperture <NUM> in the second encapsulating member <NUM>.

The delivery manifold <NUM> may be any material capable of transferring reduced pressure. In one embodiment, the delivery manifold <NUM> is a foam material, such as a GranuFoam® material from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. The delivery manifold <NUM> may be formed from the same material as a treatment manifold (e.g., treatment manifold <NUM> in <FIG>). The delivery manifold <NUM> may have any thickness, such as a thickness in the range of <NUM> - <NUM> millimeters, <NUM> - <NUM> millimeters, <NUM> - <NUM> millimeters, etc. The thickness of the delivery manifold <NUM> may be varied to minimize or eliminate pressure points on the tissue site. The thickness of the delivery manifold <NUM> may also be selected to support fluid removal from the tissue site and transfer into a canister (e.g., fluid canister <NUM> in <FIG>).

The first encapsulating member <NUM> and the second encapsulating member <NUM> may be composed of any material that facilitates maintaining reduced pressure within a first encapsulating envelope <NUM> formed from the first encapsulating member <NUM> and the second encapsulating member <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first encapsulating member <NUM> and the second encapsulating member <NUM> include a polyurethane film, but any suitable drape material may be readily used, such as any natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane, EVA film, co-polyester, silicones, <NUM> Tegaderm® drape material, or acrylic drape material, such as one available from Avery. These are non-limiting examples.

Referring now primarily to <FIG> and <FIG>, a periphery portion <NUM> of the first encapsulating member <NUM> and a periphery portion <NUM> of the second encapsulating member <NUM> may be coupled, such as by RF weld <NUM>, to form the first encapsulating envelope <NUM>. As used herein, the term "coupled" includes coupling via a separate object and includes direct coupling. The term "coupled" also encompasses two or more components that are continuous with one another by virtue of each of the components being formed from the same piece of material. Also, the term "coupled" may include chemical, mechanical, or thermal coupling. Fluid coupling means that fluid is in communication between the designated parts or locations. The first encapsulating member <NUM> and the second encapsulating member <NUM> may be coupled using any technique, including without limitation welding (e.g., ultrasonic or RF welding), bonding, adhesives, cements, etc. The first encapsulating envelope <NUM> may completely enclose the delivery manifold <NUM>. The moisture-removing device <NUM> may be coupled to at least a portion of the first encapsulating envelope <NUM> using any technique. The wicking layer may be coupled to a patient-facing side <NUM> of the second encapsulating member <NUM> of the first encapsulating envelope <NUM>.

The moisture-removing device <NUM> pulls moisture, e.g., perspiration, away from a patient's skin and thereby helps to avoid maceration of the patient's skin and enhances comfort. The extent of the wicking layer <NUM> can be varied both laterally (width) and longitudinally (lengthwise). For example, the wicking layer <NUM> may cover <NUM> percent or more than <NUM> percent, <NUM> percent, <NUM> percent, <NUM> percent, or <NUM> percent of the patient-facing second encapsulating member <NUM>. The wicking layer <NUM> pulls moisture to a place where the moisture can evaporate more readily. In the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, the moisture-removing device <NUM> is the wicking layer <NUM>. For example, the wicking layer <NUM> may be a cloth-material drape, a non-woven fabric, a knitted polyester woven textile material, such as the one sold under the name InterDry® AG material from Coloplast A/S of Denmark, GORTEX® material, DuPont Softesse® material, etc..

Referring now to <FIG>, an alternative embodiment of the moisture-removing device <NUM> is presented. In this embodiment, a third encapsulating member <NUM> is provided with a plurality of apertures or fenestrations <NUM>. The third encapsulating member <NUM> covers all or at least a portion of a third manifold <NUM>, or comfort manifold. A periphery portion of the third encapsulating member <NUM> is also coupled by any technique, such as by RF weld <NUM>. In conjunction with the second encapsulation member <NUM>, the third encapsulation member <NUM> forms a second encapsulating envelope <NUM>. In operation, a reduced pressure is supplied within the second encapsulation member <NUM> and any fluid against a patient's skin is pulled through the plurality of apertures <NUM> into the third manifold <NUM> and delivered elsewhere, e.g., to a canister, for storage or disposal.

