Wound care vacuum bandaging in combination with acoustic shock wave applications

Abstract

A method and device for treating woundsof tissueis disclosed. The method has the steps of applying a porous padupon the treatment surface of the tissue; covering the treatment surface and the porous padwith a foil or sealing coverfor isolating the treatment surface and the porous padfrom the atmosphere; filling the volume under the foil or sealing coverwith fluidand purging air from the volume under the foil or sealing coverthereby fluidsaturating said porous pad: applying an acoustic shock wave treatment through the foil or sealing coveror surrounding tissueor a combination thereof sending acoustic shock wavesthrough the volume to the treatment surface and underlying tissueand thereafter pulling a vacuum to create a sub-atmospheric pressure under the foil or sealing coverwherein the combination of the applied acoustic shock wavesand sub-atmospheric conditions stimulates healing of the treatment surface and underlying tissue. Preferably the acoustic shock wavesare unfocused or a wide area focused shock wave pattern. More preferably the shock wavesare sufficiently low energy or amplitude to avoid the sensation of pain during the treatment process thereby eliminating the need for anesthesia or localized numbing of the treatment area.