Method and kit for wound evaluation

• US 6,193,658 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles L. Pope, Martin E. Wendelken
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Pope, Martin E. Wendelken
• Inventors: Pope, Charles L., Wendelken, Martin E
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MAULIN M
• Application Number:
  US09/339,668
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/43, 600/449, 602/58, 602/52, 601/1
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4236 characterised by adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue

Abstract

A method and kit for the evaluation of wounds or ulcers (14) using ultrasound that allows an examiner to measure a wound (14) along with adjacent soft tissue structures (16) and bone (22) including tendon, ligaments, and muscle. This same method and kit contains gel (30) and an adhesive flexible film (32) which has a duo function and serves as a protective barrier preventing cross contamination between transducer (10) and ulcer (14), while allowing unimpeded conduction of ultrasound transmission to tissues (16) and subsequent echoes received from tissues (16) to be evaluated and recorded by a health care practitioner.

Claims

1. A method of examining a cavernous wound and surrounding tissues which comprises:

A. providing a sterile examining kit, said kit comprising a flexible film and a contact media,

B. said contact media is applied to said cavernous wound surface in such quantity to fill said cavernous wound cavity,

C. said flexible film is of sufficient size to cover and extend a distance beyond said cavernous wound boarder and surrounding tissues and,

D. said flexible film has an adhesive means on one surface that allows said cavernous wound and surrounding tissues along with said contact media contained within, to be sealed below the adhesive surface of said flexible film,

E. additional said contact media is applied to the outer surface of said flexible film and,

F. said flexible film therefore, is sandwiched between said contact media which serves as an acoustic window that allows unimpeded transmission of ultrasound waves into said cavernous wound and surrounding tissues and,

G. unimpeded reception of subsequent echoes from said cavernous wound and surround tissues,

whereby a health practitioner protects and prevents transfer of contaminates during an exam, to record, examine, measure, and evaluate said cavernous wound and surrounding tissues that can not be see by human eye.

2. A method of examining a non-cavernous wound and surrounding tissues which comprises:

A. providing a sterile examining kit, said kit comprising a flexible film and a contact media,

B. said contact media is applied to said non-cavernous wound surface and surrounding tissues in such quantity to cover said non-cavernous wound and surrounding tissues with a thin layer of said contact media,

C. said flexible film is of sufficient size to cover and extend a distance beyond said non-cavernous wound boarder and surrounding tissues and,

D. said flexible film has an adhesive means on one surface that allows said non-cavernous wound and surrounding tissues along with said contact media contained within, to be sealed below the adhesive surface of said flexible film,

E. additional said contact media is applied to the outer surface of said flexible film and,

F. said flexible film therefore, is sandwiched between said contact media which serves as an acoustic window that allows unimpeded transmission of ultrasound waves into said non-cavernous wound and surrounding tissues and,

G. unimpeded reception of subsequent echoes from said non-cavernous wound and surround tissues,

whereby a health practitioner protects and prevents transfer of contaminates during an exam, to record, examine, measure, and evaluate said non-cavernous wound and surrounding tissues that can not be see by human eye.

3. A method of temporally protecting an area of human anatomy from the transfer of micro-organisms other contaminants during an ultrasound exam which comprises applying a flexible film of sufficient size to cover said area of human anatomy and said flexible film has an adhesive means applied to one surface that allows said flexible film to seal and protect said area of human anatomy, said flexible film allows for unimpeded transmission of ultrasound waves into said area of human anatomy and reception of subsequent echoes from said area human anatomy during examination.