Disclosed embodiments relate to a wound dressing which can generate nitric oxide. The wound dressing may include a cover layer, a nitric oxide source layer, such as a nitrite providing layer, an absorbent layer such as a foam, and a gel material adhered to the absorbent layer. The gel material may include perforations in a cured pattern structure. The perforations may define a plurality of fluid channels extending through the gel material. The gel material may form an active wound contact layer for use in generating nitric oxide.

A reduced-pressure, deep-tissue closure device for applying a closing force on a deep tissue includes a contractible matrix that is formed with a first plurality of apertures and which has a first side and a second, inward-facing side. The contractible matrix is for disposing proximate to the deep tissue. A reduced-pressure source is fluidly coupled to the contractible matrix and operable to deliver reduced pressure to the contractible matrix. When under reduced pressure, the contractible matrix grips the deep tissue adjacent the contractible matrix and provides a closing force on the deep tissue. A system and method are also presented.

An improved skin substitute is presented comprised of a silicone layer backed up with a woven nylon fabric layer, the silicone layer possessing a regular pattern of slits that permit the porosity of the skin substitute to be adjusted by clinicians by means of applying tension to the skin substitute that differentially opens the slits. A variety of therapeutic substances can be applied to the skin substitute to promote healing, including aloe and other medicinal preparations. The skin substitute is directed at chronic wound treatment and hernia repair.

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 method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure abdominal treatment system for treating an open abdominal cavity of a patient is provided. A reduced-pressure abdominal treatment system has an open-cavity treatment device for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a patient's abdominal cavity; a deep-tissue closure device for applying a closing force on a deep-tissue wound on a patient's fascia; a surface-wound closure subsystem for providing a closing force on a surface wound on the patient's epidermis. The method of manufacturing may also include the step of providing a reduced-pressure supply subsystem.

Compositions that include a clay such as kaolin dispersed in a liquid such as water may be useful for promoting the clotting of blood. The compositions may be in a liquid, gel, paste, foam, or another form. Uses may include treating a traumatic injury such as in injury caused by a bullet, an explosive, a blade etc., or an injury caused during a medical procedure such as surgery.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient 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.

Negative pressure wound therapy sponges that are custom-fabricated to fit a given wound to be treated, corresponding methods of creating said sponges in situ or external to a wound, and related systems for performing negative pressure wound therapy using said sponges. Exemplary sponge embodiments may have pressure-sensing capabilities.

Some arrangements disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for treating a wound, comprising applying negative pressure to the wound through a cover applied over a wound, monitoring the internal pressure in the wound, and controlling the closure of the wound by controlling the amount that a wound packing material positioned under the cover collapses within the wound based on the monitored internal pressure. The wound packing material collapse can be controlled to ensure that the monitored internal pressure does not exceed a threshold value. Additionally, some embodiments or arrangements disclosed herein relate to a visualization element to visualize a location of a wound surface. The visualization element can comprise a radiopaque member that is configured to be positioned on or adjacent to a surface of an open wound.

Foam wound inserts with high-density and low-density regions, methods for making wound inserts, wound-treatment methods, and wound-treatment systems.