Dressing and method for applying reduced pressure to and collecting and storing fluid from a tissue site

1. A reduced pressure dressing adapted to distribute a reduced pressure to a tissue site, the dressing comprising:

an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site;

a first manifold layer positioned in fluid communication with the interface layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the interface layer;

an absorbent layer in fluid communication with the first manifold layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the first manifold layer, the interface layer, and the tissue site;

a diverter layer positioned adjacent the absorbent layer, the diverter layer formed from a substantially gas-impermeable material, the diverter layer including a plurality of spaced apertures in fluid communication with the absorbent layer, wherein the diverter layer includes a plurality of ridges on a surface of the diverter layer to define a plurality of channels between the ridges;

a second manifold layer in fluid communication with the diverter layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the diverter layer;

a cover to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, the cover having an aperture through which the reduced pressure is adapted to be delivered to the dressing; and

a liquid-air separator positioned between the second manifold and the cover to inhibit liquid from exiting the dressing.

2. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein the interface layer is hydrophobic.

3. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent layer includes a super absorbent fiber.

4. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 further comprising a seal layer positioned between a tissue surrounding the tissue site and at least one other layer to assist in maintaining reduced pressure in the dressing.

5. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein a surface area of the diverter layer is greater than a surface area of the cover.

6. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein:

a surface area of the diverter layer is greater than a surface area of the cover; and

at least a portion of the cover is adhesively coupled to the diverter layer and at least a portion of the diverter layer is adapted to be coupled to a tissue surrounding the tissue site.

7. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 6 further comprising a seal layer positioned between the diverter layer and the tissue surrounding the tissue site.

8. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein the apertures of the diverter layer are positioned near at least one perimeter edge of the diverter layer.

9. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein the apertures are holes.

10. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the apertures is larger than another of the apertures.

11. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the apertures is configured to become smaller on contact with moisture.

12. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein the diverter layer allows the absorption capabilities of the absorbent layer to be more fully utilized.

13. The reduced pressure dressing of claim 1 , wherein the diverter layer increases an amount of time over which the absorbent layer is capable of distributing reduced pressure.

14. A reduced pressure dressing adapted to distribute a reduced pressure to a tissue site, the dressing comprising:

an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site;

a first manifold layer positioned in fluid communication with the interface layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the interface layer;

an absorbent layer in fluid communication with the first manifold layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the first manifold layer, the interface layer, and the tissue site;

a diverter layer positioned adjacent the absorbent layer, the diverter layer formed from a substantially gas-impermeable material, the diverter layer including a plurality of spaced apertures in fluid communication with the absorbent layer, wherein at least one of the apertures is configured to become smaller on contact with moisture;

a second manifold layer in fluid communication with the diverter layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the diverter layer; and

a cover to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, the cover having an aperture through which the reduced pressure is adapted to be delivered to the dressing.

15. A reduced pressure dressing adapted to distribute a reduced pressure to a tissue site, the dressing comprising:

an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site;

a first manifold layer positioned in fluid communication with the interface layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the interface layer;

an absorbent layer in fluid communication with the first manifold layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the first manifold layer, the interface layer, and the tissue site;

a diverter layer positioned adjacent the absorbent layer, the diverter layer formed from a substantially gas-impermeable material, the diverter layer including a plurality of spaced apertures in fluid communication with the absorbent layer, wherein the diverter layer includes a plurality of ridges on a surface of the diverter layer to define a plurality of channels between the ridges;

a second manifold layer in fluid communication with the diverter layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the diverter layer; and

a cover to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, the cover having an aperture through which the reduced pressure is adapted to be delivered to the dressing.

16. A reduced pressure dressing adapted to distribute a reduced pressure to a tissue site, the dressing comprising:

an interface layer adapted to be positioned at the tissue site;

a first manifold layer positioned in fluid communication with the interface layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the interface layer;

an absorbent layer in fluid communication with the first manifold layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the first manifold layer, the interface layer, and the tissue site;

a diverter layer positioned adjacent the absorbent layer, the diverter layer formed from a substantially gas-impermeable material, the diverter layer including a plurality of spaced apertures in fluid communication with the absorbent layer;

a second manifold layer in fluid communication with the diverter layer to distribute the reduced pressure to the diverter layer;

a cover to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, the cover having an aperture through which the reduced pressure is adapted to be delivered to the dressing, wherein a surface area of the diverter layer is greater than a surface area of the cover, wherein at least a portion of the cover is adhesively coupled to the diverter layer, and wherein at least a portion of the diverter layer is adapted to be coupled to a tissue surrounding the tissue site; and

a seal layer positioned between the diverter layer and the tissue surrounding the tissue site.