Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A wound dressing is disclosed that is intended to be supplied to the user in generally planar condition and may then be easily shaped to conform with a joint surface, such as a heel or elbow, without forming wrinkles in that portion of the dressing overlying the wound and without causing potential leakage channels or gaps in the border portion of the dressing surrounding the wound. The dressing includes a layer of pliant adhesive material having particles of one or more water-absorbable and swellable hydrocolloids dispersed therein and a backing layer of a flexible (preferably elastomeric) material extending over one side of the adhesive layer. The dressing is contoured to provide a continuous border in which the adhesive layer has a thickness substantially less than in the central body portion of the dressing. At least one generally triangular gusset portion (preferably two or more of such portions) extends from the border into the central body portion, with the thickness of the adhesive material in the gusset portion(s) being substantially the same as in the border. Each gusset portion may be folded upon itself in use to form a permanent non-expanding triangular pleat for pre-forming the planar dressing into non-planar anatomically-conforming shape.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim