A cover layer for a vacuum wound therapy dressing includes a backing layer formed from a flexible polymeric membrane and an adhesive layer for affixing the backing layer over a wound bed to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal around a perimeter of the wound bed. The cover layer is reinforced with a reinforcement layer extending to a peripheral region of the backing layer to distribute forces associated with evacuating a reservoir, as defined by or within the cover, to stimulate healing of the wound bed.

In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Certain disclosed embodiments facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to exert force on the tissue. Some embodiments may utilize a collapsible structure with a plurality of cells.

A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure may comprise a cover having an adhesive, a manifold, a perforated polymer film, and a perforated silicone gel having a treatment aperture. The cover, the manifold, the perforated polymer film, and the perforated silicone gel may be assembled in a stacked relationship with the cover and the perforated silicone gel enclosing the manifold. The perforated polymer film may be at least partially exposed through the treatment aperture, and at least some of the adhesive may be exposed through the perforated silicone around the treatment aperture.

A vacuum bandage is provided for use with a wound having a wound surface. The bandage is connectable to a vacuum source and includes a wound dressing member having a wound contacting surface, a top surface, and a port configured for communication with the vacuum source. The wound dressing member further includes holes in the wound contacting surface configured for communication with the wound surface of the wound and a passageway between the port and each hole. The vacuum bandage further includes a pack adjacent to the top surface of the member. The pack may include an aperture positioned about the port.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a sealing layer comprising at least one orifice, an absorbent layer over the sealing layer, absorbing wound exude and a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer.

A wound dressing for use in the application of negative pressure to a wound, comprising a support member and a cover member positionable over the wound in use. The support member can have a first support element having a first portion aligned with a first axis and a body portion coupled with and extending away from the first portion, and a second support element having a first portion aligned with the first axis and a body portion coupled with and extending away from the first portion of the second support element. At least the body portion of each of the first support element and the second support element can be independently rotatable about the first axis. The support member can support at least a middle portion of the cover member above a surface of the wound so as to define a space between the wound cover and the wound.

An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.

A manifold for use with a dressing for treating an area around an extremity of a patient may include a concave recess positioned at a first end of the manifold. A fold axis may bisect the concave recess and extend from the first end of the manifold to a second end of the manifold. A first portion of the manifold may extend orthogonal to the fold axis toward a first side of the manifold, and a second portion of the manifold may extend orthogonal to the fold axis toward a second side of the manifold opposite to the first side. The fold axis may be configured to extend lengthwise along the extremity. Additionally disclosed are other apparatus, dressings, systems, and methods.

A wound dressing comprising: an air-impermeable backing sheet having an aperture for attachment of a suction element; an air-permeable screen layer on a wound facing side of the backing sheet; and a substantially air-impermeable hydrogel layer extending across a wound facing side of said screen layer and joined in substantially airtight fashion to a periphery of said backing sheet around said screen layer. Also provided is a wound treatment system comprising a wound dressing according to the invention and a source of suction in fluid communication with said aperture.