Abstract: A releasable medical drape, and systems and methods having the same, includes at least a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a soft-gel layer having a plurality of apertures. The soft-gel layer is configured to be disposed adjacent to a tissue site. A portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends through the plurality of apertures in the soft-gel layer to contact the tissue site. The soft-gel layer forms a good seal with the tissue site and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extending through the plurality of apertures forms a firm—but releasable—coupling with the tissue site.

Abstract: Sealing members and methods of manufacturing the same are described. A first film layer and a second film layer each having a first side and a second side can be provided. A first adhesive can be coupled to the second side of the first film layer to form a first adhesive layer. A second adhesive can be coupled to the second side of the second film layer to form a second adhesive layer, and a third adhesive can be coupled to the first side of the second film layer to form a third adhesive layer. One or more perforations can be formed through the third adhesive layer, the second film layer, and the second adhesive layer. A first side of the third adhesive layer can be coupled to a second side of the first adhesive layer.

Abstract: Foam wound inserts with high-density and low-density regions, methods for making wound inserts, wound-treatment methods, and wound-treatment systems.

Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.

Abstract: A dressing for treating a tissue site with negative pressure is described. The dressing includes a tissue interface and a sealing member. The dressing further includes a sealing tape configured to be coupled to the sealing member and epidermis. The sealing tape includes a bonding adhesive and a sealing adhesive coupled to a side of the sealing tape. The sealing tape includes a layer of the bonding adhesive disposed on a film layer and a layer of sealing adhesive having one or more apertures disposed on the bonding adhesive. The sealing tape can include a layer of the bonding adhesive disposed on a portion of a film layer and a layer of the sealing adhesive disposed on a uncovered portions of the film layer.

Abstract: A releasable medical drape, and systems and methods having the same, includes at least a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and a soft-gel layer having a plurality of apertures. The soft-gel layer is configured to be disposed adjacent to a tissue site. A portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extends through the plurality of apertures in the soft-gel layer to contact the tissue site. The soft-gel layer forms a good seal with the tissue site and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer extending through the plurality of apertures forms a firm—but releasable—coupling with the tissue site.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods related to light switchable adhesives, the manufacture thereof, and the use thereof. An exemplary light switchable adhesive includes one or more polymers, first photo initiators configured to cause the one or more polymers to cross-link responsive to receiving first light, and second photo initiators configured to cause the one or more polymers to cross-link responsive to receiving second light, the second photo initiators different from the first photo initiators.

Abstract: A bodily fluid collection system may include a canister fluidly connected to a dressing at a tissue site through an inlet. The canister may also be fluidly connected to a reduced pressure source through an outlet. At least a portion of the wall of the canister may be a membrane and may have the open edge of a flexible bag container fixed to the canister surrounding the perimeter of the membrane. The flexible bag may contain an osmotic agent capable of drawing absorbent from bodily fluid in the canister through the membrane and into the flexible bag.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for storing liquid from a tissue site. The apparatus may include a drape having an aperture, and a fluid pouch coupled to the drape such that the fluid pouch is in fluid communication with the aperture. In one embodiment, the fluid pouch is operable to transfer reduced pressure to the aperture such that the liquid from the tissue site is drawn into the fluid pouch. The fluid pouch may have a cavity that stores the liquid that is drawn from the tissue site. In another embodiment, the fluid pouch may include at least one baffle. The fluid pouch may also include a fluid channel at least partially defined by the at least one baffle. The fluid channel may be operable to store liquid from the tissue site when reduced pressure is applied through the fluid channel.

