Anisotropic Drapes And Systems

Abstract

An anisotropic wound drape for treating a wound on a patient includes a flexible sheet for placing over a tissue site. The flexible sheet includes a first isotropic zone, and a second isotropic zone. The first isotropic zone and the second isotropic zone are configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties. The anisotropic drape may used as part of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system. Other systems and methods are also presented.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A wound drape comprising:
 a flexible sheet; and   an anisotropic member coupled to the flexible sheet and configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties such that the flexible sheet stretches more in a first direction than in a second direction.   
     
     
         31 . The wound drape of  claim 30  wherein the anisotropic member comprises a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         32 . The wound drape of  claim 30  wherein the anisotropic member comprises a plurality of filaments and wherein said plurality of filaments are substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         33 . The wound drape of  claim 30  wherein the anisotropic member is an adhesive layer. 
     
     
         34 . A wound drape comprising:
 a flexible sheet; and   a fluidly inflatable bladder coupled to the flexible sheet and configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties such that the flexible sheet stretches more in a first direction than in a second direction.   
     
     
         35 . The wound drape of  claim 34  wherein the fluidly inflatable bladder is substantially co-planar with the flexible sheet when uninflated. 
     
     
         36 . The wound drape of  claim 34  further comprising:
 a fluid supply tube fluidly coupled at a first end to the bladder; and 
 a fluid control means fluidly coupled to a second end of the fluid supply tube, the fluid control means for selectively applying fluid to the bladder. 
 
     
     
         37 . The wound drape of  claim 34  wherein the bladder is capable of providing a compressive force to a patient's tissue. 
     
     
         38 .- 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A wound drape comprising:
 a flexible sheet having an inner portion and an edge, the thickness of the flexible sheet gradually changes from the inner portion to the edge to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties such that the flexible sheet stretches more in a first direction than in a second direction; and   an adhesive coupled to the flexible sheet, wherein the adhesive is operable to couple the wound drape to a patient's epidermis.   
     
     
         49 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the flexible sheet is comprised of a liquid-impermeable elastomeric material. 
     
     
         50 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , further comprising a manifold coupled to the flexible sheet, the manifold configured to distribute a reduced pressure to a tissue site on the patient. 
     
     
         51 . The wound drape of  claim 50 , wherein the manifold is coupled to the flexible sheet using adhesives. 
     
     
         52 . The wound drape of  claim 50 , wherein the manifold is coupled to the flexible sheet by bonding the manifold to the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         53 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , further comprising a reduced-pressure interface. 
     
     
         54 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the flexible sheet forms a frustoconical-shaped cavity. 
     
     
         55 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the inner portion is the substantial center of the wound drape. 
     
     
         56 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the flexible sheet gradually changes from the inner portion to the edge. 
     
     
         57 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the thickness of the flexible sheet gradually increases from the inner portion to the edge such that the edge is thicker than the inner portion. 
     
     
         58 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the thickness of the flexible sheet gradually decreases from the inner portion to the edge such that the edge is thinner than the inner portion. 
     
     
         59 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the adhesive is configured to transmit a closing force generated by the wound drape to the patient's epidermis. 
     
     
         60 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the wound drape and the adhesive are configured to form a fluid seal over a tissue site on the patient. 
     
     
         61 . The wound drape of  claim 60 , wherein the fluid seal is adapted to hold reduced pressure at the tissue site. 
     
     
         62 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the flexible sheet is adapted to be coupled to a reduced-pressure source for treating a tissue site on the patient with reduced pressure. 
     
     
         63 . The wound drape of  claim 48 , wherein the flexible sheet is comprised of transparent material.