Wound care device having fluid transfer and adhesive properties

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a wound care device which contains capillary force one-way pumps that are capable of transporting fluid, such as wound exudate, away from a wound site to the opposite side of the wound care device, which functions as a segregated fluid reservoir. This fluid transport mechanism generally aids in reducing wound maceration by removing excess wound fluid and the protease enzymes and infectious bacteria contained within the wound fluid. The wound care device performs this function, often times for multiple days, without the loss of the physical integrity of the wound care device. In addition to providing a uni-directional fluid transport mechanism, the wound care device contains a perforated adhesive layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for managing moisture at a wound site comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a wound care device comprising:
 a fabric having a wound contact surface and a wound fluid reservoir surface, 
 wherein said wound contact surface is comprised primarily of hydrophobic fiber and said wound fluid reservoir surface is comprised primarily of hydrophilic fiber, said hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers being intermeshed together in a jersey knit construction; 
 wherein said wound contact surface is coated with a layer of apertured silicone adhesive; and 
 wherein said wound care device transports wound fluid uni-directionally from said wound contact surface to said wound fluid reservoir surface upon exposure to a wound; 
   (b) placing said wound contact surface of said wound care device in contact with said wound site; and   (c) allowing said wound care device to transport wound fluid uni-directionally from said wound contact surface to said wound fluid reservoir surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said wound contact surface is further coated with a composition comprising at least one silver ion-containing compound.