Multi-layer dressings, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site
The illustrative systems, methods, and dressings for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site are presented that involve quickly removing fluids from the tissue site to reduce or avoid maceration of the epidermis. One dressing includes a dressing material for transferring the reduced pressure to the tissue site and a drape covering at least a portion of the dressing material. The dressing material includes a hydrophobic tissue-interface layer adapted to contact the tissue site. The dressing material also includes a manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure. The manifold may be a hydrophobic layer. The dressing material also includes one or more absorbent layers adapted to absorb liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold. Other aspects are disclosed.
1. A dressing for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site, said dressing comprising:
a dressing material for transferring the reduced pressure to the tissue site and for receiving liquid from the tissue site, the dressing material comprising:
a tissue-interface layer for contacting the tissue site, the tissue-interface layer being a hydrophobic layer,
a manifold for distributing reduced pressure, the manifold being a hydrophobic layer,
a first absorbent layer for absorbing liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold, the manifold disposed between the tissue-interface layer and the first absorbent layer,
a second absorbent layer adjacent to the first absorbent layer, and
a distribution manifold adjacent the second absorbent layer, the distribution manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure; and
a drape covering at least a portion of the dressing material.
2. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a hydrogel absorbent layer.
3. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a plurality of fibers forming a fibrous material, the plurality of fibers adapted to absorb liquid from the tissue site.
4. The dressing of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers gel when contacting liquid from the tissue site.
5. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein a tissue-facing side of the manifold abuts the tissue-interface layer.
6. The dressing of claim 1 ,
wherein the second absorbent layer is a hydrophilic layer
disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer.
7. The dressing of claim 1 ,
wherein the second absorbent layer is a hydrophilic layer
disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer, and
wherein a tissue-facing side of the second absorbent layer abuts the first absorbent layer.
8. The dressing of claim 1 ,
wherein the second absorbent layer comprises a hydrophilic layer;
wherein the second absorbent layer is disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer;
wherein a tissue-facing side of the second absorbent layer abuts the first absorbent layer;
wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a hydrogel absorbent layer; and
wherein the second absorbent layer absorbs liquid at a slower rate than the first absorbent layer absorbs liquid.
9. A system for applying a reduced pressure at a tissue site, the system comprising:
a reduced-pressure source for supplying reduced pressure;
a reduced-pressure delivery conduit for transferring reduced pressure;
a dressing material for delivering reduced pressure to the tissue site and receiving liquid from the tissue site;
wherein the reduced-pressure delivery conduit fluidly couples the reduced-pressure source and the dressing material;
a sealing member covering at least a portion of the dressing material; and
wherein the dressing material comprises:
a first layer adapted to contact the tissue site, the first layer being a hydrophobic layer,
a second layer adapted to distribute reduced pressure, the second layer being a hydrophobic layer,
a third layer adapted to absorb liquid from the first layer and the second layer, the second layer disposed between the first layer and the third layer, and
a hydrophilic absorbent layer adjacent to the third layer, wherein the hydrophilic absorbent layer absorbs liquid at a slower rate than the third layer.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first layer comprises a polymer-based mesh fabric.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first layer comprises Teflon-impregnated polyethylene.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the third layer comprises a hydrogel absorbent layer.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the third layer comprises a super absorbent fiber absorbent layer.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the third layer comprises a plurality of fibers forming a fibrous material, the plurality of fibers adapted to absorb liquid from the tissue site.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the third layer comprises a plurality of fibers forming a fibrous material, the plurality of fibers adapted to absorb liquid from the tissue site; and wherein a portion of the plurality of fibers gel when the portion contacts liquid from the tissue site.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein a tissue-facing side of the second layer abuts the first layer, and wherein the second layer is configured to prevent liquid absorbed by the third layer from contacting the tissue site.
17. The system of claim 9 ,
wherein the hydrophilic absorbent layer is disposed between the sealing member and the third layer.
18. The system of claim 9 ,
wherein the hydrophilic absorbent layer is disposed between the sealing member and the third layer, and
wherein a tissue-facing side of the hydrophilic absorbent layer abuts the third layer.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the hydrophilic absorbent layer is more hydrophilic than the third layer so that the hydrophilic absorbent layer may pull fluid from the third layer.
20. The system of claim 18 , wherein dressing material further comprises:
a distribution manifold adjacent the hydrophilic absorbent layer, the distribution manifold for distributing the reduced pressure.
21. The system of claim 18 , wherein the dressing material further comprises
a distribution manifold adjacent the hydrophilic absorbent layer, the distribution manifold for distributing reduced pressure,
wherein the third layer is a hydrogel absorbent layer.
22. A method for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site, the method comprising:
applying a dressing material to the tissue site, the dressing material for transferring reduced pressure to the tissue site and receiving liquid from the tissue site, the dressing material comprising:
a tissue-interface layer for contacting the tissue site, the tissue-interface layer being a hydrophobic layer,
a manifold for distributing reduced pressure, the manifold being a hydrophobic layer,
a first absorbent layer for absorbing liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold, the manifold disposed between the tissue-interface layer and the first absorbent layer,
a second absorbent layer adjacent to the first absorbent layer, and a distribution manifold adjacent the second absorbent layer, the distribution manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure;
covering at least a portion of the dressing material with a drape; and
supplying reduced pressure to the dressing material.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the tissue-interface layer comprises a non-adherent tissue-interface layer.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a hydrogel absorbent layer.
25. The method of claim 22 , wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a super absorbent fiber absorbent layer.
26. The method of claim 22 , wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of interconnected cells to form a porous foam.
27. The method of claim 22 ,
wherein the second absorbent layer is a hydrophilic layer that absorbs liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer, the manifold, and the first absorbent layer.
28. The method of claim 22 ,
wherein the second absorbent layer comprises a hydrophilic layer that absorbs liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer, the manifold, and the first absorbent layer;
wherein the second absorbent layer is disposed between the drape and the first absorbent layer;
wherein a tissue-facing side of the second absorbent layer abuts the first absorbent layer;
wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a hydrogel absorbent layer; and
wherein the second absorbent layer absorbs liquid at a slower rate than the first absorbent layer absorbs liquid.
29. A system for applying a reduced pressure at a tissue site, the system comprising:
a reduced-pressure source for supplying reduced pressure;
a reduced-pressure delivery conduit for transferring reduced pressure;
a dressing material for delivering reduced pressure to the tissue site and receiving liquid from the tissue site;
wherein the reduced-pressure delivery conduit fluidly couples the reduced-pressure source and, the dressing material;
a sealing member covering at least a portion of the dressing material; and
wherein the dressing material comprises:
a first layer adapted to contact the tissue site, the first layer being a hydrophobic layer,
a second layer adapted to distribute reduced pressure, the second layer being a hydrophobic layer,
a third layer adapted to absorb liquid from the first layer and the second layer, the second layer disposed between the first layer and the third layer, and
a hydrophilic absorbent layer adjacent to the third layer, wherein the hydrophilic absorbent layer is more hydrophilic than the third layer so that the hydrophilic absorbent layer may pull fluid from the third layer.