In still another alternative embodiment of the moisture-removal device <NUM>, a moisture vapor permeable material is pneumatically coupled to a negative pressure source to provide active removal adjacent the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>. In still another illustrative embodiment, apertures may be formed on the second encapsulating member <NUM> that allow the reduced pressure in the first encapsulating envelope <NUM> to pull fluids into the delivery manifold <NUM>. In still another illustrative embodiment of a moisture-removing device, apertures may be formed in the second encapsulating member <NUM> that allow the reduced pressure in the first encapsulating envelope <NUM> to pull fluids into the delivery manifold <NUM>, and reduced-pressure valves may be associated with the apertures that close when reduced pressure is absent.

Referring again primarily to <FIG>, the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> has a length (L), a width (W), and a thickness (T). The illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> preferably has a low of profile, e.g., small dimension T, as possible. For non-limiting examples, T may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or less. In other embodiments, T may take any size. Moreover, the comfort or function of the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> may be enhanced by using a length (L) to width (W) ratio that involves having the length dimension greater than the width. For example, in one embodiment, the relationship is L > 2W. In another illustrative embodiment, the relationship is L > 6W. In another illustrative embodiment, the relationship is L > 12W. In another illustrative embodiment, the relationship is L > 15W. In one illustrative embodiment, L is approximately <NUM> and W is approximately <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the illustrative reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is shown with a reduced-pressure interface <NUM> about to be coupled to the reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM> of the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>. The aperture <NUM> in the first encapsulating member <NUM> substantially aligns with a central portion of the reduced-pressure interface <NUM> to provide a fluid coupling. A reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> is coupled at one end to the reduced-pressure interface <NUM> and at the other end has a fitting <NUM> that facilitates coupling to a reduced-pressure source (not shown). A restricting clip or clamp <NUM> and a visual indicia flag <NUM> may also be included on a portion of the reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM>. <FIG> shows a plan view with the reduced-pressure interface <NUM> coupled to the reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> is presented. The reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> is shown deployed to treat a tissue site <NUM> on a patient's back <NUM>. If the patient is bed-ridden, the patient's back <NUM> may be pressed against a portion of a bed <NUM>. In such a situation, the use of a reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>, or transfer member, as part of the reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM> may be particularly beneficial to the patient. The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is analogous to the illustrative, reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> presented above.

A treatment manifold <NUM> is disposed proximate the tissue site <NUM>. A sealing member <NUM> having an attachment device <NUM> on a patient-facing side is disposed over the treatment manifold <NUM>. The term "manifold" as used herein generally refers to a substance or structure that helps to distribute reduced-pressure and to transport fluids. The treatment manifold <NUM> typically includes a plurality of flow channels or pathways that are interconnected to improve distribution of fluids provided to and removed from the tissue site <NUM> around the treatment manifold <NUM>. The treatment manifold <NUM> may be a biocompatible material that is capable of being placed in contact with the tissue site <NUM> and distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site <NUM>. Examples of treatment manifolds <NUM> may include, for example, without limitation, devices that have structural elements arranged to form flow channels, such as, for example, cellular foam, open-cell foam, porous tissue collections, liquids, gels, and foams that include, or cure to include, flow channels. The treatment manifold <NUM> may be porous and may be made from foam, gauze, felted mat, or any other material suited to a particular biological application. In one embodiment, the treatment manifold <NUM> is a porous foam and includes a plurality of interconnected cells or pores that act as flow channels. The porous foam may be a polyurethane, open-cell, reticulated foam, such as a GranuFoam® material manufactured by Kinetic Concepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Texas. In some situations, the treatment manifold <NUM> may also be used to distribute fluids, such as medications, antibacterials, growth factors, and various solutions to the tissue site <NUM>.

The attachment device <NUM> may be used to hold the sealing member <NUM> against the patient's epidermis or another layer, such as a gasket or additional sealing member. The attachment device <NUM> may take numerous forms, e.g., a medically acceptable, pressure-sensitive adhesive, cement, hydrocolloid, etc..

