A reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site of a patient, the system includes a manifold pad for disposing proximate the tissue site. The manilfold pad includes a hydrogel reservoir member and a manifold member. The hydrogel reservoir member is adapted to receive and store fluid from the tissue site at a first pressure and adapted to release at least a portion of the fluid at a second pressure. The first pressure is greater than the second pressure on an absolute pressure scale. The system also includes a sealing drape for placing over the tissue and manifold pad. The sealing drape forms a fluid seal over the tissue and manifold pad. A reduced-pressure subsystem delivers reduced pressure to the sealing drape. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.
