GB2482896A - Seal assembly for a dressing - Google Patents

Seal assembly for a dressing Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2482896A
GB2482896A GB201013851A GB201013851A GB2482896A GB 2482896 A GB2482896 A GB 2482896A GB 201013851 A GB201013851 A GB 201013851A GB 201013851 A GB201013851 A GB 201013851A GB 2482896 A GB2482896 A GB 2482896A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
seal
assembly according
seal assembly
line
dressing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB201013851A
Other versions
GB201013851D0 (en
Inventor
Simon Frank Rich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Polarseal Tapes & Conversions
Original Assignee
Polarseal Tapes & Conversions
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Polarseal Tapes & Conversions filed Critical Polarseal Tapes & Conversions
Priority to GB201013851A priority Critical patent/GB2482896A/en
Publication of GB201013851D0 publication Critical patent/GB201013851D0/en
Publication of GB2482896A publication Critical patent/GB2482896A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/02—Adhesive bandages or dressings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02—Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F2013/00361—Plasters
    • A61F2013/00365—Plasters use
    • A61F2013/00412—Plasters use for use with needles, tubes or catheters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/02—Holding devices, e.g. on the body
    • A61M2025/028—Holding devices, e.g. on the body having a mainly rigid support structure

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)
  • Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)

Abstract

A seal assembly 2 for use with a dressing 30, comprising a seal body 4 having first and second opposing edges; a first surface for contacting and forming a seal with the skin 36 of a subject when in use and a second surface for contacting and forming a seal with a dressing 30 when in use, such that a substantially continuous surface is formed by the second surface and the skin of the subject when the assembly 2 is applied to the skin 36. The seal body 4 comprises means for retaining a line 40 such that there is no substantial interruption in said continuous surface, which may be a channel in the surface, or a bore through the assembly. The seal assembly may have triangular cross-section, and be formed of a resilient material, or extruded.

