Component for wound dressing

Abstract

An absorbent component for a wound dressing, the component comprising a wound contacting layer comprising gel forming fibres bound to a foam layer.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An absorbent component for a wound dressing, the component comprising:
 a wound contacting layer comprising gel forming fibers; and   a foam layer, wherein the foam layer is bound directly to the wound contacting layer;   wherein the wound contacting layer is configured to absorb exudate by gelling and provide containment of lateral spread of the exudate; and   wherein the foam layer is configured to absorb exudate and to readily release absorbed exudate via moisture vapor transmission.   
     
     
         14 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the gel forming fibers consist essentially of carboxymethylcellulose fibers, cellulose ethyl sulphonate, pectin fibers, alginate fibers, composite fibers of alginate and polysaccharide, chitosan fibers, polysaccharide fibers, fibers derived from gums, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the foam layer comprises a thickness of 0.25 mm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the foam layer is bound directly to the wound contacting layer by adhesive, polymer based melt layer, flame lamination, or ultrasound. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the absorbent component is in sheet form. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the gel forming fibers are woven, non-woven and/or knitted. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the foam layer comprises an open cell foam. 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the foam layer comprises a hydrophilic foam. 
     
     
         21 . The absorbent component of  claim 13 , wherein the foam layer comprises an absorbency of 10-20 g/g when measured by the free swell absorbency method. 
     
     
         22 . A wound dressing comprising the absorbent component of claim  1 , and further comprising an adhesive for holding the absorbent component in contact with the wound. 
     
     
         23 . The wound dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the absorbent component forms an island surrounded by a periphery of the adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The wound dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the adhesive is a silicone adhesive. 
     
     
         25 . The wound dressing of  claim 21 , wherein the dressing is covered by a film layer on a surface of the dressing furthest from the wound. 
     
     
         26 . An absorbent component for a wound dressing, the component comprising:
 a wound contacting layer comprising gel forming fibers;   a foam layer bound to the wound contacting layer; and   an intermediate layer positioned between the wound contacting layer and the foam layer;   wherein the wound contacting layer is configured to absorb exudate by gelling and provide containment of lateral spread of the exudate; and   wherein the foam layer is configured to absorb exudate and to readily release absorbed exudate via moisture vapor transmission.   
     
     
         27 . The absorbent component of  claim 26 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a textile layer configured to limit distortion of the absorbent component as the foam layer expands due to absorption of exudate. 
     
     
         28 . The absorbent component of  claim 26 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a one-way wicking layer configured to wick exudate from the wound contacting layer to the foam layer while discouraging transfer of exudate from the foam layer to the wound contacting layer. 
     
     
         29 . The absorbent component of  claim 26 , wherein the gel forming fibers consist essentially of carboxymethylcellulose fibers, cellulose ethyl sulphonate, pectin fibers, alginate fibers, composite fibers of alginate and polysaccharide, chitosan fibers, polysaccharide fibers, fibers derived from gums, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         30 . A wound dressing comprising the absorbent component of  claim 26 , and further comprising an adhesive for holding the absorbent component in contact with the wound. 
     
     
         31 . The wound dressing of  claim 30 , wherein the absorbent component forms an island surrounded by a periphery of the adhesive. 
     
     
         32 . The wound dressing of  claim 31 , wherein the dressing is covered by a film layer on a surface of the dressing furthest from the wound.