Patent Publication Number: US-2023142359-A1

Title: Negative pressure wound treatment apparatuses and methods with integrated electronics

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No. 1718070.4, filed on Nov. 1, 2017 and Great Britain Patent Application No. 1805582.2, filed on Apr. 5, 2018 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties and made part of this disclosure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     Embodiments described herein relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods the treatment of wounds, for example using dressings in combination with negative pressure wound therapy. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The treatment of open or chronic wounds that are too large to spontaneously close or otherwise fail to heal by means of applying negative pressure to the site of the wound is well known in the art. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems currently known in the art commonly involve placing a cover that is impermeable or semi-permeable to fluids over the wound, using various means to seal the cover to the tissue of the patient surrounding the wound, and connecting a source of negative pressure (such as a vacuum pump) to the cover in a manner so that negative pressure is created and maintained under the cover. It is believed that such negative pressures promote wound healing by facilitating the formation of granulation tissue at the wound site and assisting the body&#39;s normal inflammatory process while simultaneously removing excess fluid, which may contain adverse cytokines and/or bacteria. However, further improvements in NPWT are needed to fully realize the benefits of treatment. 
     Many different types of wound dressings are known for aiding in NPWT systems. These different types of wound dressings include many different types of materials and layers, for example, gauze, pads, foam pads or multi-layer wound dressings. One example of a multi-layer wound dressing is the PICO dressing, available from Smith &amp; Nephew, which includes a superabsorbent layer beneath a backing layer to provide a canister-less system for treating a wound with NPWT. The wound dressing may be sealed to a suction port providing connection to a length of tubing, which may be used to pump fluid out of the dressing and/or to transmit negative pressure from a pump to the wound dressing. 
     Prior art dressings for use in negative pressure such as those described above have included a negative pressure source located in a remote location from the wound dressing. Negative pressure sources located remote from the wound dressing have to be held by or attached to the user or other pump support mechanism. Additionally, a tubing or connector is required to connect the remote negative pressure source to the wound dressing. The remote pump and tubing can be cumbersome and difficult to hide in or attach to patient clothing. Depending on the location of the wound dressing, it can be difficult to comfortably and conveniently position the remote pump and tubing. When used, wound exudate may soak into the dressing, and the moisture from the wound has made it difficult to incorporate electronic components into the dressing. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. Some of the wound treatment apparatuses described herein comprise a negative pressure source or a pump system for providing negative pressure to a wound. Wound treatment apparatuses may also comprise wound dressings that may be used in combination with the negative pressure sources and pump assemblies described herein. In some embodiments, a negative pressure source is incorporated into a wound dressing apparatus so that the wound dressing and the negative pressure source are part of an integral or integrated wound dressing structure that applies the wound dressing and the negative pressure source simultaneously to a patient&#39;s wound. The negative pressure source and/or electronic components may be positioned between a wound contact layer and a cover layer of the wound dressing. An electronics assembly can be incorporated into a protective enclosure formed at least in part by a flexible film and the flexible film can have windows of porous material. These and other embodiments as described herein are directed to overcoming particular challenges involved with incorporating a negative pressure source and/or electronic components into a wound dressing. 
     According to one embodiment, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer comprising a proximal wound-facing face and a distal face, wherein the proximal wound-facing face is configured to be positioned in contact with a wound, an absorbent layer over the wound contact layer, the absorbent layer comprising one or more apertures, a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the absorbent layer, and an electronics assembly comprising a negative pressure source, wherein a portion of the cover layer overlying the one or more apertures in the absorbent layer is configured to be compressed within the aperture in the absorbent layer when negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing apparatus and wherein the compressed cover layer indicates a level of negative pressure below the cover layer. 
     The wound dressing apparatus of the preceding paragraph or in other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The one or more apertures can be circular, rectangular, triangular, or oval shaped apertures. The one or more apertures can comprise circular shaped apertures between 3 mm to 7 mm in diameter. The one or more apertures in the absorbent layer can comprise an array of apertures. The array of apertures can comprise three apertures in the array. The one or more apertures can be positioned in a portion of the absorbent layer adjacent to the electronics assembly. 
     According to another embodiment, a wound dressing apparatus can comprise a wound contact layer comprising a proximal wound-facing face and a distal face, wherein the proximal wound-facing face is configured to be positioned in contact with a wound, an indicator material layer, and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer and the indicator material layer, wherein the indicator material layer is configured to protrude relative to a surrounding surface of an upper surface of the wound dressing apparatus when negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing apparatus, and wherein the protruding indicator material layer indicates a level of negative pressure below the cover layer. 
     The wound dressing apparatus of the preceding paragraph or in other embodiments can include one or more of the following features. The indicator material layer can be configured to provide a visual or a tactile indication of negative pressure. The indicator material layer can have a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a semi-circle on a rectangle, a triangle, and a semi-circle. The indicator material layer can comprise a length that is less than the length of the cover layer. The indicator material layer can comprise a width that is less than the width of the cover layer. The indicator material layer can comprise an absorbent material. The wound dressing apparatus can further comprise a transmission layer comprising a proximal wound-facing face and a distal face, the transmission layer positioned above the distal face of the wound contact layer. The indicator material layer can comprise a width that is less than the width of the transmission layer. The indicator material layer can comprise a length that is less than the length of the transmission layer. The wound dressing apparatus can further comprise at least one absorbent layer. The indicator material layer can comprise a width that is less than the width of the at least one absorbent layer. The indicator material layer can comprise a length that is less than the length of the at least one absorbent layer. The at least one absorbent layer can comprise a first absorbent layer comprising a proximal wound-facing face and a distal face, and a second absorbent layer comprising a proximal wound-facing face and a distal face, the second absorbent layer positioned on the distal face of the first absorbent layer. The second absorbent layer can comprise the indicator material layer. The wound dressing apparatus can comprise an electronics area and an absorbent area, wherein the absorbent area is configured to be positioned over the wound and the electronics area is configured to receive an electronics assembly positioned underneath the cover layer. The wound dressing apparatus can further comprise a negative pressure source positioned underneath the cover layer in the electronics area. The indicator material layer can be positioned at a portion of the absorbent area adjacent to the electronics area. The indicator material layer can comprise an extension that extends from the electronics area into a portion of the absorbent area. The indicator material layer can be positioned within the absorbent area. 
     Any of the features, components, or details of any of the arrangements or embodiments disclosed in this application, including without limitation any of the pump embodiments and any of the negative pressure wound therapy embodiments disclosed below, are interchangeably combinable with any other features, components, or details of any of the arrangements or embodiments disclosed herein to form new arrangements and embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  illustrate a wound dressing incorporating the source of negative pressure and/or other electronic components within the wound dressing; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  illustrate embodiments of an electronics unit incorporated into a wound dressing; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates an embodiment of wound dressing layers incorporating the electronic components within the wound dressing; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates a cross sectional layout of the material layers of the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly within the dressing; 
         FIG.  3 C  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the wound dressing incorporating an electronic assembly within the dressing; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate an embodiment of a housing of the electronics assembly enclosing the electronics unit within; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate embodiments of the electronics assembly positioned within an aperture in wound dressing layers; 
         FIG.  6    is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an electronics assembly enclosing an electronics unit within a housing; 
         FIG.  7 A  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the electronics assembly of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIGS.  7 B- 7 D  show embodiments of a lower wound facing surface of an electronics assembly; 
         FIG.  7 E  illustrates a top perspective view of the electronics assembly of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIGS.  7 F- 7 G  show embodiments of an upper surface of an electronics assembly; 
         FIG.  7 H  illustrates an embodiment of a top surface of a flexible circuit board of the electronics unit; 
         FIG.  7 I  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an electronics assembly; 
         FIGS.  8  and  9 A  illustrate an embodiment of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly within the wound dressing layers; 
         FIG.  9 B  illustrates a cross sectional layout of the material layers of the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly within the dressing; 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 G  illustrate embodiments of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly and negative pressure indicators within the dressing layers; 
         FIGS.  11 A- 11 B  illustrates an embodiment of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly and negative pressure indicators within the dressing layers; 
         FIGS.  11 C- 11 D  illustrates an embodiment of a dressing layer of a wound dres sing; 
         FIGS.  12 A- 12 G, and  13 A- 13 D  illustrate embodiments of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly and negative pressure indicators within the dressing layers; and 
         FIGS.  14 A- 14 E  illustrate embodiments of various shapes and sizes for the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and methods of treating a wound with reduced pressure, including a source of negative pressure and wound dressing components and apparatuses. The apparatuses and components comprising the wound overlay and packing materials, if any, are sometimes collectively referred to herein as dressings. 
     It will be appreciated that throughout this specification reference is made to a wound. It is to be understood that the term wound is to be broadly construed and encompasses open and closed wounds in which skin is torn, cut or punctured or where trauma causes a contusion, or any other superficial or other conditions or imperfections on the skin of a patient or otherwise that benefit from reduced pressure treatment. A wound is thus broadly defined as any damaged region of tissue where fluid may or may not be produced. Examples of such wounds include, but are not limited to, abdominal wounds or other large or incisional wounds, either as a result of surgery, trauma, sterniotomies, fasciotomies, or other conditions, dehisced wounds, acute wounds, chronic wounds, subacute and dehisced wounds, traumatic wounds, flaps and skin grafts, lacerations, abrasions, contusions, burns, diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, stoma, surgical wounds, trauma and venous ulcers or the like. 
     It will be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are generally applicable to use in topical negative pressure (“TNP”) therapy systems. Briefly, negative pressure wound therapy assists in the closure and healing of many forms of “hard to heal” wounds by reducing tissue oedema; encouraging blood flow and granular tissue formation; removing excess exudate and may reduce bacterial load (and thus infection risk). In addition, the therapy allows for less disturbance of a wound leading to more rapid healing. TNP therapy systems may also assist on the healing of surgically closed wounds by removing fluid and by helping to stabilize the tissue in the apposed position of closure. A further beneficial use of TNP therapy can be found in grafts and flaps where removal of excess fluid is important and close proximity of the graft to tissue is required in order to ensure tissue viability. 
     As is used herein, reduced or negative pressure levels, such as -X mmHg, represent pressure levels relative to normal ambient atmospheric pressure, which can correspond to 760 mmHg (or 1 atm, 29.93 inHg, 101.325 kPa, 14.696 psi, etc.). Accordingly, a negative pressure value of -X mmHg reflects absolute pressure that is X mmHg below 760 mmHg or, in other words, an absolute pressure of (760-X) mmHg. In addition, negative pressure that is “less” or “smaller” than X mmHg corresponds to pressure that is closer to atmospheric pressure (e.g., −40 mmHg is less than −60 mmHg). Negative pressure that is “more” or “greater” than -X mmHg corresponds to pressure that is further from atmospheric pressure (e.g., −80 mmHg is more than −60 mmHg). In some embodiments, local ambient atmospheric pressure is used as a reference point, and such local atmospheric pressure may not necessarily be, for example, 760 mmHg. 
     The negative pressure range for some embodiments of the present disclosure can be approximately −80 mmHg, or between about −20 mmHg and −200 mmHg. Note that these pressures are relative to normal ambient atmospheric pressure, which can be 760 mmHg. Thus, −200 mmHg would be about 560 mmHg in practical terms. In some embodiments, the pressure range can be between about −40 mmHg and −150 mmHg. Alternatively a pressure range of up to −75 mmHg, up to −80 mmHg or over −80 mmHg can be used. Also in other embodiments a pressure range of below −75 mmHg can be used. Alternatively, a pressure range of over approximately −100 mmHg, or even −150 mmHg, can be supplied by the negative pressure apparatus. 
