Patent ID: 7108683

Claim:
A fluid-differentiating wound therapy and tissue management system, which comprises: a) a fluid transfer element including: 1) a non-attaching patient contact surface; 2) a first zone with a first fluid transfer coefficient; 3) a second zone with a second fluid transfer coefficient different from said first fluid transfer coefficient, said second zone being located adjacent to said first zone; and 4) a predetermined fluid flow path through said element guided by said fluid transfer coefficient differential between said first and second zones; b) a cover placed over said transfer element in contact therewith and including adhesive adapted for adhering said cover to a patient around the perimeter of said fluid transfer element; c) a gradient source for creating a gradient across said transfer element whereby fluids are moved through said transfer element; d) an effluent conduit connected to said transfer element and adapted for discharging effluent from the system; and e) said predetermined fluid flow path being towards said effluent conduit.