Abstract: An apparatus for filling a wound can include an array of at least four truncated ellipsoids interconnected to define at least one fluid path through, for example perpendicular to, the array. The longest principal axis of each ellipsoid may be perpendicular to the array. Each truncated ellipsoid may be a spheroid and/or may include an approximately elliptical contact surface at each contact surface between two interconnected ellipsoids. Each fluid pathway may have four continuously-curved concave sides and may have a parallelogram-shaped cross-section with continuously-curved concave edges. A dressing may include the apparatus, a dressing layer coupled to the apparatus, a backing layer disposed over a surface of the dressing layer opposite the apparatus, and an attachment device disposed on at least a margin of the backing layer. Methods of treating various tissue sites using the apparatus or dressing with negative-pressure therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some illustrative examples, a bridge suitable for treating a tissue site may include a bridge sealing member and one or more bridge wicking layers. The bridge sealing member may extend along a length of the bridge, and may define an internal passageway in fluid communication between a receiving end of the bridge and a transmitting end of the bridge. The one or more bridge wicking layers may be disposed within the internal passageway of the bridge sealing member. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure includes wound dressings (18) and systems (10) with therapeutic gas and negative pressure sources for incision management. The dressing, which are configured to be coupled to tissue to facilitate delivery of oxygen to the tissue, comprise a manifold configured to permit communication of oxygen to the tissue the manifold (46) defining: a plurality of gas passageways (50); and a plurality of openings (62), one or more of which comprises a length (66) and a width (70) that is at least 50 percent less than the length; and a gas-occlusive layer (86) configured to be disposed over the manifold and coupled to the tissue such that an interior volume containing the manifold is defined between the gas-occlusive layer and the tissue and the gas-occlusive layer limits escape of oxygen from the interior volume.

Abstract: An evaporative bridge dressing that may be used with negative-pressure treatment of tissue. The evaporative bridge dressing may have one or more fluid transfer layers comprised of high-density wicking material enclosed between layers of film having high moisture-vapor transfer rates to reduce liquid storage and minimize pressure drop.

Abstract: This disclosure includes wound dressings and systems for effluent management of topical wound therapy and related methods. Some devices, which are configured to dilute therapeutic gas effluent flowing from a dressing, comprise a therapeutic gas source configured to provide therapeutic gas to the dressing; a container comprising a sidewall that defines a chamber configured to receive therapeutic gas effluent from the dressing; a negative pressure source configured to be coupled to the container such that the negative pressure source can be activated to draw fluid from the dressing through the chamber of the container; and a diluent gas source configured to deliver a diluent gas to dilute therapeutic gas effluent before the therapeutic gas effluent enters the negative pressure source.

Abstract: An evaporative bridge dressing that may be used with negative-pressure treatment of tissue. The evaporative bridge dressing may have one or more fluid transfer layers comprised of high-density wicking material enclosed between layers of film having high moisture-vapor transfer rates to reduce liquid storage and minimize pressure drop.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly for providing surgical exposure. The surgical retractor assembly consists of two frame segments connected by adjustable ratchet mechanisms to form a retractor frame. The ratchet mechanisms can be attached to tissue retractor blades that provide exposure of the wound when expanded, without the requirement of a direct connection/attachment to an operating table or bed frame. The tissue retractor blades are attached in a manner that is adjustable and facilitates the ability of the overall surgical retractor assembly to be raised or lowered with respect to the patient. The retractor frame also allows attachments of additional retractor blades or other surgical retractor accessories for additional surgical exposure.

Abstract: This disclosure includes wound dressings and systems with remote oxygen generation for topical wound therapy and related methods.

Abstract: A wound therapy system having a wound dressing for treating a wound includes a sensor that measures a pH level at a wound area. The sensor has a circuit that includes a first electrode and one or more second electrodes. The first electrode has a changeable conductivity that changes according to a hydrogen ion concentration level. The one or more second electrodes are configured with a fixed conductivity that does not change with the hydrogen ion concentration level. The first electrode is coated with a porous protective membrane formed from a sulfonated and/or carboxylated copolymer.

Abstract: This disclosure includes wound dressings and systems with remote oxygen generation for topical wound therapy and related methods.