Description

SEAL ASSEMBLY FOR A DRESSING
The present invention relates to a seal assembly for use with a dressing to be applied to an opening or wound in a subject and to a dressing assembly comprising the same.
Dressings are commonly required to be applied to skin of subjects during medical treatment, for example to dress and cover a wound. Dressings may also be applied to cover and protect other openings formed in the skin of the subject, for example those made to allow tubes, lines or other devices to be inserted into the body of the subject. Examples of such devices include drains, catheters and the like. A dressing applied to an opening or wound can be easily sealed to the skin of the subject, for example by a layer of adhesive or adhesive tape, so as to form a fluid-tight seal around the opening or wound. In this way, the wound or opening may be protected from contamination and infection. However, a problem arises in applying the dressing over or around a line once inserted into the body through the skin. It is difficult to form a sufficiently fluid tight seal around the line. In principle, the dressing could be formed with an opening and seal arrangement through which the line may extend.
However, for reasons of complexity, cost and ease of use, it is most commonly the practice that a standard dressing is employed an applied over the opening in the skin such that the line extends between the dressing and the skin. A common problem is to S...
form an adequate seal at the edge of the dressing adjacent the line. :: 25
* There is therefore a need for an improved means for providing a seal around a line and a dressing. a.. a
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a seal assembly : 30 comprising a seal body having first and second opposing edges; a first surface for * contacting and forming a seal with the skin of a subject when in use and a second surface for contacting and forming a seal with a dressing when in use, the second surface extending between the first and second opposing edges of the seal body, such that a substantially continuous surface is formed by the second surface and the skin of the subject when the assembly is applied to the skin; the seal body comprising means for retaining a line such that there is no substantial interruption in the said continuous surface.
The seal assembly of the present invention is employed between the skin of the subject and a dressing applied to the skin. The seal assembly provides a means for holding a line extending out from under the dressing while providing a fluid-tight seal between the dressing and the skin. The form of the seal assembly, in particular the first and second surfaces, is such that a fluid-tight seal between the seal assembly and the skin and a fluid-tight seal between the seal assembly and the dressing are both formed.
The seal assembly of the present invention will be described with reference to a line', which is used herein to denote any generally elongate, typically tubular member or device that is required to extend between a dressing and the skin of the subject to which the dressing is applied and includes such items as drip tubes, cables, catheters, drain tubes and the like.
The seal assembly comprises a seal body. The seal body has first and second opposing edges. The first and second opposing edges preferably extend parallel to each other. The first and second edges are arranged on the seal body such that they extend inwards from the edge of the dressing and are preferably arranged on the seal body such that, when in use, they extend inwards substantially perpendicular to the edge of the dressing. : 25 * *
The seal body may have any suitable form. In one preferred embodiment, the *::. seal body is generally elongate, having a longitudinal axis with the opposing edges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal body. The seal body may have any suitable cross-section. In a preferred embodiment, the seal body has a cross-section generally perpendicular to the first and second edges that is substantially triangular. A particularly preferred arrangement is for the cross-section to be triangular, in particular an isosceles triangle, with the major side of the triangle aligned with the first surface of the seal body and the remaining two sides of the triangle aligned with the second surface of the seal body, the apex of the triangle opposite the major side being rounded.
The seal body may be formed from any suitable material that is acceptable to be in contact with the skin of the subject. Suitable medical grade and approved materials are known in the art and available commercially. The seal body is most preferably formed from a flexible, most preferably resilient material. Suitable materials include polymers, in particular elastomers. Examples of suitable materials are polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.
The seal body may be formed by any suitable techniques and such techniques will be known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the seal body is formed as an extrudate of a suitable materia', in particular a resilient material. This allows the seal body to be prepared in the preferred elongate form and with a length tailored to the intended use of the assembly, for example a length tailored to a particular design of dressing.
The assembly is most preferably provided with means for securing the seal body to the skin of the subject when in use. A preferred securing means is a layer of adhesive.
The seal body of the assembly of the present invention has a first surface which, in use, is in contact with the skin of the subject. The first surface extends **.* between the first and second opposing edges of the seas body. The first surface is *:... 25 preferably substantially flat or formed to be slightly concave. In this way, the first surface is able to contact the skin of the subject when in use and form a fluid-tight seal therewith. *.*
The first surface most preferably extends continuously from the first edge to the *::: * 30 second edge. If the first surface is intersected by the means for retaining the line, as described hereinbelow, the first surface is preferably substantially continuous when in use.
The first surface may be provided with a sealing composition to assist in forming the fluid-tight seal with the skin of the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the first surface is provided with a layer of adhesive to aid both in forming the fluid-tight seal and to secure the assembly to the skin of the subject. Suitable adhesive composition for use in medical applications and for contacting the skin of a subject are known in the art and commercially available.
The seal body further comprises a second surface which, in use, is in contact with the dressing. The second surface extends between the first and second opposing edges of the seal body. The second surface forms a fluid-tight seal with the dressing.
In this respect, the second surface may be provided with a suitable composition to aid in forming the fluid-tight seal. However, many dressings will comprise an adhesive on the surface that is in contact with the second surface, which will assist in forming the fluid-tight seal.
