Systems, methods, and devices for treating a tissue site on a mammal having hair proximate the tissue site
Systems, methods, and devices are presented for treating a tissue site and managing hair proximate the tissue site. A composition is provided for inhibiting, removing, or weakening hair proximate the tissue site and for providing an improved fluid seal by a flexible film drape over the tissue site. In some example embodiments, a hair-modification agent is disposed at least proximate a peripheral edge of a treatment manifold between a drape and epidermis proximate a tissue site. The hair-modification agent can be configured to flow over imperfections on the epidermis and to form a fluid seal against the epidermis, and can further be configured to at least substantially weaken hair on the epidermis as the hair encounters the hair-modification agent.
1. A system for treating a tissue site, the system comprising:
a pad having a peripheral edge;
a hair-modification agent adapted to be disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the pad and further adapted to modify hair on an epidermis adjacent the tissue site;
a barrier layer disposed adjacent to a side of the hair-modification agent; and
a drape adapted to cover the pad, the hair-modification agent, and the barrier layer to form a sealed space containing the pad, the hair-modification agent, and the barrier layer.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent is dispersed in a continuous phase member with an adhesive.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent is selected from the group consisting of: thioglycolic acid, thioglycolate salts, calcium hydroxide, and sulfhydryl compounds.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent comprises a hair removal agent.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent comprises a hair-growth inhibiting agent.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the hair-growth inhibiting agent comprises wortmannin.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent is dispersed in a gel member.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drape has a first side and a second side, and wherein the hair-modification agent covers the second side of the drape.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a release liner disposed adjacent a side of the barrier layer opposite the hair-modification agent.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent is disposed in a hair-modification layer.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent is dispersed in a polymer matrix.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the polymer matrix comprises at least one of: an acrylic, a silicone, a polyurethane, a hydrogel, and a hydrocolloid.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hair-modification agent is dissolved within a polymer matrix.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, silicone, and polyurethane.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the hair-modification agent is impregnated in a fabric layer; and
the drape is disposed adjacent a side of the fabric layer.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the fabric layer is a non-woven material.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the fabric layer is a woven material.
19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fabric layer laminated into the drape, wherein the hair-modification agent is impregnated in the fabric layer.
20. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shell encapsulating the hair-modification agent, the shell having a un-activated state and an activated state, wherein the shell fluidly isolates the hair-modification agent in the un-activated state, and the shell permits fluid communication with the hair-modification agent in the activated state; and
an activating device that is configured to change the shell from the un-activated state to the activated state.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the shell comprises a polyamide shell and the activating device comprises a device that emits light.
22. A dressing for treating a tissue site, the dressing comprising:
a gasket, the gasket comprising:
a barrier layer; and
a hair-modification layer comprising a hair-modification agent configured to modify hair on epidermis adjacent the tissue site, the hair-modification layer associated with the barrier layer.
23. The dressing of claim 22 , wherein the hair-modification agent is dispersed in a continuous phase member.
24. The dressing of claim 22 , wherein the hair-modification agent is disposed in a polymer matrix.
25. The dressing of claim 22 , wherein the gasket comprises an annular gel member.
26. The dressing of claim 22 , wherein the hair-modification agent comprises a hair removal agent.
27. The dressing of claim 26 , wherein the hair removal agent comprises at least one of: thioglycolic acid, thioglycolate salts, calcium hydroxide, and sulfhydryl compounds.
28. The dressing of claim 22 , wherein the hair-modification agent comprises a hair-growth inhibiting agent.
29. The dressing of claim 28 , wherein the hair-growth inhibiting agent comprises wortmannin.
30. The dressing of claim 22 , wherein the hair-modification agent is encapsulated within a shell having an un-activated state and an activated state, in the un-activated state the shell fluidly isolates the hair-modification agent and in the activated state the shell permits fluid communication with the hair-modification agent.
31. The dressing of claim 22 , further comprising an insulating layer.
32. A dressing for treating a tissue site, the dressing comprising:
a treatment pad having a peripheral edge;
a hair-modification layer having a hair-modification agent disposed therein, the hair-modification layer adapted to be disposed at least adjacent the peripheral edge of the treatment pad;
a barrier layer between the hair-modification layer and an epidermis; and
a drape adapted to cover the treatment pad, the hair-modification layer, and the barrier layer to form a sealed space containing the treatment pad, the hair-modification layer, and the barrier layer.
33. The dressing of claim 32 , wherein the hair-modification layer is coupled to the drape.