The present disclosure presents a printed absorbent article which includes a hydrophobic substrate, an ink receptive coating and an aqueous ink. The ink receptive coating has a base weight from about 2 gsm to about 20 gsm. The aqueous ink contains pigments. The receptive coating absorbs liquid from the ink at a contact angle at or about zero degrees at which the ink is printed onto the substrate through the receptive coating at a printing speed of at least about 500 feet per minute.

Dressings for tissue treatment with negative pressure and methods of assembling the dressings for tissue treatment with negative pressure are disclosed. A method of assembling a dressing, which may comprise at least three layers assembled in a stacked relationship, may comprise providing an assembly station having at least one retaining pin, placing a first layer on the assembly station, placing a second layer on the assembly station, and bonding the second layer to the first layer. The first layer may comprise a plurality of apertures, at least some of which may be engaged by the retaining pins, and the second layer may comprise fluid restrictions and alignment areas for engaging with the retaining pins so that the fluid restrictions may be aligned with the apertures of the third layer.

Systems and methods for monitoring wound closure are described herein. The systems include a dressing for applying to a wound. The dressing includes an elasticized membrane having a first side and a second side and a reference object disposed on the first side. The elasticized membrane is movable between a relaxed state where the reference object has a first configuration and a stretched state where the reference object has a second configuration, the second configuration corresponding to an amount of swelling of an area of skin around the wound. The systems also include a camera for capturing an image of the reference object in the second configuration and a processor for comparing the image to a stored image of the reference object in the first configuration and determining a degree of swelling of the area of skin around the wound based on the comparison.

A method for dressing a wound. The method includes introducing a chromic material via at least one article to the wound and stimulating the chromic material with a stimuli. The method also includes providing a color change in response to stimulating the chromic material and indicating via the color change of the chromic material how long the article has been at least partially in contact with the wound. In one or more embodiments, the method may also include measuring the color change from information including a plurality of colors corresponding to a plurality of time periods and, in response to measuring the color change, determining a length of time the article has been in contact with the wound. The method may also include manually crumpling a distal end of a portion of the article such that the distal end of the portion is sized to be received within the wound and then manually separating the crumpled distal end from the rest of the article.

A method and system for tailoring a compression garment having a first lateral end and a second lateral end. A first tension tab releasably attachable to the compression garment; wherein the first tension tab includes at least a first indicator and a second indicator on an outer surface. The first tension tab being attachable to the compression garment and the first strap being attachable onto the compression garment adjacent or over at least a portion of the first tension tab with a first strap covering a first part of the first tension tab and terminating at a first strap end that exposes a second portion of the first tension tab. A first tension tab setting indicates whether the end of the first strap terminates adjacent or over the first indicator or the second indicator of the first tension tab.

A system for providing a force to a desired area on a curved body part of a person includes a dressing assembly shaped and configured to be placed on the desired area of the person, a releaseable circumferential member surrounding the curved body part that holds the dressing assembly against the desired area, a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the dressing assembly and the person's skin, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for providing a reduced pressure to the dressing assembly. When reduced pressure is supplied, the system generates the force against the desired area on the curved body part.

A product for monitoring the condition of a wound comprises: (a) a sample application zone; (b) a reaction zone downstream of the sample application zone comprising protease-sensitive polymers; (c) coloured particles; and (d) a viewing zone downstream of the sample application zone and reaction zone. The sample application zone transmits fluid towards the viewing zone. Cleavage of the polymers by protease activity present in applied wound fluid results in carriage of the coloured particles with the wound fluid to the viewing zone thereby providing a visual indication of protease activity in the viewing zone. A product for monitoring the condition of a wound comprises a matrix that absorbs wound fluid. The matrix comprises cross-linked and protease-sensitive polymers forming a reaction zone on/in the matrix, and, coloured particles. The arrangement of the polymers and coloured particles is such that cleavage of the polymers by protease activity present in the wound fluid results in transport of the coloured particles along/through the matrix to provide a visual indication of protease activity in the wound fluid. Companion products, uses, kits and methods of monitoring the condition of a wound are also provided.

In some embodiments, a wound therapy apparatus includes a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound, the wound dressing including a substantially stretchable wound contact layer supporting a plurality of electronic components and a plurality of electronic connections that connect at least some of the plurality of the electronic components. The wound contact layer can include a first plurality of flocked fibers positioned on a wound facing side of the wound contact layer, the first plurality of flocked fibers including soft material configured to cushion the wound contact layer when the wound dressing is positioned over the wound. The wound contact layer can include a second plurality of flocked fibers positioned on a non-wound facing side opposite the wound facing side.

A wound exudate management system includes a pump for generating negative pressure, a dressing for covering and protecting a wound of a user, a tube including an interior lumen, the tube disposed between the pump and the dressing such that the pump and the dressing are in fluid communication via the interior lumen. The dressing includes an adhesive layer for adhering the dressing adjacent the wound, a wound contact layer, a pressure dispersion layer, a plurality of layers of absorbent material disposed between the wound contact layer and the pressure dispersion layer, a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the backing layer being adjacent, and in contact with, the pressure dispersion layer and the adhesive layer, and a flexible connector disposed on the second surface of the backing layer.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to negative pressure treatment systems and wound dressing systems, apparatuses, and methods that may be used for the treatment of wounds. In particular, some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressings comprising an obscuring layer that may hide fluid contained therein. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more viewing windows disposed therethrough so as to enable monitoring or examination of fluids contained therein.