Reduced pressure, compression systems and apparatuses for use on joints
A system for providing reduced-pressure treatment to a moveable tissue site, such as a joint, includes a flexible dressing bolster. The flexible dressing bolster has a first side and a second, inward-facing side, and a plurality of flexion joints formed on the flexible dressing bolster. The system further includes a sealing subsystem for providing a fluid seal over the flexible dressing bolster and the patient's epidermis and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering a reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced-pressure subsystem are operable to deliver a reduced pressure to the moveable tissue site. The flexible dressing bolster is operable to allow articulation or movement of the moveable tissue site. The sealing subsystem may include a drape with folds. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented.
1. A dressing assembly comprising:
an intermediate drape having a treatment aperture;
a bolster positioned over the treatment aperture and having a first side and a second, tissue facing, side;
a comfort layer disposed over the tissue facing side of the bolster, at least a portion of the comfort layer configured to be in direct contact with the tissue site through the treatment aperture;
a plurality of notches formed on the first side of the bolster; and
a drape having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed over the first side of the bolster and having an aperture and the second portion forming a drape extension which is coupled to the first portion.
2. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the comfort layer is heat bonded to the bolster.
3. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the comfort layer comprises a woven, elastic material or a polyester knit textile substrate.
4. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notches comprise lateral cuts in the bolster.
5. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notches comprise longitudinal cuts.
6. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the notches comprise recesses.
7. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drape further comprises bellows disposed over the bolster.
8. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drape further comprises a plurality of folds disposed over the bolster.
9. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drape is formed from an elastomeric material and is operable to stretch longitudinally at least 80 percent of the drape's un-stretched length.
10. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive disposed on the intermediate drape around the treatment aperture, the adhesive bonding a portion of the bolster to the intermediate drape.
11. The dressing assembly of claim 10 , further comprising at least one releasable member coupled to the intermediate drape outboard of the adhesive on a same side as the bolster.
12. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bottom release member coupled to the intermediate drape.
13. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , further comprising side release members coupled to the intermediate drape on a side opposite the bolster.
14. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bolster comprises:
a top wall,
a bottom wall coupled to the top wall in a spaced relationship, the bottom wall having a first lateral portion on one side of a center portion, and a second lateral portion on another side of the center portion,
a first closing member formed on the first lateral portion, and
a second closing member formed on the second lateral portion;
wherein the first closing member and second closing member are operable to develop a directed force when the bolster is placed under reduced pressured.
15. The dressing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bolster comprises a felted reticulated foam.
16. A system for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site, the system comprising:
a dressing assembly comprising:
an intermediate sealing member having a treatment aperture,
a manifold positioned over the treatment aperture and having a first side and a second, tissue facing, side,
a wound-contact layer disposed over the tissue facing side of the manifold, at least a portion of the wound-contact layer configured to be in direct contact with the tissue site through the treatment aperture,
a plurality of notches formed on the first side of the manifold, and
a sealing member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion disposed over the first side of the manifold and having an aperture and the second portion forming a sealing member extension which is coupled to the first portion; and
a reduced-pressure source configured to be fluidly coupled to the dressing assembly.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the wound-contact layer is heat bonded to the manifold.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the notches comprise lateral cuts in the manifold.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the notches comprise longitudinal cuts.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the notches comprise recesses.
21. The system of claim 16 , wherein the sealing member further comprises bellows disposed over the manifold.
22. The system of claim 16 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a plurality of folds disposed over the manifold.
23. The system of claim 16 , further comprising an adhesive disposed on the intermediate sealing member around the treatment aperture, the adhesive bonding a portion of the manifold to the intermediate sealing member.
24. The system of claim 16 , wherein the manifold comprises:
a top wall,
a bottom wall coupled to the top wall in a spaced relationship, the bottom wall having a first lateral portion on one side of a center portion, and a second lateral portion on another side of the center portion,
a first closing member formed on the first lateral portion, and
a second closing member formed on the second lateral portion;
wherein the first closing member and second closing member are operable to develop a directed force when the manifold is placed under reduced pressured.