Abstract: A system for applying a lifting force to a tissue site of a patient includes an occlusive layer configured to define a substantially air-tight chamber around a tissue site when sealed to a patient, an air displacement device fluidly coupled the chamber and operable to remove air from the chamber, and a sealing strip configured to seal the occlusive layer to the patient. The sealing strip includes a thermoplastic elastomer having properties that provide a non-adhesive tack and substantially airtight sealing between the scaling strip and the patient.

Abstract: A treatment system includes an dressing having a decompression layer and an occlusive layer that secures the dressing about a treatment site, and defines a treatment chamber within which the decompression layer is positioned. Operation of an air displacement device fluidly coupled to the chamber causes the decompression layer to compress away from the tissue site, resulting in a pulling force being imparted onto the treatment site. This decompression of the tissue site increases the perfusion of blood and other fluids, and advantageously may reduce swelling at the treatment site. To increase the degree of lifting of the treatment site, the decompression layer is advantageously constructed to exhibit a parallel plate effect during use of the treatment system. For example, the decompression layer is constructed having a center of stiffness located closer to an outwardly-facing surface of the decompression layer than a tissue-facing surface of the decompression layer.

Abstract: A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure including a tissue interface, a cover, a chamber wall, and a base. The cover may be adapted to be sealed to epidermis proximate the tissue site. The chamber wall may define a pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber may be adapted to be fluidly coupled to the tissue interface. The base may extend from the chamber wall, wherein the base may be fluidly sealed to the cover. The dressing may include an intake valve and an exhaust valve fluidly coupled to the pump chamber. The pump chamber may be compressed to evacuate fluid from the pump chamber through the exhaust valve. The pump chamber may then be expanded to draw’ fluid through the intake valve from the tissue interface. This supplies a negative pressure to the tissue interface which may be adapted to distribute negative pressure across the tissue site.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting circulation through a subcutaneous lymph vascular network may comprise a first manifold layer, a second manifold layer coupled to the first manifold layer, and a cover layer coupled to the second manifold layer. The first manifold may have a first stiffness, and the second manifold may have a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. In some embodiments, the apparatus may additionally have a fluid interface configured to fluidly couple at least one of the first manifold layer and the second manifold layer to a fluid conductor through the cover layer. The fluid conductor may be coupled to or configured to be coupled to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting circulation through a subcutaneous lymph vascular network may comprise a first manifold layer, a second manifold layer coupled to the first manifold layer, and a cover layer coupled to the second manifold layer. The first manifold may have a first stiffness, and the second manifold may have a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. In some embodiments, the apparatus may additionally have a fluid interface configured to fluidly couple at least one of the first manifold layer and the second manifold layer to a fluid conductor through the cover layer. The fluid conductor may be coupled to or configured to be coupled to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: A dressing for managing an incision and surrounding tissue where edema and swelling may be present post-operation. The dressing may maximize coverage of area in articulating joints, such as a knee or elbow, while allowing for substantial range of motion. In some embodiments, the dressing may comprise an adhesive border configured to be adhered to skin around an articulating joint, a skin-interfacing fabric for minimizing skin irritation, a foam body for manifolding negative pressure and absorbing exudate and other body fluids, and a thin polymer film cap for sealing the assembly so negative pressure can be maintained throughout the dressing.

Abstract: A test model may include a chamber, a tissue simulation material, and a visual indicator. The chamber may include a base, a lid, and an interior volume defined between the base and the lid. The tissue simulation material may be disposed within the interior volume of the chamber. The tissue simulation material may include a first surface and a second surface. The tissue simulation material may be configured to deform when the second surface is exposed to a lower pressure than the first surface in the interior volume of the chamber. The visual indicator may be configured to provide a visual state change in response to deformation of the tissue simulation material.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound dressing for use with breast incisions. The wound dressing includes a drape layer, a manifold layer, a base layer, and a reduced pressure interface. The drape layer has a first surface and a second, wound-facing, surface. The drape layer is substantially impermeable to liquid and substantially permeable to vapor. The manifold layer has a first surface and a second, wound-facing surface. The manifold layer has a perimeter defined by a first convex curved side surface defining a first lobe, a second convex curved side surface defining a second lobe, and a connecting portion between the first lobe and the second lobe. The base layer is configured to: (i) couple the drape layer to the manifold layer, and (ii) the dressing to a patient's tissue. The reduced pressure interface is integrated with the drape layer.

