Abstract: A wound therapy system includes a negative pressure circuit, a pump, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The negative pressure circuit applies negative pressure to a wound. The pump is fluidly coupled to the negative pressure circuit and produces a negative pressure at the wound or within the negative pressure circuit. The pressure sensor measures the negative pressure within the negative pressure circuit or the wound. The controller performs a testing procedure including a first drawdown period, a leak rate determination period, a vent period, and a second drawdown period. The controller is configured to receive one or more pressure measurements of the pressure sensor over the leak rate determination period to determine a leak rate parameter, monitor an amount of elapsed time over the second drawdown period to determine a drawdown parameter, and estimate a volume of the wound based on the leak rate parameter and the drawdown parameter.

Abstract: A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a moveable tissue site, such as a joint, includes a flexible dressing bolster. The flexible dressing bolster has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and a plurality of flexion joints formed on the flexible dressing bolster. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the flexible dressing bolster and the patient's epidermis and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the moveable tissue site. The flexible dressing bolster is operable to allow articulation or movement of the moveable tissue site. The sealing subsystem may include a drape with folds. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy device, kit, and method are provided for improved treatment of wounds on complex three-dimensional anatomies. The device includes a conformable manifold made of a porous and permeable material with a pattern of cuts designed to transform the manifold from a relaxed, planar state to a pliable three-dimensional state when extended along the lateral axis. The kit further may include a wound interface layer, an adhesive, breathable drape, and a pneumatic connection to a negative pressure wound therapy device. Finally, a method for treating wounds using reduced pressure and the presently disclosed kit is provided.

Abstract: A dressing assembly for use with a reduced pressure treatment system, the dressing assembly develops a directed force under reduced pressure. The directed force may be a radial force or a closing force. The dressing assembly includes a shaped dressing bolster having a shaped extremity that is operable to evenly deliver the radial force and to distribute reduced pressure. Numerous shapes may be used for the shaped extremity. The dressing assembly may further include an over-drape to assist in creating a seal over the shaped dressing bolster and against a portion of a patient's epidermis.

Abstract: Apparatuses for multi-orientation fluid management are described. In some example embodiments, an apparatus for managing fluids may comprise an absorbent core and one or more layers of a fluid acquisition and manifolding material. The fluid acquisition and manifolding material can provide a shell or envelope for capturing the fluid and distributing it to the absorbent core for storage. The manifolding material can distribute fluid as the absorbent core swells. The apparatus may additionally include an exudate container providing a casing for the absorbent core and the fluid acquisition and manifolding layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying negative pressure to a tissue site of a patient may include a tissue interface, a cover, an aperture in the cover, and a sealing member. The tissue interface may have an anatomical shape configured to cover the tissue site. The cover may be configured to cover the tissue interface. The aperture in the cover may be fluidly coupled to the tissue interface. The sealing member may be configured to seal the cover to the patient, wherein the cover and the sealing member are configured to cooperate to form a sealed chamber containing the tissue interface. The tissue interface may be coupled to a source of negative pressure, which can be delivered to the tissue interface for distribution to the tissue site. The source of negative pressure may be coupled to the cover of the apparatus.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented that facilitate the provision of reduced pressure to a tissue site by using a delivery-and-fluid-storage bridge, which separates liquids and gases and provides a flow path for reduced pressure. In one instance, a delivery-and-fluid-storage bridge includes a delivery manifold for delivering reduced pressure to a treatment manifold at the tissue site and an absorbent layer proximate the delivery manifold adapted to receive and absorb liquids. The delivery manifold and the absorbent layer are encapsulated in an encapsulating pouch. A first aperture is formed proximate a first longitudinal end of the delivery-and-fluid-storage bridge for fluidly communicating reduced pressure to the delivery manifold from a reduced-pressure source, and a second aperture is formed on a patient-facing side of the delivery-and-fluid-storage bridge. Reduced pressure is transferred to the tissue site via the second aperture. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure may include a core having a first surface, a second surface, and an absorbent between the first surface and the second surface, a cover disposed over the first surface of the core, a pressure indicator configured to change shape under negative pressure, and a fluid conductor coupling the pressure indicator to the second surface of the core.

Abstract: Dressings for treating a tissue site with negative pressure are disclosed, which may include a dressing having at least three layers assembled in a stacked relationship. In one example embodiment, a first film may comprise a non-porous material and a plurality of fluid restrictions. A first manifold layer may be adjacent to the first film and may comprise a second film of a transparent material having blisters and a manifold area. The first manifold layer may further comprise apertures configured to allow fluid transfer through the second film. A second manifold layer may be adjacent to the first manifold layer and may comprise foam having a contact area that is less than the manifold area of the first manifold layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for tissue therapy may include a sequentially-collapsing tissue interface for use with negative pressure. The apparatus may include a first manifold and a second manifold fluidly coupled to the first manifold through a constricted fluid path. A fluid conductor may fluidly couple the second manifold to the first manifold. The fluid conductor may constrict fluid flow between the first manifold and the second manifold. The apparatus may include a negative-pressure source fluidly coupled to the first manifold in some embodiments. A controller may be configured to operate a negative-pressure source to provide negative pressure to a tissue interface in a therapy sequence adapted to propagate a wave in the tissue site. Such motion may be particularly advantageous or beneficial for a variety of conditions, including lymphedema, edema, or venous insufficiency.