     In some embodiments of wound closure devices described herein, increased wound contraction can lead to increased tissue expansion in the surrounding wound tissue. This effect may be increased by varying the force applied to the tissue, for example by varying the negative pressure applied to the wound over time, possibly in conjunction with increased tensile forces applied to the wound via embodiments of the wound closure devices. In some embodiments, negative pressure may be varied over time for example using a sinusoidal wave, square wave, and/or in synchronization with one or more patient physiological indices (e.g., heartbeat). Examples of such applications where additional disclosure relating to the preceding may be found include U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,955, titled “Wound treatment apparatus and method,” issued on Aug. 7, 2012; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,894, titled “Wound cleansing apparatus with stress,” issued Jul. 13, 2010. The disclosures of both of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     International Application PCT/GB2012/000587, titled “WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF TREATMENT” and filed on Jul. 12, 2012, and published as WO 2013/007973 A2 on Jan. 17, 2013, is an application, hereby incorporated and considered to be part of this specification, that is directed to embodiments, methods of manufacture, and wound dressing components and wound treatment apparatuses that may be used in combination or in addition to the embodiments described herein. Additionally, embodiments of the wound dressings, wound treatment apparatuses and methods described herein may also be used in combination or in addition to those described in International Application No. PCT/IB2013/001469, filed May 22, 2013, titled “APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY,” published as WO 2013/175306 on Nov. 28, 2013, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/418,874, filed Jan. 30, 2015, published as U.S. Publication No. 2015/0216733, published Aug. 6, 2015, titled “WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF TREATMENT,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/418,908, filed Jan. 30, 2015, published as U.S. Publication No. 2015/0190286, published Jul. 9, 2015, titled “WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF TREATMENT,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/658,068, filed Mar. 13, 2015, U.S. Application No. 2015/0182677, published Jul. 2, 2015, titled “WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF TREATMENT,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Embodiments of the wound dressings, wound treatment apparatuses and methods described herein may also be used in combination or in addition to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/092,042, filed Apr. 21 2011, published as U.S. 2011/0282309, titled “WOUND DRESSING AND METHOD OF USE,” and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including further details relating to embodiments of wound dressings, the wound dressing components and principles, and the materials used for the wound dressings. 
     Embodiments of the wound dressings, wound treatment apparatuses and methods described herein relating to wound dressings with electronics incorporated into the dressing may also be used in combination or in addition to those described in PCT Application Number PCT/EP2017/055225, filed Mar. 6, 2017, titled “WOUND TREATMENT APPARATUSES AND METHODS WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE SOURCE INTEGRATED INTO WOUND DRESSING,” and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including further details relating to embodiments of wound dressings, the wound dressing components and principles, and the materials used for the wound dressings. 
     In some embodiments, a source of negative pressure (such as a pump) and some or all other components of the TNP system, such as power source(s), sensor(s), connector(s), user interface component(s) (such as button(s), switch(es), speaker(s), screen(s), etc.) and the like, can be integral with the wound dressing. The wound dressing can include various material layers described here and described in further detail in International Application No. PCT/EP2017/055225, filed Mar. 6, 2017, entitled WOUND TREATMENT APPARATUSES AND METHODS WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE SOURCE INTEGRATED INTO WOUND DRESSING. The material layers can include a wound contact layer, one or more absorbent layers, one or more transmission or spacer layers, and a backing layer or cover layer covering the one or more absorbent and transmission or spacer layers. The wound dressing can be placed over a wound and sealed to the wound with the pump and/or other electronic components contained under the cover layer within the wound dressing. In some embodiments, the dressing can be provided as a single article with all wound dressing elements (including the pump) pre-attached and integrated into a single unit. In some embodiments, a periphery of the wound contact layer can be attached to the periphery of the cover layer enclosing all wound dressing elements as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A- 1 C . 
     In some embodiments, the pump and/or other electronic components can be configured to be positioned adjacent to or next to the absorbent and/or transmission layers so that the pump and/or other electronic components are still part of a single article to be applied to a patient. In some embodiments, with the pump and/or other electronics positioned away from the wound site.  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  illustrates a wound dressing incorporating the source of negative pressure and/or other electronic components within the wound dressing.  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  illustrates a wound dressing  100  with the pump and/or other electronics positioned away from the wound site. The wound dressing can include an electronics area  161  and an absorbent area  160 . The dressing can comprise a wound contact layer  110  (not shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B ) and a moisture vapor permeable film or cover layer  113  positioned above the contact layer and other layers of the dressing. The wound dressing layers and components of the electronics area as well as the absorbent area can be covered by one continuous cover layer  113  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . 
     The dressing can comprise a wound contact layer  110 , a transmission layer  111 , an absorbent layer  112 , a moisture vapor permeable film or cover layer  113 ,  113  positioned above the wound contact layer, transmission layer, absorbent layer, or other layers of the dressing. The wound contact layer can be configured to be in contact with the wound. The wound contact layer can include an adhesive on the patient facing side for securing the dressing to the surrounding skin or on the top side for securing the wound contact layer to a cover layer or other layer of the dressing. In operation, the wound contact layer can be configured to provide unidirectional flow so as to facilitate removal of exudate from the wound while blocking or substantially preventing exudate from returning to the wound. 
     The wound contact layer  110  can be a polyurethane layer or polyethylene layer or other flexible layer which is perforated, for example via a hot pin process, laser ablation process, ultrasound process or in some other way or otherwise made permeable to liquid and gas. The wound contact layer  110  has a lower surface and an upper surface. The perforations preferably comprise through holes in the wound contact layer  110  which enable fluid to flow through the layer  110 . The wound contact layer  110  helps prevent tissue ingrowth into the other material of the wound dressing. Preferably, the perforations are small enough to meet this requirement while still allowing fluid to flow therethrough. For example, perforations formed as slits or holes having a size ranging from 0.025 mm to 1.2 mm are considered small enough to help prevent tissue ingrowth into the wound dressing while allowing wound exudate to flow into the dressing. In some configurations, the wound contact layer  110  may help maintain the integrity of the entire dressing  100  while also creating an air tight seal around the absorbent pad in order to maintain negative pressure at the wound. 
     Some embodiments of the wound contact layer  110  may also act as a carrier for an optional lower and upper adhesive layer (not shown). For example, a lower pressure sensitive adhesive may be provided on the lower surface of the wound dressing  100  whilst an upper pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be provided on the upper surface of the wound contact layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive, which may be a silicone, hot melt, hydrocolloid or acrylic based adhesive or other such adhesives, may be formed on both sides or optionally on a selected one or none of the sides of the wound contact layer. When a lower pressure sensitive adhesive layer is utilized it may be helpful to adhere the wound dressing  100  to the skin around a wound site. In some embodiments, the wound contact layer may comprise perforated polyurethane film. The lower surface of the film may be provided with a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive and the upper surface may be provided with an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive, which may help the dressing maintain its integrity. In some embodiments, a polyurethane film layer may be provided with an adhesive layer on both its upper surface and lower surface, and all three layers may be perforated together. 
     A layer  111  of porous material can be located above the wound contact layer  110 . As used herein, the terms porous material, spacer, and/or transmission layer can be used interchangeably to refer to the layer of material in the dressing configured to distribute negative pressure throughout the wound area. This porous layer, or transmission layer,  111  allows transmission of fluid including liquid and gas away from a wound site into upper layers of the wound dressing. In particular, the transmission layer  111  preferably ensures that an open air channel can be maintained to communicate negative pressure over the wound area even when the absorbent layer has absorbed substantial amounts of exudates. The layer  111  should preferably remain open under the typical pressures that will be applied during negative pressure wound therapy as described above, so that the whole wound site sees an equalized negative pressure. The layer  111  may be formed of a material having a three dimensional structure. For example, a knitted or woven spacer fabric (for example Baltex  7970  weft knitted polyester) or a non-woven fabric could be used. 
     The transmission layer assists in distributing negative pressure over the wound site and facilitating transport of wound exudate and fluids into the wound dressing. In some embodiments, the transmission layer can be formed at least partially from a three dimensional (3D) fabric. 
     In some embodiments, the transmission layer  111  comprises a 3D polyester spacer fabric layer including a top layer (that is to say, a layer distal from the wound-bed in use) which is a 84/144 textured polyester, and a bottom layer (that is to say, a layer which lies proximate to the wound bed in use) which is a 10 denier flat polyester and a third layer formed sandwiched between these two layers which is a region defined by a knitted polyester viscose, cellulose or the like monofilament fiber. Other materials and other linear mass densities of fiber could of course be used. 
     Whilst reference is made throughout this disclosure to a monofilament fiber it will be appreciated that a multistrand alternative could of course be utilized. The top spacer fabric thus has more filaments in a yarn used to form it than the number of filaments making up the yarn used to form the bottom spacer fabric layer. 
     This differential between filament counts in the spaced apart layers helps control moisture flow across the transmission layer. Particularly, by having a filament count greater in the top layer, that is to say, the top layer is made from a yarn having more filaments than the yarn used in the bottom layer, liquid tends to be wicked along the top layer more than the bottom layer. In use, this differential tends to draw liquid away from the wound bed and into a central region of the dressing where the absorbent layer  112  helps lock the liquid away or itself wicks the liquid onwards towards the cover layer  113  where it can be transpired. 
     Preferably, to improve the liquid flow across the transmission layer  111  (that is to say perpendicular to the channel region formed between the top and bottom spacer layers), the 3D fabric may be treated with a dry cleaning agent (such as, but not limited to, Perchloro Ethylene) to help remove any manufacturing products such as mineral oils, fats or waxes used previously which might interfere with the hydrophilic capabilities of the transmission layer. In some embodiments, an additional manufacturing step can subsequently be carried in which the 3D spacer fabric is washed in a hydrophilic agent (such as, but not limited to, Feran Ice 30 g/1 available from the Rudolph Group). This process step helps ensure that the surface tension on the materials is so low that liquid such as water can enter the fabric as soon as it contacts the 3D knit fabric. This also aids in controlling the flow of the liquid insult component of any exudates. 
     Further, an absorbent layer (such as layer  112 ) for absorbing and retaining exudate aspirated from the wound can be utilized. In some embodiments, a superabsorbent material can be used in the absorbent layer  112 . In some embodiments, the absorbent includes a shaped form of a superabsorber layer. 
     A layer  112  of absorbent material is provided above the transmission layer  111 . The absorbent material, which comprise a foam or non-woven natural or synthetic material, and which may optionally comprise a super-absorbent material, forms a reservoir for fluid, particularly liquid, removed from the wound site. In some embodiments, the layer  111  may also aid in drawing fluids towards the cover layer  113 . 
     The material of the absorbent layer  112  may also prevent liquid collected in the wound dressing from flowing freely within the dressing, and preferably acts so as to contain any liquid collected within the dressing. The absorbent layer  112  also helps distribute fluid throughout the layer via a wicking action so that fluid is drawn from the wound site and stored throughout the absorbent layer. This helps prevent agglomeration in areas of the absorbent layer. The capacity of the absorbent material must be sufficient to manage the exudates flow rate of a wound when negative pressure is applied. Since in use the absorbent layer experiences negative pressures the material of the absorbent layer is chosen to absorb liquid under such circumstances. A number of materials exist that are able to absorb liquid when under negative pressure, for example superabsorber material. The absorbent layer  112  may typically be manufactured from ALLEVYN™ foam, Freudenberg 114-224-4 or Chem-Posite™11C-450. In some embodiments, the absorbent layer  112  may comprise a composite comprising superabsorbent powder, fibrous material such as cellulose, and bonding fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the composite is an airlaid, thermally-bonded composite. 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent layer  112  is a layer of non-woven cellulose fibers having super-absorbent material in the form of dry particles dispersed throughout. Use of the cellulose fibers introduces fast wicking elements which help quickly and evenly distribute liquid taken up by the dressing. The juxtaposition of multiple strand-like fibers leads to strong capillary action in the fibrous pad which helps distribute liquid. In this way, the super-absorbent material is efficiently supplied with liquid. The wicking action also assists in bringing liquid into contact with the upper cover layer to aid increase transpiration rates of the dressing. 
