Dressing with fluid acquisition and distribution characteristics

An apparatus for collecting fluid from a tissue site, the apparatus comprising:

• an upstream layer having a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side;
• a sealing member adapted to cover the tissue site and the upstream layer, the sealing member being bonded to the upstream layer, the hydrophilic side of the upstream layer being positioned to face the sealing member;
• and
• an absorbent member positioned between the upstream layer and the sealing member.

A method for treating a tissue site, comprising:

• positioning a manifold adjacent to the tissue site;
• providing a pouch comprising:
• an upstream layer having a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side, a downstream layer having a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side, and an absorbent member enclosed between the upstream layer and the downstream layer, the hydrophilic side of the upstream layer positioned facing the absorbent member so that the hydrophobic side of the upstream layer forms a portion of an exterior of the pouch, and the hydrophilic side of the downstream layer positioned facing the absorbent member;
• positioning the pouch adjacent to the manifold so that the hydrophobic side of the upstream layer is adjacent to the manifold;
• covering the manifold and the pouch with a sealing member to provide a fluid seal between the sealing member and the tissue site;
• extracting fluid from the tissue site;
• and
• distributing the fluid laterally along the exterior of the pouch before absorbing the fluid in the absorbent member for storage.

A method for manufacturing a fluid storage apparatus, comprising:

• providing a first layer having a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side;
• positioning an absorbent member adjacent to the hydrophilic side of the first layer;
• providing a second layer having a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side;
• positioning the hydrophilic side of the second layer adjacent to the absorbent member, the second layer being positioned on an opposite side of the absorbent member from the first layer;
• and
• coupling peripheral portions of the first layer and the second layer to enclose the absorbent member between the first layer and the second layer.