Disclosed is a moisture indicating article having at least 3 layers. The first layer is desirably colored or includes a graphic image and is capable of wicking water. The second layer is a bonding agent. The third layer is also capable of wicking water and is opaque to translucent when dry and becomes very translucent to transparent when wet. The bonding agent allows for the passage of water. When used as part of a dressing, upon getting wet, the color or graphic becomes visible allowing a caretaker to know that it is time to replace the dressing.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

A device for sealing and securing a catheter at its insertion site in order to provide for optimum safe catheter function, and to achieve maximum catheter longevity/dwell time is described. The sterile seal achieved by this device fully protects the catheter and its insertion site from external contamination. The unique sterile seal also functions to fully stabilize and secure the catheter, thereby minimizing traumatic catheter injury and loss. A means of continuously viewing the insertion site is also provided, as well as mechanisms for maintaining sterility of the sterile chamber that is formed around the catheter insertion site by the integrated sealing and securing device. Together these features allow for improved catheter safety and function, and allow catheters to safely remain in place for an extended period of time. The need to change catheter dressings at intervals is minimized or eliminated.

A composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a micropump system housed within or above a wound dressing member. The micropump system includes a miniature pump that applies a subatmospheric pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed without the need for a cumbersome external vacuum source. Hence, the wound dressing and micropump system is portable which allows the patient mobility that is unavailable when an external vacuum source is used. The patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.

A medical dressing comprising a backing layer and a self-supporting substrate. The backing layers form a perimeter around the self supporting substrate and hold the self supporting substrate in place on a wound.

The present invention pertains to a bandage for improved monitoring, healing and pain-reduction of a wound. The bandage also increases compliance for patients and for caring personal. The bandage is useful with most any wound being exposed to pressure, trauma and/or irritation. The bandage is especially useful with incisions upon surgery, preferably incisions upon abdominal and hip surgery as well as incisions upon dorsal surgery. The above features are accomplished by the wound being visible through the bandage, external pressure on the wound being redirected to areas around the wound not being compromised by surgery and possible exudate from the wound being absorbed within the bandage, as well as pressure from the bandage being exerted inwards against the wound edges thereby improving the cosmetic result.

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.

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.

A wound dressing, a method of manufacturing a wound dressing, and a method of treating a patient are disclosed. The wound dressing may include an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate; and an obscuring element for at least partially obscuring a view of wound exudate absorbed by the absorbent layer in use.

A window dressing includes a primary layer having a window for viewing a catheter insertions site. The primary layer includes an adhesive layer on a lower, skin-contacting face of the primary layer. A transparent layer covers the window and adheres to the patients skin and to the top surface of the primary layer. A support structure has a stiffness that is greater than the primary layer and has an adhesive layer on the lower surface of a structural layer of the support structure. The support structure adhesive layer adheres to the support structure to the top surface of the primary layer.