     The wound dressing layers of the electronics area and the absorbent layer can be covered by one continuous cover layer or backing layer  113 . As used herein, the terms cover layer and/or backing layer can be used interchangeably to refer to the layer of material in the dressing configured to cover the underlying dressing layers and seal to the wound contact layer and/or the skin surrounding the wound. In some embodiments, the cover layer can include a moisture vapor permeable material that prevents liquid exudate removed from the wound and other liquids from passing through, while allowing gases through. 
     The cover layer  113  is preferably gas impermeable, but moisture vapor permeable, and can extend across the width of the wound dressing  100 . The cover layer  113 , which may for example be a polyurethane film (for example, Elastollan SP9109) having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side, is impermeable to gas and this layer thus operates to cover the wound and to seal a wound cavity over which the wound dressing is placed. In this way an effective chamber is made between the cover layer  113  and a wound site where a negative pressure can be established. The cover layer  113  is preferably sealed to the wound contact layer  110  in a border region around the circumference of the dressing, ensuring that no air is drawn in through the border area, for example via adhesive or welding techniques. The cover layer  113  protects the wound from external bacterial contamination (bacterial barrier) and allows liquid from wound exudates to be transferred through the layer and evaporated from the film outer surface. The cover layer  113  preferably comprises two layers; a polyurethane film and an adhesive pattern spread onto the film. The polyurethane film is preferably moisture vapor permeable and may be manufactured from a material that has an increased water transmission rate when wet. In some embodiments, the moisture vapor permeability of the cover layer increases when the cover layer becomes wet. The moisture vapor permeability of the wet cover layer may be up to about ten times more than the moisture vapor permeability of the dry cover layer. 
     The electronics area  161  can include a source of negative pressure (such as a pump) and some or all other components of the TNP system, such as power source(s), sensor(s), connector(s), user interface component(s) (such as button(s), switch(es), speaker(s), screen(s), etc.) and the like, that can be integral with the wound dressing. For example, the electronics area  161  can include a button or switch  114  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B . The button or switch  114  can be used for operating the pump (e.g., turning the pump on/off). 
     The absorbent area  160  can include an absorbent material  112  and can be positioned over the wound site. The electronics area  161  can be positioned away from the wound site, such as by being located off to the side from the absorbent area  160 . The electronics area  161  can be positioned adjacent to and in fluid communication with the absorbent area  160  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . In some embodiments, each of the electronics area  161  and absorbent area  160  may be rectangular in shape and positioned adjacent to one another. In  FIG.  1 C , the electronics area  161  is noted as area “A” and the absorbent area  160  is noted as area “B”. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 C , electronic components  150  can be positioned within a recess or cut out of the absorbent material  112  but off to the side of the absorbent area. As shown in the cross sectional view of the wound dressing layers in  FIG.  1 C , the absorbent material  112  can be positioned on both sides of the electronic components  150 . 
     In some embodiments, additional layers of dressing material can be included in the electronics area  161 , the absorbent area  160 , or both areas. In some embodiments, the dressing can comprise one or more transmission or spacer layers and/or one or more absorbent layer positioned above the wound contact layer  110  and below the cover layer  113  of the dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the electronics area  161  of the dressing can comprise electronic components  150 . In some embodiments, the electronics area  161  of the dressing can comprise one or more layers of transmission or spacer material and/or absorbent material and electronic components  150  can be embedded within the one or more layers of transmission or spacer material and/or absorbent material. The layers of transmission or absorbent material can have recesses or cut outs to embed the electronic components  150  within whilst providing structure to prevent collapse. The electronic components  150  can include a pump, power source, controller, and/or an electronics package. 
     A pump exhaust can be provided to exhaust air from the pump to the outside of the dressing. The pump exhaust can be in communication with the electronics area  161  and the outside of the dressing. 
     As used herein the upper layer, top layer, or layer above refers to a layer furthest from the surface of the skin or wound while the dressing is in use and positioned over the wound. Accordingly, the lower surface, lower layer, bottom layer, or layer below refers to the layer that is closest to the surface of the skin or wound while the dressing is in use and positioned over the wound. Additionally, the layers can have a proximal wound-facing face referring to a side or face of the layer closest to the skin or wound and a distal face referring to a side or face of the layer furthest from the skin or wound. Also, as used herein, the upper surface or top surface refers to the surface of the dressing that is furthest from the surface of the skin or wound while the dressing is in use and positioned over the wound, and the bottom surface or lower surface refers to the surface of the dressing that is closest to the surface of the skin or wound while the dressing is in use and positioned over the wound. 
       FIG.  1 A- 1 C  illustrates a wound dressing apparatus incorporating the pump and/or other electronic components within the wound dressing and offset from the absorbent layer. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  1 C , the absorbent area  160  comprises a transmission layer  111  positioned above the wound contact layer  110 . An absorbent layer  112  can be provided above the transmission layer  111 . In some embodiments, the electronics area  161  can include an electronics unit (shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ). In some embodiments, the electronics unit is provided directly over the wound contact layer. In other embodiments, the electronics unit can be placed above a layer of wicking material, absorbent material, or transmission material that sits above the wound contact layer  110  of the dressing. For example, as shown in  FIG.  1 C , the electronics unit  150  may be positioned over the transmission layer  111 . In some embodiments, the transmission layer  111  can be a single layer of material extending below the electronics unit  150  and the absorbent material  112 . Thus, in some embodiments, the transmission layer  111  extends continuously through the absorbent area  160  and the electronics area  161 . In alternative embodiments, the transmission layer below the electronics unit can be a different transmission layer than the transmission layer below the absorbent material  112 . The transmission layer  111 , absorbent material  112 , and electronics unit  150  can be covered with a cover layer  113  that seals to a perimeter of the wound contact layer  110  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . 
     The electronics area  161  can include an electronics unit  150  positioned below the cover layer  113  of the dressing. In some embodiments, the electronics unit can be surrounded by a material to enclose or encapsulate a negative pressure source and electronics components by surrounding the electronics. In some embodiments, this material can be a casing. In some embodiments, the electronics unit can be encapsulated or surrounded by a protective coating, for example, a hydrophobic coating as described herein. The electronics unit can be in contact with the dressing layers in the absorbent area  160  and covered by the cover layer  113 . As used herein, the electronics unit includes a lower or wound facing surface that is closest to the wound and an opposite, upper surface, furthest from the wound when the wound dressing is placed over a wound. 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates an embodiment of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics unit  150  within the dressing. In some embodiments, the electronics sub assembly or electronics unit  150  can be embedded in an aperture or hole in an absorbent layer  112  towards one end of the dressing, as depicted in  FIG.  1 C . 
     In some embodiments, the absorbent components and electronics components can be overlapping but offset. For example, a portion of the electronics area can overlap the absorbent area, for example overlapping the superabsorber layer, but the electronics area is not completely over the absorbent area. Therefore, a portion of the electronics area can be offset from the absorbent area. The dressing layer and electronic components can be enclosed in a wound contact layer  110  positioned below the lower most layer and a cover layer  113  positioned above the absorbent layer  112  and electronics  150 . The wound contact layer  110  and cover layer  113  can be sealed at a perimeter enclosing the dressing components. In some embodiments, the cover layer can be in direct physical contact with the absorbent material, and/or the electronics unit. In some embodiments, the cover layer can be sealed to a portion of the electronics unit and/or casing, for example, in areas where holes or apertures are used to accommodate the electronic components (e.g. a switch and/or exhaust). 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  illustrate embodiments of an electronics unit  267  that can be incorporated into a wound dressing.  FIG.  2 A  illustrates the top view of the electronics unit.  FIG.  2 B  illustrates a bottom or wound facing surface of the electronics unit. The electronics unit  267  can include a pump  272  and one or more batteries  268 . The electronics unit  267  can include a flexible circuit board  276  configured to be in electrical communication with the pump  272  and/or batteries  268 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2 A , the electronics unit  267  can include single button or switch  265  on the upper surface of the unit. The single button or switch  265  can be used as an on/off button or switch to stop and start operation of the pump and/or electronic components. The switch  265  can be a dome type switch configured to sit on the top of the pump. Because the switch is situated within the dressing the cover layer can be easily sealed around or over the switch. In some embodiments, the cover layer can have an opening or hole positioned above the switch. The cover layer can be sealed to the outer perimeter of the switch  265  to maintain negative pressure under the wound cover. The switch can be placed on any surface of the electronics unit and can be in electrical connection with the pump. 
     The electronics unit  267  can also include one or more vents or exhausts aperture  264  on the flexible circuit board for expelling the air exhausted from the pump. As shown in  FIG.  2 B , a pump outlet exhaust mechanism  274  can be attached to the outlet of the pump  272 . The vent or exhaust aperture  264  can be in fluid communication with a pump exhaust mechanism  274  positioned at the outlet of the pump and extending to the lower surface of the flexible circuit board. In some embodiments, an exhaust vent  264  on the flexible circuit board can provide communication with the top surface of the dressing and allow the pump exhaust to be vented from the electronics unit. In some embodiments, the exhaust mechanism  274  can be attached to the outlet end of the pump and can extend out from the pump at a 90-degree angle from the pump orientation to communicate with the bottom surface of the flexible circuit board. In some embodiments, the exhaust mechanism  274  can include an antibacterial membrane and/or a non-return valve. In some embodiments, the exhaust vent  264  can include an antibacterial membrane and/or a non-return valve. The exhausted air from the pump can pass through the pump outlet and exhaust mechanism  274 . In some embodiments, the cover layer  113  can include apertures or holes positioned above the exhaust vent  264  and/or membrane. The cover layer  113  can be sealed to the outer perimeter of the exhaust  264  to maintain negative pressure under the wound cover  113 . In some embodiments, the exhausted air can be exhausted through the gas permeable material or moisture vapor permeable material of the cover layer. In some embodiments, the cover layer does not need to contain apertures or holes over the exhaust and the exhausted air is expelled through the cover layer. In some embodiments, the pump outlet mechanism  274  can be a custom part formed to fit around the pump as shown in  FIG.  2 B . The electronic unit  267  can include a pump inlet protection mechanism  280  as shown in  FIG.  2 C  positioned on the portion of the electronic unit closest to the absorbent area and aligned with the inlet of the pump  272 . The pump inlet protection mechanism  280  is positioned between the pump inlet and the absorbent area or absorbent layer of the dressing. The pump inlet protection mechanism  280  can be formed of a hydrophobic material to prevent fluid from entering the pump  272 . 
     In some embodiments, the upper surface of the electronics unit can include one or more indicators  266  for indicating a condition of the pump and/or level of pressure within the dressing. The indicators can be small LED lights or other light source that are visible through the dressing components or through holes in the dressing components above the indicators. The indicators can be green, yellow, red, orange, or any other color. For example, there can be two lights, one green light and one orange light. The green light can indicate the device is working properly and the orange light can indicate that there is some issue with the pump (e.g. dressing leak, saturation level of the dressing, and/or low battery). 
       FIG.  2 A- 2 B  illustrates an embodiment of an electronics unit  267 . The electronics unit  267  can include a pump  272  and one or more batteries  268  or other power source to power the pump  272  and other electronics. The pump can operate at about 27 volts or about 30 volts. The two batteries can allow for a more efficient voltage increase (6 volts to 30 volts) than would be possible with a single battery. 
     The batteries  268  can be in electrical communication with a flexible circuit board  276 . In some embodiments, one or more battery connections are connected to a surface of the flexible circuit board  276 . In some embodiments, the flexible circuit board can have other electronics incorporated within. For example, the flexible circuit board may have various sensors including, but not limited to, one or more pressure sensors, temperature sensors, optic sensors and/or cameras, and/or saturation indicators. 
