Absorbent wound dressings

Abstract

An absorbent wound dressing ( 1 ) comprising a superabsorbent material ( 13 ) that is in fluid communication with the surface of a wound to which the dressing is applied when in use. The superabsorbent material ( 13 ) is enclosed in an envelope ( 14,15 ) having a wound-facing surface that is knitted or woven from a yarn comprising gelling fibres.

1 . An absorbent wound dressing comprising a superabsorbent material that, in use, is in fluid communication with the surface of a wound to which the dressing is applied, wherein the superabsorbent material is enclosed in an envelope having a wound-facing surface knitted or woven from a yarn comprising gelling fibres. 
     
     
         2 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope is assembled from two sheets of material, with the superabsorbent material between them. 
     
     
         3 . A dressing according to  claim 2 , wherein the non wound-facing surface is a polyester film or web. 
     
     
         4 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the outward facing surface of the envelope is the outermost layer of the dressing. 
     
     
         5 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the envelope is formed by welding. 
     
     
         6 . A dressing according to  claim 5 , wherein the welding is heat welding. 
     
     
         7 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material is a polymeric superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         8 . A dressing according to  claim 7 , wherein the superabsorbent material is sodium or calcium alginate. 
     
     
         9 . A dressing according to  claim 7 , wherein the superabsorbent material is sodium polyacrylate polymer. 
     
     
         10 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent material is in the form of particles. 
     
     
         11 . A dressing according to  claim 10 , wherein the superabsorbent material particles are encapsulated between two layers of a carrier material. 
     
     
         12 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the wound-facing surface is knitted. 
     
     
         13 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the gelling fibre has an absorbency of at least 2 g/g. 
     
     
         14 . A dressing according to  claim 13 , wherein the absorbency is at least 5 g/g, at least 10 g/g, at least 15 g/g, or at least 25 g/g. 
     
     
         15 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the gelling fibres are pectin fibres, alginate fibres, fibres made from alginate and another polysaccharide, chitosan fibres, hyaluronic acid fibres, fibres of other polysaccharides or derived from gums, chemically-modified cellulosic fibres or a combination or blend of these fibres. 
     
     
         16 . A dressing according to  claim 15 , wherein the gelling fibres are alginate fibres or pectin fibres. 
     
     
         17 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the yarn comprises a blend of gelling fibres and non-gelling fibres. 
     
     
         18 . A dressing according to  claim 17 , wherein the yarn comprises at least 50% w/w gelling fibres. 
     
     
         19 . A dressing according to  claim 17 , wherein the non-gelling fibres are lyocell fibres. 
     
     
         20 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the dressing comprises a backing layer that has a moisture vapour transmission rate of at least 300 g/m 2 /24 h at 37° C. 
     
     
         21 . A dressing according to  claim 20 , wherein the backing layer is a polyurethane film. 
     
     
         22 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer is larger in size than the envelope. 
     
     
         23 . A dressing according to  claim 22 , wherein the backing layer forms a border around the envelope. 
     
     
         24 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the surface of the dressing that, in use, contacts a patient's skin is provided with a skin contact adhesive. 
     
     
         25 . A dressing according to  claim 24 , wherein the skin contact adhesive is a soft silicone adhesive. 
     
     
         26 . A dressing according to  claim 24 , wherein the skin contact adhesive is provided only at the border of the dressing. 
     
     
         27 . A dressing according to  claim 24 , wherein the skin contact adhesive is provided across the full extent of the dressing. 
     
     
         28 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the wound-facing surface of the envelope is knitted from yarn comprising a blend of gelling and non-gelling fibres;   the superabsorbent material is in the form of particles encapsulated between sheets of a carrier material;   the dressing comprises a backing layer that forms a border around the envelope; and   a soft silicone skin contact adhesive is provided on at least the border of the surface of the dressing that, in use, contacts a patient's skin.   
     
     
         29 - 30 . (canceled)