Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-Invasive
Examination
Technical Field
This invention relates to disposable bandages and surgical
dressings for wounds and particularly to those wound dressings that
may be employed in connection with recurrent observation,
examination and repeated medication of wounds.
In the employment of the novel wound dressing described in
this specification, it is intended that the wound under treatment be
completely circumscribed by an opening in the dressing. As will
become apparent, means are provided whereby the wound may be
inspected and treated with medication without removal of the primary
body of the dressing itself.
Background Art
The prior art includes United States Patent Number. 3,026,874,
issued March 27, 1962 to R.C. Stevens for WOUND SHIELD. The
device provides controlled drainage for a wound and is characterized
as easily sterilizable thus leading to the inference of non-disposability.
Another prior art device is described in the United States
Patent Number 4,470,410, granted to E.M. Elliot for PROTECTIVE
P.ETAINING DEVICE AND METHOD, issued September 11, 1984.
The device described appears to be comparatively expensive and
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complicated to manufacture., It appears to have as its primary purpose
the protection of the site of an intravenous catheter.
Yet another prior art device has been illustrated in the United
States Patent Number 3,888,247, granted to C.B. Stenvall for FIRST
AID BANDAGE,, issued June 10, 1975. The innovative device
described in that patent provides that a lightly adhered breathable
surgical tape that is first placed over the wound shall be left in contact
therewith until after healing has been accomplished.
The patent entitled PROTECTIVE DEVICE by inventors Kohn
et al bearing United States patent number 4,709,695 was issued on
December 1, 1987, and contemplates a contrivance expected to be
prepared by cutting to size for each application.
These prior art devices are commendable and show a trnily
creative spirit for their times and intended applications. The inventors
and their inventions have contributed remarkably to the technology
involved. However, these prior art structures do not include those
combined elements of the invention described and submitted herewith
that provide greater facility of use and ingenious arrangement of
components that make the in.stant invention the high culmination in the
art of disposable wound dressings that permit repeated, non-wound
disturbing observations and recuming medications of a wound
uridergoing the healing process.
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Disclosure of Invention
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a
disposable, inexpensive and easy to use wound dressing that expedites
repetitious examination, observation and medication of a wound such
as an injury resulting, in general, from a bruise, cut, laceration or the
like. The inventive wound dressing contemplated by the device
described envisions in succession, the initial sealing of a bandage
covering and protecting the wound involved, the uninvasive unsealing
of the bandage in such manner as to allow inspection of the wound
under healing, observation of the wound, medication thereof as may be
required, and the resealing of said bandage to again cover and protect
the wound without loss of integrity of the sealing properties of the
dressing.
Brief Description of Drawings
Further advantages and features of the instant invention will be
more fully apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention
pertains from the ensuing detailed description thereof, regarded in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first, simple
embodiment of the Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-
Invasive Examination.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1
showing the dressing closed and latched.
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Figure 3 is another perspective view of the embodiment of
Figure 1 showing a medication pad in place and the dressing opened
for inspection or the like.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of the Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-
Invasive Examination and having a standoff member, the service of
which will become apparent in the following discourse.
Figure 5 is a detail perspective view showing the closure and
latching of the embodiment of Figure 4 so as to effectuate the seal
thereof.
Figure 6 is an open, perspective view of the embodiment of
Figure 4 showing how it might be unsealed for inspection and possible
replacement of a medication pad.
Figure 7 is an enlarged, detail cross sectional view of the
embodiment of Figure 4 taken along the sight lines 7 - 7 of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is yet another embodiment, a third, of the Disposable
Wound Dressing Permitting Non-Invasive Examination showing a
unique stepped standoff member whose utility will be made apparent in
the ensuing discourse.
Figure 9 is an enlarged, detail cross sectional view of the
embodiment of Figure 8 taken along the sight lines 9 - 9 of Figure 8
with the circumscribing cover member closed and latched so as to
effect a seal.
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Figure 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
Disposable Wound Dressing Perrnitting Non-Invasive Exanzination
having a tongue-and-groove latching mechanism.
