A wound dressing system includes a fluid permeable support member forpositioning within a wound and adapted to generally conform to a topography ofa wound, a plurality of beads supported by the support member, an outer memberfor positioning over the wound to substantially enclose the beads and aconduit for supplying reduced pressure to the wound. The support member isadapted to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough. The beads arecharacterized by having sufficient rigidity to substantially maintainrespective shapes thereof to thereby facilitate passage of the exudatesthrough spaces or passages defined between adjacent beads. The beads maycomprise glass, an acrylic or a polymeric material. The support member maycomprise a polymeric or fabric material. The support member may be anenclosure member or pouch which houses the beads. Multiple pouches are alsoenvisioned.
