Malleolar pad

• US 7,597,676 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Original Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Inventors: Beane, Richard M., Dunn, Raymond M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; Kim M
• Application Number:
  US11/040,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20050165340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• Field of Search: 602/65, 602/79, 602/53, 602 60- 62, 602/20, 602/23, 602/17, 128/888, 128/889, 128/96.1
• US Class Current: 602/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0273 Adhesive bandages for winding around limb, trunk or head, e.g. cohesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/041 Accessories for stiffening bandages, e.g. cast liners, heel-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/06 specially adapted for feet or legs; Corn-pads; Corn-rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/069 Decubitus ulcer bandages
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/10 specially adapted for fingers, hands, or arms; Finger-stalls; Nail-protectors restraining devices for arms A61F5/37; shoulder bandages A61F13/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0188 having pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles
• 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

Abstract

The malleolar pad of preferred embodiments of the present invention provides a treating physician with the ability to monitor pressure at a wound site, adjust the pressure to more accurately treat and facilitate healing of, for example, a pressure ulcer while providing adequate wound care. Pressure ulcers can have varied presentations with respect to open sores and the location of the wound. Thus, proper fixation methods provided by monitoring the pressure measurement devices which allow adjustment of the compressive forces applied by the malleolar pad provide rewarding outcomes for the patient and the physician.

Claims

1. A malleolar pad for treating a wound site in a region of the body comprising:

a malleolar pad having a plurality of layers adapted to extend over a wound to facilitate treatment of the wound site, the plurality of layers including an adherent layer, a non-adherent layer proximate the adherent layer, a wicking layer, a bladder, and a filler layer disposed between the bladder;

at least one pressure measurement device positioned in the malleolar pad that measures pressure; and

a display connected to the pressure measurement device that numerically indicates pressure.

2. The malleolar pad of claim 1 wherein the filler layer comprises a gel or bio-compatible materials.

3. The malleolar pad of claim 1 wherein the wicking layer is in fluid communication with a conduit to remove fluid from the wound site.

4. The malleolar pad of claim 1 wherein the pressure measurement device has an analog readout or a digital readout.

5. The pad of claim 1 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the malleolar.

6. The pad of claim 1 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the elbow (epicondylar).

7. The pad of claim 1 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the back of the head (occipital).

8. The pad of claim 1 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the upper back (scapular).

9. The pad of claim 1 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the lower back (sacrum).

10. The pad of claim 1 further comprising a compression device formed of bio-compatible material.

11. The pad of claim 1 further comprising:

a compression wrapping for securing the malleolar pad with the region of the body, the pad shaped to conform to the shape of the body region.

12. A malleolar pad for treating a wound site in a region of the body comprising:

a malleolar pad having plurality of layers adapted to extend over a wound to facilitate treatment of the wound site, the plurality of layers including a conforming filler layer, an adherent layer, a non-adherent layer proximate the adherent layer, a wicking layer, and a bladder enclosing the filler layer;

a compression device that applies pressure to the wound site;

at least one pressure measurement device positioned in the malleolar pad that measures pressure; and

a display connected to the pressure measurement device that numerically indicates pressure.

13. The malleolar pad of claim 12 wherein the filler layer comprises a gel or bio-compatible materials.

14. The malleolar pad of claim 12 wherein the wicking layer is in fluid communication with a conduit to remove fluid from the wound site.

15. The malleolar pad of claim 12 wherein the pressure measurement device has an analog readout or a digital readout.

16. The pad of claim 12 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the malleolar.

17. The pad of claim 12 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the elbow (epicondylar).

18. The pad of claim 12 wherein the region of the body is proximate to the back of the head (occipital).