WINDOW DRESSING HAVING FORCE CONCENTRATING ADHESION ELEMENTS

摘要

A dressing includes a cover layer and a plurality of force concentration elements disposed about a perimeter of the cover layer. Each force concentration element is configured to collect and distribute shearing forces applied to the dressing so as to retain the dressing to a patient. When configured as a window dressing, the window dressing can include a top layer defining a window and a backing layer coupled to the top layer and spanning the window. A plurality of adhesive islands can be disposed about a perimeter of the top layer, with each of the adhesive islands having a first adhesion coefficient associated therewith. An adhesive layer can be disposed about the adhesive islands. The adhesive layer can have a second adhesion coefficient associated therewith that is less than the first adhesion coefficient. Window dressings are well suited for catheterization procedures.