A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a moveable tissue site, such as a joint, includes a flexible dressing bolster. The flexible dressing bolster has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and a plurality of flexion joints formed on the flexible dressing bolster. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the flexible dressing bolster and the patient's epidermis and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the moveable tissue site. The flexible dressing bolster is operable to allow articulation or movement of the moveable tissue site. The sealing subsystem may include a drape with folds. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.

Body-fluid containers, methods, and systems are presented that include a container that has a container housing formed, at least in part, by a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material allows water to evaporate and be transmitted outside of the container. The evaporation allows more fluid to be processed by the container than the container could otherwise hold. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented.

A medical bandage for the treatment of pressure ulcers as part of wound care management, consisting of a flexible bladder cushion, conforming to the body shape to relieve pressure by redistributing the concentration forces as leading causes of wound(s) and allowing for ventilation for increasing healing. The bandage incorporates an absorbent padding and an adhesive flange.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.

Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient involve allowing liquids from the tissue site or a priming fluid to evaporate and exit the dressing through a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane. The dressing is able to process more liquids than would otherwise be possible without evaporation and potentially to create reduced pressure. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.

An anisotropic wound drape for treating a wound on a patient includes a flexible sheet for placing over a tissue site. The flexible sheet includes a first isotropic zone, and a second isotropic zone. The first isotropic zone and the second isotropic zone are configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties. The anisotropic drape may used as part of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system. Other systems and methods are also presented.

A binder layer for a laminated wound dressing is brought into contact with a sheet coated with a pattern-coated adhesive sheet. As the binder layer is in contact with the pattern-coated adhesive sheet, a series of closed-loop cuts are made in the binder layer. The closed-loop cuts are made in such a way that the material enclosed by each closed loop is substantially physically separated from the remainder of the binder layer. Then the binder layer is moved away from the pattern-coated adhesive sheet, so that the binder layer and the pattern-coated adhesive sheet are no longer in contact. When the binder layer and the pattern-coated adhesive sheet are moved apart, the material enclosed in the closed-loop cutsi.e., the cut waste fragmentsare retained on the pattern-coated adhesive sheet, ensuring that the binder layer includes a series of cleared perforations.

A substrate based skin contact material formed from a hydrocolloid having a silicone based component extending over regions of the substrate surface. The adhesive is formed non-continuously over the substrate to provide areas devoid of adhesive to allow appreciable moisture transfer between the skin and substrate and improve the skin friendliness of the material during use and allow convenient removal with avoidance of skin irritation.

A dressing assembly for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the dressing assembly develops a directed force under reduced pressure. The directed force may be a radial force or a closing force. The dressing assembly includes a shaped dressing bolster having a shaped extremity that is operable to evenly deliver the radial force and to distribute reduced pressure. Numerous shapes may be used for the shaped extremity. The dressing assembly may further include an over-drape to assist in creating a seal over the shaped dressing bolster and against a portion of a patient's epidermis.

A water resistant light compression and/or retention bandage for retaining an orthopedic splint, padding or medical device against a body part, includes a knitted fabric formed of synthetic yarns having a moisture vapor transmission rate from an inner face of the bandage to an outer face of the bandage of at least 500 g/m.sup.2 per 24 hours.