Skin-contacting heatable dressing

• US 7,238,196 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Inventors: Wibaux, Anne Marie Paule
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/974,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/108, 607/149, 607/152, 607/153, 607/98, 219544-545, 219/211, 252502-503, 602/2, 602/41, 602/42, 602/48, 600/391, 600/394, 600/397, 214/549
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00051 Accessories for dressings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00063 comprising medicaments or additives, e.g. odor control, PH control, debriding, antimicrobic drug delivery dressings A61K9/70; chemical aspect of the additives A61L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0213 the fluid retention member being a layer of hydrocolloid, gel forming material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0246 characterised by the skin-adhering layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0276 Apparatus or processes for manufacturing adhesive dressings or bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0226 adhesive, self-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00195 electric warmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/7061 Polyacrylates
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/005 using multiple resistive elements or resistive zones isolated from each other
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/011 Heaters using laterally extending conductive material as connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/034 Heater using resistive elements made of short fibbers of conductive material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles

Abstract

A skin-contacting heatable dressing including a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side; heat generating conductive carbon fibers contained within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the carbon fibers. In one embodiment, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may include a transdermally absorbable medicament. In one embodiment, the dressing may include a backing layer. In one embodiment, the source of electrical energy may be a thin film battery, which may supplement or take the place of the backing layer.

Claims

1. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side and lateral edges;

palpable heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer;

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers and

conductive electrical leads in the pressure sensitive layer providing electrical connection between the electrical energy source and the conductive fibers, wherein the electrical leads are disposed along each of two opposite lateral edges of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer with the conductive fibers providing electrical connection between the electrical leads.

2. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the heat generating conductive fibers comprise one or more of carbon fibers, metal fibers, conductive polymer fibers, non-conductive polymer fibers made conductive by embedding with conductive particles or conductive additives.

3. The dressing of claim 1, further comprising a backing layer on the second side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

4. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the source of electrical energy is connected to the conductive fibers via an on-off switch.

5. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the dressing is free of a thermostatic temperature control device.

6. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the dressing is flexible and moldable to a desired shape.

7. The dressing of claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises a quantity and/or quality of conductive fibers such that when a selected energy source is applied, the dressing reaches a temperature in the range from about 25°

C. to about 40°

C.

8. The dressing of claim 7, wherein the temperature is maintained in the range from about 35°

C. to about 38.5°

C.

9. A method of using a skin-contacting heatable dressing, comprising applying the skin-contacting side of the dressing of claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.

10. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side;

palpable heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers via an on-off switch, wherein the on-off switch is used to control temperature of the dressing.

11. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side;

heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive is a hydrogel or a hydrocolloid.

12. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side;

palpable heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery.

13. The dressing of claim 12, wherein the thin film battery forms at least a portion of a backing layer on the second side of the dressing.

14. The dressing of claim 12, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery contained within a backing layer on the second side of the dressing.

15. The dressing of claim 12, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery in a separate layer between a backing layer on the second side of the dressing and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

16. The dressing of claim 12 wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery in a separate layer over a backing layer on the second side of the dressing.

17. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side and lateral edges;

palpable heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer;

a backing layer over the second side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer;

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers; and

conductive electrical leads in the pressure sensitive layer providing electrical connection between the electrical energy source and the conductive fibers, wherein the electrical leads are disposed alone each of two opposite lateral edges of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer with the conductive fibers providing electrical connection between the electrical leads.

18. The dressing of claim 17, wherein the heat generating conductive fibers comprise one or more of carbon fibers, metal fibers, conductive polymer fibers, non-conductive polymer fibers made conductive by embedding with conductive particles or conductive additives.

19. A method of using a skin-contacting heatable dressing, comprising applying the skin-contacting side of the dressing of claim 17 to a patient in need thereof.

20. The dressing of claim 17, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive is a hydrogel or a hydrocolloid.

21. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side;

palpable heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer;

a backing layer over the second side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery contained within the backing layer.

22. The dressing of claim 21, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery in a separate layer between the backing layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

23. The dressing of claim 21, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery in a separate layer over the backing layer.

24. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side, and containing one or more medicament capable of being transdermally absorbed or delivered onto the skin surface;

heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers.

25. The dressing of claim 24, wherein application of heat from the conductive fibers enhances transdermal absorption of at least one of the one or more medicament.

26. The dressing of claim 24, wherein the medicament is one or more of a local anesthetic, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an opioid, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, a steroid, a corticosteroid, a tricyclic antidepressant, and mixtures thereof.

27. The dressing of claim 24, wherein the heat generating conductive fibers comprise one or more of carbon fibers, metal fibers, conductive polymer fibers, non-conductive polymer fibers made conductive by embedding with conductive particles or conductive additives.

28. The dressing of claim 24, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery contained within a backing layer on the second side of the dressing.

29. The dressing of claim 24, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery in a separate layer between a backing layer on the second side of the dressing and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

30. The dressing of claim 24, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery in a separate layer over a backing layer on the second side of the dressing.

31. A method of using a skin-contacting heatable dressing, comprising applying the skin-contacting side of the dressing of claim 24 to a patient in need thereof.

32. The dressing of claim 24, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive is a hydrogel or a hydrocolloid.

33. A method of making a skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

providing a substrate;

applying a plurality of palpable heat generating conductive fibers to the substrate;

applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer over the plurality of heat generating conductive fibers and the substrate, wherein the heat generating conductive fibers are substantially embedded within the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and extend to opposite lateral edges of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer;

applying at least two conductive electrical leads in contact with the conductive fibers along each of two opposite lateral edges of the pressure sensitive layer, the fibers providing electrical connection between the conductive electrical leads; and

electrically connecting a source of electrical energy to the conductive fibers electrical leads.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the substrate is one of a release liner or a backing layer.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive is a hydrogel or a hydrocolloid.

36. A method of making a skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

providing a substrate;

applying a plurality of palpable heat generating conductive fibers to the substrate;

applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing one or more medicament capable of being transdermally absorbed or delivered onto the skin surface over the plurality of heat generating conductive fibers and the substrate, wherein the heat generating conductive fibers are substantially embedded within the pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and

electrically connecting a source of electrical energy to the conductive fibers, adding to the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

37. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side;

heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers, wherein the source of electrical energy is a thin film battery and the thin film battery (a) forms at least a portion of a backing layer on the second side of the dressing, (b) is contained within a backing layer on the second side of the dressing, (c) is in a separate layer between a backing layer on the second side of the dressing and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, or (d) is in a separate layer over a backing layer on the second side of the dressing.

38. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side and lateral edges;

heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer;

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers;

conductive electrical leads in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer providing electrical connection between the source of electrical energy and the conductive fibers, wherein the conductive electrical leads are disposed along each of two opposite lateral edges with the conductive fibers providing electrical connection between the electrical leads.

39. A skin-contacting heatable dressing comprising:

a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a first skin-contacting side and a second side and first and second longitudinally extending lateral edges on opposite sides of the adhesive layer;

first and second conductive electrical leads extending along the respective first and second lateral edges;

heat generating conductive fibers substantially embedded within the skin-contacting pressure sensitive adhesive layer and extending across the adhesive layer from the first conductive electrical lead to the second conductive electrical lead, the conductive electrical leads being in electrical contact with at least a portion of the conductive fibers;

a backing layer on the second side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and

a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the conductive fibers via the first and second conductive electrical leads, wherein the source of electrical energy comprises a thin film battery.