Systems, apparatus, and methods related to wound closure devices comprising one or more microstructures are described herein. In some embodiments, the wound closure devices include a backing and a microstructure array. The microstructure array may include a first 5 portion, a second portion, and a bridge portion. The first portion and the second portion each include one or more microstructures configured to penetrate tissue. Additionally, the first portion and the second portion each include one or more expandable portions such that the wound closure device is configured to expand in length. The wound closure device is configured to grip tissue surrounding a wound to either close the wound or secure the tissue in place.

An adhesion device incorporates element block assemblies partially disposed within an element support body having an engagement surface. Each element block assembly may include an element activation sheet, an element deployment sheet, a plurality of engagement elements, and an element transition mechanism operatively coupled to the engagement elements. The element transition mechanism is reversible to transition from a neutral configuration wherein the element activation sheet is substantially adjacent to the element deployment sheet, and an expanded configuration wherein the element activation sheet and the element deployment sheet are separated by a transition gap. The element support body, while each element transition mechanism is disposed in the neutral configuration, constrains each engagement element in a deployment state with a substantially straightened configuration perpendicular to the engagement surface and suitable for insertion into (or removal from) a target material. The element support body, while each element transition mechanism is disposed in the expanded configuration, constrains each engagement element in an engagement state eccentrically tensioned as the result of the transition gap into a reactive flexure to capture surrounding target material.

The invention relates to an absorbent dressing comprising an adhesive silicone-coated side strip, which is particularly suitable for use in the care of chronic wounds, such as ulcers or eschars, or acute wounds, such as burns. The absorbent dressing includes a breathable impermeable substrate (4) and an absorbent non-woven fabric (6). The substrate is formed by assembling a continuous film (4a) and an openwork reinforcement that is coated with an adhesive silicone gel (4b) without blocking the openings in the reinforcement. A non-absorbent web (5) is secured to a complementary non-woven fabric (7), such as to encase the above-mentioned absorbent non-woven fabric (6) without being secured at any point to the latter. The encased absorbent non-woven fabric is subsequently assembled to the substrate (4) along part of said silicone-coated surface of the substrate.

An adhesion device incorporates element block assemblies partially disposed within an element support body having an engagement surface. Each element block assembly may include an element activation sheet, an element deployment sheet, a plurality of engagement elements, and an element transition mechanism operatively coupled to the engagement elements. The element transition mechanism is reversible to transition from a neutral configuration wherein the element activation sheet is substantially adjacent to the element deployment sheet, and an expanded configuration wherein the element activation sheet and the element deployment sheet are separated by a transition gap. The element support body, in the neutral configuration, constrains each engagement element in a deployment state with a substantially straightened configuration perpendicular to the engagement surface and suitable for insertion into (or removal from) a target material. The element support body, in the expanded configuration, constrains each engagement element in an engagement state eccentrically tensioned as the result of the transition gap into a reactive flexure to capture surrounding target material.