     In such embodiments, the components of the electronics unit  267  may include a protective coating to protect the electronics from the fluid within the dressing. The coating can provide a means of fluid separation between the electronics unit  267  and the absorbent materials of the dressing. The coating can be a hydrophobic coating including, but not limited to, a silicone coating or polyurethane coating. In some embodiments, the electronics unit  267  can be encapsulated in a protective housing or enclosure as described in more detail herein. The pump inlet component or pump inlet protection mechanism can be used to protect the pump from fluid on the inlet and the pump outlet mechanism can include a non-return valve that protects fluid from entering the outlet as described in more detail with reference to PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2017/055225, filed Mar. 6, 2017, titled WOUND TREATMENT APPARATUSES AND METHODS WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE SOURCE INTEGRATED INTO WOUND DRESSING and PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2017/059883, filed Apr. 26, 2017, titled WOUND DRESSINGS AND METHODS OF USE WITH INTEGRATED NEGATIVE PRESSURE SOURCE HAVING A FLUID INGRESS INHIBITION COMPONENT, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. The pump inlet component or pump inlet protection mechanism can be a component that inhibits fluid ingress. The pump inlet component or pump inlet protection mechanism can allow gas (e.g., air) but inhibit liquid (e.g., wound exudate) from passing through. The pump inlet component or pump inlet protection mechanism can be a porous structure that provides a plurality of flow paths between an interior of the wound dressing and the pump. The plurality of flow paths can inhibit occlusion (e.g., from wound exudate) of the pump. In some embodiments, the component can be made of or coated with a hydrophobic material that repels wound exudate, thereby inhibiting the ingress of fluid into the component and ultimately the pump. 
     The electronics unit  267  includes one or more slits, grooves or recesses  271  in the unit between the pump and the two batteries. The slits, grooves or recesses  271  can allow for the electronics unit  267  to be flexible and conform to the shape of the wound. The unit  267  can have two parallel slits, grooves or recesses  271  forming three segments of the electronics unit  267 . The slits, grooves or recesses  271  of the unit  267  create hinge points or gaps that allows for flexibility of the electronics unit at that hinge point. The pump exhaust vent  264 , switch  265 , and indicator  266  are shown on the top surface of the electronics unit  267 . As illustrated, one embodiment of the electronics unit  267  has two hinge points to separate the unit into three regions or panels, for example one to contain one battery, one to contain the pump, and one to contain another battery. In some embodiments, the slits, grooves or recesses may extend parallel with a longitudinal axis of the dressing that extends along the length of the dressing through the electronics area of the dressing through the absorbent area of the dressing. 
       FIG.  3 A  illustrates an embodiment of wound dressing layers incorporating the electronic components within the wound dressing.  FIG.  3 A  illustrates a wound dressing with a wound contact layer  310  configured to contact the wound. The wound contact layer  310  can be a similar material and have a similar function as the wound contact layer described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . A transmission layer or spacer layer  311  is provided over the wound contact layer. The transmission layer or spacer layer  311  can be a similar material and have a similar function as the transmission layer or spacer layer described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . The transmission layer  311  can assist in transmitting and distributing negative pressure over the wound site. 
     A first layer of apertured absorbent material  351  can be provided over the transmission layer  311 . The first apertured absorbent layer  351  can include one or more apertures  329 . In some embodiments, the apertures  329  can be sized and shaped to fit the electronics unit  350  therein. The first apertured absorbent layer  351  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area and does not extend into the absorbent area. In some embodiments, the apertures  329  can be shaped and sized to fit the individual components of the electronics unit  350 . 
     A second apertured absorbent layer  322  can be provided over the first absorbent layer  351 . In some embodiments, the second absorbent layer  322  includes one or more apertures  328 . The second absorbent layer  322  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area and the absorbent area. In some embodiments, the apertures  328  can be shaped and sized to fit the individual components of the electronics unit  350 . The first and second absorbent layers  351  and  322  can be a similar material and have a similar function as the absorbent layer described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . 
     An electronics unit  350  can be positioned in the apertures  328  and  329  of the first and second absorbent material  351  and  322 . The electronics unit  350  can be similar to the electronics unit described with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B . The electronics unit  350  can include a pump  327 , power source  326 , and a printed circuit board  381 . In some embodiments, the pump  327  can include a pump inlet mechanism  710  and an outlet mechanism  382 . In some embodiments, the printed circuit board  381  can include electronics including but not limited to a switch, sensors, and LEDs as described herein. In some embodiments, the circuit board  381  can include one or more hole to be positioned over one or more exhaust vents (not shown) in the outlet mechanism  382  as described in more detail herein. 
     An overlay layer  317  can be provided over the electronics components  350  and absorbent layer  322 . In some embodiments, the overlay layer  317  can be one or more layers of absorbent and/or transmission material as described herein. In some embodiments, the overlay layer  317  can comprise a conformable material overlaying and overbordering the perimeter of the lower layers of transmission and absorbent materials. In some embodiments, the overlay layer  317  can soften the edges of the wound dressing layers by decreasing the profile around the edges of the dressing layers. The overlay layer  317  can protect the cover layer from being punctured by the lower layers when the cover layer is sealed over the dressing layers below. The overlay layer  317  can include an aperture  371  to allow access to at least a portion of the electronics unit  350  positioned below. 
     A cover layer or backing layer  313  can be positioned over the overlay layer  317 . The cover layer or backing layer  313  can be a similar material and have a similar function as the cover layer or backing layer described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . In some embodiments, when the overlay layer  317  is not used, the cover layer or backing layer  313  can be provided above absorbent layers  322 , and/or electronic components  350 . The cover layer  313  can form a seal to the wound contact layer  310  at a perimeter region enclosing the overlay layer  317 , absorbent layers  322  and  351 , electronic components  350 , and the transmission layer  311 . In some embodiments, the cover layer  313  can be a flexible sheet of material that forms and molds around the dressing components when they are applied to the wound. In other embodiments, the cover layer  313  can be a material that is preformed or premolded to fit around the dressing components as shown in  FIG.  3 A . As used herein, the terms cover layer and backing layer can be used interchangeably to refer to the layer of material in the dressing configured to cover the layers of the wound dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the cover layer or backing layer  313  can include an aperture  372 . The aperture  372  can be positioned over at least a portion of the aperture  371  in the overlay layer  317  to allow access to at least a portion of the electronics unit  350  positioned below. In some embodiments, the apertures  371  and  372  can allow access to the switch and/or venting holes of the pump exhaust. 
     A label  341  can be provided over the apertures  371  and  372  and positioned over the exposed portion of the electronic components  350 . The label can include the vent holes  342 , indicator portions  344 , and/or switch cover  343 . The indicator portions  344  can include holes or transparent regions  344  for positioning over the one or more indicators or LEDs on the printed circuit board  381  below the label  341 . The holes or transparent regions  344  can allow for the indicators or LEDs to be visible through the label  341 . In some embodiments, the switch cover  343  can include a dome shaped cover positioned over the switch on the printed circuit board  381 . In some embodiments, the label  341  can include embossed features for the switch cover  343 . In some embodiments, the embossed features of the switch cover  343  can prevent accidental activation or deactivation of the device. In some embodiments, the switch or switch cover  343  can include a tab on the switch to prevent accidental activation or deactivation. The vent holes  342  of the label can allow exhaust from the pump outlet mechanism to pass through the label and exit the wound dressing to be exhausted to the atmosphere. 
     In some embodiments, the label can be positioned on top of the cover layer or backing layer  313 . The label can seal to the cover layer to form a seal over the wound. In other embodiments, the label  341  can be positioned above the overlay layer  371  and below the cover layer or backing layer  313 . In such embodiments, the cover layer  313  can have one or more apertures over one or more components of the label  341 . For example, the cover layer  313  can have apertures over the vent holes  342 , indicator portions  344 , and/or switch cover  343 . 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrates a cross sectional layout of the material layers of the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly within the dressing. The dressing  300  included multiple material layers and an electronics assembly  350 . The electronics assembly  350  is shown with the electronic components assembled into a single unit. The wound dressing  300  can include an electronics area  361  including the electronics and an absorbent area or dressing area  360  that is intended to be applied to the wound as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . 
     As described herein, the one or more material layers can extend into both the electronics area  361  and the dressing area  360 . The dressing  300  can include a wound contact layer  310 , transmission layer  311 , absorbent layers  322  and  351 , an overlay layer  317 , and a cover or backing layer  313  as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B . The absorbent layers  322  and  351  can include recesses or cutouts to receive the components of the electronics assembly  350  as described herein. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B  the small apertured absorbent layer  351  can be positioned on top of the large apertured absorbent layer  322 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  3 A  the small apertured absorbent layer  351  can be positioned on below of the large apertured absorbent layer  322 . 
     In some embodiments, the overlay layer  317  and/or the cover layer  313  can include a cut out or aperture positioned over the switch and/or indicators of the electronics assembly  350 . A label or covering  341  can be positioned to over at least a portion of the electronics assembly  350  and any cutouts in the overlay layer  317  and/or the cover layer  313 . The label or covering  341  can be similar to the label or covering  341  as described previously with reference to  FIG.  3 A . 
     Before use, the dressing can include a delivery layer  345  adhered to the bottom surface of the wound contact layer. The delivery layer  345  can cover adhesive or apertures on the bottom surface of the wound contact layer  310 . In some embodiments, the delivery layer  345  can provided support for the dressing and can assist in sterile and appropriate placement of the dressing over the wound and skin of the patient. The delivery layer  345  can include handles  346  that can be used by the user to separate the delivery layer  345  from the wound contact layer  310  before applying the dressing  300  to a wound and skin of a patient. 
       FIG.  3 C  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the wound dressing incorporating an electronic assembly within the dressing. 
       FIG.  3 C  shows a cover layer  313  and electronics covering  341  covering the overlay layer  317  and underlying dressing and electronics components. The cover layer  313  can seal to the wound contact layer  310  at a perimeter region of the wound contact layer  310 . In some embodiments, the label or electronics covering  341  can be positioned over the cover layer  313 . In other embodiments, the cover layer  313  can seal over the electronics covering  341 . In some embodiments, the cover layer  313  can include one or more holes in the cover layer  313  positioned over the switch and/or pump outlet vent(s). In some embodiments, the cover layer  313  can include a single hole that is positioned over the switch cover  343 , visual indicators  344 , and/or pump outlet vent(s)  342  in the covering or label  341  as shown in  FIG.  3 C . In some embodiments, the label can include embossed features for the switch cover  343 . In some embodiments, the embossed features of the switch cover  343  can prevent accidental activation or deactivation of the device. In some embodiments, the switch or switch cover  343  can include a tab on the switch to prevent accidental activation or deactivation. 
     The visual indicators  344  can provide an indication of operation of the negative pressure source and/or an indication of the level of negative pressure that is applied to the wound. In some embodiments, the visual indicators can include one or more light sources or LEDs. In some embodiments, the visual indicator light sources an illuminate to indicate a condition or change of condition. In some embodiments, the light source can illuminate in a particular sequence and/or color that indicates a condition. For example, in some embodiments, the light source can flash to notify the user that the device is operating properly. In some embodiments, the light source can automatically flash periodically and/or the light source can be activated by the switch or other button to light up and indicate a condition. 
     In some embodiments, the switch can be pressed and/or held down to power the dressing and electronics on and off. In some embodiments, once the switch is activated and the pump and associated colored LED, for example, green colored LED, can be used to confirm the dressing and integrated negative pressure source are operational. In some embodiments, during operation of the pump and dressing, the pump and dressing can enter the fault state indicated by a colored LED, for example, orange colored LED. 
