Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Wound shields
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-21
2001-09-25
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Wound shields
C602S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293281
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to devices for covering wounds, lacerations, incisions, inserted medical devices and the like. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an improved device having one or more adhesive layers for covering wounds, lacerations, incisions, and inserted medical devices that can be easily applied by a person wearing surgical gloves and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of film dressing is well known for the purpose of covering wounds. Usually, such wounds are relatively small or are located in a position where there is little or no distension of the skin as a result of movement by the injured person. Wounds, incisions, lacerations, insertion of medical devices, and any related skin traumas wherein there is a separation or penetration of a patient's skin are interchangeable terms as used herein.
An example of a transparent film dressing is given by Robert W. McCracken, et. al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,183, issued Sep. 30, 1986. The device is often difficult to apply when the user is wearing surgical gloves.
Another example of a transparent film dressing, which also includes a wound closure feature is embodied in a device sold under the trade name “Steri-Strip”, Laparoscopic Wound Closure System featuring “Tegaderm” Transparent Dressing and made by the Medical-Surgical Division of 3M Health Care, and related to U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,835. When using this dressing, it appears that a narrow closure member is removed, or partially removed, from a release treated paper backing and applied to close the wound. It is then necessary to remove a very thin transparent film that is separate from the closure member and apply this film to cover the area of the trauma. While this device may effectively cover the wound, it is often difficult to apply when wearing gloves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with teachings of the present invention, an improved wound covering device is provided to substantially reduce or eliminate shortcomings previously associated with such wound covering devices.
The terms “viewing member” and “cover dressing” are used interchangeably and the terms “closure member” and “handle member” are used interchangeably throughout this specification.
According to one aspect of the present invention a wound covering device for covering and sealing at least a portion of a patient's wound includes an elongated handle member and a cover dressing which is releasably secured to the handle member by a first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer may be used to secure the cover dressing to an area of skin adjacent to a patient's wound when the cover dressing is disposed in an overlying relation to the wound. The wound covering device further including a flexible hinge member having a width that is approximately coextensive with a portion of the wound to be covered. The flexible hinge member further having a first portion disposed on the cover dressing and a second portion disposed on the handle member. The first portion of the flexible hinge member preferably affixed to the cover dressing by a second adhesive layer. The wound covering device still further including a third adhesive layer disposed on a side of the flexible hinge member remote from the cover dressing for securing the flexible hinge member to the patient's skin adjacent to the wound.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a wound covering device may include a transparent portion in the handle member for facilitating alignment of the wound covering device relative to at least a portion of the wound to be covered.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a wound covering device includes a primary dressing disposed on the second portion of the hinge member.
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Shultz Tod H.
Ward, Jr. Cubie E.
Brown Michael A.
Dority & Manning P.A.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
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