Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Bandage structure – Support covering
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-22
2001-10-30
Lewis, Kim M. (Department: 3761)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Bandage structure
Support covering
C602S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309369
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a binder for use after surgery, and more particularly, to a binder for securing a bandage or dressing over the torso, particularly the chest area, of a person. After a surgical breast procedure, such as a mastectomy, or other chest surgery, it is necessary for the patient to wear a bandage or dressing over the wound area, which is typically changed once per day. Because this dressing is typically required for several weeks, the patient may need to change the dressing without assistance. Thus, it is desirable that the means used to secure the dressing be easy to put on and take off. It is also desirable that the means used to secure the dressing be comfortable, without significantly chafing the skin or trapping moisture against the skin, and easily adjustable to achieve proper fit.
One means of securing a dressing involves the use of nonadhesive bandages that encircle the chest of a patient. Such bandages typically are made of an elastic material for even distribution of pressure. Although some elastic materials breathe to a limited extent, they tend to entrap significantly more moisture against the skin as compared to a breathable material such as cotton, gauze, flannel, or other fabrics.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,270 (Chase et al.) describes a bandage that includes a main body panel formed of a nonelastic, breathable material. The main body panel is configured to encircle the torso of a person, the ends of the main body panel being located adjacent one side of the person's body when the bandage is applied. An elastic member is attached at one side of the nonelastic main body panel. When the bandage is applied, the main body panel is wrapped around the chest of the person and secured on the side of the person's body on which surgery was not performed (assuming the person has undergone only a single mastectomy). However, such a bandage does not typically evenly distribute the pressure.
What is needed is a surgical binder that is breathable and generally easy to apply and remove, and is preferably capable of evenly distributing pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a surgical binder that overlies a wound dressing or bandage and serves to hold them in place. The surgical binder includes a main body portion that is made of a breathable material at least a portion of which is elasticized using gathering, elastic stitching. Preferably, prior to elasticizing, the breathable material is substantially nonelastic (i.e., substantially nonstretchable). More preferably, the gathering, elastic stitching is substantially uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the material forming the main body portion. This allows for the application of evenly distributed pressure for gentle but firm compression to a wound. Significantly, the binder provides increased comfort with decreased bruising and swelling. Preferred embodiments of the binder do not significantly chafe the skin or trap a substantial amount of moisture against the skin. Moreover, the binder has an elegant yet inexpensive construction, which can be quite attractive and nonmedical-looking.
The binder of the present invention can be used on a patient who has undergone a mastectomy, breast biopsy, breast reduction, breast enlargement, reconstruction, implantation, or other type of chest surgery. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to such use but may be employed to apply pressure over other types of wounds and to other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, for example.
The binder comprises an elasticized main body portion formed of breathable material with gathering, elastic stitching (often referred to as shirring) therein, and a fastening system attached to the main body portion. The main body portion is configured to encircle the torso of a patient. Typically, the elasticized main body portion is elongated with an inner side (i.e., that which is in contact with the patient), an outer side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends. The fastener system is preferably attached to the ends of the main body portion. When the binder is applied, the elasticized main body portion is wrapped around the chest of the patient and secured. The ends of the elasticized main body portion can form a closure located at any location on the torso of a patient. For example, it can be either at the front or adjacent one side of the patient's body, which enables the patient to apply and remove the binder. Alternatively, the binder can be configured to be closed at the back of the patient's body. Optionally, at least one strap can be attached to the elasticized main body portion to hold the binder in place.
The fastener system preferably includes a hook and loop fastener. This fastener allows a wide range of adjustability to accommodate variations in swelling and is easy to manipulate. Typically, the hook and loop fastener is attached at the ends of the main body portion such that half of the fastener (e.g., the hook portion) is attached at one end on the inner side of the main body portion and the other half (e.g., the loop portion) is attached at the other end on the outer side of the elasticized main body portion. When the binder is applied, the inner side of one end of the elasticized main body portion overlaps the outer side of the other end of the elasticized main body portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3194234 (1965-07-01), Duckman et al.
patent: 3442270 (1969-05-01), Steinman
patent: 3968803 (1976-07-01), Hyman
patent: 5045018 (1991-09-01), Costanzo
patent: 5137508 (1992-08-01), Engman
patent: 5152741 (1992-10-01), Farnio
patent: 5158541 (1992-10-01), McCurley
patent: 5429593 (1995-07-01), Matory
patent: 5456660 (1995-10-01), Reich et al.
patent: 5527270 (1996-06-01), Chase et al.
patent: 5538502 (1996-07-01), Johnstone
K. Ruddy, “Random Shirring on a Dress Bodice,”Notions, American Sewing Guild, pp. 8-9, 20-21 (Jan. 1997).
Lewis Kim M.
Mueting Raasch & Gebhardt, P.A.
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