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 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.

The present invention provides a composition comprising: (a) collagen VI or a polypeptide comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence derived from collagen type VI or a fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof; and (b) polylysine. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the composition of the invention. Related aspects provide medical devices, implants, wound care products and materials for use in the same associated with the composition of the invention, and methods of their preparation. Also provided are methods and uses of the composition in the treatment and/or prevention of microbial infections and in wound care, and a method of killing microorganisms in vitro.

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 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.

Skin compression devices are disclosed that are formed of a shape memory material and that have multiple tensioning members. Disposal of one or more skin compression devices on the skin of a subject increases the temperature of the shape memory material and causes the tensioning members to bend inward, thereby compressing the area of skin disposed between the tensioning members; this compression shields the compressed skin from tensile loading. Methods of production and use of the skin compression devices are also disclosed.

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 protective umbilical cord cover having a containment portion being adapted to protect an umbilical cord of an infant and also an attachment mechanism being adapted to releasably attach the containment portion against the infant. The protective umbilical cord cover may also include an umbilical cord cover material that is constructed to form the containment portion, wherein the umbilical cord cover material is liquid impermeable in an inward-flow direction. The protective umbilical cord cover may also include an umbilical cord cover material that is constructed to form the containment portion, wherein the umbilical cord cover material is vapor permeable in an outward-flow direction. The protective umbilical cord cover may also include an umbilical cord cover material that is constructed to form the containment portion, wherein the umbilical cord cover material is vapor permeable in an outward-flow direction.