Abstract: A kit (1500) for negative pressure and immobilization therapy includes a negative pressure dressing (100) configured to define a sealed volume between a patient's skin and the negative pressure dressing when applied to the patient, a pump (200) configured to be placed in pneumatic communication with the negative pressure dressing and operable to displace air from the sealed volume, and a heat-moldable splint (900). The heat-moldable splint includes a plurality of flexible tubes formed of a first material and coupled together to form a web and a second material positioned in the flexible tubes and having a lower softening or melting point than the first material.

Abstract: A super-absorbent dressing assembly for use with a reduced-pressure wound treatment system includes a breathable, fluid restricted dry layer for placement against a wound, a super-absorbent layer, and a non-breathable layer, and a drape extending over the non-breathable layer. A reduced-pressure interface is available to fluidly couple the super-absorbent layer to a reduced-pressure subsystem. The super-absorbent dressing assembly preferably supplies a compressive force when placed under reduced pressure. A reduced-pressure treatment system uses a super-absorbent bolster to treat wounds, e.g., linear wounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for negative-pressure treatment may include an enclosure having a variable volume, a port and an actuation surface, a first one-way valve configured to allow fluid ingress to the enclosure, a second one-way valve configured to allow fluid egress from the enclosure, and an actuator configured to apply a linear force to the actuation surface.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain by applying a vacuum to intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site. The system and apparatus comprise a manifold formed from a porous material and configured to be disposed proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin, and a sleeve adapted to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin. The system and apparatus further comprise a fluid coupling member adapted to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution to the intact skin. A method for applying vacuum to the intact skin of a tissue site is also disclosed and described herein.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound dressing for use with breast incisions. The wound dressing includes a drape layer, a manifold layer, a base layer, and a reduced pressure interface. The drape layer has a first surface and a second, wound-facing, surface. The drape layer is substantially impermeable to liquid and substantially permeable to vapor. The manifold layer has a first surface and a second, wound-facing surface. The manifold layer has a perimeter defined by a first convex curved side surface defining a first lobe, a second convex curved side surface defining a second lobe, and a connecting portion between the first lobe and the second lobe. The base layer is configured to: (i) couple the drape layer to the manifold layer, and (ii) the dressing to a patient's tissue. The reduced pressure interface is integrated with the drape layer.

Abstract: A decompression wrap includes an occlusive layer formed as a first strip having a longitudinal axis, a manifold layer coupled to the occlusive layer and formed as a second strip extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The occlusive layer extends beyond the manifold layer in a first lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The decompression wrap also includes an adhesive provided on the occlusive layer and configured to seal a first longitudinal section of the occlusive layer to a second longitudinal section of the occlusive layer when the decompression wrap is wrapped around a tissue site.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for promoting perfusion at a tissue site containing a sprain by applying a vacuum to intact skin extending over or surrounding the tissue site. The system and apparatus comprise a manifold formed from a porous material and configured to be disposed proximate the intact skin for distributing vacuum to the intact skin, and a sleeve adapted to cover the manifold and form a chamber containing the manifold to seal the manifold within the chamber between the sleeve and the intact skin. The system and apparatus further comprise a fluid coupling member adapted to deliver vacuum to the manifold for distribution to the intact skin. A method for applying vacuum to the intact skin of a tissue site is also disclosed and described herein.

Abstract: A manifold for use with a dressing for treating an area around an extremity of a patient may include a concave recess positioned at a first end of the manifold. A fold axis may bisect the concave recess and extend from the first end of the manifold to a second end of the manifold. A first portion of the manifold may extend orthogonal to the fold axis toward a first side of the manifold, and a second portion of the manifold may extend orthogonal to the fold axis toward a second side of the manifold opposite to the first side. The fold axis may be configured to extend lengthwise along the extremity. Additionally disclosed are other apparatus, dressings, systems, and methods.

Abstract: In some examples, a dressing assembly suitable for treating a tissue site may include a dressing bolster, a sealing skin, and a gasket member. The sealing skin may cover at least a portion of a first side of the dressing bolster while an opposing second side of the dressing bolster may be configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the tissue site. The gasket member may be configured to create a sealed space between the sealing skin and the tissue site. In some examples, the sealing skin may be liquid impermeable and integrally formed with the dressing bolster. Further, in some examples, the dressing bolster may have a contoured shape including a tissue housing. Other systems, dressings, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.

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.