     Electronic Assembly 
     The wound dressing described herein can utilize the embedded electronic assembly to generate negative pressure under the dressing. However, it can be important to protect the assembly from wound exudate or other bodily fluids that would corrode the electronics. It can also be important to protect the patient from the electric and electronic components. The electronics assembly can incorporate a pump that pull air from the dressing and exhaust to the environment in order to produce the required negative pressure differential. Therefore, it can be difficult to protect the electronics assembly and allow fluid communication between the electronic assembly and the dressing and environment surrounding the dressing. For example, complete encapsulation or potting of the assembly could prevent the movement of air from the dressing and atmosphere to the pump. In some embodiments, described previously herein, the electronic components of the electronics assembly can be protected from the environment by partial encapsulation, potting, and/or a conformable coating. In some embodiments, potting of electronic components can include a process of filling a complete electronic assembly with a solid or gelatinous compound for resistance to shock and vibration, exclusion of moisture, and/or exclusion of corrosive agents. 
     An electronics assembly can be used that includes an electronics unit positioned within an enclosure or housing, as illustrated in  FIG.  4 A , to be incorporated into a wound dressing. The electronics unit enclosed in the housing can be similar to the electronics unit described with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  but the electronics unit can be positioned within an enclosure or housing. The housing with the electronics unit enclosed within can be placed in the dressing.  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate an embodiment of an electronics assembly  400  enclosing an electronics unit  403  within a housing. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the housing of the electronics assembly  400  can include a plate  401  and flexible film  402  enclosing the electronics unit  403  within. The electronics unit  403  can include a pump  405 , inlet protection mechanism  410  (shown in  FIG.  4 B ), pump exhaust mechanism  406 , power source  407 , and flexible circuit board  409 . In some embodiments, the electronics unit  403  and pump  405  can be used without the inlet protection mechanism  410 . The flexible film  402  can be attached to the plate  401  by welding (heat welding) or adhesive bonding to form a fluid tight seal and enclosure around the electronic components. In some embodiments, the flexible film  402  can be attached to the plate at a perimeter of the plate by heat welding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, or any other attachment or bonding technique. 
     The flexible film  402  can be a flexible plastic polymeric film. In some embodiments, the flexible film  402  can be formed from any material flexible polymeric film or any flexible material that confirms around the electronics. The flexible film can maintain conformability and flexibility while protecting and insulating the components within. In some embodiments, the flexible film  402  can be formed from a flexible or stretchable material, such as one or more of polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, polycarbonate, polyethylene, methylated polyethylene, polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyethelene tetraphthalate (PET), polybutalene tetreaphthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetherimide (PEI), along with various fluropolymers (FEP) and copolymers, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the flexible film  402  can be formed from polyurethane. 
     The plate  401  can be a plastic polymer plate. In some embodiments, the plate can be a flexible material to allow conformability to movement or flexing of the dressing when it is applied to a wound. In some embodiments, the plate can be integrated with the components of the label described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . In other embodiments, the label can be a separate component attached to the top surface of the plate  401 . 
     The flexible film  402  and plate  401  can be waterproof to protect the electronics unit  403  from fluid within the dressing. In some embodiments, the flexible film  402  can be sized appropriately so as not to limit the flexibility of the assembly. In some embodiments, depending on the properties of the film  402 , the electronics assembly  400  can be thermoformed or vacuum formed to assist in the function of maintaining the flexibility of the assembly. In some embodiments, the electronics unit  403  can be bonded or adhered to the plate  401  within the housing such that the electronics unit  403  cannot move within. 
     In some embodiments, the housing can include one or more windows  404 . The windows  404  can be a porous film or membrane that can allow gas to pass through. The windows  404  can be a hydrophobic film or membrane. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic nature of the window  404  can repel wound fluids and prevent the leak of fluids into the electronics assembly  400 . In some embodiments, the windows  404  can include a bacterial filter. In some embodiments, the windows  404  can have the porosity that enables them to act as a bacterial filter and preventing bacterial release from the body fluids into the environment. The windows  404  can also prevent the ingress of bacteria from the environment to the wound site. 
     The electronics assembly  400  can have more than one window  404  or a larger window  404  to provide a sufficiently large area for air movement therethrough, thus minimizing the pressure drop across the membrane and hence the power consumption of the system in achieving the pressure differential. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B , the electronics assembly  400  can include several windows with a small area. In other embodiments, the electronics assembly can include a window with a single large area. 
     The electronics assembly  400  illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  can be incorporated within the wound dressing such that, once the dressing is applied to the body of the patient, air from within the dressing can pass through the windows  404  to be pumped out in the direction shown by the arrow on the pump  405 . The exhausted air from the pump can pass out of the pump assembly through the pump exhaust mechanism  406  and be exhausted or vented from the housing of the electronics assembly  400  through an aperture or vent  408  in the plate  401 . In some embodiments, the flexible circuit board  409  can be positioned between the exhaust mechanism  406  and the plate  401 . The flexible circuit board  409  can also include an aperture or vent aligned with the exhaust hole in the exhaust mechanism as described with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B . The vent hole or apertures in the exhaust mechanism  406 , flexible circuit board  409 , and plate  401  can be aligned and sealed to each other. This seal can ensure the pump exhaust is exhausted from the electronics assembly  400  through the vent  408  in the plate  401 . In other embodiments, the exhaust mechanism  406  of the electronics unit  403  can be positioned on and bonded directly to the plate  401  with an air tight seal. 
     The top side of the plate  401  (not shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B ) can include a label similar to the label described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . In other embodiments, the top side of the plate  401  can integrate the components of the label described with reference to  FIG.  3 A- 3 C  within the plate  401 . In such embodiments, a separate label is not needed. For example, in addition to the vent holes, the plate  401  can include the indicator portions and/or a switch cover described previously herein. 
     In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  400  can be embedded within the wound dressing in the same manner as the electronics unit described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . The dressing can have one or more absorbent layers within the dressing and the absorbent layers can have a single aperture or recess for receiving the electronics assembly within. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly can be positioned below the overlay layer similar to the electronics unit described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . In such embodiments, the overlay layer would include an aperture to allow access to at least a portion of the top surface of the plate  401 . 
     When the electronics assembly  400  is positioned within the dressing it can be positioned below the wound cover and the overlay layer similar to the electronics unit described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . In other embodiments, an overlay layer is not used and the electronics assembly  400  is positioned directly below the cover layer or backing layer. 
     The cover layer or backing layer can include an aperture exposing a portion of, most of, or all of the top surface of the plate  401 . The aperture in the cover layer can be positioned over at least a portion of the plate  401  to allow access to at least a portion of the plate  401  positioned below the cover layer. In some embodiments, the cover layer can have a plurality of apertures over one or more components of the label or top surface of the plate  401 . For example, the cover layer can have apertures over the vent holes, indicator portions, and/or switch cover. In other embodiments, the cover layer can have a single aperture over the one or more components of the label or top surface of the plate  401  including but not limited to the vent holes, indicator portions, and/or switch cover. 
     When a separate label is used, it can be applied to the dressing and exposed portion of the plate  401  as described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C , above or below the cover layer. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate embodiments of the electronics assembly  500  positioned within an aperture in wound dressing  510  layers. As illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B , the dressing  510  can include an absorbent area  560  and an electronics area  561  similar to the corresponding components described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C and  3 A- 3 C . The dressing can have one or more dressing layers similar to the layers described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C and  3 A- 3 C . The dressing layers can have a single aperture or recess for receiving the electronics assembly within. 
     The wound dressing  510  can be formed from a wound contact layer, a transmission layer, and one or more absorbent layers as shown in  FIGS.  1 A-C  and  3 A- 3 C. The one or more absorbent layers can have a single aperture to receive the electronics assembly  500 . The transmission layer and one or more absorbent materials can be covered with a cover layer  513  that seals to a perimeter of the wound contact layer as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . As illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B , the overlay layer is not used. The aperture in the one or more absorbent layers can be aligned with the aperture  520  in the cover layer  513 . 
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a top view of the electronics assembly  500  positioned in an electronics area  561  of the dressing  510 .  FIG.  5 A  illustrates a cover layer  513  of the dressing  510  with an electronics assembly  500  positioned in a recess in the dressing. The other layers of the wound dressing below the cover layer are not shown. The electronics assembly  500  can be similar to the electronics assembly described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B . The electronics assembly  500  can include an electronics unit enclosed within a housing including a plate  501  and a flexible film  502 . The plate  501  shown in  FIG.  5 A  can include the features of the label including the one or more vents  542 , one or more indicator portions  544 , and/or a button or switch  543 .  FIG.  5 B  illustrates an embodiment of the electronics assembly  500  removed from the electronics area  561  of the dressing  510 . The electronics assembly  500  is shown upside down with the windows facing up. 
     The electronics assembly can have a first side positioned on the wound facing side of the electronics assembly  500  when the dressing  510  is positioned over the wound. As illustrated, the flexible film  502  and windows  504  can form the first wound facing side of the electronics assembly  500  in contact with the dressing layer and facing the wound when the dressing is positioned over the wound. The electronics assembly  500  can have a second side opposite the first side. The plate  501  can form the second side of the electronics assembly and can be in contact with the environment when the dressing is positioned over the wound. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5 B , the flexible film  502  can have windows  504 . When the electronics assembly  500  is positioned on or in the wound dressing as shown in  FIG.  5 A , the windows  504  are in fluid communication with the layers within the wound dressing allowing the electronics assembly to generate negative pressure under the dressing  510 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an embodiment of an electronics assembly  600  enclosing an electronics unit within a housing. As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the housing of the electronics assembly  600  can include a plate  601  and flexible film  602  enclosing the electronics unit  603  within. The electronics unit  603  can include a pump  605 , inlet protection mechanism  610 , pump exhaust mechanism  606 , power source  607 , and flexible circuit board  609 . 
     The pump exhaust mechanism  606  can be similar to the pump exhaust mechanism  406 . However, the pump exhaust mechanism  606  and the pump  605  can sit within an extended casing  616 . 
     The flexible film  602  can be attached to the plate  601  by welding (heat welding) or adhesive bonding to form a fluid tight seal and enclosure around the electronic components. In some embodiments, the flexible film  602  can be attached to the plate at a perimeter of the plate by heat welding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, or any other attachment or bonding technique. 
     The flexible film  602  can be a flexible plastic polymeric film. In some embodiments, the flexible film  602  can be formed from any material flexible polymeric film or any flexible material that confirms around the electronics. The flexible film can maintain conformability and flexibility while protecting and insulating the components within. In some embodiments, the flexible film  602  can be formed from a flexible or stretchable material, such as one or more of polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, polycarbonate, polyethylene, methylated polyethylene, polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyethelene tetraphthalate (PET), polybutalene tetreaphthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyetherimide (PEI), along with various fluropolymers (FEP) and copolymers, or another suitable material. In some embodiments, the flexible film  602  can be formed from polyurethane. 
     The plate  601  can be a plastic polymer plate. In some embodiments, the plate can be a flexible material to allow conformability to movement or flexing of the dressing when it is applied to a wound. In some embodiments, the plate can be integrated with the components of the label described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . In other embodiments, the label can be a separate component attached to the top surface of the plate  601 . In some embodiments, the plate and/or label can have a larger surface area than the flexible circuit board and/or the electronics unit so that the flexible film  602  can seal to the outer perimeter of the plate and/or label around the flexible circuit board and/or the electronics unit 
     The flexible film  602  and plate  601  can be waterproof to protect the electronics unit  603  from fluid within the dressing. In some embodiments, the flexible film  602  can be sized appropriately so as not to limit the flexibility of the assembly. In some embodiments, depending on the properties of the film  602 , the electronics assembly  600  can be thermoformed or vacuum formed to assist in the function of maintaining the flexibility of the assembly. In some embodiments, the electronics unit  603  can be bonded or adhered to the plate  601  within the housing such that the electronics unit  603  cannot move within. 
