Super-absorbent, reduced-pressure wound dressings and systems
View Patent ↗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.
1. A dressing bolster, comprising:
a fluid-restricted dry layer configured to be placed against a tissue site;
a super-absorbent layer adjacent to the fluid-restricted dry layer, the super-absorbent layer configured to receive and store fluid and configured to become more rigid with an addition of fluid;
a non-breathable layer adjacent the super-absorbent layer and opposite the fluid-restricted dry layer; and
a drape configured to extend over the super-absorbent layer;
wherein the non-breathable layer is configured to be disposed between the super-absorbent layer and the drape; and
wherein the dressing bolster is configured to develop a compressive force on the tissue site.
2. The dressing bolster of claim 1 , further comprising a reduced-pressure interface configured to be fluidly coupled to the super-absorbent layer and operable to receive reduced pressure.
3. The dressing bolster of claim 1 , wherein the compressive force is controlled in real-time.
4. The dressing bolster of claim 1 , wherein a bond coupling the drape and the non-breathable layer comprises structural members configured to make the drape behave anisotropically.
5. The dressing bolster of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-restricted dry layer comprises a hydrophilic non-woven material.
6. The dressing bolster of claim 2 , wherein the non-breathable layer has an aperture adapted to accommodate a reduced pressure in fluid communication with the reduced-pressure interface.
7. The dressing bolster of claim 1 , further comprising an interface breathable layer configured to be disposed adjacent to the non-breathable layer opposite the super-absorbent layer.
8. The dressing bolster of claim 6 , further comprising:
an interface, breathable layer configured to be disposed adjacent to the non-breathable layer;
wherein the interface, breathable layer is configured to cover the aperture and to allow delivery of reduced pressure and prevent super-absorbent layer material from entering the reduced-pressure interface.
9. A dressing assembly, comprising:
a fluid-restricted dry layer configured to be placed adjacent a tissue site and to restrict fluid communication through the fluid-restricted dry layer in one direction;
a super-absorbent layer configured to be coupled to the fluid-restricted dry layer and configured to receive and store fluid;
a non-breathable layer configured to be disposed adjacent to the super-absorbent layer and opposite the fluid-restricted dry layer;
a drape configured to extend over the non-breathable layer; and
wherein the non-breathable layer is configured to be disposed between the superabsorbent layer and the drape.
10. The dressing assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a drape extension formed by a portion of the drape extending beyond a peripheral edge of the fluid-restricted dry layer, super-absorbent layer, and non-breathable layer.
11. The dressing assembly of claim 9 , wherein the super-absorbent layer comprises superabsorbent polymers.
12. The dressing assembly of claim 9 , wherein the fluid-restricted dry layer is gas permeable.
13. The dressing assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an injection port configured to be fluidly coupled to the super-absorbent layer and adapted to deliver fluid to the super-absorbent layer.
14. The dressing assembly of claim 9 , wherein the fluid-restricted dry layer and the super-absorbent layer each comprise an angled peripheral edge.
15. The dressing assembly of claim 9 , wherein the super-absorbent layer is configured to become more rigid with an addition of fluid.
16. A reduced-pressure treatment system, comprising:
a fluid-restricted dry layer configured to be placed against a tissue site;
a super-absorbent layer configured to:
be disposed adjacent to the fluid-restricted dry layer,
receive fluid from the fluid-restricted dry layer,
store the received fluid, and
increase rigidity with an addition of fluid;
a non-breathable layer configured to be disposed adjacent to the super-absorbent layer and opposite the fluid-restricted dry layer;
a drape configured to be disposed adjacent to the non-breathable layer;
wherein the non-breathable layer is configured to be disposed between the superabsorbent layer and the drape; and
a reduced-pressure subsystem configured to be in fluid communication with the super-absorbent layer.
17. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 16 , further comprising a sealing apparatus for providing a fluid seal between an epidermis and the drape.
18. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 16 , wherein the super-absorbent layer is configured to develop a compressive force on the tissue site.
19. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 18 , wherein the compressive force is greater with an addition of fluid to the super-absorbent layer.
20. The reduced-pressure treatment system of claim 16 , wherein the fluid-restricted dry layer is configured to restrict fluid communication through the fluid-restricted dry layer in one direction.