A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

A super-absorbent dressing assembly for use with a reduced-pressure wound treatment system includes a breathable, fluid restricted dry layer for placement against a wound, a super-absorbent layer, and a non-breathable layer, and a drape extending over the non-breathable layer. A reduced-pressure interface is available to fluidly couple the super-absorbent layer to a reduced-pressure subsystem. The super-absorbent dressing assembly preferably supplies a compressive force when placed under reduced pressure. A reduced-pressure treatment system uses a super-absorbent bolster to treat wounds, e.g., linear wounds.

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a moveable tissue site, such as a joint, includes a flexible dressing bolster. The flexible dressing bolster has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and a plurality of flexion joints formed on the flexible dressing bolster. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the flexible dressing bolster and the patient's epidermis and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the moveable tissue site. The flexible dressing bolster is operable to allow articulation or movement of the moveable tissue site. The sealing subsystem may include a drape with folds. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.

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 dressing assembly for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the dressing assembly develops a directed force under reduced pressure. The directed force may be a radial force or a closing force. The dressing assembly includes a shaped dressing bolster having a shaped extremity that is operable to evenly deliver the radial force and to distribute reduced pressure. Numerous shapes may be used for the shaped extremity. The dressing assembly may further include an over-drape to assist in creating a seal over the shaped dressing bolster and against a portion of a patient's epidermis.

A reduced-pressure system for treating tissue, such as damaged subcutaneous tissue, includes a shaped dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis and substantially sized to overlay the damaged subcutaneous tissue. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the shaped dressing bolster and a portion of the patient's epidermis, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The reduced-pressure system may develop a force, which may include a vertical force that is realized at tissue site deeper than the epidermis or a closing force directed towards the incision. The shaped dressing bolster is shaped to evenly distribute the force. Other methods and systems are included.

A pressure monitoring system and method for warning a patient or caregiver that soft tissue pressure has exceeded some predetermined level that over time would necessitate moving the patient to prevent or at least reduce a risk of soft tissue damage. The pressure monitoring system and method utilize a dressing assembly adapted to be applied to or near a surface of the patient's body and generate electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed at the surface. The dressing assembly includes a pocket formed therein for removable, secured and protected insertion of one or more sensors.

The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes improved extensibility. The present invention further relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes which are extensible so as to at least partially conform to a body contour at wound surface upon stretching of the dressing.

A dressing includes a foam layer, a plurality of cores extending substantially through the foam layer, and a drape sealable over the foam layer and a wound bed. The drape is couplable to a pump operable to create a negative pressure in the substantially-airtight volume. Each core is substantially removable from the foam layer to reveal a channel through the foam layer. Each core is defined by perforations that facilitate separation of the core from the foam layer.