Positive pressure medical dressings with valve and kits containing same

1. A medical dressing comprising:

a backing having generally opposed first and second major surfaces, a passage defined therethrough connecting the first and second major surfaces, and a perimeter of the second major surface;

adhesive disposed at least proximate to the perimeter of the second major surface; and

a normally-closed one-way flow control valve affixed to the backing and surrounding the passage therethrough;

wherein the normally-closed one-way flow control valve comprises a valve reed that defines a portion of the passage;

wherein the normally-closed one-way flow control valve permits fluid flow in a first direction from the first major surface to the second major surface when in an open configuration and restricts fluid from flowing in a second direction from the second major surface to the first major surface when in a closed configuration; and

wherein, if the medical dressing is applied over a treatment site, then the medical dressing defines a normally-sealed environment over the treatment site;

wherein the normally-closed one-way flow control valve comprises an antechamber defining an external opening, and wherein administration of a pressurized fluid through the external opening opens the normally-closed one-way flow control valve.

2. The medical dressing of claim 1 , wherein a dead volume between the normally-closed one-way flow control valve and the backing is 10 mm 3 or less.

3. The medical dressing of claim 1 , wherein application of a positive pressure to an exterior surface of the normally-closed one-way flow control valve opens the normally-closed valve such that fluid within a pressurized medicament container can enter the normally-sealed environment.

4. The medical dressing of claim 1 , wherein the normally-closed one-way flow control valve is flexible and may be easily folded in at least one direction between the thumb and forefinger of a healthcare worker.

5. The medical dressing of claim 1 , further comprising a closure element attached to the first major surface of the backing and covering the normally-closed one-way flow control valve, wherein the closure element seals the normally-closed one-way flow control valve shut.

6. The medical dressing of claim 1 , further comprising an inlet port adapted for attachment to the first major surface of the backing over the normally-closed one-way flow control valve.

7. The medical dressing according to claim 1 , wherein the backing has a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 300 g/m 2 /24 hrs/37° C./100-10% RH.

8. The medical dressing of claim 1 , wherein the valve reed comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer contacts the second layer in the closed configuration and is parted in an open configuration.

9. The medical dressing of claim 3 , wherein the positive pressure is higher than a cracking pressure of the valve reed.

10. The medical dressing of claim 1 , wherein the valve reed is bonded to the backing.

11. The medical dressing of claim 10 , wherein the valve reed is bonded to the backing using transverse bonds.

12. A medical dressing kit, the kit comprising:

a medical dressing according to claim 1 ;

a closure element attached to the first major surface of the backing over the normally-closed one-way flow control valve, wherein the closure element seals the normally-closed one-way flow control valve shut.

13. The medical dressing kit according to claim 12 , further comprising at least one of: a wound fluid absorbent material, a medicament reservoir, and combinations thereof.

14. The medical dressing kit according to claim 12 , further comprising at least one of: a pressurized medicament container, connection means to interface the pressurized medicament container with the normally-closed one-way flow control valve, and combinations thereof.

15. A method of treating a wound, the method comprising:

applying a medical dressing according to claim 1 over a wound;

introducing a pressurized fluid medicament into the normally-sealed environment through the valved opening in the backing.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the fluid medicament introduced into the normally-sealed environment comprises a gas such that the pressure within the normally-sealed environment is in a range of from 0.1 mmHg up to 100 mm Hg for a period of at least one minute.

17. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the fluid medicament introduced into the normally-sealed environment comprises an oxygen concentration in a range from 21% up to 100%.

18. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the fluid medicament introduced into the normally-sealed environment comprises one of a nitric oxide, ozone, iodine or hydrogen peroxide.