A dressing for application to skin, the dressing including: first and second portions; an adhesive applied on a surface of the first and second portions for adhering the first and second portions to the skin; an elastic member having one end connected to an end of the first portion and another end connected to an end of the second portion; and a locking member entirely disposed between the end of the first portion and the end of the second portion, the locking member restraining the elastic member into a first shape; wherein when the locking member is at least partially removed from between the first and second portions, the elastic member moves in a direction towards an unrestrained second shape.

Systems and methods can promote wound healing, including a wound dressing having a wound-facing surface and a second surface. The wound-facing surface can be configured to contact a wound of a patient. There can also be at least one conduit having an interior lumen operably connectable to the second surface of the wound dressing, a central window configured to allow air flow from the interior lumen of the conduit to the wound-facing surface of the wound dressing, and a flexible wrap operably connectable to the conduit.

A reduced-pressure, wound closure system is presented that generates a closing force on a surface wound and optionally provides reduced pressure to a body cavity or tissue site. The sealed contracting member, when placed under reduced pressure, generates the closing force. One illustrative system includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member, a sealed contracting member coupled to the first attachment member and the second attachment member, and wherein the closing force is generated between the first attachment member and the second attachment member when reduced pressure is supplied to the sealed contracting member. Other systems and methods are presented.

The invention relates to a primary dressing for moist wound healing with a reduced risk of inflammation. The elastic primary dressing according to the invention for moist wound healing is in the form of a lattice or a netting made of elongated elastic bodies, said lattice or netting containing non-resorbable elongated bodies that consist of silicone and optionally at least one additive selected from active pharmacological ingredients, collagens, hydrocolloids, and/or dyes. The lattice or netting preferably contains resorbable elongated bodies in addition to the non-resorbable elongated bodies, said resorbable elongated bodies containing at least one resorbable and bioactive organic compound, in particular selected from collagens and hydrocolloids. The invention also relates to a wound dressing that the primary dressing according to the invention contains in combination with a secondary dressing. The invention also relates to methods for producing primary dressings according to the invention.

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.

Disclosed herein are devices for preventing or treating an injury to an individual. Also provided are devices and methods for alleviating pain or discomfort caused by equipment or other padding or articles of clothing or uniform. The device can include a disposable padded tape having a plurality of force absorbing zones. It can also include an adhesive layer for attaching the device to a body contacting surface.

Embodiments disclosed within herein relate to a wound dressing, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, comprising a body of porous material, the body of porous material comprising a plurality of cuts which provide regions of flexibility within the body. Further embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing and method of use of such wound dressings. In addition, the wound dressing can comprise a retaining mechanism removably coupled to the material and configured to retain the material in the expanded conformation.

In a method for supplying elastomer and a cable embedded in the elastomer to a fabric layer of a garment or a bandage, the elastomer is applied in a flowable state to the fabric layer via a nozzle and the cable is applied to the fabric layer via the same nozzle simultaneously with the elastomer, at least in some phases such that the elastomer encases at least part of the cable.

Provided are a fibrous sheet having a stress relaxation rate defined by the following formula of less than or equal to 85%:

stress relaxation rate [%]=(stress S.sub.5 at extension after five minutes/stress S.sub.0 at initial extension)?100

when a stress at extension immediately after extension in an in-plane first direction at 50% elongation is defined as a stress S.sub.0 (N/50 mm) at initial extension, and a stress at extension at a time of extending in the first direction at 50% elongation for five minutes is defined as a stress S.sub.5 (N/50 mm) at extension after five minutes, and a bandage including the fibrous sheet.

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.