Wound dressing and method for manufacturing the same

A wound dressing, comprising:

• a backing layer having first and second surfaces, the backing layer defining a center portion and a border portion surrounding the center portion;
• a first skin adherent facing section secured to the border portion of the backing layer along the first surface thereof;
• an absorbent core having first and second surfaces, the second surface of the absorbent core connected to the first surface of the backing layer within the center portion thereof;
• and
• a second skin adherent silicone-based facing layer directly bonded to the first surface of the absorbent core, the first facing section having greater skin adherence properties than the second facing layer, the first facing section and second skin adherent layer are co-planar and continuously form a bodyside surface of the wound dressing;
• wherein the absorbent core defines an undulating profile and the center portion of the backing layer generally follows the profile of the absorbent core
• wherein the first skin adherent facing section comprises a carrier layer having first and second surfaces, the second surface of the carrier layer secured to the first surface of the border portion of the backing layer, the carrier layer defining an opening generally corresponding to the center portion of the backing layer, the carrier layer is stiffer than the backing layer and the second surface of the carrier layer is thermally bonded to the first surface of the backing layer;
• and
• a first hydrophobic gel layer disposed along the first surface of the carrier layer.