Wound dressing and method of use

1. A wound treatment apparatus comprising:

a wound dressing comprising:

a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer;

an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer;

a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable;

a suction port overlying the first orifice, the suction port comprising:

a connector portion configured to connect the suction port to a source of negative pressure; and

a sealing surface sealed to an outer surface of the cover layer;

a filter element overlying the opening in the first orifice in the cover layer and underlying at least a portion of the suction port, the filter element comprising a flat, microporous membrane configured to stop any liquid in the wound exudate from entering the connector portion, the filter element oriented parallel to the cover layer and having a dimension that is larger than that of the first orifice;

a wound contact layer underlying the transmission layer, wherein the cover layer and the wound contact layer extend outwards from a central region of the dressing beyond an edge region of the absorbent layer to thereby form a peripheral region, the cover layer and the wound contact layer being sealed together in the peripheral region, and

wherein the absorbent layer comprises a second orifice underlying the first orifice.

2. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover layer further comprises a rectangular shape having a first side length and a second side length, said side lengths being equal.

3. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the suction port is centered along a side length of the cover layer.

4. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suction port comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

5. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a source of negative pressure in fluid communication with the suction port and configured to communicate negative pressure to a wound site.

6. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the source of negative pressure communicates negative pressure to the wound site via the transmission layer.

7. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure, wherein the conduit is configured to communicate negative pressure between the source of negative pressure and the wound site via the connector portion.

8. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the source of negative pressure comprises a vacuum pump.

9. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cover layer comprises a film manufactured from a material that has an increased water transmission rate when wet.

10. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the filter element is liquid impermeable and gas permeable.

11. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the filter element is hydrophobic.

12. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the filter element comprises at least two layers.

13. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the filter element is sealed to the cover layer and/or the suction port.

14. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent material.

15. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer on a lower surface of the cover layer.

16. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a releasable protective layer on a lower surface of the wound contact layer.

17. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 5 , wherein no separate canister is provided in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure.

18. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suction port further comprises a hemispherical body portion disposed between the sealing surface and the connector portion.

19. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the filter element is positioned above a lower surface of the sealing portion.

20. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the filter element is positioned within the hemispherical body portion.

21. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the filter element is sealed to the suction port.

22. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent layer extends outward from a central region of the dressing beyond an edge region of the transmission layer.

23. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the absorbent layer is in contact with the cover layer.

24. The wound treatment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent layer is in contact with the cover layer.