A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also can include a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. One or more sensors can be positioned under the cover to provide feedback to a suction pump controller. The apparatus can have a miniature and portable vacuum source connected to the wound cover.

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.

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.

An intravenous splint cover may include a main body, a pair of opposing securing members, and a splinting member. The main body may be rectangular shaped and have a bottom portion and a top portion. The pair of opposing securing members may be rectangular shaped and be connected to and extend outwardly from the main body and have a bottom portion and a top portion. The splinting member may be rectangular shaped and be carried by the bottom portion of the main body and extend outwardly from the main body to create an elevated portion of the main body. The bottom portions of the pair of opposing securing members may have an adhesive material applied thereto. The bottom portion of the main body that does not carry the splinting member may have an adhesive material applied thereto.

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.

A self-injury sleeve is provided. The presently-disclosed self-injury deterrent sleeves can comprise a sleeve body that is tubular and configured to receive an appendage. The sleeves can further include one or more self-injury deterrent pads provided on an outer side of the sleeve body that are comprised of a material having greater resistance to cutting and abrasion than the sleeve body material, a material that is softer than the sleeve body material, or a combination thereof. The sleeves can be worn by individuals to deter self-cutting and other self-injury.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented.

A barrier system is provided for use in reducing infections associated with post-operative surgical incision and/or a percutaneous medical device, such as a catheter, that is disposed within the surgical incision. Such a barrier system may include: a barrier device having a skin-contacting surface and a catheter-receiving surface; and an adhesive composition configured for adhering to skin, the barrier device, and/or the catheter so as to form a barrier at or adjacent to an incision in the skin where the catheter is percutaneously inserted through the skin. A tensioning anchor and associated system of two or more tensioning anchors is provided for post-operative wound closure. A method for applying and removing the barrier device and tensioning anchors is also provided.

A closing dressing bolster and assembly for use with a system for treating a linear wound on a patient includes a bolster body formed from a flexible closing bolster material having closing members that are operable to develop an inward closing force when the closing dressing bolster is placed under reduced pressure. In one aspect, when the closing dressing bolster is under reduced pressure, the system, dressing, or assembly develops an inward force realized at the linear wound and a compression force. A wicking-material holder and wicking material may be used as well. The member components may all be see-through to allow visual inspection of the wound without requiring removal of the dressing.

A system for treating a linear wound on a patient has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented.