Patent Application
20170165118
The present invention relates to wound dressings, particularly an adhesively applied bandage adapted for use on the lip and/or (alar sidewall of the) nose.
The popularity of the adhesive bandage, originally patented in 1929, is not surprising as it provides many known advantages such as protection, controlled wound environment, and concealment. As described at length in U.S. Pat. No. 7,943,811, there has since been patented many types of “improved adhesive bandages” which among many advantages, promote healing by incorporating, for example, an antibiotic agent. Various forms (like those adapted for use on fingertips) and categories (like those created to optimize moisture retention/absorption), have also been invented, in some cases by adding additional layers to the composed bandage.
Still, an adhesive bandage generally comprises a first layer (base sheet) for covering the wound site and an area around the wound site and onto which an adhesive is incorporated to secure it and at least one optimally non-adhering second layer (dressing) for placement immediately over the wound and coming into contact with the wound. The dressing is smaller, by varying percentages, than the base sheet.
The application of an adhesive bandage onto the nose (mainly, the alar sidewalls) and/or lips (and that area immediately surrounding the lips) has presented a challenge to those desiring the advantages (both therapeutic and aesthetic) of covering wounds there located.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,342 describes a nose bandage that envelopes the entire nose. While this bandage may address coverage of a wound located on the exterior of the alar sidewall, it does not address those located on the inside and/or towards the edge of it. Further, it offers very little inconspicuousness and is most likely practical only in clinical settings.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,111,679 describes a bendable clip (of unspecified composition) that holds non-adhesive dressings in place, with this assembly being further secured by adhesive tape. The use of this combination of items, by today's standards, would prove cumbersome and inconvenient.
In the case of a conventional two-ended adhesive bandage, the inability to apply (and/or the undesired result of applying) one of the two adhesive ends onto the mucosal tissue of the inside of the lips and/or nose prevents its effective use.
In the case of non-adhesive wound dressings (such as gauze or absorbent pads) used in conjunction with separate adhesive tapes, a similar problem exists and the alternative is to wrap the entire head of the person with securing devices, which is impractical for all but clinical settings and generally an unwelcomed solution.
The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) reports that more than 50% of American adults are infected with the herpes virus that causes cold sores or fever blisters. Currently, the options for “covering” and “protecting” these sores and blisters are limited to products called cold sore “patches” or “bandages” which are generally small, circular coverings with the entire surface of the layer next to the skin being cohesive. That is, the “patch” sticks to the sore risking re-injury upon removal.
In a first aspect, the present invention solves the problem of attachment of a bandage to the lip and/or area surrounding the lip and/or (alar sidewall of the) nose by incorporating a malleable component or material into an adhesive bandage so as to enable the user to affix the bandage by wrapping the bandage around the lip and/or alar sidewall of the nose (with one end being just inside of the lip or nose and the other end being adhesively attached to the skin) and applying gentle force to said malleable component to form it to the shape of the lip or nose.
In a second aspect, the present invention solves the problem of attachment of a bandage to the lip and/or area surrounding the lip and/or (alar sidewall of the) nose by incorporating a mucosal adhesive to that end of the adhesive bandage intended for inside of the mouth or nose so as to enable the user to adhesively attach said end to the inside of the mouth or nose and then attach the other end to the skin.
In a third aspect, the present invention solves the problem of attachment of a bandage to the lip and/or area surrounding the lips and/or (alar sidewall of the) nose by creation or incorporation of some combination of the aforementioned malleable component or material and mucosal adhesive.
In a forth aspect, the present invention solves the problem of attachment of a wound dressing to the lip and/or mouth area and/or nose of any non-human animal by using the spirit of the invention in an iteration suitable to the skin and mucosal tissue of the non-human animal.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a cosmetic method for concealing wounds by using a combination of at least one of the above described lip and/or nose bandage iterations along with commercially available cosmetics (makeup) and stains of various lip tones. Such iteration comprises a base sheet fabricated of a material optimized for the acceptance of such cosmetics so as to camouflage the bandage itself.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to an inconspicuous bandage for concealing wounds by creating at least one of the above described lip and/or nose bandage iterations comprising a transparent base sheet and a dressing in one or more skin-toned colors.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a kit containing several of the lip and/or nose bandages together with various medicaments appropriate for treating each stage of wound development/healing, for example, the blister stage, ulcer stage and scabbing stage of a herpetic cold sore, wherein said medicaments are either contained separately and applied to the bandage or wound by the user or alternatively, associated with the dressing during manufacturing so as to be transferred either immediately or over time from the dressing to the wound upon contact with the wound.
FIG.6 is a schematic perspective view showing the components of the lip and/or nose bandage according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
As used herein, the term “wound” is intended to include all wounds (surgical or traumatic), scratches, sores, cold sores, blisters, fever blisters, ulcers, pimples, lesions, and burns.
As used herein, the term “bandage” is used interchangeably with “wound dressing” and refers to a covering to be placed over a wound.
Examples of embodiments of the invention are set forth below and reference is here made to each example. Examples are provided by way of explanation and not limitation of the invention. The spirit of the present invention is a bandage that will wrap and/or form and/or mold around the edge of the alar sidewall of the nose and/or around the upper or lower lip and remain affixed through a combination of the means herein referenced. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.
A lip and/or nose bandage 13 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated generally in
The lip and/or nose bandage can be made in many sizes to accommodate various sized wounds as is commonly practiced with production of adhesive bandages. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14545892 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Child | 15406784 | US |
