Absorbent structure in an absorbent article

#The present invention relates to a monolithic absorbent structure having a facing layer for use in an absorbent article such as a wound dressing, hygiene product, prosthetic device or orthopedic device. More particularly, the absorbent article includes a silicone foam having pores and a plurality of hydrophilic particles anchored to the pore walls of the foam.

#Occlusive or moisture-retentive dressings have gained increasing acceptance in treating wounds, in particular pressure sores and ulcers. A wide variety of types of structures are known in the art for use in or as wound dressings, and generally comprise components for receiving, absorbing and retaining exudate. Typically, these dressings include polymeric foams, polymeric films, particulate and fibrous polymers, hydrogels and hydrocolloids. Dressings with at least one of these components promote wound healing by providing a moist environment, while removing excess exudate and toxic components, and further serve as a barrier to protect the wound from secondary bacterial infection. While these known dressings can effectively manage a wound, many have been found to possess certain limitations or disadvantages.

#Many known dressings possess the disadvantage of relying solely on a pressure sensitive adhesive layer to secure the dressing to skin. An example of an adhesive is an acrylate glue. While indeed an acrylate glue securely maintains a dressing over a wound, the glue has a tendency to strip the central portion of the dressing from the wound and thus may damage healing tissue.

#These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing an embodiment of an absorbent article having the absorbent structure.

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view corresponding to section A of FIG. 1.

#As shown in FIG. 1, a monolithic absorbent structure 10 includes an open-cell silicone foam 14 having pore walls 18. In the open-cell configuration, the pores of the silicone foam are interconnected and create an interconnected network of passages throughout the silicone foam. A plurality of hydrophilic particles 20 are anchored to the pore walls 18 of the open-cell foam 14. The absorbent structure 10 includes a facing layer 12 that defines a plurality of apertures 28 formed along one of two opposed sides of the absorbent structure 10. The open-cell foam 14 generally forms a liquid retention portion of the absorbent structure, whereas the facing layer 12 generally forms a generally skin-adherent portion. The absorbent structure 10 may also optionally comprise a backing layer 16.

#In an alternate configuration, the silicone foam is a closed-cell silicone foam. In the closed-cell silicon foam configuration, the aforementioned pores are not connected to each other and thus do not form part of an interconnected network.

#In still another configuration, the silicone foam is partially a closed-cell silicone foam and partially an open-cell silicone foam. In this configuration, some of the pores are connected and form an interconnected network, while some of the pores are not part of any interconnected network.