GB2267427A - Treating burns - Google Patents

Abstract

A suit for treating burns comprises an-external layer of polyester and an internal one of sponge (about 1 cm thick). The sponge layer is of high porosity and is impregnated with glycerin and camphor in order to provide cold (to reduce and prevent edema) and grease to enable the suit to be removed easily. Adjustable straps are necessary for an efficient fitting. Larger plasters and special mattresses may also be of layered construction. In the former the sponge layer would be 5 mm thick and impregnated with a wide spectrum antibiotic, such as sulphonamide whereas, in the latter, the sponge layer would be 1.5 cm thick and impregnated with a greasy and aseptic solution. <IMAGE>

Description

MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR BURNED PATIENTS "B U R N A I D" Introduction Although Medicine has suffered an enormous evolution, some fields remain to be better studied. One of them is the attendance to burned patients.

This project aims to fulfil the lack of supplies to this pathology, to relieve as far as possible, the pain, to delay shock and to improve treatment conditions, through a combined mechanical-chemical system for topical use.

BIG BURNED PATIENTS Physiopatholoy and Treatment The first cause of death, other than suffocation is the shock caused by pain. The physical destruction of nervous terminals transmitted to the brain, leads to such a neuronal discharge hypotalamus, that neurogenic shock kills usually during the first hour.

The second cause is the lost of hydric balance: the heat alters the plasmatic permeability, the fluids come out their normal vessels, leading to the edema. As a consequence, less plasma is into normal and lymph circulation and a hypovolemic shock can cause death during the following 24 hours.

In small burned areas similar physiopathology can be observed without risking shock.

Treatment Plastic Surgery offers 3 possibilities: 1. Most common and cheaper is to clean the area, cover it with gauze, replacing the treatment regul-arly. This is a painful method each time it is changed, granulation tissue takes a long time to be formed, and skin grafts are postponed.

2. Requiring special premises: to treat the patient in a permanent aseptic room, the areas are exposed and daily debridement is performed.

Granulation tissue is quickly formed and less scars remain as a final result.

Main problem: whenever patients suffered front and back lesions there is not a special mattress to cope with the situation , the skin sticks to bed sheets, or garbage bags, Main problem: whenever patients suffered front and back lesions there is not a special mattress to cope with the situation , the skin sticks to bed sheets, or garbage bags, being extremely uncomfortable.

3. Immediate grafts: this is a recent method where the skin is cleaned and lesions are immediately covered by grafts.

Treatment is reduced to 3 weeks, but does not avoid scars on 2nd degree.

THIS PROJECT To create a mechanical-chemical equipment as follows: First aid emergency care: Suit as per drawings attached.

in three different sizes for adults and a few for children, where the patient would be wrapped into it by the fire brigade.

It would have the following structure:

Spongel ayer (Higiporosity) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxlxxxxxxxxxx Externallayer (WatevproqXolyester) The sponge layer, about 1 cm high, would be impregnated with a solution (glycerine + camphor) providing cold, grease and pressure to combat the edema and neutralize, by cold action, the pain.

The fire brigade or emergency helpers would be instructed to remove all possible patient's clothes surrounding the affected are and dress this suit immediately.

Due to the sponge structure the wound would be protected of further damage. The greasy system would then enable the emergency unit to remove easily this suit.

Still, a symbol such as a cross over a flame or similar, printed on the external layer would indicate the kind of problem involved.

A mask, gloves and socks (differentiated toes) should also be provided.

Other supplies: Considering respectively, the methods of treatment already mentioned: 1. Produce big plasters, where the sponge layers would be thinner - 5 mm. The solution in this case should contain a wide spectrum antibiotic, such as sulphonamide ( to cover Pseudomonas Aeroginosis a common bacteria which grows in such cases and is Gram negative). The treatment would therefore become very simple: the wounds should be thoroughly cleaned and these plasters applied over it.

Bandages would just support and it is a painless system.

2. A special mattress, considering the same composition, sponge layer 1,5 cm thick. The impregnating solution would be greasy and aseptic. Size 90 x 60 cm.

Smaller units could be produced to prevent bed sores.

To finalize this pack a highly hydrating solution would be available for patients recovering from skin grafts and others.

This all project would be a complement to usual treatment, simple and giving no chance to incompetence.

Claims (2)

1. BURN AID 1. A specific suit for burned patients formed by a external layer of waterproof polyester and an internal one of an impregnated sponge providing cold and grease means a better quality of emergency therapy.
2. 2. The suit, or parts of it, can be adapted and adjusted for each patient needs.