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view taken along
the sight lines 11 - 11 of Figure 10 with the circumscribing cover
member closed so as to effect a seal.
Figure 12 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the
Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-Invasive Examination
showing a contourable epidermal adhesive tape member and additional
advantages that will become apparent in the ensuing discourse.
Figure 13 is a perspective open view of a sixth embodiment of
the Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-Invasive Examination
having unique characteristics to be explored in the following
exposition.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 13
shown in a closed and sealed position.
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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to the drawings and to Figures 1 through 3 with
greater particularity, the Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-
Invasive Examination is denoted generally by the numeral 10. Figure 1
shows the sealing cover member 20 prior to its secure attachment to
adhesive strip 22 so as to form a hinge at one end of said sealing cover
operative when opening or closing the dressing. An epidermal adhesive
tape strip base member 26 adheres the wound dressing to the body skin
of the patient and is so placed that the wound is circumscribed by the
wound circumscribing aperture 21. An optional, replaceable pad which
may be medicated or not as desired, is denoted by the numeral 24, and
may be placed over the wound under treatment and within
circumscribing aperture 21, however, medication may be applied or not
by any other means desired and the illustration showing the pad 24 is
not to be considered a limitation on the generality of the device. A hasp
mechanism 18, Figure 2, having a latch and eye denoted respectively
by numerals 14 and 16, effectuates positive closing and sealing of the
dressing.
Figure 2 shows the sealing cover member 20 closed subsequent
to its secure attachment at adhesive strip 22 and with latch and eye
mechanism, respectively 14 and 16, engaged to form hasp 18 thus
securing the sealing cover member 20 over wound circumscribing
aperture 21 so as to protect the wound and secure the position of any
medication applied.
Figure 3 displays the assembled device opened after application
and illustrates the hinge action constraining sealing cover member 20
by means of the adhesive strip 22. The wound dressing may be opened,
as illustrated, so as to inspect the wound under healing process, to
apply medication to the wound or for any other purpose desired and
then, after the accomplishment of the purpose for which the dressing
was opened, resealed without loss of integrity of the original seal.
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Directing attention now to Figures 4 through 7, a second
embodiment, denoted generally by the numeral 11, of the Disposable
Wound Dressing Permitting Non-Invasive Examination may be
examined. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the
constituent parts thereof prior to assembly. A sealing cover 20 is
shown as to be attached by means of adhesive strip 22 to the epidermal
adhesive tape base member 26. The cover 20 has a latch 14 intended
for engagement with eye 16 on epidermal adhesive tape member 26. A
medication pad 24 is shown in place upon a wound being treated; the
wound has not been shown. Interposed between sealing cover 20 and
epidermal adhesive tape base member 26 and dimensioned and
positioned so as to be iri registry with circumscribing aperture 21 in
tape member 26, there is a standoff member 28. One of the purposes
served by standoff'member 28 is the alleviation of pressure upon a
wound where such is necessary or desired in the treatment thereof.
Figure 5 illustrates the configuration of the dressing when
closed by means of sealing cover 20 over standoff member 28 and
secured by hasp 18. The integrity of the seal is intended to be
maintained by means of sealing cover 20 as secured hingedly and
adhesively by means of adhesive strip 26 and standoff member 28
acting cooperatively with hasp mechanism 18.
Figure 6 depicts the dressing opened subsequent to application
to permit observation, medication or for any other purpose desired.
Sealing cover 20 is shown in its hinge-open position while standoff
member 28 is shown in registry with circumscribing aperture 21 in
epidermal adhesive tape strip base member 26.
Figure 7 represents an enlarged cross sectional view taken
along the sight lines 7 - 7 of Figure 5. The configuration of the sealing
cover 20 with respect to the standoff member 28 may be more clearly
understood in this enlarged view as may be the registration of standoff
member 28 with circumscribing aperture 21. An additional point of
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view is also provided for explicating the cooperation of latch 14 with
eye 16 to form hasp 18.
