Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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$ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wound dressings and wound bandages
and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wound
dressing retaining wrap for holding a gauze pad or the like in
place on top of a wound.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
Because of the complexity of wound healing, the function of a
wound dressing may be integral to the success of that process.
Wound dressings function as:
a. a protective barrier from outside sources of irritation.
b. provide for mechanical support to the fragile wound
surface .
c. serve to form an occlusive barrier to provide an
optimal environment for certain wound types.
d. function to absorb wound byproducts that tend to
accumulate and complicate healing.
e. act as an agent for wound debridement which acts to
clean and prepare a wound bed for healing.
f. may have value as an acceptable camouflage for
unsightly wound appearances.
The wound dressing is most often secured in place by the
application of an adhesive to the skin. This seemingly simple and
universal method of dressing fixation actually has limited
applicability accompanied with a significant list of inadequacies,
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problems and patient dissatisfactions:
a. difficulty with conforming to some anatomic
locations and contours, particularly in active body
locations.
b. an increasing incidence of adhesive allergies
resulting in blister formation, rashes, weeping wounds,
scars, and permanent pigmentation problems.
c. inability to adhere in areas of raw, open wounds, or
wounds with vulnerable scab formation.
d. lack of satisfactory adherence in hair bearing areas or
areas of hypersensitivity.
e. pain associated with adhesive removal in hair bearing
areas or areas of hypersensitivity.
f. adhesive system is not reusable when loosened by
movement or moisture, thus necessitating reapplication.
g. lack of usefulness in wet to dry dressing situations.
Due to the moist dressing, adhesives will not hold the
dressings in place, making the wet to dry concept
totally ineffective.
h. possibly the most important of issues is that a wound
dressing, if not properly chosen, can significantly
retard and limit wound healing.
Heretofore there have been a variety of different types of
wound dressings using adhesives and stretchable wraps such as
described in the following patents.
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U.S. Patent 4,732,146 to Fasline et al. discloses a surgical
wound dressing device having a frame with an opening for receiving
different types of wound dressings. A dressing is held in place by
straps attached to one side of the frame with one end of the straps
including releasable Velcro (T. M.) fasteners.
U.S. Patent 4,917,112 to Kalt describes a bandage having an
opening with the opening covered with a transparent membrane. The
membrane is designed to allow air and vapors to permeate outward
from the wound and prevent contaminants from entering in the
opposite direction.
In U.S. Patent 4,909,243 to Frank et al., a two piece wound
dressing is shown having an adhesive layer on one side of a
baseplate with an opening in the baseplate to expose the wound and
the epithelium area around the wound. A second adhesive layer on
one side of a wound pad secures a wound dressing above the opening
in the baseplate.
U.S. Patent 4,907,579 to Kum, U.S. Patent 5,167,613 to Karami
et al., and U.S. Patent 3,779,242 to McCullough disclosed different
types of adhesive bandages for providing open areas to wounds to
enhance healing. In U.S. Patent 5,036,838 to Sherman, a foam
plastic orthopedic fabric is described having a Velcro (T.M.) tab
at one end of the fabric.
In U.S. Patent 4,470,410 to Elliott a stretchable sleeve is
shown with Velcro (T.M.) fasteners at the ends of the sleeve. The
sleave includes a central opening with a releasable flap for
retaining an intravenous tube or the like.
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U.S. Patents 4,709,695 to Kohn et al., 4,399,816 to Spangler,
5,086,763 to Hathman, and 4,926,883 to Strock all describe
different types of wound surrounding dressings and bandages. Also
U.S. Patents 4,190,054 to Brennan and 4,658,811 to Beaird disclose
stretchable bandages having loop and hook type attachment ends for
encircling the head of a patient.
None of these prior art patents disclose the unique structure
and advantages of the subject invention as described herein when
addressing the need of improved wound debridement and enhanced
healing of a wound.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a wound dressing support device which is easy
to apply and holds a variety standard cotton gauze pads in place on
top of a wound.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dressing
support device that eliminates the need of adhesive tape which
causes pain during removal, possible allergic reactions, and
flimsy application due to hair, moisture and wound complications.
