Abstract: A wound dressing includes an absorbent core having opposed proximal and distal surfaces including central and border portions, a discrete skin adherent, elastomeric gel facing layer having a distal surface secured to the proximal surface of the absorbent core and a plurality of through extending apertures arranged in a pattern. A pressure sensitive adhesive layer is applied to the facing layer on at least a segment of a proximal surface opposed to the distal surface thereof. The adhesive layer has greater skin adherence properties than the elastomeric gel of the facing layer.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces including a central portion and a border portion, and a liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer connected to the distal surface of the absorbent core. The backing layer defines a border portion extending beyond the periphery of the absorbent core. A skin adherent, perforated facing layer is secured to the proximal surface of the absorbent core. An adhesive layer is applied to at least a proximal segment of the border portion of the backing layer and has greater skin adherence properties than the facing layer.

Abstract: A method for making a perforated silicone gel layer includes providing a perforation device having a generally planar surface with a plurality of discrete perforating elements extending therefrom, placing a layer of uncured silicone gel on the planar surface of the perforation device with the perforating elements extending through the silicone gel layer, and peeling the silicone gel layer away from the perforation device when at least a surface of the silicone gel layer adjacent the planar surface has at least partially cured.

Abstract: A method for making a wound dressing having an absorbent core includes the steps of inserting a plurality of projection elements into a distal surface of the absorbent core such that the projection elements extend into a thickness of the absorbent core and are suitably heated to impart their shape in the absorbent core. The projection elements are removed from the absorbent core to form receptacles therein. A discrete portion of at least one absorbent material is inserted in each of the receptacles.

Abstract: A wound dressing including at least one skin adherent facing layer comprising a discrete layer of silicone gel having a plurality of preformed apertures arranged in a pattern. The pattern of apertures may be equally spaced and generally uniform in shape. The wound dressing may include a facing layer with at least two discrete, adjacent silicone gel layers having different strength properties.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes an absorbent core having opposed proximal and distal surfaces and a discrete skin adherent, apertured facing layer having a distal surface secured to the proximal surface of the absorbent core. The facing layer includes portions of a proximal surface thereof having different degrees of skin adherence.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces and an array of receptacles formed therein. A liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer is connected to at least a portion of the distal surface of the absorbent core. The receptacles open at the distal surface of the absorbent core and extend a distance into the thickness of the absorbent core. Each receptacle contains a plurality of discrete portions of absorbent material. The backing layer is configured to be sufficiently distensible to permit expansion and migration of at least some of the discrete portions of absorbent material from the receptacles upon absorption of exudate by the wound dressing.

Abstract: A method for making a wound dressing having an absorbent core and an elastomeric gel facing layer includes the steps of depositing uncured elastomeric gel onto a perforation device to form a discrete layer of elastomeric gel thereon, curing the elastomeric gel layer to a partially cured state and applying the absorbent core to a surface of the partially cured gel layer. The perforation device includes a generally planar surface with a plurality of discrete perforating elements extending therefrom wherein the perforating elements extend through the uncured elastomeric gel layer to form a plurality of apertures therein.

Abstract: A wound dressing including an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces. A perforated skin adherent facing layer is secured to a proximal surface of the absorbent core and a liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer is connected to a distal surface of the absorbent core. The backing layer defines at least one compliant element disassociated from the distal surface of the absorbent core and including at least one ridge extending outwardly relative to the distal surface of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A method of the invention is provided for making a wound dressing including an absorbent core having proximal and distal surfaces, and a liquid impervious, vapor permeable backing layer extending over the distal surface of the absorbent core. The backing layer has a portion defining a compliant element disassociated and outwardly extending from the distal surface of the absorbent core. The method includes the steps of securing a border portion of the backing layer to a border portion of the absorbent core located near the periphery thereof, connecting a central portion of the backing layer to a central portion of the absorbent core, and forming the compliant element by drawing a portion of the backing layer away from the absorbent core.

Abstract: A wound dressing including an absorbent core defining opposed proximal and distal surfaces, the distal surface of the absorbent core defining a central portion, a border portion and an intermediate portion interposed between the central and border portions. The backing layer defines at least one compliant element disassociated from the distal surface of the absorbent core and including at least one ridge extending outwardly relative to the distal surface of the absorbent core.