The second surface extends between the first and second opposing edges in a manner to form a substantially continuous surface with the skin of the subject when the seal assembly is in use. In this way, a fluid tight seal is able to be formed between the dressing, and the skin and seal assembly. The references herein to a substantially continuous surface are to a surface that does not contain significant breaks, ridges, shoulders or steps that would present problems in forming a fluid-tight seal with the dressing. Preferably, the second surface extends at an acute angle from the first and second edges, preferably extending at the same angle from both edges. The angle between the first and second surfaces at the first and second edges is preferably less than 500, more preferably less than 45°,even more preferably less than 40°. An angle in the range of from 5 to 50° is preferred, more preferably from 10 to 45°, still more *..... preferably from 20 to 40°. S..
I
The second surface is preferably continuous. In embodiments where the I...
second surface is intersected by the means for retaining the line, as described below, the second surface is most preferably continuous when actually in use.
As noted above, the seal assembly further comprises means for retaining a line.
As described, in use, the seal assembly is intended to be applied to a line extending from an opening in the skin of the subject between a dressing covering the opening and extending from between the skin and the dressing at the dressing edge. In this respect, the line is generally extending substantially parallel to the plane of the skin and the dressing. The means for retaining the line are therefore most preferably arranged to retain the line substantially parallel to the skin of the subject, when the seal assembly is in place and in use. In use, the retaining means preferably hold the line substantially parallel to the first and second opposing edges of the seal body and/or preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal body.
The means for retaining the line are preferably operable to allow the seal assembly to be applied to a line that is in situ without requiring the line to be disconnected and/or removed. In this way, the seal assembly may be replaced together with the dressing, in accordance with normal nursing procedures.
A particularly preferred means for retaining a line is an opening extending within the seal body, the sides of which serve to grip and hold the line. A resilient material is particularly effective at holding the line in this manner. The opening may have any suitable form. Most preferably, the opening is in the form of a bore extending through the seal body. The bore preferably extends parallel to the first and second opposing edges of the seal body. In the case of an elongate seal body, the bore preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal body. The bore may extend through the seal body and have an opening at each end, thus requiring the seal assembly to be applied to a free end of the line before the line is fully connected. However, this would *e require an installed line to be at least partially removed and replaced. As noted above, it is preferred to allow the assembly of the present invention to be applied to a line without requiring removal of an existing line. Accordingly, a particularly preferred embodiment is one in which the bore extends adjacent and intersects a surface of the seal body, most preferably the second surface. In this case, a portion of the line may be inserted into the bore through the opening in the surface. It is preferred that the bore is of a size and position within the seal body that the presence of a line in bore S. -does not substantially interrupt the intersected surface. In one arrangement, a portion of the outer surface of the line may form part of the continuous surface of the seal body.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a dressing assembly comprising a dressing and a seal assembly as hereinbefore described.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of S example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seal assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the seal assembly of Figure 1 along the line II -II; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the seal assembly of Figure 1 along the line Ill -Ill; Figure 4 is a plan view of the seal assembly of Figure 1 in use with a dressing and a line; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the seal assembly, dressing and line of Figure 4 along the line V -V. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a seal assembly of the present invention, generally indicated as 2. The seal assembly 2 comprises a seal body 4 formed from a resilient plastic. The seal body 4 is generally rectangular in plan view and has a triangular cross-section, as shown in Figure 2, having a base 6 and angled sides 8. The cross-section is generally an isosceles triangle having the base 6 and substantially equal sides 8, with the base 6 of the seal body being the major side.
The sides 8 extend at an angle a to the base 6. The angle a is about 350 30 The seal body 4 has two opposing edges 9, formed at the junction of the sides 8 with the base 6. The sides 8 together form a surface extending between the opposing edges 9.
The seal body 4 is provided with a bore 10 extending longitudinally along the seal body from end to end. The position of the bore 10 within the seal body is shown in Figures 2 and 3 and can be seen to extend adjacent the apex of the triangular cross-section opposite the base 6. The bore 10 intersects the apex such that an elongate opening 12 is formed along the entire length of the bore 10.
As shown in Figure 3, the seal body is elongate. The seal body may be formed with any suitable length, as required by the end use of the seal assembly, for example by extruding the seal body from a suitable die and cutting to length.
A layer of adhesive 14 is provided on the base 6 of the seal body for securing the seal body to the surface of the skin of a subject. The adhesive is of a formulation approved for use in medical applications and for contact with the skin of the subject.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the seal assembly 2 is shown in position beneath a dressing 30 in position on the surface of the skin 36 of a subject. A line 40 is shown in place in the bore 10 in the seal body, where it is firmly held. The portions of the seal assembly and the line extending beneath the dressing are shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. The dressing 30 comprises a layer of adhesive 32, by which it is attached to the skin 36 and the seal body 4.
As shown in Figure 5, the seal assembly 2 holds the line 40 in position in the bore 10. The dressing extends from the skin 36 of the subject over the seal body 4.
The angle a is selected such that the surface of the seal body 4 provides a continuation of the surface of the skin 36, with their being a smooth and substantially unbroken transition from the surface of the skin to the surface of the seal body. In this way, the S. *: * * dressing may be applied to the skin and the seal body to as to form a fluid-tight seal with both. Any minor imperfections in the junction between the surface of the skin and the surface of the seal body are accommodated by the layer of adhesive on the dressing.
S
*..: It will further be noted from Figure 5 that the line 40 is held in the bore such that *.* a portion of the surface of the tube is exposed. The bore 10 is of a size and position that the surface of the tube provides a rounded transition between the two side surfaces of the seal body, again allowing a fluid-tight seal to be formed between the seal body and the underside of the dressing. The line 40 is held in position by the resilience of the material of the seal body and the adhesive layer 32 on the dressing.
S * * **** * * * * ** * S S * ** S.. S*S*
S S... S. S
S S S S.