     In some embodiments, the flexible film  603  can include an aperture  611 . The aperture  611  can allow the inlet protection mechanism  610  to be in fluid communication with the absorbent and/or transmission layers of the wound dressing. The perimeter of the aperture  611  of the flexible film  603  can be sealed or attached to the inlet protection mechanism  610  by welding (heat welding) or adhesive bonding to form a fluid tight seal and enclosure around the inlet protection mechanism  610  allowing the electronic components  603  to remain protected from fluid within the dressing. In some embodiments, the flexible film  602  can be attached to the inlet protection mechanism  610  at a perimeter of the inlet protection mechanism  610  by heat welding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, or any other attachment or bonding technique. The inlet protection mechanism  610  can prevent wound exudate or liquids from the wound and collected in the absorbent area  660  of the wound dressing from entering the pump and/or electronic components of the electronics assembly  600 . 
     The electronics assembly  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    can be incorporated within the wound dressing such that, once the dressing is applied to the body of the patient, air from within the dressing can pass through the inlet protection mechanism  610  to be pumped out toward the pump exhaust mechanism  606  in communication with an aperture in the casing  616  and flexible circuit board  609  as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the casing  616  can include an aperture or vent to allow the air exhausted from the pump exhaust mechanism  606  to pass through. The exhausted air from the pump can pass out of the pump assembly through the pump exhaust mechanism  606  and casing  616  and be exhausted or vented from the housing of the electronics assembly  600  through an aperture or vent in the plate  601 . In some embodiments, the flexible circuit board  609  can be positioned between the exhaust mechanism  606  and the plate  601 . The flexible circuit board  409  can also include an aperture or vent aligned with the exhaust hole in the exhaust mechanism as described with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B . The vent hole or apertures in the exhaust mechanism  606 , casing  616 , flexible circuit board  609 , and plate  601  can be aligned and sealed to each other. This seal can ensure the pump exhaust is exhausted from the electronics assembly  600  through the vent in the plate  601 . In other embodiments, the exhaust mechanism  606  of the electronics unit  603  can be positioned on and bonded directly to the plate  601  with an air tight seal. 
     The top side of the plate  601  (not shown in  FIG.  6   ) can include a label similar to the label described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . In other embodiments, the top side of the plate  601  can integrate the components of the label described with reference to  FIG.  3 A- 3 C  within the plate  601 . In such embodiments, a separate label is not needed. For example, in addition to the vent holes, the plate  601  can include the indicator portions and/or a switch cover as described herein. 
       FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  show a lower wound facing surface of an electronics assembly  700 .  FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  illustrate embodiments of an electronics assembly including a pump inlet protection mechanism  710  sealed to the exterior of the flexible film  702  as described herein with reference to  FIG.  6   . 
       FIGS.  7 E- 7 G  show an upper surface of the plate  701  of the electronics assembly  700 . The upper surface of the plate can include an on/off switch or button cover  743 , indicator portions  744 , and/or vent holes  742 . The on/off switch cover or button  743 , indicator portions  744 , and/or vent holes  742  can be similar to the switch cover or button and indictor portions described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C,  4 A- 4 B, and  5 A- 5 B . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  7 E,  7 F, and  7 G , the switch or button cover  743  can be positioned over the switch on the flexible circuit board of the electronics components as described herein. In some embodiments, the plate can include embossed features for the switch cover  743 . In some embodiments, the embossed features of the switch cover  743  can prevent accidental activation or deactivation of the device. In some embodiments, the switch or switch cover  743  can include a tab on the switch to prevent accidental activation or deactivation. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  7 E,  7 F, and  7 G , the indicator portions can include visual symbols or words to indicate the condition of the wound dressing and electronics. For example, as shown in  FIGS.  7 E,  7 F, and  7 G , one indicator portion can read “OK”. When the LED or light source associated with the “OK” indicator portion is illuminated the user is provided an indication that the dressing or electronics are functioning properly. An indicator portion can have a symbol, for example, a caution symbol similar to the symbol shown in  FIGS.  7 E- 7 G . When the LED or light source associated with the caution symbol on the indicator portion is illuminated the user is provided an indication that the dressing or electronics may not be functioning properly and/or there may be a leak. 
     The vent holes  742  of the plate can allow exhaust from the pump outlet mechanism to pass through the plate and exit the wound dressing to be exhausted to the atmosphere. 
       FIG.  7 H  illustrates an embodiment of a top surface of a flexible circuit board of the electronics unit. The top surface of the flexible circuit board can include light or LED indicators  762 , switch or button  763 , and vent apertures  764  as illustrated in  FIG.  7 H  and described in more detail herein. 
       FIG.  7 I  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the electronics assembly  700  and the pump inlet protection mechanism  710  is visible. 
     The electronics assembly  700  with the pump inlet protection mechanism  710  extending from and sealed to the film  702  can be positioned within the aperture  520  in the cover layer  513  and absorbent layer(s) (not shown) as shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  and described in more detail herein. In some embodiments, the perimeter of the electronics assembly  700  can be sealed to a top surface of the outer perimeter of the aperture  520  in the cover layer  513  as shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  and described in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  herein. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  700  is sealed to the cover layer  513  with a sealant gasket, adhesive, heat welding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, or any other attachment or bonding technique. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  700  can be permanently sealed to the cover layer  513  and could not be removed from the cover layer without destroying the dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  700  can be utilized in a single dressing and disposed of with the dressing. In other embodiments, the electronics assembly  700  can be utilized in a series of dressings. 
     Electronic Assembly Incorporated Within the Wound Dressing 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an embodiment of wound dressing layers for a wound dressing that can be used with the incorporates electronics components and/or electronics assembly described herein. The dressing layers and components of  FIG.  8    can be similar to the dressing layers and components described in  FIG.  3 A . However, the wound dressing illustrated in  FIG.  8    can incorporate electronic components and negative pressure source enclosed within an electronics assembly similar to the electronics assembly  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B ,  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B ,  FIG.  6   , and  FIGS.  7 A- 7 I .  FIG.  8    illustrates a wound dressing with a wound contact layer  810  configured to contact the wound. A transmission layer or spacer layer  811  is provided over the wound contact layer. The transmission layer  811  can assist in transmitting and distributing negative pressure over the wound site. 
     A first layer of apertured absorbent material  851  can be provided over the transmission layer  811 . The first apertured absorbent layer  851  can include one or more apertures  829 . In some embodiments, the aperture  829  can be sized and shaped to fit an electronics assembly and/or electronics unit therein. The first apertured absorbent layer  851  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area  861  and does not extend into the absorbent area  860 . In some embodiments, the aperture  829  can be shaped and sized to fit the electronics assembly formed from the plate and film described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 7 I . 
     A second apertured absorbent layer  822  can be provided over the first absorbent layer  851 . In some embodiments, the second absorbent layer  822  includes one or more apertures  828 . The second absorbent layer  822  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area  861  and the absorbent area  860 . In some embodiments, the aperture  828  can be shaped and sized to fit the electronics assembly formed from the plate and film described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 7 I . 
     A cover layer or backing layer  813  can be positioned over the absorbent material  822 . The cover layer  813  can form a seal to the wound contact layer  810  at a perimeter region enclosing the absorbent layers  822  and  851  and the transmission layer  811 . In some embodiments, the cover layer  813  can be a flexible sheet of material that forms and molds around the dressing components when they are applied to the wound. In other embodiments, the cover layer  813  can be a material that is preformed or premolded to fit around the dressing components as shown in  FIG.  8   . As used herein, the terms cover layer and backing layer can be used interchangeably to refer to the layer of material in the dressing configured to cover the layers of the wound dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the cover layer or backing layer  813  can include an aperture  872 . The aperture  372  can be positioned over at least a portion of the aperture  828  in the absorbent layer  822  to allow access and fluid communication to at least a portion of the absorbent layers  822  and  851 , transmission layer  811 , and would contact layer  810  positioned below. The wound contact layer, the transmission layer, and/or the absorbent layer can be optional layers and the wound dressing can be formed without any of these layers. 
     An electronics assembly can be positioned in the apertures  828 ,  829 , and  872  of the first and second absorbent material  851  and  822  and the cover layer  813 . The electronics assembly can include a pump, power source, and a printed circuit board as described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 5 B,  6 , and  7 A- 7 I . 
     Before use, the dressing can include one or more delivery layers  846  adhered to the bottom surface of the wound contact layer. The delivery layer  846  can cover adhesive or apertures on the bottom surface of the wound contact layer  810 . In some embodiments, the delivery layer  846  can provided support for the dressing and can assist in sterile and appropriate placement of the dressing over the wound and skin of the patient. The delivery layer  846  can include handles that can be used by the user to separate the delivery layer  846  from the wound contact layer  810  before applying the dressing to a wound and skin of a patient. 
       FIG.  9 A  illustrates an embodiment of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly  900  within the wound dressing layers  990 . The electronics assembly  900  can be provided within the aperture  872  in the cover layer and apertures  829  and  828  in the first and second absorbent layers. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  900  can seal to the outer perimeter of the aperture  872  of the cover layer. 
     The electronics assembly  900  can include the pump inlet protection mechanism extending from and sealed to the film as described in  FIGS.  6  and  7 A- 7 I . The electronics assembly  900  can be positioned within the apertures  872 ,  829 ,  828  in the cover layer and absorbent layer(s) as shown in  FIG.  9 A . In some embodiments, the perimeter of the electronics assembly  900  can be sealed to a top surface of the outer perimeter of the aperture  872  in the cover layer as shown in  FIG.  9 A . In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  700  is sealed to the cover layer  813  with a sealant gasket, adhesive, heat welding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, RF welding, or any other attachment or bonding technique. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  900  can be permanently sealed to the cover layer  813  and could not be removed from the cover layer without destroying the dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  900  can be utilized in a single dressing and disposed of with the dressing. In other embodiments, the electronics assembly  900  can be utilized or re-used (e.g., after sterilization) in a series of dressings. 
       FIG.  9 B  illustrates a cross sectional layout of the material layers of the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly within the dressing. The dressing included multiple material layers and an electronics assembly  900 . The wound dressing can include an electronics area  961  including the electronics and an absorbent area or dressing area  960  that is intended to be applied to the wound as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . 
     As described herein, the one or more material layers can extend into both the electronics area  961  and the dressing area  960 . The dressing can include a wound contact layer  810 , transmission layer  811 , absorbent layers  822  and  851 , and a cover or backing layer  813  as illustrated in  FIG.  9 B . The absorbent layers  822  and  851  and cover layer  813  can include recesses or cutouts to receive the components of the electronics assembly  900  as described with reference to  FIG.  9 A . In some embodiments, the small apertured absorbent layer  851  can be positioned on top of the large apertured absorbent layer  822 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  the small apertured absorbent layer  851  can be positioned below of the large apertured absorbent layer  922 . 
     In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  900  can be inserted and affixed in the dressing layers. As illustrated in  FIG.  9 A , the lower wound facing face of the film enclosing the electronics assembly can be sealed directly to the upper surface of the cover layer  813  of the dressing. 
     Before use, the dressing can include a delivery layer  846  adhered to the bottom surface of the wound contact layer  810 . The delivery layer  846  can cover adhesive or apertures on the bottom surface of the wound contact layer  810 . In some embodiments, the delivery layer  846  can provided support for the dressing and can assist in sterile and appropriate placement of the dressing over the wound and skin of the patient. The delivery layer  846  can include handles that can be used by the user to separate the delivery layer  846  from the wound contact layer  810  before applying the dressing to a wound and skin of a patient. 
     Pressure Indicators 
       FIG.  10 A  illustrates a wound dressing embodiment incorporating an electronics assembly within the dressing layers. As illustrated in  FIG.  10 A , the wound dressing comprises an absorbent area  1060  and an electronics area  1061 . The electronics assembly  1050  can be incorporated into the electronics area  1061  of the dressing. The outer perimeter of the electronics assembly  1050  can be sealed to the perimeter of the aperture (not shown) in the cover layer  1013  as described in more detail with reference to  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B . 
