In particular embodiments, the porous wound filling material of any of the aforementioned wound filler embodiments can surround the vertically extending members. In some embodiments, the vertically extending members of any of the aforementioned wound filler embodiments are elongate members configured to extend lengthwise across a wound bed and are aligned parallel to one another. In certain embodiments, the vertically extending members can be struts, slabs, columns or tiles. wherein upon application of negative pressure to the wound filler, the wound filler is configured to contract horizontally with the vertically extending members reducing vertical movement of the wound filler.a plurality of vertically extending members configured to extend vertically when the wound filler is positioned within a wound bed, the vertically extending members being made of a more rigid material than the porous wound filling material and.In some embodiments, a wound filler for use in treating a wound with negative pressure comprises: By limiting the amount of vertical pressure applied to the wound filler, by enhancing the horizontal collapse of the wound filler, and by enhancing attachment of the wound filler to the wound margins, together with additional details described herein, improved wound closure can be obtained.

The embodiments can be particularly useful in treating large wounds, such as abdominal wounds, where closure and approximation of the wound edges is challenging. Generally, the embodiments described herein can be used to assist in the treatment of wounds with negative pressure. Accordingly, there is a need to provide for an improved apparatus, method, and system for the treatment and closure of wounds. This downward compression of the wound filler slows the healing process and slows or prevents wound closure. In the prior art, application of negative pressure may sometimes exert an outward force upon the wound margins due to the atmospheric pressure compressing the wound filler downward and outward against the margins of the wound. Particular embodiments can also be useful to aid in wound closure, for example in abdominal wounds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionД®mbodiments described herein relate to devices and methods that can be used to treat a wound with negative pressure. The benefit of priority to the foregoing applications is claimed under the appropriate legal basis including, without limitation, under 35 U.S.C.

14, 2013, entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING AND CLOSING WOUNDS WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth herein. 61/651,483, filed May 24, 2012, entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING AND CLOSING WOUNDS WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE, and 61/782,270, filed Mar. PCT/IB2013/001555, filed on May 23, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. 21, 2014, which is a national stage application of International Patent Application No.

31, 2018, which is a continuation application of U.S. This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Description CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

320 mmhg to atm