Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for providing negative-pressure therapy to breast tissue is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a dressing assembly shaped for placement on a breast, an absorbent pouch, and a negative-pressure source. The system may further include an additional dressing assembly for placement on a second breast. Various shapes and configurations of the breast dressing assemblies may be included in the system.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.

Abstract: In some examples, a dressing filler for treating a tissue site may include a plurality of filler elements and a tissue interface layer. Each of the filler elements may include a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and separated from the first surface by a thickness. The tissue interface layer may include a first side configured to be positioned facing the tissue site and a second side positioned opposite the first side. The first surface of each of the filler elements may be coupled to the second side of the tissue interface layer. Also provided are other apparatuses, dressings, systems, and methods suitable for treating a tissue site.

Abstract: Systems for the treatment of pleural effusion are disclosed herein. A first system includes a fluid conductor that provides fluid communication with a pleural space of a patient. The first system also includes a canister and a negative-pressure source in fluid communication with the canister. The negative-pressure source pre-charges the canister to a negative-pressure range and maintains the negative-pressure range within the canister while the canister and the fluid conductor are in fluid communication.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods for providing negative-pressure therapy to a tissue site are described. The system can include an absorbent and a sealing layer configured to cover the absorbent. The system can also include a blister fluidly coupled to the absorbent. The blister may have a collapsed position and an expanded position. A first check valve may be fluidly coupled to the absorbent and the blister and configured to prevent fluid flow from the blister into the absorbent if the blister is moved from the expanded position to the collapsed position. A second check valve may be fluidly coupled to the blister and the ambient environment and configured to prevent fluid flow from the ambient environment into the blister if the blister is moved from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

Abstract: A treatment system for applying negative pressure to a tissue site in conjunction with a venting or purging capability. In some embodiments, the treatment system may include a reduced-pressure source, an inline storage pouch, a purge chamber, and a dressing. Reduced-pressure may be supplied to the inline storage pouch and the dressing, while the purge chamber may provide a ventilation opening to the atmosphere.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a vibration apparatus can augment and enhance negative-pressure therapy systems. The apparatus can be attached to an external surface of a dressing, fluid conductor, or other components. The apparatus can generate low-amplitude vibrations, which can be transmitted through the components. Kinetic energy of the oscillations can agitate fluid in the components, which can lower the viscosity of the fluid and reduce the frequency of blockages in fluid conductors. Vibrations may also agitate a tissue site, which can encourage blood flow and granulation.

Abstract: A pressure switch for controlling application of negative pressure to dressing disposed adjacent a tissue site is disclosed. The pressure switch comprises a body having a base, sidewalls extending from the base to an open end, and an inlet coupled to the dressing and forming a passage through the body. The pressure switch further comprises a diaphragm closing the open end of the sidewalls and forming a vacuum chamber with the body, wherein the inlet fluidly couples the vacuum chamber and the dressing. The pressure switch further comprises a valve disposed in the passage and configured to restrict the flow of gas through the passage so that a switch pressure developed in the vacuum chamber as a result of the application of negative pressure to the dressing lags a wound pressure at the tissue site to delay, wherein the diaphragm is adapted to be operatively responsive to the switch pressure to move between a relaxed position and a compressed position as the negative pressure increases and decreases.

Abstract: A treatment system for applying negative pressure therapy and fluid instillation treatment to a tissue site, particularly an abdominal tissue site, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the treatment system may include a dressing member, a plurality of fluid removal pathways, a fluid instillation matrix, a drape, a negative-pressure source, and a fluid instillation source. Instillation fluid may be delivered from the fluid instillation source to the tissue site through the fluid instillation matrix, and negative pressure may be communicated and fluid withdrawn from the tissue site through the plurality of fluid removal pathways.

Abstract: New and useful systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing negative-pressure therapy with instillation of topical treatment solutions are described. An apparatus may comprise an exudate container, a solution source, and a pneumatically-actuated instillation regulator. The instillation regulator may be coupled to the exudate container and to the solution source, and negative pressure from a negative-pressure source can actuate the instillation regulator. In some embodiments, a negative-pressure source may be configured for a negative-pressure interval and a venting interval, and the instillation regulator can be configured to draw instillation solution from the solution source during a negative-pressure interval and to instill the solution to a dressing during a venting interval.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for instilling a solution to a tissue site are disclosed. In some embodiments, an instillation regulator may be fluidly coupled to a solution source and to a dressing, and the instillation regulator may draw a solution from the solution source during a negative-pressure interval may instill the solution to the dressing during a venting interval.

Abstract: Some illustrative embodiments of a dressing for treating a tissue site may include a manifold, a paddle, and a tail. The manifold may be adapted to distribute fluid and may include an insertion end and a connection end. The insertion end of the manifold may be adapted for insertion at the tissue site. The paddle may include at least one surface protrusion, and the paddle may be positioned in fluid communication with the manifold proximate to the insertion end. The tail may be proximate to the connection end of the manifold. Further, the tail may be adapted to be positioned proximate an external opening at the tissue site. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.