Area management of tissue sites on articulating joints
A dressing for managing an incision and surrounding tissue where edema and swelling may be present post-operation. The dressing may maximize coverage of area in articulating joints, such as a knee or elbow, while allowing for substantial range of motion. In some embodiments, the dressing may comprise an adhesive border configured to be adhered to skin around an articulating joint, a skin-interfacing fabric for minimizing skin irritation, a foam body for manifolding negative pressure and absorbing exudate and other body fluids, and a thin polymer film cap for sealing the assembly so negative pressure can be maintained throughout the dressing.
1. A dressing for treating an area around an ankle with negative pressure, the dressing comprising:
a foam manifold comprising a stem, a first arm joined to the stem, and a second arm joined to the stem, the first arm comprising an arm extension for coupling to a fluid conductor, wherein the stem comprises foam having a higher density than the first arm and the second arm;
an attachment device including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface coupled to a periphery of a tissue-facing side of the manifold, the attachment device comprising a treatment aperture configured to at least partially expose the manifold;
a cover disposed over the manifold and coupled to the attachment device around the manifold; and
an adhesive on the second surface of the attachment device configured to bond to the area around the ankle.
2. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the first arm has a greater span than the second arm.
3. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein:
the first arm has a first span;
the second arm has a second span; and
a ratio of the first span to the second span is about 1.5.
4. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm flare away from the stem.
5. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm comprise converging edges.
6. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the stem, the first arm, and the second arm define biconcave edges.
7. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises a face that is biconcave.
8. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the manifold has a line of symmetry through the stem.
9. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein:
the manifold has a line of symmetry through the stem; and
the first arm and the second arm define a void adjacent to each side of the stem.
10. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein:
the manifold has an edge bounding the first arm and the second arm; and
a portion of the edge bounding the first arm and the second arm converges toward the stem to define a concave void adjacent to each side of the stem.
11. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising a dressing interface fluidly coupled to the first arm through the cover.
12. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising a comfort layer coupled to the manifold, the comfort layer at least partially exposed through the treatment aperture.
13. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is disposed in a border of the attachment device.
14. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the attachment device further comprises a sealing ring around the treatment aperture.
15. The dressing of claim 14 , wherein the sealing ring comprises a hydrocolloid.
16. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein:
the stem is configured to be placed over a portion of a leg above the ankle;
the first arm is configured to be placed over a lateral portion of the leg; and
the second arm is configured to be placed over a medial portion of the leg.
17. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein:
the manifold has a line of symmetry through the stem;
the first arm is asymmetrical about the line of symmetry; and
the second arm is symmetrical about the line of symmetry.
18. The dressing of claim 1 , wherein the arm extension is coupled to the first arm.
19. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising a dressing bridge configured to fluidly couple the fluid conductor to the first arm.
20. The dressing of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first side release liner configured to be releasably coupled to the attachment device on a first side of the manifold;
a second side release liner configured to be releasably coupled to the attachment device on a second side of the manifold opposite the first side; and
a center release liner configured to be releasably coupled to the attachment device at a center portion of the manifold.