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: A conduit for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure may include a primary lumen and at least one secondary lumen. A wall of the conduit may include a first wall material and a second wall material. The first wall material may comprise a substantially non-absorbent material that is vapor impermeable and liquid impermeable. The second wall material may comprise an absorbent material that is vapor permeable and liquid impermeable. The second wall material may be positioned in fluid contact with the at least one secondary lumen. Other systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for administering reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site include a reduced pressure source, a drape having a plurality of projections for contacting the tissue site, and an adhesive connected to at least a portion of the drape for sealing the drape to a portion of a patient's intact epidermis.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for attaching and detaching elements of a medical fluid collection system. One aspect provides a high-strength canister retention system with automated, non-mechanical canister release. A canister may have a switchable adhesive that can adhere the canister to a medical therapy unit. When detachment of the canister is desired, the switchable adhesive can be deactivated by exposure to certain light wavelengths, particularly UV light, emitted from a light source disposed in the medical therapy unit. This allows for easy detachment of the canister from the medical therapy unit without the use of mechanical latches.

Abstract: A medical drape for use with a reduced pressure system for providing reduced pressure to a tissue site is described. In some embodiments, the drape may include a flexible film, and an adhesive layer coupled to the flexible film. The adhesive layer may include a first adhesive disposed on a first portion of the flexible film in a first pattern. The first adhesive can be configured to secure the flexible film proximate to the tissue site. The adhesive layer generally includes a second adhesive disposed on a second portion of the flexible film in a second pattern. The second adhesive can be configured to seal the flexible film proximate to the tissue site. The first pattern and the second pattern are preferably registered so that the first portion and the second portion are offset to cover substantially different portions of the flexible film.

Abstract: Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient involve allowing liquids from the tissue site or a priming fluid to evaporate and exit the dressing through a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane. The dressing is able to process more liquids than would otherwise be possible without evaporation and potentially to create reduced pressure. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A reduced pressure treatment system is provided that includes a canister that is fluidly connected to a tissue site and is configured to receive fluid drawn from the tissue site under the influence of a reduced pressure. A reduced pressure source provides the reduced pressure and is fluidly connected to the tissue site by a fluid communication path, which may include a source conduit, the canister, and a target conduit. A sensing device communicates with the source conduit and is configured to sense a pressure in the source conduit. A valve communicates with the source conduit and is configured to vent the reduced pressure. A processing unit communicates with the sensing device and the valve and is configured to open the valve for a selected amount of time, determine a decay of reduced pressure, and determine a fill status of the canister based on the decay of reduced pressure.

Abstract: Systems, kits, methods of manufacturing, and a sealing member for creating a sealed space are described. The sealing member can include a film layer and a first adhesive layer coupled to the film layer. The sealing member can also include a second adhesive layer coupled to the first adhesive layer. A plurality of apertures may extend through the second adhesive layer. Each aperture can expose at least a portion of the first adhesive layer through the second adhesive layer. A plurality of polymer particles may be disposed in the first adhesive layer. The polymer particles can be configured to dissolve in response to interaction with a switching solution.

Abstract: Disclosed are photo-responsive pressure sensitive adhesives, wound dressings that contain the photo-responsive pressure sensitive adhesives, and methods to remove the wound dressing. The photo-responsive pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a viscoelastic polymeric matrix. The viscoelastic polymeric matrix comprises a polymer that includes at least a first polymeric segment and at least a second polymeric segment that are each covalently linked together through a photo-cleavable moiety. The photo-cleavable moiety is capable of photolytic cleavage of the covalent bonds formed between the moiety and the first and/or second polymeric segments, respectively, in response to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disrupting material at a tissue site is described. A contact layer may be selected for use on the tissue site and positioned adjacent to the tissue site. The contact layer may include walls defining a plurality of through-holes. A sealing member may be positioned over the contact layer and sealed to tissue surrounding the tissue site to form a sealed space enclosing the contact layer. A negative-pressure source may be fluidly coupled to the sealed space. The negative-pressure source may supply negative pressure to the sealed space and the contact layer to draw tissue into the through-holes to form nodules. The negative pressure may be vented from the sealed space to release the nodules.

Abstract: A system for treating a tissue site of a patient includes a dressing filler adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. The dressing filler is comprised of a porous substrate having at least one compressed region and at least one expanded region. The compressed region of the porous substrate is held in a compressed state by a first coating capable of dissolving in the presence of a fluid, and the expanded region of the porous substrate is held in an expanded state by a second coating.