A wound care device comprises a cover layer having formed from a stretchable material which has an elastic memory such that upon stretching the first layer will tend to retract to an at-rest position; a layer of adherent on the bottom surface of the cover layer; and a removable release liner removably adhered to the adherent. In use, the wound care device is applied over or adjacent the wound in a stretched/elongated condition extending to be adhered to skin beyond the margins of the wound. The wound care device retracts under its elastic member along lines of tension towards a focal point of lines of tension, thereby drawing the margins of the wound together to stabilize and compress the skin about the wound. The wound care device reduces and absorbs sheer forces directed to the wound that would otherwise disrupt connective tissue of the wound, the device comprising:

A dressing for treating tissue with negative pressure is provided herein comprising a composite of dressing layers, including a release film, a perforated coated polymer film, a manifold, and an adhesive cover. Additionally, a method of manufacturing the dressing may comprise applying a cross-linkable polymer to a polymer film, curing the cross-linkable polymer to a gel layer to form a coated polymer film, and perforating the coated polymer film to form fluid restrictions, such as slits and/or slots, though the coated polymer film.

An adhesive convertible tissue stabilizer is provided which can be applied preoperatively to a patient to retract tissue to facilitate a medical/surgical procedure. As a perioperative device, the convertible device accepts most, if not all, surgical preparations, enabling the creation of a sterile field. At the completion of the procedure, the convertible device is converted from a perioperative device to a post-operative device by removal of a layer of the convertible device.

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.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing negative pressure and/or instillation fluids to a tissue site are disclosed. Some embodiments are illustrative of an apparatus or system for delivering negative-pressure and/or therapeutic solution of fluids to a tissue site, which can be used in conjunction with sensing properties of fluids extracted from a tissue site and/or instilled at a tissue site. For example, an apparatus may comprise a dressing interface or connector that includes a pH sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor embodied on a single pad within the connector and proximate the tissue site to provide data indicative of acidity, humidity, temperature and pressure. Such apparatus may further comprise algorithms for processing such data for detecting leakage and blockage as well as providing information relating to the progression of healing of wounds at the tissue site. An illustrative method may comprise positioning a dressing interface having a pH sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a pressure sensor at a tissue site, and applying reduced pressure to the dressing interface to draw fluids from the tissue interface in contact with the sensors to sense the pH, temperature, humidity, and pressure properties of the fluids flowing from the tissue site. The method may further comprise providing fluid data indicative of such properties to a processing element for processing the fluid data, and transmitting the data to another component in the system.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure are described. The system includes a manifold configured to be placed adjacent the tissue site, and a sealing member configured to be placed over the tissue site and the manifold. The system also includes a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the manifold through the sealing member. The system further includes a pouch having an upstream layer having a first thickness, a downstream layer having a second thickness, and an absorbent member enclosed between the upstream layer and the downstream layer. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. The upstream layer may have a hydrophilic side adjacent the absorbent member, and the downstream layer may have a hydrophobic side adjacent the absorbent member.

Pump cassettes, wound-treatment apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, a pump cassette comprises: a pump body having a pump chamber, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber; a diaphragm coupled to the pump body such that the diaphragm is movable to vary a volume in the pump chamber; and an identifier configured to store one or more properties of the pump cassette such that the identifier is readable by an automated reader to determine the one or more properties. In some embodiments, the pump cassette is configured to be removably coupled to a wound-treatment apparatus having an actuator such that the actuator can be activated to move the diaphragm.

A chest drainage system securing apparatus for securing and maintaining chest drainage systems in position following placement into a human or animal patient and preventing movement or unplanned removal thereof in response to the application of significant forces in any direction thereto, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The securement system includes retention devices secured to a chest tube which interact with an adhesive pad releasably attached to a patient to ensure proper positioning of the chest tube. The adhesive pad includes one or more Heimlich-type valves for sealing sucking chest wounds and for sealing an incision formed in a patients skin and chest for the placement and insertion of a chest tube.

The wound dressing apparatus facilitates administration of combined negative pressure and positive pressure treatment at a wound site. The wound dressing apparatus includes a wound dome having a substantially hollow dome interior, a manifold that is in fluid communication with the dome interior, a first passage adapted to connect to a negative pressure source to the dome interior, and a second passage adapted to connect to a positive pressure source to the manifold.

A wound dressing is selectively configurable for use in a pressure gradient wound therapy system and for use without a pressure gradient wound therapy system. The wound dressing can include a covering layer, an aperture and a base plate. the base plate can be configured to sealingly receive a connector part.