Still another object of the subject wound dressing support
device is the device includes a reusable wrap with a window opening
therethrough. The window is accessed over the top of the gauze pad
and allows for visual inspection relative to the amount of drainage
from the wound and affords an indication on when the gauze pad
needs to be changed. The window opening provides a window for the
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gauze pad or dressing to breathe and allow gases and liquids
secreted from the wound to evaporate thereby allowing for improved
debridement. Also of importance is that the subject dressing
support device is extremely useful in wet to dry dressing
applications.
Yet another object of the dressing support device is that the
wrap is provided with releasable loop and hook fasteners around the
perimeter of the inside of window for securing the gauze pad in
place on top of the wound and allowing for quick release of the
used pad when applying a fresh dressing to the wound.
A further object of the invention is that the device is
lightweight, nonconstricting, versatile and able to be applied by
a single individual. Also the wrap is stretchable for ease in
conforming to different parts of the anatomy of the trunk, the
hand, the head and the limbs.
In summation, the subject invention eliminates the
deficiencies of other prior art dressing systems while offering the
following objects and advantages that support, simplify, and
promote wound healing. They are:
a. reusable, washable, lightweight and non-allergenic
dressing system.
b. ease in application and removal by the patient, not
requiring, in most instances, the use of more than one
hand.
c. adaptable to different anatomic locations and wound
sizes.
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d. allows visualization of the wound and/or dressing.
e. improves evaporation of gases and fluids from the
wound surface to the dressing.
f. promotes reduced pressure to the wound bed by the nature
of the dressing window.
g. preserves the integrity of the skin by avoiding
adhesives and abrasive materials.
h. allows frequent dressing changes with minimal disruption
to the wound bed or local tissues.
i. acts as a brace to support the wound and its surrounding
tissues.
The subject wound dressing support device provides for holding
a variety of standard gauze pads in place on top of a wound bed for
painless access to the wound, increased wound debridement, and
enhanced healing. The support dressing consists of an elongated
elastic unidirectional wrap with a window opening therethrough.
The dressing is adaptable for conforming to various parts of the
anatomy of a patient. The window opening may be of different sizes
and geometric shapes for receipt of different sizes and types of
wounds. The ends of the dressing include releasable loop and hook
fasteners for securing the wrap around the trunk, head, hand, limb
and other parts of the anatomy. The window opening is accessed
above and on top of the gauze pad disposed on top of the wound.
The dressing includes loop and hook fasteners around the perimeter
of the window opening for releasable engagement of a portion of the
side of the gauze pad. When the dressing is released, the used
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gauze pad can quickly be removed from the top of the wound and
replaced with a fresh gauze pad. The dressing is reusable for
holding the new gauze pad in place. The window in the wrap allows
for visual inspection of the gauze pad relative to the nature of
wound drainage, the amount of drainage, and when the dressing needs
to be changed. The window further allows for improved evaporation
of gases and liquids secreted from the wound and improvements in
wet to dry dressing applications.
These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those familiar with medical dressings and problems
related to the healing of wounds and sores from the following
detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and
elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the
appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise
embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be
included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar
as they may be precluded by the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred
embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes
presently devised for the practical application of the principles
thereof, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional cotton gauze
pad received over a wound bed on the top of the forearm.
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FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view as shown in FIG. 1 with
the window opening of the wound dressing support device received
over the gauze pad. The gauze pad on top of the wound.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view as shown in FIGS. 1-2 with the
wound dressing support device and gauze pad in place on the wound
and the support device secured around the forearm.
FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the wound dressing
support device with one end having loop fasteners and the window
opening being annular in shape.
FIG. 5 is the underside view of a portion of the wound
dressing support device with one end having hook fasteners and the
window opening being angular in shape with hook fasteners around
the perimeter of the opening.
FIG. 6 is the underside view of a portion of the wound
dressing support device with one end having hook fasteners and the
window opening being annular in shape with hook fasteners around
opposite sides of the opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EI~ODINENTS
In FIG. 1, a perspective view of a human forearm 10 with hand
12 is shown. In this view a top 14 of the forearm 10 has an open
wound 16. A conventional cotton gauze pad 18 is shown above the
wound 16 and ready to be lower thereon.
In FIG. 2 the gauze pad 18 has been placed on top of the wound
16 and the subject wound dressing support device having general
reference numeral 20 is positioned above the forearm 10. The
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support device 20 includes a first end 22 having loop fasteners 24
on the top thereof, an elongated elastic unidirectional wrap 26
having a window opening 28 therein, and a second end 30 having hook
fasteners 32 on the bottom thereof. In this drawing the window
opening 28 is shown disposed above the gauze pad 18. The window
opening 28, in this example, is shown angular in shape. It should
be kept in mind that the window opening can have various geometric
shapes and sizes. Also, the wrap 26 can be of different lengths,
sizes, and shapes depending on the type and size of wound and the
wound's location on the human anatomy.
Further, while the hook and loop fasteners 32 and 24 are shown
there are a variety of other types of releasable securing devices
that can be used equally well for securing the opposite ends of the
wrap 26 without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as described herein.
The wrap 26 is unidirectional along its length for stretching
the wrap 26 when it is applied around a portion of the body or
limb. The wrap 26 also includes parallel lines 34 of weakness
which prevent it from being stretched along its width and thus
distort the window opening 28. It is important for the window
opening 28, not only to expose the gauze pad 18, but also to engage
the sides of the pad 18 and hold the pad 18 in place on top of the
wound 16. Therefore, maintaining the shape and size of the window
opening 28, when using the device 20, is of special consideration.
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The wrap 26 as described is made by George C. Moore Co. of
Westerly, Rhode Island. While this type of wrap is mentioned,
other types of elastic wraps of similar construction can also be
used with like results.
In FIG. 3 the second end 30 of the wrap 26 has been wrapped
around the lower arm 10 and the hook fasteners 32 releasably
secured to the loop fasteners 24. The window opening 28 is
received on top of the gauze pad 18 with sides of the opening 28
engaging sides of the gauze pad 18 thereby holding the pad 18 in
place. While only one pad 18 is shown in the drawings, it can be
appreciated that depending on the type of wound and it's
characteristics, one or more pads 18 can be placed one on top of
each other. As mentioned above, the window opening 28 provides a
quick visual means for a doctor or patient to determine when the
gauze pad 18 needs to be replaced. Also, because the pad 18 has a
loose "loop like" woven structure, the pad 18 with window opening
28 allows the wound 16 to breathe easily thereby allowing a free
flow of liquids and gases to escape to the atmosphere for enhanced
wound debridement.
In FIG. 4, a top view of a portion of the support device 20 is
shown with the first end 22 having the loop fasteners 24 and the
wrap 26 having an annular window opening 28. The annular opening
28 can be used with certain types of open wounds needing this type
of geometric configuration.
In FIGS . 5-6 , a bottom view of a portion of the support device
20 is shown with the second end 30 having the hook fasteners 32 and
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the wrap 26 having an angular opening 28 in FIG. 5 and an annular
opening 28 in FIG. 6. It is important to note in these two
drawings that the inside of the window openings 28 is placed hook
fastener strips 36.
In operation the fastener strips 36 are used to engage the
loose "loop like" weave of the wound cover pad 18 for making sure
the pad 18 is held in place on top of the wound 16 when using the
subject reusable support device 20. When applying a new pad 18 to
the wrap 26 for dressing a wound, opposite sides of the pad 18 are
pressed against the fastener strips 36 adjacent the opening 28.
The pad 18 is now held in place when received on top of the wound
16. When the pad 18 needs to be replaced, the second end 30 of the
wrap 26 is quickly released from the first end 22 and the wrap 26
is unwrapped. Because the device 20 uses no adhesives, hair
bearing areas, moist areas and hypersensitive areas of the skin are
not bothered during the gauze pad change out.
When the wrap 26 is removed from the wound area, the used pad
18 is released from the fastener strips 36 and a new pad 18 is
secured to the strips 36. The device 20 is again reused with the
new pad 18 placed carefully over the wound 16. It is important to
note that a doctor or patient may prefer the use of a non-adhering
dressing, transparent dressing, or other type of wound dressing
placed on top of the open wound 16 with the gauze pad 18 placed on
top of the other choice of dressing. In this example, the wrap 26
would still be used to engage and hold in place the gauze pad 18.
When the dressing is changed, the gauze pad 18 and the dressing on
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top of the wound 16 would both be changed and the wrap 26 reused
with a new sterile dressing and a new gauze pad.
While the invention has been particularly shown, described and
illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments
and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled
in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein
without departing from spirit and scope of the invention as
claimed, except as precluded by the prior art.
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