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.

An umbilical cord cover includes a fluid-tight covering portion defining a cavity, a contact portion around the covering portion, and a releasable adhesive on the contact portion. The releasable adhesive and the contact portion form a fluid-tight seal around the cavity when the contact portion engages a surface.

A protective device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a cover including a first region that extends over a vulnerable site on a patient and a second region that extends over an area on the patient peripheral to the vulnerable site. The first region of the cover is at least generally impermeable to liquid water. The device further includes an adhesive film and a liquid-absorbing element. The adhesive film is configured to form an adhesive bond between the second region of the cover and the patient. The bond has an inner edge portion positioned toward the vulnerable site and an outer edge portion positioned away from the vulnerable site. The liquid-absorbing element is configured to absorb liquid contamination at the outer edge portion of the bond and/or liquid contamination approaching the outer edge portion of the bond when the cover is operably positioned on the patient.

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 system for treating a linear wound on a patient that 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 device for the initial treatment of wounds, which has two chambers each open on one side. The first chamber is designed as a vacuum chamber having a valve for sucking off air and peripherally surrounds the substantially centrally arranged second chamber which is intended to be placed over the wound. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present teaching, an opening provided with a valve for sucking off air or body fluids is provided on the second chamber.

A protective cover for the protection against contamination from body and/or irrigation fluid during treatment of wounds/ulcers includes a first opening to be placed on a patient and a second opening for inserting a handpiece. The protective cover includes a fluid-tight and flexible hollow body that defines a treatment chamber having a shape that adapts to motion of a handpiece. The hollow body may include a stiffening element for keeping the first opening in an open state during treatment. Additionally, a device for the irrigation of wounds or ulcers, such as for debriding dead body tissue by way of a micro water jet, may include a hand-operated lance with a nozzle for producing an irrigation fluid jet, such as a micro water jet. The lance may be inserted through the second opening of the protective cover so that the nozzle is located within the treatment chamber of the protective cover.

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 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 dressing for use in protectively covering and isolating a medical device placed on and/or through the skin surface of a patient is disclosed. Examples of such devices include infusion needles for accessing subcutaneously implanted access ports, catheters of various types and purposes, insulin infusion needles, etc. In one embodiment, a dressing for covering a medical device on a skin surface of a patient is disclosed and comprises a dressing portion that is configured to rest against a skin surface of a patient, with the dressing portion defining a hole, and a polymeric cover film that is at least indirectly attached to the dressing portion. The cover film includes a pliable domed portion aligned with the hole of the dressing portion. The pliable domed portion defines a cavity that is configured to receive therein the medical device when the dressing is placed on the skin of the patient.