Flexible means for determining the extent of debridement required to remove non-viable tissue
A flexible dressing for applying to a tissue site for determining the extent of debridement required to remove non-viable tissue is disclosed. Some embodiments of the dressing may be in the form of a multi-layer drape having an integrated tissue viability indicator system. Some embodiments may also include a system of shapes or a grid pattern printed or embossed on a surface of the drape for providing guidance during an ensuing debridement or amputation procedure.
1. A dressing for treating a tissue site, comprising:
a drape comprising a first surface and a second surface and a pattern visible on the second surface, wherein the pattern designates a plurality of areas of the drape;
a chemical composition adapted to detect a presence of a tissue viability marker in a plurality of areas of the tissue site corresponding to the plurality of areas of the drape and distinguish viable from non-viable tissue in each area of the plurality of areas of the tissue site corresponding to the plurality of areas of the drape; and
a viability scale adapted to indicate a level of tissue viability associated with the tissue viability marker of each area of the plurality of areas of the tissue site.
2. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the tissue viability marker is oxygen.
3. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the tissue viability marker is carbon dioxide.
4. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the tissue viability marker is pH.
5. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the chemical composition is further adapted to undergo a color change.
6. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the chemical composition further comprises an oxygen scavenger.
7. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising a manifold layer adapted to be positioned adjacent the first surface of the drape.
8. The dressing of claim 7 , wherein the manifold layer comprises a foam.
9. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent layer adapted to be positioned adjacent the first surface of the drape.
10. The dressing of claim 9 , wherein the absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent material.
11. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising:
a manifold layer adapted to be positioned proximate the first surface of the drape; and
an absorbent layer adapted to be positioned between the manifold layer and the drape.
12. The dressing of claim 11 , further comprising a perforated layer adapted to be positioned between the manifold layer and the absorbent layer.
13. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the viability scale comprises a colorimetric scale.
14. The dressing of claim 13 , wherein the colorimetric scale comprises a plurality of colors, wherein each of the plurality of colors corresponds to a different oxygen concentration level.
15. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of concentric shapes.
16. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of concentric circles having an offset of 1 cm.
17. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the chemical composition comprises a liquid applied to the first surface of the drape.
18. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the chemical composition comprises a liquid applied to the second surface of the drape.
19. The dressing of claim 18 , further comprising an external sealing layer adapted to be positioned adjacent the chemical composition and the second surface of the drape.
20. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the chemical composition comprises an assay for an organic enzyme.
21. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the tissue viability marker is concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor.
22. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the tissue viability marker is nitric oxide.
23. A dressing for treating a tissue site, comprising:
a drape adapted to be placed proximate the tissue site, comprising:
a tissue interface layer having a first surface and a second surface and comprising an adhesive coating, and
a carrier layer comprising a film coated with an adhesive on a first surface adapted to be positioned in contact with the tissue interface layer and including a pattern visible on a second surface, wherein the pattern designates a plurality of areas of the drape;
a chemical composition adhered to the tissue interface layer and adapted to detect a presence of a tissue viability marker in areas of the tissue site corresponding to the plurality of areas of the drape and distinguish viable from non-viable tissue in the areas of the tissue site corresponding to the plurality of areas of the drape; and
a viability scale applied to the carrier layer and adapted to indicate a level of tissue viability associated with the tissue viability marker.
24. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the tissue viability marker is oxygen.
25. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the tissue viability marker is carbon dioxide.
26. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the tissue viability marker is pH.
27. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the adhesive coating of the tissue interface layer comprises a silicone gel adhesive having perforations.
28. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the chemical composition is further adapted to undergo a color change.
29. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the chemical composition is adhered to the first surface of the tissue interface layer.
30. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the chemical composition is embedded within the tissue interface layer.
31. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the carrier layer comprises a polyurethane film.
32. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein the adhesive coated on the carrier layer comprises an acrylic-based adhesive.
33. The dressing of claim 23 , wherein:
the tissue interface layer comprises a plurality of perforations;
the adhesive coated on the carrier layer comprises an acrylic-based adhesive; and
the acrylic-based adhesive is adapted to pass through the plurality of perforations of the tissue interface layer and adhere to portions of the tissue site.
34. A dressing for treating a tissue site, comprising:
a drape adapted to be placed proximate the tissue site, comprising:
a tissue interface layer comprising an adhesive coating, and
a carrier layer comprising a film coated with an adhesive on a first surface adapted to be positioned in contact with the tissue interface layer and including a pattern visible on a second surface and designating a plurality of areas of the drape, and further comprising a plurality of perforations;
a chemical composition adhered to the second surface of the carrier layer and adapted to detect a presence of a tissue viability marker in areas of the tissue site corresponding to the plurality of areas of the drape through the plurality of perforations and distinguish viable from non-viable tissue in the plurality of areas of the drape through the plurality of perforations; and
a viability scale applied to the carrier layer and adapted to indicate a level of tissue viability associated with the tissue viability marker.
35. The dressing of claim 34 , wherein the tissue viability marker is oxygen.
36. The dressing of claim 34 , wherein the tissue viability marker is carbon dioxide.
37. The dressing of claim 34 , wherein the adhesive coating comprises a silicone gel adhesive having perforations.