Abstract: A zero-heat-flux temperature measurement device has first and second flexible substrate layers sandwiching a layer of thermally insulating material. A heater trace disposed on the first substrate layer defines a heater facing one side of the layer of thermally insulating material and including a central portion surrounding a first thermal sensor and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. A second thermal sensor is disposed on the second substrate layer facing an opposing side of the layer of thermally insulating material, and third thermal sensor is disposed on the second substrate layer facing the opposing side of the layer of thermally insulating material. The second and third thermal sensors are separated so as to provide respective skin temperatures at separate locations in a skin surface area where a tissue temperature is to be measured.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a bandage that is transparent to, or transmissive of, energy in the infrared (IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heater that generates heat, and an attachment device for retaining the heater over or on the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for a patient, and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of a wound and to contours of the skin near the wound. The bandage is provided with an adhesive pattern for maintaining moisture at the wound site. The heater may maintain a normothermic condition at the wound treatment area. A controller may be provided for cycling the temperature of the heater in order to maintain the normothermic condition.

Abstract: A tissue treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in thermal contact with the bandage over a tissue treatment area, a heat spreading means acting between the heater and the bandage for laterally spreading heat transferred from the heater to the bandage in order that heat be substantially uniformly distributed across the bandage.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, and an adhesive attachment device for maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heater and the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for the patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of the wound and to the contours of the skin surrounding the wound. The attachment device is fashioned so as to have less pull strength than an adhesive holding the bandage to the person's body so that the heater can be easily removed without disturbing the attachment of the bandage to the person's body. The bandage is provided with a polymeric film for maintaining moisture at the wound site as well as enhancing the utility of the attachment device.

Abstract: A tissue treatment apparatus includes a bandage that is transparent to, or transmissive of, energy in a predetermined range of the infrared (IR) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The bandage includes a layer that acts as a bandpass filter, permitting IR radiation in the range of wavelengths between 3 and 30 &mgr;m to pass through the bandage to tissue against which the bandage is disposed. A heater is used to generate heat, including IR radiation, and an attachment device retains the heater over or on the bandpass bandage layer. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for a patient, and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of a wound and to contours of the skin near the wound. The bandage is provided with an adhesive pattern for maintaining moisture at the wound site. The heater may maintain a normothermic condition at subdermal regions of the wound treatment area.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, and an adhesive attachment device for maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heater and the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for the patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of the wound and to the contours of the skin surrounding the wound. The attachment device is fashioned so as to have less pull strength than an adhesive holding the bandage to the person's body so that the heater can be easily removed without disturbing the attachment of the bandage to the person's body. The bandage is provided with a polymeric film for maintaining moisture at the wound site as well as enhancing the utility of the attachment device.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a bandage that is transparent to, or transmissive of, energy in the infrared (IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heater that generates heat, and an attachment device for retaining the heater over or on the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for a patient, and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of a wound and to contours of the skin near the wound. The bandage is provided with an adhesive pattern for maintaining moisture at the wound site. The heater may maintain a normothermic condition at the wound treatment area. A controller may be provided for cycling the temperature of the heater in order to maintain the normothermic condition.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a bandage that is transparent to, or transmissive of, energy in the infrared (IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heater that generates heat, and an attachment device for retaining the heater over or on the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for a patient, and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of a wound and to contours of the skin near the wound. The bandage is provided with an adhesive pattern for maintaining moisture at the wound site. The heater may maintain a normothermic condition at the wound treatment area. A controller may be provided for cycling the temperature of the heater in order to maintain the normothermic condition.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, and an adhesive attachment device for maintaining thermally conductive contact between the heater and the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for the patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of the wound and to the contours of the skin surrounding the wound. The attachment device is fashioned so as to have less pull strength than an adhesive holding the bandage to the person's body so that the heater can be easily removed without disturbing the attachment of the bandage to the person's body. The bandage is provided with a polymeric film for maintaining moisture at the wound site as well as enhancing the utility of the attachment device.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device suitable for releasable attachment to a patient's skin surface over a selected wound area in a non-contact position relative to the selected wound area, the wound treatment device comprising an attachment portion suitable for releasable attachment with the patient's skin surface, having an inner perimeter for defining the selected wound area, a wound treatment portion with a wound cover and a support member supporting the wound cover, and a transition portion with a joint connecting the wound treatment portion to the attachment portion.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a bandage that absorbs energy in the infrared (IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heater that generates heat, and an attachment apparatus for retaining the heater over or on the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for a patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of a wound and to contours of the skin near the wound. The bandage is provided with an adhesive pattern for maintaining moisture at the wound site. The heater may maintain a normothermic condition at the wound treatment area. A controller may be provided for cycling the temperature of the heater in order to maintain the normothermic condition.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a thermally conductive bandage, a heater in thermal contact with the bandage over a wound treatment area, a heat spreading means acting between the heater and the bandage for laterally spreading heat transferred from the heater to the bandage in order that heat be substantially uniformly distributed across the bandage.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus is provided which includes a bandage that absorbs energy in the infrared (IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heater that generates heat, and an attachment apparatus for retaining the heater over or on the bandage. The bandage and heater together have a low profile so as to be convenient for a patient and are flexible so as to conform to the shape of a wound and to contours of the skin near the wound. The bandage is provided with an adhesive pattern for maintaining moisture at the wound site. The heater may maintain a normothermic condition at the wound treatment area. A controller may be provided for cycling the temperature of the heater in order to maintain the normothermic condition.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A non-contact wound treatment device suitable for releasable attachment to a patient's skin surface over a selected wound area in a non-contact position relative to the selected wound area, the wound treatment device comprising an attachment portion suitable for releasable attachment with the patient's skin surface, having an inner perimeter for defining the selected wound area, a wound treatment portion with a wound cover and a support member supporting the wound cover, and a transition portion with a joint connecting the wound treatment portion to the attachment portion.