Gel wrap providing musculo-skeletal support

• US 7,556,610 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2006
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gelzone, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gelzone, Inc.
• Inventors: Leicht, Edward C., Binder, William J., Binder, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; Kim M
• Application Number:
  US11/347,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 602 41- 59, 602 75- 77, 604304-308, 128/888, 128/889
• US Class Current: 602/75
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 9/00 Bandages, poultices, compresses specially adapted to veterinary purposes fetlock-joint protecting rings A01K13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/01021 characterised by the structure of the dressing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0269 Tapes for dressing attachment for stoma bags A61F5/443; for nappies or sanitary towels A61F13/58; wound closure tapes A61B17/085; for surgical drapes A61B46/00; attaching catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0273 Adhesive bandages for winding around limb, trunk or head, e.g. cohesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/062 Openable readjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/069 Decubitus ulcer bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/002 dispensers for web or tape like bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/006 Bandage fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00119 elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00174 possibility of applying pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00251 with macroscopic openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/0028 applying of mechanical pressure; passive massage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00327 to create projections or depressions in surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00553 with detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00859 with macroscopic openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0104 without articulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/34 Pressure pads filled with air or liquid valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/60 Liquid-swellable gel-forming materials, e.g. super-absorbents

Abstract

Methods of use of a multi-layer wrap, for providing more comfortable gel treatment to skin and pressure therapy for underlying skin, the wrap allowing for migration of moisture away from the skin while providing compressive musculo-skeletal support to the treatment site.

Claims

1. A method of providing skin treatment and musculo-skeletal support comprising:

wrapping a bandage around a portion of the body to be treated, said bandage having a silicone gel layer having surface imperfections provided on a skin contacting surface and an elastic and supportive carrier layer bonded to an opposing surface of said silicone gel layer, said surface imperfections permitting air to contact the skin within the treatment area, said carrier being the stretchable loop portion of a hook and loop fastener, said bandage forming an integrated structure configured to have elasticity sufficient to provide compression against a body surface without substantial fragmentation of said silicone gel;

stretching said bandage around said portion of the body;

securing said bandage in a closed position; and

,

migrating moisture through the surface imperfections and away from the portion of the body being treated and to the outside of the bandage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface imperfections are penetrations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the silicone gel contains medical additives.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said bandage is removably secured around said portion of the body with a closure strip, and wherein the closure strip is the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener.

5. A method of providing skin treatment and musculo-skeletal support comprising:

wrapping a bandage around a portion of the body to be treated, said bandage having a silicone gel layer for contacting the skin of the body portion to be treated, a moisture wicking material, and an elastic and supportive carrier bonded to said silicone gel and said wicking material, said carrier being the stretchable loop portion of a hook and loop fastener, said bandage forming an integrated structure configured to have elasticity sufficient to provide compression against a body surface without substantial fragmentation of said silicone gel;

stretching said bandage around said portion of the body;

securing said bandage in a closed position; and

,

wicking moisture away from the portion of the body being treated and to the outside of the bandage.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said bandage is removably secured around said portion of the body with a closure strip, and wherein the closure strip is the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the wicking material is selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, and polypropylene.

8. A method of providing skin treatment and musculo-skeletal support comprising:

wrapping a multi-layer wrap around a portion of the body to be treated, said multi-layer wrap having a silicone gel having a skin-contacting surface and an opposite surface, wherein the skin-contacting surface contains surface imperfections which allow moisture to migrate away from the skin surface and to the outside of the wrap, and an elastic and supportive carrier layer having an outer loop surface and an opposite surface, wherein the carrier layer is the stretchable loop portion of a hook and loop fastener and wherein a moisture wicking material is incorporated into the composition of the carrier layer, said surface imperfections permitting air to contact the skin within the treatment area, wherein the opposite surface of the carrier layer is bonded to the opposite surface of the gel layer to form a two-ply composite, said bandage forming an integrated structure configured to have elasticity sufficient to provide compression against a body surface without substantial fragmentation of said silicone gel;

stretching said multi-layer wrap around said portion of the body;

securing said multi-layer wrap in a closed position; and

,

wicking moisture away from the portion of the body being treated.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the surface imperfections are penetrations through the gel layer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the wicking material is selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, and polypropylene.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said bandage is removably secured around said portion of the body with a closure strip, and wherein the closure strip is the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the silicone gel contains medical additives.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the carrier has an elastic modulus of about 50%.