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.

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.

The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for performance of collecting fluid emanating from or adjacent to a surgical site or wound. It does so utilizing a highly absorptive biocompatible sponge, such as polyvinyl alcohol or other material, which is connected to wall suction via a common hole running through the base of this sponge. The sponge configuration can vary (e.g. circular, linear, or other) and may be affixed to the drape via Velcro, magnetic, tape, staples or other method, so that abuts the drape surface; a raised portion may also serve as a “dam” to prevent fluid going to unwanted regions (e.g. onto the surgeon's feet, floor, or other undesired draped or undraped region).

A breathable adhesive bandage, sticking plaster or plaster includes a fabric layer, a pad and an adhesive. The adhesive may provide only partial coverage of the fabric layer, allowing breathability. The pad and/or fabric layer may be formed from wool, such as merino wool. A backing may be applied to the adhesive layer.

A flexible dressing for applying to a tissue site for determining the extent of debridement required to remove non-viable tissue is disclosed. Some embodiments of the dressing may be in the form of a multi-layer drape having an integrated tissue viability indicator system. Some embodiments may also include a system of shapes or a grid pattern printed or embossed on a surface of the drape for providing guidance during an ensuing debridement or amputation procedure.

A Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) dressing having a sealing layer on a non-wound interfacing surface. Such a sealed surface eases application and reduces the risk of a loss of seal once applied to a patient. Associated adaptors and couplers, which may be universal couplers, allow for simplified use of the disclosed and existing dressings. An optional pressure regulator unit may use existing wall suction available in medical facilities; it may interface with a transportation unit. Embodiments of the regulation unit provide for various monitoring, operation and alarming features that may be accessed using mobile wireless, wireless LAN, and internet based connectivity approaches.

The present invention pertains to use of sodium diacetate (NaHAc.sub.2) as an antimicrobial agent against bacteria growing in biofilms. The aspects of the invention include a wound care product comprising sodium diacetate, a kit comprising a wound care product, and a method of treating an infected wound.

A chest wound seal for treating traumatic pneumothorax following a penetrating chest wound. The chest wound seal comprises a wound pad with an absorbent bottom surface and a nonporous top surface embedded with unidirectional valves that allow evacuation of air and fluid from the pleural cavity but prevents re-entry of air into the thorax. A central vacuum column mounted over at least one unidirectional valve. The chest wound seal further comprises a plurality of wound pad segments radiating from the central vacuum column, wherein each segment comprises at least one manual valve configured to create a separate sealed area against the skin surface to suit body types with different size and morphological features. The central vacuum column is adapted to be connected to a vacuum pump which enables evacuation of harmful air and fluid from the pleural cavity thereby reducing the shock induced by hypoxia and increasing patient survivability.

The present invention provides switchable adhesives comprising a mixture, in proportions by weight, of 20% to 98% of an adhesive, 2% to 80% of curable molecules and 0.05% to 10% of photoinitiator in which the weight proportion of the adhesive is calculated on the basis of its dry weight and wherein the adhesive includes an internal cross-linker for cross-linking the adhesive during drying to provide a cohesive strength of between 5 and 100 N/12.7×12.7 mm measured according to FINAT test method No. 18. Preferably, the adhesive and curable molecules are mutually soluble when dry, or the curable molecules and adhesive may be uniformly dispersed in each other. Preferably the amount of adhesive in the mixture is in the range 40% to 98% by weight, more preferably 60% to 95% by weight, even more preferably 70% to 85% by weight. Preferably the proportion of curable molecules in the mixture ranges from 2% to 60% by weight, more preferably 5% to 40% by weight, even more preferably 15% to 30% by weight. Preferably, the photoinitiator is present in the mixture in the proportions 0.5% to 5% by weight, more preferably 1% to 3% by weight. Such switchable adhesives are useful in medical dressings and other removable sheet products, and may be simply prepared by stirring the adhesive, the curable molecules and the photoinitiator together at room temperature.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure are described. The system includes a manifold configured to be placed adjacent the tissue site, and a sealing member configured to be placed over the tissue site and the manifold. The system also includes a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the manifold through the sealing member. The system further includes a pouch having an upstream layer having a first thickness, a downstream layer having a second thickness, and an absorbent member enclosed between the upstream layer and the downstream layer. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The upstream layer may have a hydrophilic side adjacent the absorbent member, and the downstream layer may have a hydrophobic side adjacent the absorbent member.