Medical tapes include an optically transparent tape backing and an optically transparent adhesive layer, typically a pressure sensitive adhesive, disposed on the backing The tape is optically transparent and has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of at least 250 g/m.sup.2 /24 hrs/37° C./100-10% RH using the inverted cup method. The tape remains optically transparent when over-taped, such that a multi-layer tape stack of at least 2 layers of tape are formed.

A re-closable wound dressing is provided. A base layer is operable to be attached to a skin of a patient. The base layer forms a pre-fabricated aperture through which a wound of the patient is accessible. A cover layer is coupled with the base layer. The cover layer is operable to cover the pre-fabricated aperture, and is permanently adhered to the base layer along at least a portion of the cover layer. The base layer and the cover layer are made of like materials.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

A photosensitive medical tape includes a backing layer that is at least partially transparent to a first spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. The photosensitive medical tape also includes a coupling layer disposed on a first side of the backing layer to provide adhesion of the photosensitive medical tape to the human skin. The photosensitive medical tape is disposed to absorb a second spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to decrease a strength of the adhesion provided by the coupling layer. The photosensitive medical tape is also flexible.

Disclosed embodiments relate to a wound dressing which can generate nitric oxide. The wound dressing comprises a cover layer, an acid providing layer and a nitrite providing layer. The acid providing layer comprises acidic groups and may be hydrogel or Xerogel. The nitrite providing layer comprises a nitrite salt. The wound dressing may also include other layers, one or more acquisition distribution layers or masking layers. The masking layers can at least partially prevent visualization of the layer below the masking layer. Nitrite ions of the nitrite providing layer may react with the acidic groups of the acid providing layer to generate nitric oxide. The acid providing layer further includes one or more material layers to reduce the adhesiveness of the acid providing layer. The acid providing layer can also include perforations.

A wound dressing, a method of manufacturing a wound dressing, and a method of treating a patient are disclosed. The wound dressing may include an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate; and an obscuring element for at least partially obscuring a view of wound exudate absorbed by the absorbent layer in use.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.

A wound dressing garment is provided. The wound dressing garment includes a wearable garment including a portion having a hole configured to receive a wound dressing therein in combination with the wound dressing. The wound dressing includes a border connecting the wound dressing to the wearable garment where the border extends around the perimeter of the hole to locate the wound dressing therein. The wound dressing may include one or more additional layers including a hydrogel layer. A method for treating wound or preventing bed sores using the wound dressing garment is also provided.

A wound dressing, a method of manufacturing a wound dressing, and a method of treating a patient are disclosed. The wound dressing may include an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate; and an obscuring element for at least partially obscuring a view of wound exudate absorbed by the absorbent layer in use.

A composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a micropump system housed within or above a wound dressing member. The micropump system includes a miniature pump that applies a subatmospheric pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed without the need for a cumbersome external vacuum source. Hence, the wound dressing and micropump system is portable which allows the patient mobility that is unavailable when an external vacuum source is used. The patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.