Abstract: A system for providing a force to a desired area on a curved body part of a person includes a dressing assembly shaped and configured to be placed on the desired area of the person, a releaseable circumferential member surrounding the curved body part that holds the dressing assembly against the desired area, a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the dressing assembly and the person's skin, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for providing a reduced pressure to the dressing assembly. When reduced pressure is supplied, the system generates the force against the desired area on the curved body part.

Abstract: A wound therapy system having a wound dressing for treating a wound includes a sensor that measures a pH level at a wound area. The sensor has a circuit that includes a first electrode and one or more second electrodes. The first electrode has a changeable conductivity that changes according to a hydrogen ion concentration level. The one or more second electrodes are configured with a fixed conductivity that does not change with the hydrogen ion concentration level. The first electrode is coated with a porous protective membrane formed from a sulfonated and/or carboxylated copolymer.

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 control circuit. The at least one sensor is configured to output an indication of a displacement of the wound dressing. The control circuit is configured to receive the indication of the displacement of the wound dressing, calculate a therapy parameter corresponding to the indication of the displacement, and output the therapy parameter.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing negative pressure and/or instillation fluids to a tissue site. 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 includes 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 includes 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.

Abstract: In some illustrative examples, a bridge suitable for treating a tissue site may include a bridge sealing member and one or more bridge wicking layers. The bridge sealing member may extend along a length of the bridge, and may define an internal passageway in fluid communication between a receiving end of the bridge and a transmitting end of the bridge. The one or more bridge wicking layers may be disposed within the internal passageway of the bridge sealing member. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for mitigating premature light deactivation of light deactivated adhesive drapes. One aspect provides a system comprising a drape, a photosensitive adhesive layer, a release agent, and an optical fiber mesh layer configured as a light pipe, where the system is adapted to be coupled to a tissue site and released therefrom upon or after exposure to an external stimulus such as certain wavelengths of light. Another aspect includes a pipe light pipe, as an alternative to the optical fiber mesh layer. The systems may have a removable blocking layer to prevent the photosensitive adhesive from being exposed to deactivation wavelengths prematurely. Another aspect provides a method for application and removal of a drape using the light pipe to transport or route light to the drape to deactivate the photosensitive adhesive layer and promote easy, clean, and less painful removal of the drape.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods related to therapy devices including pumps that are operable in multiple operating modes. An exemplary wound therapy device includes a pump configured to be worn by a user and a controller coupled to the pump and configured to transition the pump from operating in a first operating mode to operating in a second operating mode responsive to a pressure of the wound therapy device satisfying a first pressure threshold. The first operating mode is associated with a first drive voltage that is different from a second drive voltage associated with the second operating mode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for mitigating premature light deactivation of light deactivated adhesive drapes. One aspect provides a system comprising a drape, an adhesive layer, and a release agent, where the system is adapted to be coupled to a tissue site and released therefrom upon or after exposure to an external stimulus such as certain wavelengths of light. The system may have a photochromic layer that may transition between a blocking transmittance state and a non-blocking transmittance state to block or allow certain wavelengths of light to pass through. Some systems may use a combination of a photochromic layer and a filter layer to prevent the adhesive from being exposed to deactivation wavelengths prematurely. Another aspect provides a method for application and removal of a drape using by removing one or more of a photochromic layer and a filter layer and applying light to the drape to deactivate the adhesive layer and promote easy, clean, and less painful removal of the drape.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods related to two-piece dressings. In one aspect, a two-piece dressing includes a drape including a first light switchable adhesive, and a pad. The pad includes a second light switchable adhesive configured to couple the pad to the drape and a light source configured to emit light and activate at least the second light switchable adhesive. In another aspect a two-piece dressing includes a drape and a pad. The pad is configured to be coupled to the drape and to a light source, and the pad includes a light switchable adhesive configured to couple the pad to the drape. The light source is configured to emit light to activate the light switchable adhesive to decouple the pad from the drape, and the pad is configured to direct the light to activate second light switchable adhesive to decouple the drape from a tissue site.

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 control circuit. The at least one sensor is configured to output an indication of a displacement of the wound dressing. The control circuit is configured to receive the indication of the displacement of the wound dressing, calculate a therapy parameter corresponding to the indication of the displacement, and output the therapy parameter.