The sealing member <NUM> and the attachment device <NUM> are formed with a first aperture <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be any material that provides a pneumatic seal. The sealing member may, for example, be an impermeable or semi-permeable, elastomeric material that has pore sizes less than about <NUM> microns. "Elastomeric" means having the properties of an elastomer. Elastomeric material, or elastomers, generally refers to a polymeric material that has rubber-like properties. More specifically, most elastomers have elongation rates greater than <NUM>% and a significant amount of resilience. The resilience of a material refers to the material's ability to recover from an elastic deformation. Examples of elastomers may include, but are not limited to, natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane, EVA film, co-polyester, and silicones. Specific examples of sealing member materials include a silicone drape, <NUM> Tegaderm® drape, acrylic drape such as one available from Avery Dennison, or an incise drape.

The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. A first encapsulating member <NUM> is coupled to a second encapsulating member <NUM> to form an encapsulating envelope <NUM>. The first encapsulating envelope <NUM> encloses, at least in part, a delivery manifold <NUM>. The second encapsulating member <NUM> has a second aperture <NUM> proximate the first end <NUM>. The second aperture <NUM> is sized and configured to align with the first aperture <NUM>. A reduced-pressure interface <NUM> is fluidly coupled at a reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM>. The reduced-pressure interface <NUM> is fluidly coupled to a third aperture <NUM>. A reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> fluidly couples a reduced-pressure source (not shown) to the reduced-pressure interface <NUM>. A moisture-removing device <NUM> is coupled to the patient-facing side of the encapsulating envelope <NUM> and in particular to the second encapsulating member <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a reduced-pressure treatment kit <NUM> for use with limited-access tissue sites is presented. The reduced-pressure treatment kit <NUM> facilitates organized and efficient application of reduced pressure to a tissue site and particularly to a limited-access tissue site. The reduced-pressure treatment kit <NUM> may include a sealed package or container that is opened by a healthcare provider. The reduced-pressure treatment kit <NUM> may include a reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>, a reduced-pressure interface <NUM>, a reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM>, a ruler <NUM>, a manifold unit <NUM>, and a perforated sealing sheet <NUM>, or any combination thereof. The ruler <NUM> may be used to help size the dimensions of the wound and may provide other information to help assess a wound.

The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> may be analogous the reduced-pressure bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> previously presented. The reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. A reduced-pressure interface <NUM> may be coupled to a reduced-pressure-interface site <NUM> on the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>. The reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> may be coupled to the reduced-pressure interface <NUM>. The reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> may include a visual indicia flag or label <NUM> and restricting clip or clamp <NUM>. A fitting <NUM> may be coupled at one end of the reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> to facilitate coupling to a reduced-pressure source (not shown). That the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is already encapsulated as provided in the reduced-pressure treatment kit <NUM> allows for easy application and requires minimal work to deploy the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>.

The perforated sealing sheet <NUM> has adhesive on a patient-facing side and has a releasable backing or release liner that covers the adhesive until it is ready for application. A plurality of perforations, e.g., mid-line perforation <NUM>, provides a location where the healthcare provider may readily tear the perforated sealing sheet <NUM> to form new members. Thus, for example, a portion of the mid-line perforation <NUM>, a first longitudinal perforation <NUM>, and a portion of an end perforation <NUM> may be torn to form a first sealing member <NUM>, which has an aperture <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be used to secure a treatment manifold in place. Other longitudinal perforations <NUM> may be torn to form securing strips <NUM> that are used to hold the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> in place as will be described further below.

The illustrative manifold unit <NUM>, which is also shown in <FIG>, is made of a manifold material. For example, the manifold unit <NUM> may be formed from a reticulated foam, such as a Granufoam® material from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. The manifold unit <NUM> has a number of pre-cut manifold components that may be used. For example, a first treatment manifold <NUM> is formed and has a connection stem <NUM> that be readily torn. Numerous additional treatment manifolds, e.g., second treatment manifold <NUM> and third treatment manifold <NUM>, may be included. A mid-portion of the manifold unit <NUM> may have a precut <NUM>, which is cut all the way through except for a small tag or portion <NUM> used to hold the manifold unit <NUM> together until torn. When the stems, e.g., stem <NUM>, are torn and the tag <NUM> is torn, two manifold blocks <NUM> and <NUM> are formed.

