Importance

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Abstract

A thin film wound dressing that is particularly easy to position accurately and apply smoothly to form an occlusive seal comprises three layers: a first wound covering layer being permeable to gases and water vapor while being impermeable to microbes and liquids; a second adhesive layer intimately disposed on the first layer for use in occlusively attaching the invention to skin or wound surfaces; and a third release backing layer disposed on the second adhesive layer. The release backing layer has a functionally contiguous or integral pull-tab attached in a manner that creates a substantially U-shaped release backing/pull-tab assembly. The release backing and pull-tab portions of the assembly are highly flexible while also being highly resistant to elongation to facilitate the smooth and wrinkle-free application of the first and second layers to skin or wound surfaces and formation of an occlusive, microbe and liquid impermeable barrier. The various layers of the invention are preferably transparent to light and may be impregnated or coated with antiseptics, antimicrobials or other medically active substances. The wound dressing is provided in non-polygonal shapes that eliminate redundant surface area and increase the effective adhesion to anatomic surfaces.

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First Claim