| abstract |
An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid containing one or more physiologically active components from a means for supplying physiologically active agents from cells of tissue to the wound, e.g. an irrigant reservoir connected to a container that contains a cell or tissue component, in turn connected to a supply tube, connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (which may be a single pump or two or more pumps) for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound. The latter removes materials deleterious to wound healing, while distributing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing from cells or tissue and the physiologically active components in therapeutically active amounts in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed. The dressing, including one with openings that deliver the irrigant fluid directly to the wound bed over an extended area, and a method of treatment using the apparatus. |