Wound protecting device

• US 6,164,279 A
• Filed: 05/17/1999
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jack A. Tweedle
• Original Assignee: Jack A. Tweedle
• Inventors: Tweedle, Jack A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US09/312,783
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128/877, 128/878, 128/879, 128/888, 128/889, 602/41-48
• US Class Current: 128/888
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/8405 Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/008 Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage corn plasters A61F13/063
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00829 rigid or semi-rigid backing

Abstract

Device for protecting large wounds, such as surgical incisions, from the environment. The device contains a semi-rigid, flexible plate with attaching means which direct environmental pressures away from the wound.

Claims

1. A device for protecting a wound without exerting wound opening pressures on the wound comprising:

a flexible, semi-rigid flat dressing portion of rectangular, circular or strip configuration adapted to contact a wound and conform thereto, said flat dressing portion being made of a metal or a polymeric material, wherein said metal has a thickness of from about 1/64 to about 1/16 inches, and wherein said polymeric material has a thickness of from about 1/32 to about 1/4 inches, said flat dressing portion containing a plurality of microscopic holes therein allowing for air permeability;

a soft woven or non-woven fabric covering the wound-contacting side of said flat dressing portion; and

means for attaching the flat dressing portion to the skin of the patient around the wound.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said woven or non-woven fabric is impregnated with a pharmaceutically active agent selected from the group consisting of antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, anesthetics, analgesics, antipruritics, and mixtures thereof.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said woven fabric is medical gauze.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said metal is aluminum.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is polyethylene or polypropylene.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching the flexible, semi-rigid flat dressing portion to the skin of the patient comprises straps coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive on the skin contacting side thereof.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching the flexible, semi-rigid flat dressing portion to the skin of the patient comprises straps equipped with hook and loop fasteners.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching the flexible, semi-rigid flat dressing portion to the skin of the patient comprises straps equipped with buckles.

9. A device for protecting an incision wound and exerting slight wound closing pressures on said incision wound comprising:

a flat flexible plastic or thin metal plate containing a plurality of holes or slits to allow air permeation therethrough; and

attaching means having feet with hinges thereon integral with said plate, said attaching means forming an acute angle of from about 10°

to about 70°

with said plate thereby creating slight horizontal pressures towards the center of a wound when said device is placed on the wound,

wherein said feet are covered by a pressure sensitive adhesive on the skin-contacting side thereof for attachment to the skin of a patient and said hinges are of soft, pliable material to allow movement of said plate.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said plate is covered with a woven or non-woven fabric on the wound contact side thereof.

11. The device of claims 10 wherein said woven or non-woven fabric is impregnated with a pharmacologically active agent selected from the group consisting of antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, anesthetics, analgesics, antipruritics, and mixtures thereof.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein said feet contain Velcro fasteners thereon.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein said feet contain buckles thereon.

14. A device for protecting a wound without exerting wound opening pressure on the wound comprising:

a flat flexible plastic or thin metal plate having a central opening therein consisting of from about 5% to about 95% of the plate, said plate having a thickness of from about 1/16 to about 1/4 inches.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said central opening is covered with a woven or non-woven fabric on the wound contacting side thereof.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said woven or non-woven fabric is impregnated with a pharmacologically active agent selected from the group consisting of antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, anesthetics, analgesics, antipruritics, and mixtures thereof.

17. The device of claim 14 further comprising, as integral parts of the device, attachment means selected from the group consisting of:

straps coated with pressure sensitive adhesive on the skin-contacting side thereof, Velcro fasteners and buckles.