A hemostatic surface application device having a region of hemostatic foam for contact with a patient's skin where a wound exists or is created, the device includes: a release layer, the release layer in contact with a hemostatic flexible foam section, and a structural foam layer having a front side and a back side surrounding the hemostatic flexible foam layer, forming a generally central hemostatic surface exposed through the front side of the surrounding structural foam layer, and a support layer adhered to the backside of the structural foam layer.

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 preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a stabilizing structure with dissolvable portions.

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 tissue closure treatment system and method are provided with an external patient interface. A first fluid transfer component FTC.1 comprises a strip of porous material, such as rayon, with liquid wicking properties. FTC.1 can be placed directly on a suture line for transferring fluid exuded therethrough. An underdrape is placed over FTC.1 and includes a slot exposing a portion of same. FTC.2 comprises a suitable hydrophobic foam material, such as polyurethane ether, and is placed over the underdrape slot in communication with FTC.1. Negative pressure is applied to FTC.2 through a connecting fluid transfer component FTC.3. A negative pressure source can comprises a manual device or a power-operated suction device. The tissue closure method includes a manual operating mode using a manual suction device with an automatic shut off for discontinuing suction when a predetermined volume of fluid has been drained. An automatic operating mode utilizes a microprocessor, which can be preprogrammed to respond to various patient and operating conditions. Alternative embodiments include fluid transfer components with beveled or angle-cut ends, a bio-reactor, internal organ applications and corresponding closure methods.

A system for treating a tissue site includes a reduced-pressure source to apply reduced pressure, a manifold in fluid communication with the pressure source to provide reduced pressure to the tissue site, and a drape for adhering to the tissue site to cover the tissue site and the manifold. The drape includes an adhesive layer for sealing the drape to the tissue site to create a sealed space having the manifold therein, and a non-adhesive layer formed from a portion of the adhesive layer. A method for manufacturing a medical drape includes providing a sheet of adhesive material and treating a side of the sheet of adhesive material to form a non-adhesive layer and an adhesive layer. The method laminates a release liner adjacent the adhesive layer.

A dressing may comprise a backing layer having an interior region and a border region around the interior region. A dermal interface may be disposed in the border region. The dermal interface may comprise an adhesive and a therapeutic composition, such as a topical analgesic. The therapeutic composition may be dissolved into the adhesive, and preferably constitutes at least 20 percent of the dermal interface. In some embodiments, the therapeutic composition may comprise at least 30 percent of the dermal interface.

A reduced pressure tissue treatment system includes an applicator having an aperture, a first pad section, and a second pad section substantially covering the aperture and positioned substantially adjacent the first pad section. A fabric layer is located at least partially between the second pad section and the drape, and the fabric layer includes a woven or non-woven fabric made from a fiber material. A drape substantially covers the first pad section, the second pad section, the fabric layer, and the applicator. A reduced pressure source is in fluid communication with at least one of the first pad section and the fabric layer for providing reduced pressure to the aperture.

Manifold structures, systems, and methods are disclosed that include using longitudinal members and one or more shaped projections to cause microstrain at a tissue site. In one instance a manifold structure includes a plurality of spaced longitudinal members and at least one shaped projection coupled to at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members for creating a microstrain at a tissue site. The at least one shaped projection includes a columnar member having a distal end and includes an enlarged member positioned at the distal end of the columnar member. The columnar member has a first outer diameter (D.sub.1) and the enlarged member has a second outer diameter (D.sub.2). The second outer diameter of the enlarged member is greater than the first outer diameter of the columnar member (D.sub.2>D.sub.1). Other systems, methods, and structures are presented.

A medical cooling pad for cooling skin includes a distal flexible pad support, a flexible cooling gel layer arranged on a proximal side of the distal flexible pad support, and a medical wound dressing arranged on a proximal side of the flexible cooling gel layer. The medical wound dressing has an area which is smaller than an area of the flexible cooling gel layer.

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.