Wound dressing and method of treatment

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to negative pressure treatment systems and wound dressing systems, apparatuses, and methods that may be used for the treatment of wounds. In particular, some embodiments are directed to improved wound dressings comprising an obscuring layer that may hide fluid contained therein. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more viewing windows disposed therethrough so as to enable monitoring or examination of fluids contained therein.

1 .- 113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . A wound treatment apparatus for treatment of a wound site comprising:
 a backing layer having a perimeter configured to be positioned over skin surrounding the wound site, the backing layer including an opening;   an absorbent material positioned below the backing layer;   at least one layer positioned below the absorbent material, the at least one layer configured to wick fluid from the wound site towards the absorbent material; and   an indicator positioned adjacent to the opening on a side of the absorbent material furthest away from the wound site, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate the presence of wound exudate when the wound exudate reaches a location inside an area of the opening when the area is viewed from above the backing layer.   
     
     
         115 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , further comprising a fluidic connector configured to transmit negative pressure from a negative pressure source for the application of topical negative pressure at the wound site. 
     
     
         116 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , wherein the fluidic connector is positioned over the opening in the backing layer. 
     
     
         117 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , wherein the indicator is positioned below the fluidic connector. 
     
     
         118 . The apparatus of  claim 117 , wherein the indicator is visible from above the fluidic connector. 
     
     
         119 . The apparatus of  claim 115 , wherein the fluidic connector is adhered to the backing layer using an adhesive. 
     
     
         120 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , further comprising a material layer positioned over the absorbent material and below the backing layer. 
     
     
         121 . The apparatus of  claim 120 , wherein the material layer has substantially the same perimeter shape as the absorbent material. 
     
     
         122 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the indicator has a rotational-symmetrical shape. 
     
     
         123 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the indicator is in direct contact with the backing layer. 
     
     
         124 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , further comprising a wound contact layer positioned beneath the at least one layer configured to wick fluid from the wound site towards the absorbent material. 
     
     
         125 . The apparatus of  claim 124 , wherein the wound contact layer is adhered to a lower surface of the backing layer along the perimeter of the backing layer. 
     
     
         126 . The apparatus of  claim 124 , wherein the wound contact layer comprises an adhesive on a lower surface thereof. 
     
     
         127 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the backing layer is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         128 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the backing layer defines a perimeter with a rectangular or a square shape. 
     
     
         129 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , further comprising a negative pressure source. 
     
     
         130 . The apparatus of  claim 129 , wherein the negative pressure source is a pump. 
     
     
         131 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         132 . The apparatus of  claim 114 , wherein the absorbent material comprises cellulose fibers.