A reduced-pressure, wound closure system is presented that generates a closing force on a surface wound and optionally provides reduced pressure to a body cavity or tissue site. The sealed contracting member, when placed under reduced pressure, generates the closing force. One illustrative system includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member, a sealed contracting member coupled to the first attachment member and the second attachment member, and wherein the closing force is generated between the first attachment member and the second attachment member when reduced pressure is supplied to the sealed contracting member. Other systems and methods are presented.

The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes having improved extensibility and conformability to human skin and joints.

The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes having improved extensibility and conformability to human skin and joints.

The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes having improved extensibility and conformability to human skin and joints.

The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes having improved extensibility and conformability to human skin and joints.

The present invention relates to dressings such as bandages or tapes having improved extensibility and conformability to human skin and joints.

According to the invention, a wound dressing may be further developed, whereby a wound dressing made from a planar structure with a first main direction of extension and at least one further main direction of extension, whereby the textile planar structure, at least along the main directions of extension comprises extensibility properties which differ by less than 80%, preferably less than 50%.

Methods and products for protecting tissue of a patient during a surgical procedure that involve making an incision in the tissue and retracting the tissue to make a larger opening, wherein the methods and products use a water-absorbing stress-distributing layer.

A method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure abdominal treatment system for treating an open abdominal cavity is provided. In some embodiments, the reduced-pressure abdominal treatment system has an open-cavity treatment device for providing reduced-pressure treatment to an abdominal cavity; a deep-tissue closure device for applying a closing force on a deep-tissue wound; and a surface-wound closure subsystem for providing a closing force on a surface wound. The method of manufacturing may also include providing a reduced-pressure supply subsystem. A method of treatment using a reduced-pressure abdominal treatment system is also disclosed.

A method for providing faster visual and functional recovery of patients following refractive surgery such as laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a covering to the eye of a patient comprising an inner portion having an inner rigidity and at least one inner radius of curvature; and an outer portion having an outer rigidity and at least one outer radius of curvature; wherein the inner rigidity is greater than the outer rigidity.