Patent ID: 8237010

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal comprising the steps of: providing a molten substrate material; providing a mold defining a plurality of depressions and a plurality of contact elements; applying the molten substrate material to the mold; cooling the molten substrate material to form the therapeutic device in the mold; and removing the therapeutic device from the mold, wherein the therapeutic device is a permeable structure comprising: a first surface adapted to be disposed in contact with the wound, a second surface adapted to establish a confined space when covered with a cover, a plurality of interstices located between the first surface and the second surface, and a plurality of discrete voids in the first surface in communication with at least some of the interstices, wherein the voids are resistant to collapse in a force range from 0.1 to 5.0 psi to maintain at least some empty space therein when the therapeutic device is subjected to a compressive force of suction, such that tissue at the voids adopts a catenary shape that encourages cellular activity and facilitates wound healing.