Abstract: Dressings for tissue treatment with negative pressure and methods of using the dressings for tissue treatment with negative pressure, which may comprise a dressing having at least three layers assembled in a stacked relationship. The first layer may comprise or consist essentially of a polymer film having a plurality of fluid restrictions that are normally unstrained or closed. The second layer may comprise a manifold, and the third layer may comprise or consist essentially of a polymer drape. A fourth layer, which may be coupled to the first layer opposite the second layer, may comprise or consist essentially of a silicone gel having a plurality of apertures. In some examples, the plurality of apertures in the fourth layer may be registered with the fluid restrictions of the first layer.

Abstract: A medical drape for use with a reduced pressure system for providing reduced pressure to a tissue site is described. In some embodiments, the drape may include a flexible film, and an adhesive layer coupled to the flexible film. The adhesive layer may include a first adhesive disposed on a first portion of the flexible film in a first pattern. The first adhesive can be configured to secure the flexible film proximate to the tissue site. The adhesive layer generally includes a second adhesive disposed on a second portion of the flexible film in a second pattern. The second adhesive can be configured to seal the flexible film proximate to the tissue site. The first pattern and the second pattern are preferably registered so that the first portion and the second portion are offset to cover substantially different portions of the flexible film.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure system for treating tissue, such as damaged subcutaneous tissue, includes a shaped dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis and substantially sized to overlay the damaged subcutaneous tissue. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the shaped dressing bolster and a portion of the patient's epidermis, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The reduced-pressure system may develop a force, which may include a vertical force that is realized at tissue site deeper than the epidermis or a closing force directed towards the incision. The shaped dressing bolster is shaped to evenly distribute the force. Other methods and systems are included.

Abstract: A reduced pressure tissue treatment system includes an applicator having an aperture, a first pad section, and a second pad section substantially covering the aperture and positioned substantially adjacent the first pad section. A fabric layer is located at least partially between the second pad section and the drape, and the fabric layer includes a woven or non-woven fabric made from a fiber material. A drape substantially covers the first pad section, the second pad section, the fabric layer, and the applicator. A reduced pressure source is in fluid communication with at least one of the first pad section and the fabric layer for providing reduced pressure to the aperture.

Abstract: A wound therapy device includes a wound dressing and a humidifier configured to deliver humid air to a wound site to which the wound dressing is applied. The humidifier may be a remote structure that is fluidly connected to the wound dressing applied about a patient's skin at a wound site. Alternatively, the humidified may be integrated with the wound dressing to define an integral, portable therapy device that may be worn by the patient. The wound therapy device may be a standalone wound treatment device, or may be used in conjunction with other wound treatment devices, such as, e.g., negative pressure wound therapy devices.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system includes at least one sensor coupled to a wound dressing for a wound of a patient, and a processing circuit. The at least one sensor is configured to output a measurement of the pressure in the wound dressing. The processing circuit is configured to open a sealable aperture, receive the pressure measurements in the wound dressing, calculate a rate of pressure decay, correlate the rate of pressure decay in the wound dressing to a wound dressing fluid absorbent capacity and other therapy parameters, and output the wound dressing fluid absorbent capacity and other therapy parameters to a remote electronic device.

Abstract: A reduced-pressure system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a distribution manifold that adheres to a tissue site to allow retention without external support. The distribution manifold includes a porous member and a tissue-fixation element. The tissue-fixation element maintains the porous member substantially adjacent to the tissue site while a sealing member is applied. In one instance, the tissue-fixation element is a soluble adhesive that partially covers either the tissue-facing side of the porous member or a tissue-facing side of a fluid-permeable substrate layer that is on the tissue-facing side of the porous member. Other systems, distributions manifolds, and methods are presented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to removing fluids from a patient are provided. In one instance, fluid is removed from the patient and delivered to a canister using reduced pressure. Reduced pressure is supplied to the canister via a reduced-pressure delivery conduit that includes a moisture processing device and a hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing device condenses moisture from the air to prevent condensation from occluding the hydrophobic filter. The moisture processing devices includes an expanded volume and one or more liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membranes. The liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane allows vapor to egress the moisture processing device. Other systems, methods, and devices are presented.