Vented emergency wound dressings

Abstract

A wound dressing provides a tenacious occlusive seal against the skin of a wearer, even in the presence of excessive blood or heavy perspiration. The preferred embodiment combines an adhesive backing layer with a hydrogel island providing superior hydrophilic gel adhesion. The product performs under extreme temperatures (i.e., 32-140° F.), and may be used to hold other dressings in place. The preferred embodiments are entirely translucent, and include a large pull-tab for easy removal. Two dressings may be packaged in a pliable re-sealable protective pouch, thereby forming a portable “kit.” Different “vented” embodiments are disclosed. A preferred structure includes a cover layer peripherally bonded to backing and hydrogel layers having a central aperture therethrough. The cover layer has one or more vent holes, and pressure is released through the central aperture and out the vent hole(s).

We claim: 
     
       1. A wound dressing, comprising:
 a backing layer having a periphery, a front surface with an adhesive layer adapted for patient contact and a back surface facing away from the patient; 
 a preformed hydrogel pad having a periphery, the hydrogel pad being attached to the front surface of the backing layer, the hydrogel pad and backing layer both further including aligned central apertures; 
 the periphery of the hydrogel pad being less than that of the backing layer such that a ring of the adhesive layer remains exposed around the hydrogel pad; 
 a cover peripherally bonded directly to the back surface of the backing layer so as to create an expandable pocket between the cover and the back surface of the backing layer; 
 wherein the cover includes at least one vent hole through the cover passage such that pressure from the wound temporarily expands the pocket, enabling liquids or gasses from the wound to be vented through the apertures, through the pocket, and out the at least one vent hole passage to atmosphere; and 
 after the pressure is relieved or with negative pressure, the cover falls back onto the backing layer, thereby eliminating the pocket between the cover and the back surface of the backing layer and maintaining a seal around the wound. 
 
     
     
       2. The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer with the hydrogel pad attached thereto are temporarily held against a larger release layer. 
     
     
       3. The wound dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer is a polyethylene tape. 
     
     
       4. The wound dressing of  claim 1 , further including an adhesive-free tab a pull-tab on the backing layer to assist in removing the wound dressing from the release layer. 
     
     
       5. The wound dressing of  claim 1 , further including a pouch to protect the dressing, thereby providing a portable kit. 
     
     
       6. The wound dressing of claim 1, having a shape that is circular. 
     
     
       7. The wound dressing of claim 1, having a shape that is rectangular. 
     
     
       8. The wound dressing of claim 1, having a width in the range of 3 to 6 inches. 
     
     
       9. The wound dressing of claim 1, having a length in the range of 4 to 8 inches. 
     
     
       10. A wound dressing, comprising:
 a backing layer having a periphery, a front surface adapted for patient contact and a back surface facing away from the patient;   a hydrogel pad having a periphery attached to the front surface of the backing layer, the hydrogel pad and backing layer both further including aligned central apertures;   the periphery of the hydrogel pad being less than that of the backing layer;   a cover having an inner surface bonded directly to the back surface of the backing layer, with the periphery of the cover being larger that the aligned central apertures of the hydrogel pad and the backing layers, thereby forming a pocket between the back surface of the backing layer and the inner surface of the cover;   wherein the pocket formed between the back surface of the backing layer and the inner surface of the cover communicates with at least one passage enabling liquids or gasses from the wound to be vented through the apertures and the pocket to atmosphere; and   wherein, after the pressure is relieved or with negative pressure, the cover falls back onto the backing layer, thereby eliminating the pocket between the cover and the back surface of the backing layer and maintaining a seal around the wound.   
     
     
       11. The wound dressing of claim 10, wherein the backing layer with the hydrogel pad attached thereto are temporarily held against a release layer. 
     
     
       12. The wound dressing of claim 11, further including a pull-tab on the backing layer to assist in removing the wound dressing from the release layer. 
     
     
       13. The wound dressing of claim 10, further including a pouch to protect the dressing, thereby providing a portable kit. 
     
     
       14. The wound dressing of claim 10, wherein the wound dressing is circular. 
     
     
       15. The wound dressing of claim 10, wherein the wound dressing is rectangular. 
     
     
       16. The wound dressing of claim 10, having a width in the range of 3 to 6 inches. 
     
     
       17. The wound dressing of claim 10, having a length in the range of 4 to 8 inches.