Patent ID: 8075503

Claim:
A method for treating a wound site comprising: providing a wound treatment system, the wound treatment system comprising: a distribution manifold comprising a porous foam having a plurality of flow channels for distributing reduced pressure, a reduced pressure source fluidly connected to the distribution manifold to deliver reduced pressure to the wound site, a reduced pressure applicator fluidly coupled to the distribution manifold and the reduced pressure source, a drape for positioning over the distribution manifold and at least a portion of the reduced pressure applicator, and an ultrasonic energy transducer configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to substantially all of the wound site at a power level less than about 1 W/cm 2 ; disposing the porous foam of the distribution manifold adjacent to the wound site; fluidly coupling the reduced pressure applicator to the reduced pressure source; positioning the drape over the distribution manifold and at least a portion of the reduced pressure applicator; using the wound treatment system to debride the wound site and to provide reduced pressure therapy to the wound site without a dressing change, wherein the distribution manifold acts as a transmission medium to relay ultrasonic energy to the wound site and to transmit reduced pressure to the wound site; and wherein the step of using the wound treatment system to debride the wound site and to provide reduced pressure therapy to the wound site comprises: activating the ultrasonic energy transducer for a selective duration of at least fifteen (15) minutes whereby ultrasonic energy is provided to the wound site to debride the wound site, and activating the reduced pressure source to provide reduced pressure to the wound site for at least forty (40) minutes to provide reduced pressure therapy.