Wound dressing

1. A unitary wound dressing comprising:

an absorbent core defining a distal surface and a proximal surface, and further defining an outermost edge surrounding the entire absorbent core;

a backing layer defining a distal surface, a proximal surface, a center portion, and a border portion, wherein the distal surface of the absorbent core is secured to the proximal surface of the backing layer within boundaries of the center portion of the backing layer;

a woven or non-woven fabric layer defining a distal surface, a proximal surface, a center portion, and a border portion, the fabric layer extending through both a perimeter of the absorbent core and the border portion of the backing layer, the fabric layer comprising an agent having an effect against microbial colonization of a wound, wherein the woven or non-woven fabric layer is bonded to the proximal surface of at least a part of the border portion of the backing layer but is not bonded to the absorbent core; and

a carrier layer defining a distal surface and a proximal surface, the carrier layer having at least an opening through which fluid can pass from the wound into the absorbent core, the distal surface of the carrier layer being secured to at least a part of the proximal surface of the border portion of the fabric layer, wherein the at least an opening has an outermost edge that surrounds the outermost edge of the entire absorbent core when viewed from above or below.

2. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the distal surface of the woven or non-woven fabric layer is secured to a complete part of the proximal surface of the border portion of the backing layer.

3. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the carrier layer comprises a conformable polyurethane film.

4. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the wound dressing comprises a skin adherent facing layer disposed in the border portion of its proximal side.

5. The wound dressing according to claim 4 , where the skin adherent facing layer comprises silicone gel.

6. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the backing layer comprises a conformable polyurethane film.

7. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the woven or non-woven fabric layer comprising an agent having an effect against microbial colonization of a wound comprises a cellulose acetate textile or a cotton textile which has been treated with dialkyl-carbamoyl chloride.

8. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the woven or non-woven fabric layer comprising an agent having an effect against pathogenic microbial colonization of a wound comprises a fabric layer carrying at least one antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, silver salts, iodine, povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine salts, polyhexamethylene biguanide, polyhexamethylene biguanide salts, quaternary ammonium salts and combinations thereof.

9. The wound dressing according to claim 8 , where the at least one antimicrobial agent is releasably incorporated into the fabric.

10. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the absorbent core comprises hydrophilic polyurethane foam.

11. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the absorbent core comprises a series of receptacles created in its distal surface filled with superabsorber particles.

12. The wound dressing according to claim 1 , where the absorbent core comprises a retention layer with a superabsorbent material.

13. Process for preparing a unitary wound dressing comprising:

a) applying a surface treatment substance on the proximal surface of a carrier layer, the carrier layer defining a distal surface and a proximal surface;

b) extruding a layer of uncured silicone gel homogenously onto the proximal surface of the carrier layer;

c) curing the uncured silicone gel by heating the silicone gel precursor;

d) removing a center portion from the carrier layer to provide an opening in the carrier layer;

e) applying a treated fabric layer over the distal surface of the carrier layer;

f) placing an absorbent core over the treated fabric layer centered over the opening created in the carrier layer, the absorbent core defining a distal surface and a proximal surface, and further defining an outermost edge surrounding the entire absorbent core;

g) disposing a backing layer over the distal surfaces of the absorbent core and the carrier layer; and

h) thermally bonding the layers, wherein the opening in the carrier layer has an outermost edge that surrounds the outermost edge of the entire absorbent core when viewed from above or below.

14. The process of claim 13 , wherein the absorbent core comprises a retention layer.

15. The process of claim 13 , wherein the treated fabric layer comprises an agent having an effect against microbial colonization of a wound.

16. Process for preparing a unitary wound dressing, the process comprising:

a) applying a primer dissolved in a solvent on the proximal surface of a carrier layer, the carrier layer defining a distal surface and a proximal surface;

b) evaporating the solvent if a primer which is dissolved in a solvent is used;

c) extruding a layer of uncured silicone gel homogenously onto the primer treated proximal surface of the carrier layer;

d) curing the uncured silicone gel by heating the silicone gel precursor;

e) removing the center portion from the carrier layer, creating an opening in the carrier layer;

f) applying a treated fabric layer over the distal surface of the carrier layer;

g) placing an absorbent core over the treated fabric layer centered over the opening created in the carrier layer, the absorbent core defining a distal surface and a proximal surface, and further defining an outermost edge surrounding the entire absorbent core;

h) disposing a backing layer over the distal surfaces of the absorbent core and the carrier layer; and

i) thermally bonding the layers, wherein the opening in the carrier layer has an outermost edge that surrounds the outermost edge of the entire absorbent core when viewed from above or below.

17. The process of claim 16 , wherein the absorbent core comprises a retention layer.

18. The process of claim 16 , wherein the treated fabric layer comprises an agent having an effect against microbial colonization of a wound.