       FIG.  10 A  illustrates negative pressure indicators  1091  within the wound dressing to indicate when the components within the wound dressing  1000  are under negative pressure. As illustrated in  FIG.  10 A , the wound dressing includes an absorbent area  1060  adjacent to or offset from an electronics area  1061 . In some embodiments, the absorbent area  1060  can include absorbent material to absorb and retain fluids and/or wound exudate from the wound. In some embodiments, the electronics area  1061  can include the electronics assembly and/or electronics components as described herein. The negative pressure indicator can be a mechanical indicator. In some embodiments, the negative pressure indicator can be an indicator that does not require direct line of sight from the patient. For example, the negative pressure indicator can be an indicator that can be touched or felt by a patient or user. The negative pressure indicator  1091  can be aperture(s) or cut out(s) in an absorbent material of the dressing. Once negative pressure is applied under the cover layer, the dressing will tighten and the cover layer will compress as it sucks down into the aperture(s) or cut out(s) in the absorbent material. 
     In some embodiments, the negative pressure indicators  1091  can be a small hole array as illustrated in  FIG.  10 A . In some embodiments, there can be three small holes in the absorbent area  1060  of the dressing. In some embodiments, two sets of three small hole arrays can be used on opposite sides of the dressing extending longitudinally along the side edges of the dressing as shown in  FIG.  10 A . In some embodiments, an individual negative pressure indicator can be about 4 mm to about 5 mm in diameter.  FIG.  10 A  illustrates the negative pressure indicators  1091  in the decompressed position where the indicators feel and look soft.  FIG.  10 B  illustrates the negative pressure indicators  1091  in the compressed position where the indicators feel and look tight. 
     The negative pressure indicators can be formed from different types of step changes or indentations created in the dressing as a result of a cut out or hole in the absorbent layer. In some embodiments, the negative pressure indicator can be formed from the hole or cut out in the absorbent material with the cover layer covering the hole or cut out. In some embodiments, the hole or cut out in the absorbent material can be circular, rectangular, triangular, oval, or any other shape. When no vacuum is applied the area would feel loose, whilst under negative pressure the area would tighten and the stepped topography or indentation in the cover layer would be apparent. The stepped topography can be visualized and/or felt by the user. A small hole in the absorbent material as illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A- 10 B  can be used. In other embodiments, a large hole in the absorbent material coupled with another film material or a rectangular strip in the absorbent material coupled with another film material can be used. 
     The small hole cut in the absorbent material can be used in combination with the adhesive coated top film. The interaction between the two behave as described previously. Under pressure the absorbent material compresses and the film tightens revealing a film covered hole. This hole can be felt when the system is under negative pressure. When the system returns to ambient pressure, the film “relaxes” or “springs” back to its original state and the hole cannot be as easily felt through the top film material.  FIGS.  10 C- 10 D  illustrate cross sectional views of the holes before ( FIG.  10 C ) and during ( FIG.  10 D ) negative pressure application. The small hole (about 4 mm to about 5 mm in diameter) negative pressure indicators can allow for a tight step change topography when negative pressure is applied whilst hiding the stepped hole area when the dressing is returned to ambient pressure. 
     In other embodiments, a large hole with a non-adhesive film can be used as a negative pressure indicator. The large hole can be an aperture or cut out as described with the small holes. However, since the cover layer can be coated with an adhesive material, a non-adhesive film  1092  can be used within the large hole in the absorbent material  1022  to prevent the cover layer  1013  from remaining fixed to the lower layers of the dressing after the cover layer  1013  has been compressed down into the large hole and then returned to ambient pressure. 
       FIG.  10 E  illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a wound dressing with a negative pressure indicator  1091  with a large hole aperture in the absorbent material  1022 . As illustrated in  FIG.  10 E , the non-adhesive film  1092  can be positioned within the aperture or cut out in the absorbent material  1022 . When the system is under negative pressure, the cover layer  1013  can stick to the non-adhesive film material  1092  and tighten around the absorbent material  1022  creating the step change topography in the dressing defining the negative pressure indicator  1091 . Once the dressing returns to ambient pressure, the cover layer  1013  relaxes back to its original state. In some embodiments, the large hole can be a circular hole of 12 mm (about 12 mm) in diameter. In some embodiments, more than one large hole can be used. In some embodiments, an array of large holes can be used. 
     Additionally, in another embodiment, a strip within the absorbent material can be used with a non-adhesive film. This embodiment can be similar to the method as outline with the large hole and film described previously. However instead of a large hole within the absorbent material, there can be a strip extending along at least a portion of the length or width of the absorbent material. In some embodiments, when the dressing has a ‘T’ shape, the strip could be used to separate the electronics area from the absorbent area while still retaining both parts within the same dressing profile. In some embodiments, similar to the use in the large hole, the non-adhesive film can be cut to the size of the strip and used in the strip recess in the absorbent material as to prevent the top film from sticking to the lower spacer layer when the cover layer is compressed. 
       FIGS.  10 F- 10 G  illustrate a variety of holes in 5 rows of 3 hole arrays cut in the absorbent material, each row increasing in size from 3 mm to 7 mm diameters. The  3  hole arrays illustrate the various hole sizes that can be used in a wound dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the holes can be less than 3 mm, 3 mm (about 3 mm), 4 mm (about 4 mm), 5 mm (about 5 mm), 6 mm (about 6 mm), 7 mm (about 7 mm), or greater than 7 mm in diameter.  FIG.  10 F  illustrates the array of holes with various diameter holes under negative pressure.  FIG.  10 G  illustrates the array of holes with various diameter holes under ambient pressure. 
       FIGS.  11 A- 11 D,  12 A- 12 G, and  13 A- 13 B  illustrate embodiments of a wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly and negative pressure indicators within the dressing layers. 
       FIG.  11 A  illustrates an embodiment of wound dressing layers for a wound dressing that can incorporate electronic components and/or an electronics assembly described herein. The dressing layers and components of  FIG.  11 A  can be similar to the dressing layers and components described in  FIGS.  3 A,  8 , and  9 A- 9 B . However, the wound dressing illustrated in  FIG.  11 A  can incorporate electronic components and negative pressure source enclosed within an electronics assembly similar to the electronics assembly  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B ,  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B ,  FIG.  6   ,  FIGS.  7 A- 7 I,  8 , and  9 A- 9 B .  FIG.  11 A  illustrates a wound dressing with a wound contact layer  1110  configured to contact the wound. A transmission layer or spacer layer  1111  is provided over the wound contact layer. The transmission layer  1111  can assist in transmitting and distributing negative pressure over the wound site. 
     A small, apertured absorbent layer  1151  can be provided over the transmission layer  1111 . In some embodiments, the small absorbent layer  1151  includes one or more apertures  1129 . The small apertured absorbent layer  1151  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area  1161 . In some embodiments, the aperture  1129  can be shaped and sized to fit the electronics assembly formed from the plate and film described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 7 I . 
     A large, apertured absorbent material  1122  can be provided over the small apertured absorbent layer  1151 . The large apertured absorbent layer  1122  can include one or more apertures  1128 . In some embodiments, the aperture  1128  can be sized and shaped to fit an electronics assembly and/or electronics unit therein. The large absorbent layer  1122  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area  1161  and the absorbent area  1160 . 
     In some embodiments, the large, apertured absorbent layer and the small, apertured absorbent layer can be formed as one layer of absorbent material with varying thickness. For example, the single absorbent layer can have a portion of the absorbent layer in the electronics area that is thicker than a portion of the absorbent layer in the absorbent area. 
     A cover layer or backing layer  1113  can be positioned over the absorbent layers  1151  and  1122 . The cover layer  1113  can form a seal to the wound contact layer  1110  at a perimeter region enclosing the absorbent layers  1122  and  1151  and the transmission layer  1111 . In some embodiments, the cover layer  1113  can be a flexible sheet of material that forms and molds around the dressing components when they are applied to the wound. In other embodiments, the cover layer  1113  can be a material that is preformed or premolded to fit around the dressing components. 
     In some embodiments, the cover layer or backing layer  1113  can include an aperture  1172 . The aperture  1172  can be positioned over at least a portion of the aperture  1128  in the absorbent layer  1122  to allow access and fluid communication to at least a portion of the absorbent layers  1122  and  1151 , transmission layer  1111 , and wound contact layer  1110  positioned below. The wound contact layer, the transmission layer, and/or the absorbent layer can be optional layers and the wound dressing can be formed without any of these layers. 
       FIG.  11 A  illustrates an embodiment of a wound dressing for incorporating an electronics assembly within the wound dressing layers  1190 . The electronics assembly can be provided within the aperture  1172  in the cover layer and apertures  1129  and  1128  in the absorbent layers. In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  900  can seal to the outer perimeter of the aperture  1172  of the cover layer. 
       FIG.  11 B  illustrates a cross sectional layout of the material layers of the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly within the dressing. The dressing includes multiple material layers and an electronics assembly  1100 . The wound dressing can include an electronics area  1161  including the electronics and an absorbent area or dressing area  1160  that is intended to be applied to the wound as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . 
     As described herein, the one or more material layers can extend into both the electronics area  1161  and the dressing area  1160 . The dressing can include a wound contact layer  1110 , transmission layer  1111 , a large absorbent layer  1122 , a small absorbent layer  1151 , and a cover or backing layer  1113  as illustrated in  FIG.  11 B . The absorbent layers  1122  and  1151  and cover layer  1113  can include recesses or cutouts to receive the components of the electronics assembly  1100  as described with reference to  FIG.  11 A . The recesses or cutouts in the absorbent layers  1122  and  1151  and cover layer  1113  are not shown in  FIG.  11 B  as the cross section of the dressing shown in  FIG.  11 B  is the portion of the wound dressing adjacent to or offset from the apertures or recesses. In some embodiments, the small absorbent layer  1151  can be positioned on top of the large absorbent layer  1122 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS.  11 A- 11 B , the small absorbent layer  1151  can be positioned below the large absorbent layer  1122 . 
     In some embodiments, the electronics assembly  1100  can be inserted and affixed in the dressing layers. As illustrated in  FIG.  11 B , the lower wound facing face of the electronics assembly can be sealed directly to the upper surface of the cover layer  1113  of the dressing. Before use, the dressing can include a delivery layer  1146  adhered to the bottom surface of the wound contact layer  1110  as described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  11 A- 11 D , an absorbent layer  1151  can include an extension  1194  formed from an extended area of material of the small apertured absorbent material. The extension  1194  of absorbent material of the absorbent layer  1151  can form a pressure indicator used to indicate the application of negative pressure to the wound dressing. 
     The absorbent layer  1151  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area  1161  of the dressing and the extension  1194  extends into the absorbent area  1160  of the dressing as illustrated in  FIGS.  11 A- 11 B . As illustrated in  FIGS.  11 A- 11 D , the extension  1194  can extend from the portion  1195  of the absorbent layer  1151  that is in contact with or adjacent to a side of the electronics assembly  900  including the pump inlet mechanism when the dressing is assembled. 
     The absorbent layer  1151  can be shaped in order to form the extension  1194  that can be used as a pressure indicator when the device has reached negative pressure. When the dressing is not under negative pressure, the extension  1194  may not be visible or detectable, or may be less visible or detectable, from the surface of the dressing. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  may be visible but not apparent to the touch from the surface of the dressing. In some embodiments, the large absorbent material  1122  positioned above the small absorbent layer  1151  can help obscure the extension  1194  from view prior to the application of negative pressure. When negative pressure is applied to the dressing and the dressing layers are compressed under the force of the vacuum, the additional material of the extension  1194  can protrude from the upper or top surface of the dressing indicating that negative pressure has been applied. When negative pressure is applied to the dressing the extension  1194  can protrude upward from the upper surface of the dressing relative to the surrounding surface forming a visual and/or tactile protrusion. The protrusion of the extension  1194  relative to the surrounding upper surface of the dressing becomes more apparent and pronounced as negative pressure is applied to the dressing. 
