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 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: Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An anisotropic wound drape for treating a wound on a patient includes a flexible sheet for placing over a tissue site. The flexible sheet includes a first isotropic zone, and a second isotropic zone. The first isotropic zone and the second isotropic zone are configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties. The anisotropic drape may used as part of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system. Other systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting multi-lumen conduits may include a conduit adapter and a conduit collar. The conduit adapter may include a housing, a bayonet connector, and a support member connecting the housing and the bayonet connector. The support member has an aperture that permits fluid communication through the support member. One end of the conduit collar is sized for insertion into the housing, and a second end is adapted to receive a first multi-lumen conduit. The housing also is adapted to receive a second multi-lumen conduit. The bayonet connector engages a primary lumen of the first multi-lumen conduit and the second multi-lumen conduit such that the primary lumen of the second multi-lumen conduit fluidly communicates with the primary lumen of the first multi-lumen conduit. The conduit adapter and the conduit collar are capable of 360 degree rotation relative to each other about a common axis.

Abstract: Reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods are disclosed that employ debridement mechanisms to remove unwanted tissue. In one instance, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold member for distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site, a support member for disposing proximate the tissue site and the manifold, and a debridement mechanism coupled to the support member. The debridement mechanism is for debriding the tissue site. The system further includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold member. The sealing drape is operable to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold member. The system also includes a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing drape. The system may further include a chemical-debridement subsystem. Other systems, manifolds, and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system includes a first fluid pathway in communication with a reduced pressure source and a second fluid pathway. The system includes a reduced pressure manifold having a substantially gas impermeable barrier and at least one outer conduit defining a lateral edge of an interior region. The outer conduit and the substantially gas impermeable barrier enclose a portion of the interior region. The outer conduit is in fluid communication with one of the first and second fluid pathways. The outer conduit has at least one opening in fluid communication with the interior region. An inner conduit is at least partially disposed within the interior region and is in fluid communication with another of the first and second fluid pathways. The inner conduit has at least one opening in fluid communication with the interior region.

Abstract: An anisotropic wound drape for treating a wound on a patient includes a flexible sheet for placing over a tissue site The flexible sheet includes a first isotropic zone, and a second isotropic zone. The first isotropic zone and the second isotropic zone are configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties. The anisotropic drape may used as part of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system. Other systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A low-profile reduced pressure treatment apparatus and system are provided. The apparatus includes a moldable conduit holder, a conduit through the conduit holder, and a flexible base. The conduit holder has first and second bulkhead surfaces, a convex top surface, and a bottom surface adapted to conform to a tissue contact region adjacent to a tissue site. An end of the conduit is substantially flush with the first bulkhead surface and a longitudinal axis of the conduit is substantially perpendicular to the first and second bulkhead surfaces. The base is connected on a first side to the bottom surface of the conduit holder, and extends beyond the first bulkhead surface to form an overlay zone adjacent the first bulkhead surface. An adhesive is disposed on a second side of the flexible base to secure the flexible base to the tissue contact region.

Abstract: A low-profile reduced pressure treatment apparatus and system are provided. The apparatus includes a moldable conduit holder, a conduit through the conduit holder, and a flexible base. The conduit holder has first and second bulkhead surfaces, a convex top surface, and a bottom surface adapted to conform to a tissue contact region adjacent to a tissue site. An end of the conduit is substantially flush with the first bulkhead surface and a longitudinal axis of the conduit is substantially perpendicular to the first and second bulkhead surfaces. The base is connected on a first side to the bottom surface of the conduit holder, and extends beyond the first bulkhead surface to form an overlay zone adjacent the first bulkhead surface. An adhesive is disposed on a second side of the flexible base to secure the flexible base to the tissue contact region.

Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed, in some embodiments, that involve treating a tissue site with reduced pressure, wherein the dressing includes a dressing reduced-pressure indicator that allows one to ascertain that the reduced pressure applied at the dressing is greater than a threshold reduced pressure. The dressing reduced-pressure indicator may include a moving member that is adapted to move under reduced pressure and a visual indicator associated with the moving member. Another embodiment uses an electro-mechanical indicator to provide a powered visual alert or audible alert or another output signal. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a tissue site of a patient includes a reduced-pressure source for supplying reduced pressure, a fluid source for supplying a fluid, and a plurality of inflatable bladders for placing adjacent the tissue site. The inflatable bladders are operable to receive the fluid to expand from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The system also includes a plurality of chambers that are compressible. At least one of the plurality of chambers is disposed between a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders.

Abstract: Methods, dressings, and systems for promoting epithelialization of a wound or other tissue are presented. The methods, dressings, and systems help form simulated rete pegs. In one instance, an epithelialization dressing is disclosed that may include a dressing body having a plurality of projections. A plurality of apertures is formed on a portion of the dressing body. The dressing helps manage fluids on the wound and the projections form cavities into which epithelial tissue migrates to from epithelial columns that function like rete pegs. Other dressings, methods, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, dressings, and systems for promoting epithelialization of a wound or other tissue are presented. The methods, dressings, and systems help form simulated rete pegs. In one instance, an epithelialization dressing is disclosed that may include a dressing body having a plurality of projections. A plurality of apertures is formed on a portion of the dressing body. The dressing helps manage fluids on the wound and the projections form cavities into which epithelial tissue migrates to from epithelial columns that function like rete pegs. Other dressings, methods, and systems are disclosed.

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 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: 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 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.