A super-absorbent dressing assembly for use with a reduced-pressure wound treatment system includes a breathable, fluid restricted dry layer for placement against a wound, a super-absorbent layer, and a non-breathable layer, and a drape extending over the non-breathable layer. A reduced-pressure interface is available to fluidly couple the super-absorbent layer to a reduced-pressure subsystem. The super-absorbent dressing assembly preferably supplies a compressive force when placed under reduced pressure. A reduced-pressure treatment system uses a super-absorbent bolster to treat wounds, e.g., linear wounds.

A closing dressing bolster and assembly for use with a system for treating a linear wound on a patient includes a bolster body formed from a flexible closing bolster material having closing members that are operable to develop an inward closing force when the closing dressing bolster is placed under reduced pressure. In one aspect, when the closing dressing bolster is under reduced pressure, the system, dressing, or assembly develops an inward force realized at the linear wound and a compression force. A wicking-material holder and wicking material may be used as well. The member components may all be see-through to allow visual inspection of the wound without requiring removal of the dressing.

A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by utilizing a stabilizing structure that preferentially contracts to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a protective layer, such as a mesh or net layer, attached to a top surface of the stabilizing structure. The protective layer prevents a drape positioned over the stabilizing structure from being drawn into cells of the stabilizing structure, and permits visualization of the collapse of the cells.

A super-absorbent dressing assembly for use with a reduced-pressure wound treatment system includes a breathable, fluid restricted dry layer for placement against a wound, a super-absorbent layer, and a non-breathable layer, and a drape extending over the non-breathable layer. A reduced-pressure interface is available to fluidly couple the super-absorbent layer to a reduced-pressure subsystem. The super-absorbent dressing assembly preferably supplies a compressive force when placed under reduced pressure. A reduced-pressure treatment system uses a super-absorbent bolster to treat wounds, e.g., linear wounds.

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.

The invention relates to a transparent, absorbent device for the dressing of wounds and insertion sites of percutaneous and drug delivery devices. The device provides 360 degree or complete circumferential protection of a wound or insertion site of a percutaneous or drug delivery device and comprises a hydrogel center and at least one absorbent material. The hydrogel center can optionally comprise a bioactive agent(s).

A bandage comprising a base substrate, a wound covering portion, a first side coupling member and a second side coupling member, and a first side and second side adhesive portion. The base substrate includes a central region, a first side region and a second side region, and comprises an elastic member. The wound covering portion is positioned over the central region. The first side coupling member extends over the first side region. The second side coupling member extending over the second region. The first side adhesive portion is positioned on the first side region. The second side adhesive portion positioned on the second side region. A method of use as well as a protective carrier are likewise disclosed.

A dressing including a top film, an adhesive layer positioned adjacent the top film closer to a user's skin when the bandage is in use, a hydrogel layer including a support layer, below the adhesive layer closer to the user's skin when the bandage is in use, and a lower perforated layer positioned under the hydrogel layer for adhering the bandage to a user's skin. All of the layers may be transparent or at least partially translucent to allow a user to view the user's skin through the bandage. The hydrogel layer provides pressure distribution to reduce stress on the user's skin and reduce the likelihood of pressure ulcers.

A reduced-pressure system for treating tissue, such as damaged subcutaneous tissue, includes a shaped dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis and substantially sized to overlay the damaged subcutaneous tissue. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the shaped dressing bolster and a portion of the patient's epidermis, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The reduced-pressure system may develop a force, which may include a vertical force that is realized at tissue site deeper than the epidermis or a closing force directed towards the incision. The shaped dressing bolster is shaped to evenly distribute the force. Other methods and systems are included.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient that has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented.