A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable.

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable.

The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.

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

A porous wound dressing for use in negative-pressure therapy is proposed. The wound dressing has an outer edge which defines a substantially oval or rectangular outer shape of the wound dressing with a major axis and a minor axis. The wound dressing has one or more incisions or perforations which together form one or more arc-shaped lines and serve for cutting the wound dressing to size in order to adapt the wound dressing to the shape and/or size of a wound. The one or more arc-shaped lines each extend asymmetrically with respect to the major axis and/or to the minor axis and each enclose, together with a portion of the outer edge, a segment of the wound dressing that is designed for separation from the wound dressing.

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.

Disclosed is an adhesive wound healing tape comprised of a water vapor permeable backing and adhesive that can be applied over a wound and remain in place throughout the healing process. Preferably, the tape is applied over a wound without gauze bandage or non-stick gauze material. In this way, the adhesive can bond to the skin on opposing sides of a cut to secure the cut skin from movement and also compress opposing sides of the cut into one another to promote faster healing with a less visible and often invisible scar as compared to typical adhesive bandages with a gauze or non-stick gauze material over the cut or wound. The healing tape is also useful for promoting the healing of scrapes and sores, especially as can be had for elderly people with fragile skin. The healing tape performs the function of sutures to close a wound but without the scaring and infection probability of typical sutures or stitches as they are called.

Another type of skin wound is a torn flap. Skin, especially for elders, can be snagged and torn, producing a triangular ‘flap’ with a 60 degree to 90 degree apex. Edges of the flap can be pulled back to be in contact with normal skin and the healing tape applied for scarless healing.

Wounds which remove an area of skin can also be protected with an application of the healing tape. The missing skin is replaced with natural skin, without using additional scaffolding type skin. Healing time for a torn flap is longer than for cuts depending on the dimensions of the missing skin.

Systems, methods, and dressing are presented for treating a tunnel wound on a patient. In one instance, a reduced-pressure, tunnel-wound dressing includes a longitudinal core member formed from a closed-cell foam that is surrounded by a first longitudinal concentric member formed from a manifolding material. When subjected to reduced pressure, the longitudinal core member expands and the first longitudinal concentric member compresses. These actions create intimate contact between the tunnel wound and the dressing, oppose collapse of the tunnel, and when reduced pressure is removed provide clearance to remove the dressing. Other embodiments are presented.

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 to 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.

A surgical drain device includes an adhesion matrix of biodegradable polymer material and a plurality of drain tubes attached to the matrix. The device is implanted within a surgical wound to treat the presence of seromas, for example, and is used to promote drainage, tissue adhesion, and wound closure. The drain tubes converge into a common collection tube that leads wound fluid outside the body under gravity feed or negative pressure applied to the collection tube. The matrix contains an array of apertures that allow tissue contact across the device. The device also can include a coating of surgical adhesive and a tissue anchoring system of hooks or barbs. The device can be used with a negative pressure system to further improve the drainage band can also be used with a wound dressing. The device and systems containing the device are particularly useful to promote the healing of surgical wounds from abdominal surgery.