WOUND DRESSING
A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer, a cover layer comprising at least one orifice and a first liquid and gas permeable transmission layer underlying the absorbent layer. The transmission layer is in fluid communication with the filter layer.
1 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . A covering for forming a sealed space over a tissue site, the covering comprising: a film having a first portion and a second portion; an adhesive disposed on the first portion of the film; and the second portion of the film being free of the adhesive and configured to permit evaporation of water vapor through the second portion.
39 . The covering of claim 38 , wherein the second portion comprises a membrane.
40 . The covering of claim 38 , wherein the first portion comprises a periphery of the film.
41 . The covering of claim 38 , wherein the second portion comprises a center of the film.
42 . The covering of claim 38 , wherein the first portion comprises a periphery of the film, and the second portion comprises a center of the film.
43 . A cover layer for forming a sealed space over a tissue site, the cover layer comprising a first portion and a second portion; an adhesive disposed on the first portion of the cover layer and the second portion of the cover layer being free of the adhesive and configured to permit transpiration of moisture through the second portion.
44 . The cover layer of claim 43 , wherein the first portion comprises a dotted pattern spread and the second portion comprises an area between dots of the dotted pattern spread.
45 . The cover layer of claim 43 , wherein the cover layer comprises a high moisture vapour permeable material configured to allow transpiration of at least about 3000 grams/centimeter square/24 hours.
46 . A covering for forming a sealed space over a tissue site, the covering comprising a first portion and a second portion; an adhesive disposed on the first portion of the covering; and the second portion of the covering being free of the adhesive and configured to permit water vapor through the second portion.
47 . The covering of claim 46 , wherein the first portion comprises a circumferential area of the covering and the second portion comprises a central area within the circumferential area of the first portion.
48 . The covering of claim 46 , wherein the second portion comprises a filter being configured to permit moisture vapour and gas but not liquid there through.