Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Bandage structure – Skin laceration or wound cover
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-02-20
Lewis, Kim M. (Department: 3761)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Bandage structure
Skin laceration or wound cover
C602S043000, C602S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191338
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to adhesive tapes and bandages and more particularly to an improved adhesive system for reduction of pain upon removal and a method for reducing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sterile, ready for use bandages have become virtually indispensable today in the treatment of minor cuts and scrapes: Indeed one of the reasons for their popularity is the fact that they are less frequently shipped in rolls to be snipped as needed with scissors, but are packaged individually.
Conventional adhesive tapes are available in many types, sizes and shapes. A standard bandage is composed of a decorative (or plain) flexible backing of fabric, paper plastic or similar material with a somewhat smooth adhesive coating on one surface. This adhesive is typically pressure-sensitive and is covered with a removable paper. Near the centre of the bandage strip is a piece of gauze or gauze-like material. It is this material which covers the wound. When the bandage is placed over a wound, the cover paper is removed from the adhesive, and the bandage is secured on the skin with the central cotton pad over the wound.
Unfortunately removal of such bandages is invariably associated with pain. In a typical application of such bandages, hair becomes matted and stuck fast under the adhesive and is literally “torn” from the skin upon bandage removal. In addition, depending on the state of the wound, bandage removal can disturb the wound resulting in fresh trauma and bleeding. Those most afflicted with pain include children and individuals with more vellus or bodily hair. Currently it is believed that a good fast tug on the bandage strip is the most humane way of removing the bandage.
A number of inventions have been created with a view to reducing the amount of pain or discomfort associated with removal of bandages. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,623 by Stephen Conte provides a bandage with a tab portion to facilitate a users' ability to locate an acceptable edge of a bandage for the purposes of removal. However, this process merely prevents any injury to the skin surface which results from trying to start removal of the bandage, i.e., the advantage of Conte's invention resides in the facilitation of a lifting edge of the bandage. It does not reduce the pain associated with removal of the body of the bandage.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,559 which issued to George Economou teaches the use of adhesive layers and regions of lesser adhesiveness in an alternating fashion along the length of an adhesive tape such that the alternate layers are positioned in the expected direction of removal. The criteria for design include that each region of lesser adhesiveness is generally of a width less than each adjacent layer of adhesive, and that the minimum width of each region of lesser adhesiveness be approximately 0.02 inches, or 0.5 mm. This adhesive arrangement, whilst similar in appearance to an earlier arrangement (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,339,545) is said to provide an adhesive tape with bands of adhesion alternating with bands of reduced adhesion over bands of predetermined distances. It is this spacing premised on pain receptor distribution which is central to the claimed reduction in pain. While there may be some reduction in pain associated with this bandage, it does not account for the issue of pain associated with adhesion to hair and to provide a means for pain reduction if the bandage is other than elongated. Furthermore manufacture of such bandages requires strict adherence to laying down layers of adhesion.
Consequently, what is needed is an improved method for removing a bandage with minimal trauma to tissue as well as a bandage strip with good adhesive qualities, yet minimization of pain and discomfort upon removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a bandage strip and method for how to apply and remove the bandage in order to reduce pain and skin maceration. According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises identifying a growth pattern of hair on a body part as it relates to the site of the wound, applying a bandage with a first and second end with the first end at the follicular end of the hair and the second end at the end of the hair, and when appropriate, removing the bandage by first grasping the first end of the bandage and pulling toward the second end. According to a preferred embodiment the bandage's first end is narrower than the second end. According to this embodiment, the first, smaller end or tab is applied at the hair root of a wound, and the larger second end or tab is applied at the hair tips. According to a further preferred embodiment of the bandage, the narrow tip is colored or accentuated to remind the user to remove the bandage commencing at the hair root proceeding to the hair tips.
The present invention also provides a bandage featuring a matrix over laying the adhesive portion of the bandage, the matrix comprising a configuration that assists in the release of hair thereby resulting in less pain upon removal. According to a preferred embodiment the matrix is a web design with diminishing adhesive spaces toward the centre of the bandage strip. According to a specific configuration for adults, the distance between the arms of a web should be no greater than 2 mm. According to yet a further preferred embodiment for an application to a child, the distance between the arms of the web should be no greater than 1.5 mm. According to a further embodiment, the matrix consists of a spiral on “spokes” wherein the curves of the spiral are progressively more tightly wound as the spiral progresses to the centre of the bandage. In both embodiments, there is an overall reduction in the amount of adhesive space toward the centre of the adhesive portion of the bandage.
Another embodiment provides a “honeycomb” matrix wherein a multiplicity of honeycomb cells forms the matrix.
According to a further embodiment, the matrix is adhesive and is applied directly to a first surface of a bandage.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and attached drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and associated examples are given by way of illustration only, and various changes and modifications thereto falling within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, reference is made herein to various patents and patent applications which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2399545 (1946-04-01), Davis
patent: 3163162 (1964-12-01), Basseches
patent: 3342183 (1967-09-01), Edenbaum
patent: 3885559 (1975-05-01), Econumou
patent: 4829993 (1989-05-01), Silvey
patent: 5683354 (1997-11-01), Levy
patent: 5685833 (1997-11-01), Turngren
patent: 5772623 (1998-06-01), Conte
Bereskin & Paar
Lewis Kim M.
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