A method for accurately, rapidly and consistently cutting an opening in drape material for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses a cutting device that includes a plurality of cutting members that can extend from a bottom surface of the cutting device. A cover may fit over the bottom to protect the cutting members. The cutting members may be positioned to define a cut-out shape having dimensions designed for use with a NPWT system. An adhesive material may be formed on the bottom surface of the cutting device, inside of the cut-out shape defined by the cutting members. In use, the user presses the cutting tool onto the drape to cause the cutting members to cut into the drape and the adhesive to stick to the drape. When the user lifts the device, the drape, cut to the correct size and shape, is removed from the foam dressing covering the wound.

Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient's body when the specific anatomic region of the patient's body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient's body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.

A dressing includes a manifold layer and a drape coupled to the manifold layer and configured to seal the manifold layer over a wound. The drape has an opening extending therethrough. A connection pad is positioned at the opening and configured to couple the dressing to a tube. The connection pad includes an outer ring coupled to the drape and a center dimple extending away from the drape and defining a volume between the center dimple and a plane defined by the outer ring. The dressing also includes an absorbent manifolding structure positioned between the center dimple and the manifold layer and formed to substantially match a shape of the volume.

Described herein are systems and apparatuses for enhanced comfort through contact pressure reduction. In particular, the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein prevent or otherwise mitigate pressure by actively orienting a patient over an anatomy-specific pressure-mitigating contact surface on which the patient rests. A pressure-mitigating contact portion of the contact surface includes a plurality of independently pressurized chambers configured in a specific geometric pattern that is designed to mitigate contact pressure between a support surface (e.g., bed or chair) and a specific anatomic region of a patient’s body when the specific anatomic region of the patient’s body is oriented over an epicenter of the geometric pattern. Additionally, a plurality of elevated side support portions and a wedge interconnected on the base material are configured to actively orient the specific anatomic region of the patient’s body over the epicenter of the geometric pattern.

An indicator reversibly changes between a first state representative of a first fluid status of a wound dressing, to a second state representative of a second fluid status in response to changes in the fluid status of the wound dressing over time. The fluid status may be a fluid level or a fluid absorbency capacity of the wound dressing. The indicator includes an indicator layer on which one or more markings are provided. A top layer of the indicator transitions from being opaque in the first state to being transparent in the second state. The change from the markings being blocked from view in the first state to being visible in the second state occurs in response to a presence of a first amount of fluid in the wound dressing. The transition from the second state to the first state occurs when evaporation decreases the fluid in the wound dressing.

A wound treatment system for treating a surgical wound includes a dressing. The dressing includes a manifold layer and an absorbent pouch assembly coupled to the manifold layer. The absorbent pouch assembly includes an absorbent material contained within a pouch. The dressing also includes a drape coupled to the absorbent pouch assembly and configured to be sealable over the surgical wound. The absorbent pouch assembly is positioned between the drape and the manifold layer. The wound treatment system also includes a pump fluidly communicable with the dressing and configured to draw a negative pressure at the manifold layer. The manifold layer is configured to substantially prevent medial collapse of the manifold layer under the negative pressure.

A method for accurately, rapidly and consistently cutting an opening in drape material for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses a cutting device that includes a plurality of cutting members that can extend from a bottom surface of the cutting device. A cover may fit over the bottom to protect the cutting members. The cutting members may be positioned to define a cut-out shape having dimensions designed for use with a NPWT system. An adhesive material may be formed on the bottom surface of the cutting device, inside of the cut-out shape defined by the cutting members. In use, the user presses the cutting tool onto the drape to cause the cutting members to cut into the drape and the adhesive to stick to the drape. When the user lifts the device, the drape, cut to the correct size and shape, is removed from the foam dressing covering the wound.

A wound dressing includes a hydrophilic foam layer, a plurality of wicking strips, and a drape layer. The hydrophilic foam layer is configured to engage a wound bed and has a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the wound bed. The plurality of wicking strips also have a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the first side of the hydrophilic foam layer. The drape layer also has a first side and a second side, the second side configured to face the first side of the plurality of wicking strips. One or more of the plurality of wicking strips also have a removable tab, wherein the tab extends beyond a periphery of the wound dressing.

Introduced here are apparatuses and systems for mitigating contact pressures applied to a human body by the surface of an object, such as a chair, bed, or table. A pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers whose pressure can be individually varied. When placed between a patient and a contact surface, the pressure-mitigation apparatus can vary the contact pressure on a specific anatomical region of the patient by controllably inflating and/or deflating one or more cell. Moreover, a pressure-mitigation system can be readily integrated into a conventional treatment regimen for a variety of different conditions.

Introduced here are apparatuses and systems for mitigating contact pressures applied to a human body by the surface of an object, such as a chair, bed, or table. A pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers whose pressure can be individually varied. When placed between a patient and a contact surface, the pressure-mitigation apparatus can vary the contact pressure on a specific anatomical region of the patient by controllably inflating and/or deflating one or more cell. Moreover, a pressure-mitigation system can be readily integrated into a conventional treatment regimen for a variety of different conditions.