Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Bandage structure – Skin laceration or wound cover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-21
2001-04-03
Lewis, Kim M (Department: 3761)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Bandage structure
Skin laceration or wound cover
C602S054000, C602S060000, C602S061000, C128S888000, C128S889000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211426
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ulcers can form on the human body where it is subject to long-term, continuous pressure. Such ulcers often arise in bedridden patients whose position is not changed sufficiently frequently. Such ulcers can also form or form more readily in elderly individuals or in those suffering from diabetes or other circulatory problems. Once such ulcers arise, they often become very difficult to treat because of the underlying circulatory problems of the individual.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention is a flexible foam material and adhesive material bandage wherein the foam material of the bandage has an outer periphery and lacks any abrupt step at the outer periphery sufficient to develop a pressure ridge against the skin of an individual receiving the bandage.
In another aspect, the invention is a bandage for application to the skin of an individual to treat pressure ulcers and other impaired blood circulation problems comprising: a flexible strip having a pair of opposing major planar sides; an adhesive on one of the pair of major sides of the strip; and a flexible foam inner member on the one major side of the strip, the foam inner member having a pair of opposing major sides, one proximal major side of the foam inner member being fixed to the strip and a remaining distal major side facing away from the strip, at least some of the adhesive on the strip being left uncovered around the foam inner member to secure the bandage to an individual, the foam inner member having an outer perimeter extending entirely around and between the major sides of the foam inner member, the foam inner member diminishing in thickness in the outer perimeter all around the outer perimeter sufficiently smoothly to avoid creation of an abrupt pressure change along the skin of the individual receiving the bandage sufficient to hinder-blood flow through the skin under the foam inner member.
In yet another aspect, the invention is an improved method of treating circulatory problems in an individual comprising the step of applying the aforesaid bandage to the skin of an individual over an area damaged by poor circulation at a pressure therapeutically effective to increase the level of blood circulation through the area beneath the bandage.
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Lewis Kim M
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