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 apparatus for protecting a wound. The apparatus includes a waterproof shield element to cover a wound area of a user's body, where the elevated top surface of the shield element is elevated away from the user's body. A retention mechanism selectively retains the shield element against the user's body, utilizing the elevated top surface to create a normal force between the shield element and the user's body to thereby form an effective seal between the shield element and the user's body.

The present invention relates to an adhesive patch. The adhesive patch includes a plurality of reliefs, each relief having a flat top face, and each micro channel groove defined between adjacent reliefs of the plurality of reliefs, wherein the plurality of reliefs and the micro channel groove are respectively formed on and defined the adhesive patch, and wherein a hydrogel layer is disposed on at least a portion of a bottom face of the micro channel groove and is contained in the groove. Therefore, the adhesive patch is well-adhered to a dry or wet adhered face.

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.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating a tissue site are described. In some embodiments, the system may include a pouch having an upstream layer, a downstream layer, and an absorbent member enclosed between the upstream layer and the downstream layer. The upstream layer and the downstream layer may each include a hydrophobic side and a hydrophilic side. The hydrophilic side of both the upstream layer and the downstream layer may be positioned facing the absorbent member. The hydrophobic side of both the upstream layer and the downstream layer may form a portion of an exterior surface of the pouch such that fluid incident on the pouch is distributed laterally along the exterior surface of the pouch before being absorbed by the absorbent member.

A composite material is described, which is of particular use in wound treatment, and to a method for producing said composite material is also described. The composite material has a first foam layer having a first hydrophilic polyurethane foam material, and, in immediate contact therewith, a second foam layer having a second hydrophilic polyurethane foam material, which second hydrophilic foam material is different from the first hydrophilic foam material.

Glass-based particles of a biocompatible material which comprises 40 to about 80 wt % borate (B.sub.2O.sub.3) intermixed into a carrier which is an ointment, cream, or surgical glue.

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.

This invention relates to a multi-layer wound site dressing specifically designed to treat chronic wounds and simultaneously block external pathogens from infecting the wound site from the environment. The said wound dressing comprises five layers; each layer performs a specific functionality in healing and protecting the wound site. The said layers of wound care dressing comprise (i) a permeable non-adherent woven or non-woven membrane in contact with wound site, (ii) a nanofibrous composite layer made of superabsorbent, activated carbon and a polymer (iii) a hydrophobic insulating membrane which is permeable to air with an adhesive edge, (iv) a nanofibrous membrane made of polymer and activated carbon hosting functional germicidal ions, and (v) an air permeable non-woven membrane with adhesive edge. The said layers are compounded by pressing and coating to make a comprehensive multi-layer wound care dressing product.

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.