CA1187753A

CA1187753A - Bandage frame and method

Info

Publication number: CA1187753A
Application number: CA000412560A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Frederic Grossmann; Larry A. Sims
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Allegiance Corp
Priority date: 1982-09-30
Filing date: 1982-09-30
Publication date: 1985-05-28

Abstract

BANDAGE FRAME AND METHOD

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A frame for spreading relatively large adhesive backed bandages into a generally flat configuration for applying to a patient. Such bandages might be for a wound dressing, burn dressing, surgical incise drape, etc. The frame is attached to the bandage when the bandage is being stuck to the patient, but the frame is removed so as not to interfere with subsequent movement of the patient's anatomy.

Description

BACKGROUND
Clamp on and other type of handles for use in applying large area adhesive backed bandages to pa-tients are known. ~uch bandages when applied -to a patient require extremely careful handling, as shown in Patent 3,236,370, to prevent the bandage from sticking from itself or excessively wrinkling. When used as an "incise" drape~ a surgical incision is made directly through the bandage and into the patien-t.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
` The problem of handling large area bandages, suc~
as for burn dressings, wound dressings, and incise drapes is overcome by the present invention which rela-tes to a flexible bandage having a backing with an adhesive on one surface for applying to a patient, and a removable liner protecting the adhesive prior to use. The improve~ent, according to the present invention, comprises a frame which is substantially less flexible than the bandage, the frame being bendable so as to temporarily conform to a patient's anatomy during application of the flexible bandage. The frame is removably attached to the backing opposite the surface covered with adhesive. The frame has external dimensions sufficient to main the bandage in a generally flat configuration and control wrinkling of the bandage during handling and application of the bandage to the patient.
THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the frame attached to the adhesive backed bandage;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the frame prior to attaching to such bandage;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 showing a first embodiment of the frame in relatively thin configuration;

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Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3, but showing Q second embodiment of the frame construction of a thicker configuration;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view showing the frame being peeled from the bandage after application to a patient;

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Figure 7 is a top plan view of a sterile package broken away to show a package frame and bandage system; and Figure 8 is a sterile package containing a frame only.

D~TAILED DESCRIPTION

In Figure 1, an adhesive backed flexible bandage, shown generally at 1, is secured to a frame 2. For easy attachment and detachment of the frame, a protruding border 3 of the flexible drape is provided. The frame unattached to flexible bandage 1 is shown in Figure 2.

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In a first embodiment of the frame shown in the sectional view of Figure 3, a frame back 5 is coated with an adhesive 6, which in turn is protected by a peel off liner 7. In this figure, the frame back 5 is of relatively thin material, such as a heavy paper. Thermoplastic or other material could also be used for the frame back. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the frame wherein a frame back 9 is of a relatively thicker material, but not as wide as the Figure 3 embodiment.

When the frame 2 is attached by its adhesives to the top of flexible bandage 1, the configuration is that of the sectional view of Figure 5. Bandage 1 preferably has a backing 10 that is coated with an adhesive 11. A strip member 12 secured to adhesive 11 prevents the removable liner 13 from sticking to an edge portion of the flexible bandage. This provides an easily graspable tab on liner 13 that is unstuck to the adhesive when peeling off the liner 13. Liner 13 can be of a disc~rdable paper material. The fle~cible backing 10 and adhesive 11 are preferably of a water vapor permeable, liquid water and bacteria im~
permeable film material. One type of such water vapor permeable bandage is manufactured by the British firm of Smith ~c Nephew and marketed in the United States under the trademark OP-SITE. ~n instruction sheet for such OP-SITE
bandage is attached showing how it is applied to a patient without the benefit of the present invention.

When the frame 2 and flexible bandage 1 are attached to each other and liner 13 has been removed, the bandage is smoothed down against the contours of a patient's anatomy. Preferably, the frame 2 is slightly flexible or bendable so as to temporarily conform to a patient's anatomy during application of the flexible bandage. After such application, the frame can be peeled off of the flexible bandage 1, as shown in Figure 6. Thus, after application, the bandage resumes its very highly flexible nature so as to readily move with the patient's body. Even though, as shown in Figure 6, the frame is slightly flexible or bendable, it still remains stiffer than the flexible bandage material itself.

The system, which includes the frame 2 and flexible bandage 1, are contained within a sterile package, as shown in Figure 7. The package of Figure 7 has been broken away to reveal the frame and bandage. In Figure 7, the frame can be preattached to the bandage, or alternatively, they can be attached to each other upon opening the package of Figure 7. Figure 8 shows Q sterile package in which only the frame is within the package.

Throughout the specification and claims, the term "bandage" has been used in a very broad sense to include any large area adhesive backed sheet material applied to a patient, such as a wound dressing, burn dressing, incise drape, etc. The term "frame" has also been used in a broad sense to include an attachable structure which is applied ~o the drape for spreading into a more manageable configuration during the application to the patient. Such frame need not enclose a central opening nor be rectangular in shape.

In the foregoing description, specific examples have been used to describe the invention. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that certain modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a flexible bandage having a backing with an adhesive on one surface for applying to a patient, and a removable liner protecting the adhesive prior to use, the improvement comprising:
a frame which is substantially less flexible than the bandage, said frame being bendable as to temporarily conform to a patient's anatomy during application of the flexible bandage, and being removably attached to the backing opposite the surface covered with adhesive, said frame having external dimensions sufficient to maintain said bandage in a generally flat configuration and control wrinkling of the bandage during handling and application of the bandage to the patient.

2. The bandage of claim 1, wherein the bandage is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid water and bacteria.

3. The bandage of claim 1, wherein the frame is generally retangular with an open central portion.

4. The bandage of claim 1, wherein the bandage is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid and bacteria=the frame is generally rectangular with an open central portion=and the backing and adhesive are transparent for viewing a patient beneath the bandage.