     In some embodiments, the layer  1151  and/or extension  1194  can be any dressing material. For example, the layer  1151  and extension  1194  can be a transmission layer or an absorbent layer as described herein. In some embodiments, the layer  1151  and extension  1194  can be any non-woven material, woven material, foam material, and/or any other transmissive material to allow fluid communication between the pump inlet protection mechanism and the dressing layers. 
     In some embodiments, the pressure indicator can be an indicator material layer that is a layer of dressing material separate from any dressing layer. The indicator material layer can be any dressing material that is part of the laminated structure of the absorbent area and when negative pressure is applied to the dressing the indicator material layer can protrude upward from the upper surface of the dressing relative to the surrounding surface forming a visual and/or tactile protrusion. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be an indicator material layer that is attached to a dressing layer (i.e. the small absorbent layer) and can be used for an indication of the application of negative pressure to the dressing. In some embodiments, the indicator material layer can be a free floating piece of dressing material that is not connected to any other dressing layer. The free floating indicator material layer can be formed from any material that does or does not allow the transmission of fluid through the layer. 
     The extension  1194  can allow for both visual and tactile feedback for the user. The visual and tactile feedback can allow the user to identify if therapy has been carried out or not. By extending or shaping the absorbent layer  1151  in a way to provide the extension  1194 , it can provide a visual indication when the dressing has reached negative pressure but also will allow for tactile feedback on whether or not the dressing is at negative pressure. A user can feel the additional layer of material from the extension  1194  in the absorbent area of the dressing when the layers are sucked down when negative pressure is applied. For example, when the wound dressing is positioned on an area of the body where the visual indicators cannot be observed by the user (i.e. the back of a patient), the protrusion of the material of the extension can be used to allow indication of the application of negative pressure and functioning of the dressing. The extension can maintain shape and rigidity under the application of negative pressure and will not become distorted. 
       FIGS.  11 C- 11 D  illustrate a top view of the absorbent layer  1151  with an extension  1194 . The absorbent layer  1151  can include aperture  1129  that is sized and shaped to fit an electronics unit therein. In some embodiments, the aperture  1129  can be shaped and sized to fit the individual components of the electronics unit (as described with reference to  FIG.  3 A ) or can be sized and shaped to fit an electronics assembly (as described with reference to  FIGS.  8 ,  9 A- 9 B, and  11 A- 11 B ). 
     The absorbent layer  1151  can be sized and shaped to the size of the electronics area  1161  of the dressing, however, the extension  1194  can extend into the absorbent area  1160  of the dressing as illustrated in  FIGS.  11 A- 11 B,  12 A- 12 G and  13 A- 13 B . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  11 C- 11 D , the extension  1194  can be a semi-circle on a rectangle shape. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be a rectangle, semi-circle on a rectangle, a triangle, semi-circle, a rectangle, or any other shape. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be smaller than the cover layer. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be smaller than the absorbent area of the dressing. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be smaller than the absorbent material in absorbent area. The extensions can have a length that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dressing. The length of the extension can be measured from an edge  1193  of the absorbent layer  1151  to the furthest edge  1196  of the extension  1194 . The extensions can have a length of 25 mm to 30 mm. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be any size and can extend the entire length of the absorbent area  1160  of the dressing. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have a length that is less than the length of the cover layer. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have a length that is less than the length of the absorbent area of the dressing. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have a length that is less than the length of the absorbent material in the absorbent area. The extension  1194  can be any length and extend any distance into the absorbent area as long as there are remaining surrounding areas in the absorbent area to allow the varying thickness of the absorbent area to be detectable. The shape and size of the extension  1194  can be large enough to act as a good tactile indicator as well as acting as a good visual indicator. 
     The wound dressing as described herein can have a longitudinal length that is parallel to a longitudinal axis that extends the length of the dressing passing through the electronics area  1161  and absorbent area  1160 . The extension  1194  as illustrated in  11 A- 11 D,  12 A- 12 G, and  13 A- 13 B can have a width that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dressing. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be 10 mm to 60 mm (about 10 mm to about 60 mm) wide at the largest width of the shape. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can be about 25 mm wide at the largest width of the shape. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have a width that is less than the width of the cover layer. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have a width that is less than the width of the absorbent area of the dressing. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have a width that is less than the width of the absorbent material in absorbent area. In some embodiments, the extension can be any width. In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can extend the entire width of the absorbent area as long as there are remaining surrounding areas in the absorbent area to allow the varying thickness of the absorbent area to be detectable. 
       FIG.  11 D  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the absorbent layer  1151  with an extension  1194 . The absorbent layer  1151  of  FIG.  11 D  is similar to the absorbent layer  1151  of  FIG.  11 C  but the portion  1195  of the absorbent layer  1151  in  FIG.  11 D  is shaped to provide more area between the pump inlet mechanism of the electronics assembly and the absorbent layer  1151  and extension  1194 . The increased area between the pump inlet mechanism and the absorbent layer  1151  and extension  1194  can reduce the chance of the super absorbent material gelling in front of or adjacent to the pump inlet mechanism while providing the shaped extension  1194  to be implemented as a pressure indicator. 
     In some embodiments, the shape of the extension  1194  can be interconnected or transposed to allow for ease of cutting and manufacturing of the layer. For example, the shape of the extension can be a rectangle, semi-circle on a rectangle, semi-circle, or a rectangle. In some embodiments, the depth that the extension  1194  can protrude into the dressing can be between 5 mm to 45 mm (about 5 mm to 45 mm). In some embodiments, the depth that the extension  1194  can protrude into the dressing can be between 10 mm to 35 mm (about 10 mm to about 35 mm). In some embodiments, the extension  1194  can have any depth as long as there are remaining surrounding areas in the absorbent area to allow the varying thickness of the absorbent area to be detectable. In some embodiments, the semi-circle on a rectangle can allow the shape to protrude more into the dressing. 
       FIGS.  12 A- 12 G  illustrate the absorbent layer (not shown but similar to absorbent layer  1151  described in  FIGS.  11 C- 11 D ) with extension  1294  incorporated into a wound dressing  1200 . The wound dressing  1200  also includes a cover layer  1213 , second absorbent layer  1222 , and label  1241  as illustrated in  FIGS.  12 A- 12 G . The cover layer  1213  and second absorbent layer  1222  can be similar to the absorbent layer  1122  and cover layer  1113  described with reference to  FIGS.  11 A- 11 B . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  12 A- 12 G  a negative pressure indicator can be formed from an extension  1294  of any sizes and/or shapes of material.  FIGS.  12 A- 12 B  illustrate embodiments of a triangle shaped extension  1294 .  FIG.  12 C  illustrates an embodiment of a rectangular shaped extension  1294 .  FIG.  12 D and  12 G  illustrate embodiments of an extension  1294  shaped as a semi-circle on a rectangle.  FIG.  12 D  also illustrates an embodiment of other negative pressure indicators  1298  and  1299  that can be used in addition to or in place of the extension  1294 . The negative pressure indicators  1298  and  1299  can be formed from indicator material layers. The negative pressure indicators  1298  and  1299  formed from indicator material layers can be individual or separate pieces of dressing material that can be applied to the laminated structure of the wound dressing. When negative pressure is applied to the wound dressing, the negative pressure indicators  1298  and  1299  can protrude from an upper surface of the wound dressing and can provide a visual or tactile indication of the application of negative pressure as illustrated in  FIG.  12 D . The negative pressure indicators  1298  and  1299  can be any shape and any size desired. For example, the indicators  1298  and  1299  can be a triangle, square, rectangle, circle, the shape of any letter or number, and/or any other shape desired.  FIGS.  12 E and  12 F  illustrate embodiments of extension  1294  in various shapes and cut-outs of the absorbent material. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS.  12 A- 12 G , the electronics assembly with label  1241  can be formed so that label material is not positioned over the material of the extension  1294  and the extension  1294  can be visible through the transparent cover layer  1213 . In other embodiments, the label  1241  can have an extended area so that the label  1241  covers the material of the extension  1294 . This can allow for the user to easily recognize what portion of the dressing will contain the negative pressure indicator. The portion of the label  1241  that covers the extension  1294  can include indicia indicating that the protruding surface provides an indication of negative pressure. 
     In some embodiments, the large absorbent layer  1222  can be shaped to provide a visible indication when negative pressure has been applied or optimal negative pressure is reached. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13 A , in some embodiments, the lower absorbent layer (i.e. the small absorbent layer  1115  shown in  FIG.  11 A- 11 B ) can have small cut-outs  1397  in the absorbent material instead of the extension. The cut-outs  1397  can be used as negative pressure indicators similar to the negative pressure indicators described with reference to  FIGS.  10 A- 10 G , but, the cut-outs  1397  are formed in the lower absorbent layer. When negative pressure is applied and the dressing is compressed, the upper absorbent layer and the cover layer are compressed into the cut-outs and the cut-outs provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the application of negative pressure. The cut-outs  1397  can be a sawtooth pattern as illustrated in  FIG.  13 A . In some embodiments, the cut-outs  1397  can be any shape, size, or pattern to allow the material layers above the cut-outs to compress into the cut-outs. 
     In some embodiments, the extension  1394  allows for a negative pressure indicator to be incorporated into the wound dressing while maintaining the flexibility and conformability of the dressing.  FIG.  13 B  illustrates a wound dressing with a cover layer  1313 , large absorbent layer  1322 , label  1341 , and a pressure indicator formed from an extension  1394 . As illustrated in  FIG.  13 B , the extension  1394  can be visible when negative pressure is applied even when applied to a contoured or curved portion of a patient&#39;s body. 
       FIGS.  13 C and  13 D  illustrate embodiments of a wound dressing with a cover layer  1313  and absorbent layer  1322 , and label  1341 .  FIG.  13 C  illustrates an embodiment of the wound dressing prior to application of negative pressure. When the dressing is decompressed, the upper surface of the dressing will look and feel soft. The pressure indicator or extension is not visible from the upper surface of the device.  FIG.  13 D  illustrates the wound dressing when negative pressure is applied. When the dressing is compressed, the extension  1394  is visible or detectable from the top surface of the device. 
       FIGS.  14 A- 14 E  illustrate embodiments of various shapes and sizes for the wound dressing incorporating an electronics assembly. The wound dressing with embedded electronics assembly can be any shape or size to accommodate various types of wounds and conform to the shapes and contours of the patient&#39;s body. For example, the wound dressing with embedded electronics can have a rectangular, rounded rectangular, square, T shaped, or any other shape or design. The wound dressing can have a longitudinal length that is parallel to a longitudinal axis that extends the length of the dressing passing through the electronics area and absorbent area. The absorbent area can have a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dressing. In some embodiments, the dressing has a length that is longer parallel to the longitudinal axis than it is wide. The electronics assembly can have a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent area. In some embodiments, electronics assembly can have a length parallel to its longitudinal axis that is longer than it is wide. In some embodiments, the absorbent area of the wound dressing can be an elongated rectangular shape that includes a length of the absorbent area that is greater than the width of the absorbent area as illustrated in  FIGS.  14 A- 14 C, and  14 E . In some embodiments, the absorbent area of the wound dressing can have a square shape that includes a length of the absorbent area that is substantially equal to or equal to the width of the absorbent area as illustrated in  FIG.  14 D . In some embodiments, the wound dressings with embedded electronics described herein can be rectangular or rounded rectangular shaped as illustrated with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 2 B and  5 A- 5 B . In other embodiments, the wound dressings with embedded electronics described herein can be T shaped as illustrated with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  and  FIGS.  8 - 14 E . 
     All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying exhibits, claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The disclosure is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The disclosure extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
     Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are encompassed in the claim set listed below or presented in the future.