A third embodiment of the Disposable Wound Dressing
Permitting Non-Invasive Exarnin.ation is represented in Figures 8 and 9
and denoted generally by the numeral 13. Figure 8 shows the dressing
as applied after assembly and opened for inspection or for other
purposes. The sealing cover 20 has a top circumscribing member 36
that acts in cooperation with a stepped standoff member 30 in
effectuating a positive seal and a pressure reducing protection of a
wound under treatment. Close examination reveals that top
circumscribing member 36 is of the proper dimension and
configuration so as to fit about a first stepped member 32 and onto and
in abutment registration with a second stepped member 34.
Figure 9 represents an enlarged cross sectional view of this
third embodiment taken along the sight lines 9 - 9 of Figure 8. Detail
there shows the adhesive attaclunent of stepped standoff member 30 to
epidermal adhesive tape member 26 at second stepped member 34 by
means of adhesive 34' and the adhesive attachment of top
circumscribing member 36 to sealing cover 20 by means of adhesive
36. Figure 9, of course, shows the dressing sealed and latched by
means of hasp 18.
An additional embodiment, the fourth, is depicted in Figures 10
and 11 in which the Disposable Wound Dressing Permitting Non-
Invasive Examination is denoted generally by the numeral 19. A
tongue-and-groove latching mechanism 38 is comprised of an upper
latching member 40 which cooperates with a lower latching member
42 to bring about a seal of exceptionally high integrity. Sealing cover
20 supports the upper latching member 40 which is adhered to a top
support member 45 by means of adhesive 40' which top support
member 45 is in turn adhered to sealing cover 20 by adhesive 45'. In
like manner, epidermal adhesive tape 26 supports the :[ower latching
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member 42 which is adhered to a bottom support member 46 by means
of adhesive 42" which bottom support member 46 is in turn adhered to
epidermal adhesive tape member 26 by means of adhesive 46'. A rear
standoff member 44 is provided to enhance the structure and integrity
of the seal effected by the cooperating members. A tab 12 is also
provided in order to facilitate open.ing and closing the sealing cover 20
to provide access to the wound under treatment.
A fifth embodiment of the Disposable Wound Dressing
Permitting Non-Invasive Examination is portrayed in exploded view in
Figure 12 and denoted generally by the numeral 17. This embodiment
features a contourable epidermal adhesive tape base member 27 that
has an adhesive pattern 48 thereupon for the af~'ixation of an adhered
standoff member 50. Adhered standoff member 50 comprises a lower
member 54 adapted to be adhered to adhesive pattern 48 and in
registry with circumscribing aperture 21 in epidermal adhesive member
27 and an upper member 52 intended to be covered by attached
covering member 58. Attached covering member 58 connects with
standoff member 50 through resilient hinge 56. Covering member 58
includes venting apertures 60 whose purpose is to provide circulation
of ambient air to a wound under treatment. The instant embodiment
provides a tab 12 and a latching mechanism comprising a latching
member 62 adapted to be received into a latch recess 64 so as to effect
positive closure of the covering member 58. Contourable epidermal
adhesive base tape member 27 pernnits adherence of the dressing to
irregularly shaped parts of the body and the forming around curved
portions thereof of the dressing.
Figures 13 and 14 depict a sixth embodiment of' the Disposable
Wound Dressing Permitting Non-Invasive Examination denoted in
general by the numera123. The circumscribing aperture 21, intended to
circumscribe the wound under treatment, is situated in the epidermal
adhesive tape strip base member 26. An adhesive backed sealing cover
member 66 carries a pad 24 which may be medicated if desired,
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adhered to its wound facing surface. An adhesive cover matching strip
68 camied on the epidermal adhesive tape member 26 accomplishes
positive sealing of the bandage when closed. A tab 12 is provided to
facilitate opening and closing the cover 66.
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Industrial Applicability
The present invention finds application wherever surface
wounds resulting from cuts, abrasions, bruises and stabs or the like
occur. Most of the embodirnents may be used in hospitals, homes, at
athletic events, in the military and in all situations where injuries take
place.
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