Reduced-pressure treatment and debridement systems and methods

1. A reduced-pressure treatment system for debriding a treatment area of a tissue site, the system comprising:

a hydrogel adapted to cover the treatment area, wherein the hydrogel comprises a blocked acid debriding agent comprising an alpha hydroxy acid bound to a blocking material;

a manifold adapted to cover the hydrogel and distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site; and

a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold, the sealing drape adapted to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold;

a reduced-pressure interface for delivering reduced pressure to the manifold; and

a reduced-pressure subsystem for providing reduced pressure.

2. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the blocked acid debriding agent comprises lactic acid and an arginine group.

3. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the blocked acid debriding agent comprises glycolic acid and arginine.

4. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel is adapted to soften and break apart over time in response to exposure to wound fluid.

5. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 4 , wherein the manifold is adapted to absorb the hydrogel after the hydrogel softens.

6. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the manifold is adapted to absorb debrided necrotic tissue.

7. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel is a viscous gel.

8. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate foam layer between the hydrogel and the manifold.

9. A method of manufacturing a reduced-pressure wound dressing for treating a tissue site and debriding a treatment area, the method comprising:

providing a hydrogel,

wherein the hydrogel is adapted to cover the treatment area, and

wherein the hydrogel comprises a blocked acid debriding agent comprising an alpha hydroxy acid bound to a blocking material;

providing a manifold, wherein the manifold is adapted to cover the hydrogel and distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site;

providing a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold, the sealing drape adapted to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold;

providing a reduced-pressure interface for delivering a reduced pressure to the manifold; and

providing a reduced-pressure subsystem.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing an intermediate foam layer for disposing between the hydrogel and the manifold.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hydrogel is adapted to soften and break apart over time in response to exposure to wound fluid.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the manifold is adapted to absorb the hydrogel after the hydrogel softens.

13. A method for treating a tissue site on a patient, the method comprising:

defining a treatment area by applying a hydrogel to a portion of the tissue site, wherein the treatment area comprises tissue to be debrided and the hydrogel comprises a blocked acid debriding agent comprising an alpha hydroxy acid bound to a blocking material;

applying a manifold over the hydrogel, wherein the manifold is adapted to deliver reduced-pressure to the tissue site;

applying a sealing drape over the tissue site and manifold to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold; and

providing reduced pressure to the manifold.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the tissue to be debrided comprises a tissue selected from a group consisting of necrotic tissue, damaged tissue, infected tissue, contaminated tissue, and adherent tissue.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising debriding the tissue to be debrided for more than two days.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein applying the hydrogel to the portion of the tissue site comprises applying a hydrogel from a tube.

17. A reduced-pressure wound dressing comprising:

a hydrogel adapted to cover a treatment area of a tissue site, wherein the hydrogel comprises a blocked acid debriding agent comprising an alpha hydroxy acid bound to a blocking material;

a manifold adapted to cover the hydrogel and distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site; and

a sealing drape for placing over the tissue site and manifold, the sealing drape adapted to form a fluid seal over the tissue site and manifold.

18. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , further comprising an intermediate foam layer between the hydrogel and the manifold.

19. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the blocked acid debriding agent comprises lactic acid and arginine.

20. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the blocked acid debriding agent comprises glycolic acid and arginine.

21. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the hydrogel is adapted to soften and break apart over time in response to exposure to wound fluid.

22. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the manifold is adapted to absorb the hydrogel after the hydrogel softens.

23. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the manifold is adapted to absorb debrided necrotic tissue.

24. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the hydrogel is a preformed sheet.

25. The reduced-pressure wound dressing of claim 17 , wherein the hydrogel is a viscous gel.