Claims (16)

  1. CLAIMS1. A seal assembly comprising a seal body having first and second opposing edges; a first surface for contacting and forming a seal with the skin of a subject when in use and a second surface for contacting and forming a seal with a dressing when in use, the second surface extending between the first and second opposing edges of the seal body, such that a substantially continuous surface is formed by the second surface and the skin of the subject when the assembly is applied to the skin; the seal body comprising means for retaining a line such that there is no substantial interruption in the said continuous surface.
  2. 2. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing edges extend parallel to each other.
  3. 3. The seal assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second opposing edges extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal body.
  4. 4. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal body has a triangular cross-section.
  5. 5. The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein the cross-section is an isosceles triangle.
  6. 6. The seal assembly according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the major side of the triangular cross-section is formed by the first surface.S S...*
  7. 7. The seal assembly according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the triangular cross-section has the apex opposite the first surface rounded.S S..
    S
  8. 8. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal body is S...: formed of a resilient material. *S * S S* S 55
  9. 9. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal body is an extrudate.
  10. 10. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for securing the seal body to the surface of the skin of a subject.
  11. 11. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising means to form a fluid-tight seal between the first surface and the skin of a subject, when in use.
  12. 12. The seal assembly according to either of claims 10 or 11, wherein the said means is a layer of adhesive extending on the first surface.
  13. 13. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for forming a fluid-tight seal between the second surface and a dressing, when in use.
  14. 14. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the second surface extends at an acute angle from the first and second opposing edges.
  15. 15. The seal assembly according to claim 14, wherein the acute angle is less than
  16. 16. The seal assembly according to claim 15, wherein the acute angle is from 20 to 40°. * *17. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for retaining a line are arranged to hold the line substantially parallel to the skin of the subject, when in use. * *18. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for *.** retaining a line are arranged to hold the line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal body.19. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for retaining a line are operable to attach to a portion of the line without requiring the line to be disconnected if in use.20. The seal assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for retaining a line comprises an opening extending within the seal body in which a portion of a line may be held.21. The seal assembly according to claim 20, wherein the opening is a bore extending through the seal body.22. The seal assembly according to claim 21, wherein the bore extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal body.23. The seal assembly according to either of claims 21 or 22, wherein the bore extends parallel to the first and second opposing edges.24. The seal assembly according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the bore intersects a surface of the seal body along the length of the bore.25. The seal assembly according to claim 24, wherein the bore intersects the second surface along the length of the bore.26. The seal assembly according to claim 25, wherein the bore is of a size and positioned such that a portion of the outer surface of a line extending within the bore forms part of the second surface, when in use.*.IS.* * 27. A dressing assembly comprising a dressing and a seal assembly according to *:*::* any preceding claim. S..S28. The dressing assembly according to claim 27, further comprising a line. S...S .5. ** SSS * **29. A seal assembly substantially as hereinbefore described, having reference to any of the accompanying figures.30. A dressing assembly substantially as hereinbefore described, having reference to Figures 4 or 5. *.** * * **** ** ** *** * * * S. * . S * S.S S.. S...S **. ** S * * * S.
GB201013851A 2010-08-18 2010-08-18 Seal assembly for a dressing Withdrawn GB2482896A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201013851A GB2482896A (en) 2010-08-18 2010-08-18 Seal assembly for a dressing

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201013851A GB2482896A (en) 2010-08-18 2010-08-18 Seal assembly for a dressing

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201013851D0 GB201013851D0 (en) 2010-09-29
GB2482896A true GB2482896A (en) 2012-02-22

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Family Applications (1)

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GB201013851A Withdrawn GB2482896A (en) 2010-08-18 2010-08-18 Seal assembly for a dressing

Country Status (1)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0772472A1 (en) * 1994-07-28 1997-05-14 Medisys Technologies, Inc. Apparatus securing intravenous or intercavity medical tubing
EP1461113A1 (en) * 2001-12-26 2004-09-29 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Wound vacuum therapy dressing kit
EP2076311A2 (en) * 2006-07-26 2009-07-08 Bluesky Medical Group Inc. Dressing
EP2227203A1 (en) * 2008-01-03 2010-09-15 KCI Licensing, Inc. Low-profile reduced pressure treatment system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0772472A1 (en) * 1994-07-28 1997-05-14 Medisys Technologies, Inc. Apparatus securing intravenous or intercavity medical tubing
EP1461113A1 (en) * 2001-12-26 2004-09-29 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Wound vacuum therapy dressing kit
EP2076311A2 (en) * 2006-07-26 2009-07-08 Bluesky Medical Group Inc. Dressing
EP2227203A1 (en) * 2008-01-03 2010-09-15 KCI Licensing, Inc. Low-profile reduced pressure treatment system

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