| abstract |
A dressing for application to a skin surface promotes healing of lesions by the simultaneous selective localized application of compression and tension. The dressing comprises an elastically expansible pressure pouch, secured to the central part of the lower surface of an inelastic sheet, the sheet extending laterally beyond the pouch in every direction. A continuous adhesive zone completely surrounds the pouch for adhering the dressing to the intact skin surface surrounding the lesion. Means are provided to increase the pressure within the pouch after the dressing adhesive zone has been secured to the intact skin surface, whereby expansion of the pouch moves the central part of the sheet away from the lesion and maintains it there, thereby exerting tension on the sheet margin. The tension is everywhere centripetally directed and is transmitted through the adhesive zone to the intact skin surrounding the lesion. Pressure of the expanded pouch between the inelastic sheet and the lesion exerts compression on the lesion. |