Referring now primarily to <FIG> and <FIG>, an illustrative deployment of a reduced-pressure treatment system, such as the reduced-pressure treatment system <NUM>, will be described. The wound or tissue site (e.g., tissue site <NUM> in <FIG>) may first be prepared, such by removal of any other dressings and debriding the wound and the peri-wound area. The wound or tissue may be assessed with respect to size and condition.

The perforations, e.g., midline perforation <NUM>, on the perforated sealing sheet <NUM> are torn. Tearing the perforations produces the sealing member <NUM>, which has aperture <NUM>, a plurality of securing strips <NUM>, and an additional sealing member <NUM>.

A treatment manifold (e.g., treatment manifold <NUM> in <FIG>) is placed proximate the tissue site, e.g., a wound. Depending on the size, the healthcare provider may tear off the first treatment manifold <NUM>, second treatment manifold, <NUM>, or third treatment manifold <NUM> from the manifold unit <NUM> in the reduced-pressure treatment kit <NUM>. If the size is notably different, a custom treatment manifold may be cut from one of the manifold blocks <NUM>, <NUM>. The properly sized treatment manifold is placed proximate the tissue site. If more than one treatment manifold is used, the number may be recorded on the visual indicia flag <NUM>. Then, the sealing member <NUM> is attached over the wound or tissue site <NUM> with the aperture <NUM> centered thereon. The sealing member <NUM> may first need to be trimmed to an appropriate size, which in one embodiment provides a <NUM> - <NUM> border around the tissue site. To attach the sealing member <NUM>, the release liner may be removed and the adhesive placed against a portion of intact epidermis; this is analogous to the attachment device <NUM> being used to attach the sealing member <NUM> to the epidermis in <FIG>. The reduced-pressure bridge, e.g., reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>, is then installed.

A release liner (e.g., release liner <NUM> in <FIG>) is removed exposing an adhesive on the first end <NUM> of the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM>, and an aperture (e.g., aperture <NUM> in <FIG>) on the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is substantially aligned with the aperture <NUM> on the sealing member <NUM> (e.g., sealing member <NUM> in <FIG>) and then the first end <NUM> pressed against the sealing member <NUM>. The second end <NUM> of the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is placed at a convenient location and the securing strips <NUM> are used to secure the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> in the desired location and at a point in between as desired. If the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> is longer than desired, a fold shaped like a "Z" may be added into the reduced-pressure bridge <NUM> to shorten the effective length.

A reduced-pressure source (e.g., reduced-pressure source <NUM> in <FIG>) may then be provided and the fitting <NUM> on the reduced-pressure delivery conduit <NUM> coupled to the reduced-pressure source or to another conduit supplying reduced pressure. The reduced-pressure source may then be activated.

Claim 1:
A reduced-pressure bridge for delivering reduced pressure to a tissue site from a remote site, the reduced-pressure bridge comprising:
a delivery manifold (<NUM>) operable to transfer the reduced pressure;
the bridge characterized by
a first encapsulating envelope (<NUM>) at least partially enclosing the delivery manifold (<NUM>) and having a patient-facing side (<NUM>);
a reduced-pressure interface site (<NUM>) formed proximate to a second end (<NUM>) of the reduced-pressure bridge;
a second aperture (<NUM>) formed on the patient-facing side (<NUM>) of the first encapsulating envelope (<NUM>), wherein reduced pressure is transferable to the tissue site via the second aperture (<NUM>), and
a moisture-removing device (<NUM>) on at least a portion of the first encapsulating envelope (<NUM>);
wherein the first encapsulating envelope (<NUM>) comprises: a first encapsulating member (<NUM>) having a first perimeter portion; a second encapsulating member (<NUM>) having a second perimeter portion; and wherein the first perimeter portion is coupled to the second perimeter portion such that the delivery manifold (<NUM>) is at least partially enclosed by the first encapsulating member (<NUM>) and the second encapsulating member (<NUM>);
wherein the moisture-removing device comprises a comfort manifold (<NUM>) and a third encapsulating member (<NUM>) for encapsulating at least a portion of the comfort manifold (<NUM>) on the patient-facing side (<NUM>) and wherein the third encapsulating member (<NUM>) has a plurality of apertures (<NUM>).