Patent Application
20100247613
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to the field of dressings for wounds. Specifically, the invention relates to a laminated and layered dressing that incorporates an adhesive for adhering the dressing to the skin and a space that allows the dressing to hold medicine against the wound.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several competing factors influence the design of a dressing for a wound. A dressing should cover a wound and play its part to prevent infection or the introduction of undesired foreign matter into the wound. It is desirable that a dressing should be designed to stay in place once applied until intentionally removed. At the same time, it is desirable that a dressing should not irritate the wound or surrounding tissue. Additionally, it has been found advantageous in many circumstances to apply some medication or disinfectant, often in a liquid or gel form, to the wound while the dressing is in use. A dressing should also in many circumstances allow the wound to “breathe”—i.e. permit air to permeate the dressing and reach the wound—and allow moisture to enter and escape the wound area, without allowing the escape of medicine or the introduction of contaminants.
In this context, the term “wound” encompasses many kinds of injuries and dermatological phenomena, including traumatic wounds such as minor abrasions and lacerations, surgical wounds and post-operative wounds, burns, punctures and the like.
Disclosed herein is a laminate dressing defining a reception area adapted to receive and hold medicine. In one embodiment of the invention, the dressing comprises a contact layer and a backing layer, both fabricated from absorbent materials. The contact layer has defined two opposing surfaces: an inboard surface that adheres to the backing layer, and an outboard surface that is coated with adhesive and adapted to be applied to a patient's skin surrounding a wound. The contact layer further defines a die-cut through-opening substantially in the center of the contact layer. Medicine is received in a reception area defined by the through-opening in the contact layer and the inboard surface of the backing layer. When the dressing is used, the reception area and medicine are placed over the wound, while the contact layer with adhesive, bordering the reception area, is applied to the healthy skin surrounding the wound. In this way, the dressing is held in place on the patient's skin without the potentially irritating adhesive coming into contact with the wound. A polymer film covers the outboard surface of the backing layer to prevent the escape of medicine from the dressing through the backing layer.
A second, removable release film covers the adhesive-covered outboard surface of the contact layer, the reception area and the medicine until the dressing is ready to be used. In some embodiments of the invention, the dressing also comprises a tab or folded liner that helps in removing the second polymer film from the dressing before use.
The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
The present invention is described more fully hereinafter. From the outset, it is worth noting that this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments described herein.
The present invention broadly comprises a laminate dressing defining a reception area adapted to receive and hold medicine. In one embodiment of the invention, the dressing comprises a contact layer and a backing layer, both fabricated from an absorbent spun-laced material such as Sontara. The contact layer has an inboard surface and an opposed outboard surface defined. The outboard surface of the contact layer is adapted to be applied to a patient's skin surrounding a wound. The contact layer further defines a through-opening substantially in the center of the contact layer. Adhering to the inboard surface of the contact layer is the backing layer, which likewise has an inboard surface and an opposed outboard surface defined. Medicine is received in the area defined by the through-opening in the contact layer and the inboard surface of the backing layer. A polymer film covers the outboard surface of the backing layer to prevent or limit the escape of medicine from the dressing through the backing layer.
Referring to
In order to prevent contamination of the dressing 10 and maintain the adhesive power of the adhesive 110 until the dressing is applied to a patient's skin, a removable release film 202 loosely adheres to the outboard surface 124 of the contact layer 102 and covers the reception area 106 and the outboard surface 124 of the contact layer 102 bearing the adhesive 110, as shown in
As noted above, the contact layer 102 of the dressing 10 is fabricated from a flexible, absorbent material, adapted to carry the adhesive 110 on the outboard surface 124 and to adhere with the inboard surface 122 to the backing layer 104. Likewise, the backing layer 104 of the dressing 10 is fabricated from a flexible, absorbent material which, in some but not all embodiments, is the same material as used for the contact layer 102. The material of the backing layer 104 is also adapted to carry the medicine 108. Further, as some portion of the backing layer 104 comes into contact with the patient's wound 304 when applied, as shown in
The polymer film 112, used to cover the outboard surface 144 of the backing layer 104, in some embodiments comprises polyethylene or polyurethane. The removable release film 202, used to cover the outboard surface 124 of the contact layer 102 before application of the dressing 10 to a patient, in some embodiments comprises polyethylene or polyurethane. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other polymeric materials and other similar materials are effective for each film. In many embodiments, the first polymer film 112 is water-permeable and air-permeable, thus allowing the dressing and wound to breathe while still preventing or limiting the escape of the medicine 108.
In some embodiments, the through-opening in the contact layer 102 is cut from the fabric by a die during the manufacturing process. The contact layer 102 with die-cut through-opening is then adhered to the backing layer 104. The medicine 108 is then deposited in the receiving area 106 before the dressing 10 is covered with the removable release film 202. In many embodiments of the invention, the medicine 108 comprises a gel or liquid. In some embodiments, the medicine 108 comprises petrolatum or Vaseline. In some embodiments, the medicine 108 comprises an antimicrobial agent. Other chemicals and compounds useful for treating the wound and preventing infection of the wound will be apparent to those of skill in the art. In many cases, the medicine 108 to be applied will depend upon the type of wound to be treated.
Referring to
While the dressings shown in the various Figures have generally square shapes, other shapes are possible for the dressing, including but not limited to circular, oval and rectangular dressings.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
