GB2409977A

GB2409977A - Tubular, elastic wound dressing

Info

Publication number: GB2409977A
Application number: GB0400595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Jaques
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-13
Filing date: 2004-01-13
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-13
Also published as: GB2409977B; GB0400595D0

Abstract

A wound dressing comprises a water impermeable, elastic tubular member and an absorbent layer within said tubular member. The absorbent layer may be formed around the circumference of the tubular member and may be bonded to the tubular member or moulded with the tubular member, the layer may also be of an elastic material, such as fabric or porous polymeric foam which may be impregnated with antiseptic or analgesic substances. The tubular member may have a closed end and may be formed from soft, water impermeable conformable polymeric material such as latex and its ends may be free from absorbent material. The dressing may be used on a limb such as a finger, hand, toe, arm, leg.

Description

IMPROVED WOUND DRESSING

The present invention relates to a dressing for covering a wound on a portion of a person's body.

Minor cuts and grazes are usually treated without requiring a visit to a doctor or a hospital by simple "first aid", usually involving cleaning the cut or graze, possibly applying an anti-septic or anti-bacterial ointment and then applying a simple dressing to protect the wound from dirt and absorb any fluids or wound 1 0 exudates.

Known wound dressings for use in such "first aid" are commonly referred to as "plasters" and comprise a polymeric or fabric substrate having an absorbent pad affixed thereto and an adhesive coated on the regions of the substrate either side of the absorbent pad by means of which the dressing is adhered to the skin of the patient to hold the absorbent pad over the region of a wound.

The adhesive used to secure the dressing to the skin of the wearer can cause an adverse or allergic reaction. Furthermore, such dressings are relatively in- elastic and thus may restrict the movement of the limb or other body part to which the dressing is applied. Also such known wound dressing are not usually waterproof and thus do not protect the wound from any liquids into which the limb or body part may be immersed, such liquids being absorbed by the absorbent pad, thus requiring replacement of the dressing. Such known dressings are often covered by conventional bandages for additional protection. Such bandages are difficult to apply and secure without the use of two hands and thus a person will usually require the assistance of another to apply such a known dressing over a wound on a finger or other part of the hand.

The present invention alleviates the above problems by providing a waterproof, elastic dressing that requires no adhesive or other fastening means to retain the dressing over a wound.

According to the present invention there is provided a dressing for covering a wound on a limb or other portion of a persons body, said dressing comprising a tubular or sleeve-like member formed from a conformable, elastic, water impermeable material, and an absorbent layer provided on at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member. The absorbent layer may be bonded to the inner surface of the tubular member or may be moulded therewith.

Preferably the absorbent layer is formed from an elastic material, such as an elastic fabric or a porous polymeric foam. The absorbent layer is preferably provided offset from the ends of the tubular member whereby the end regions of the tubular member are free from absorbent material. The absorbent layer may be provided around the circumference of the inner surface of the tubular member to provide a tubular region of absorbent material on the inner surface of the tubular member.

In a preferred embodiment the tubular member is formed from latex or a similar soft, water impermeable, conformable polymeric material.

The tubular member may comprise a closed ended sleeve or sheath or may be open ended depending on the nature the limb to which it is to be applied and the position of the wound thereon. For example, a closed ended sheath like dressing may be provided to cover at least the end region of a finger or toe or an open ended tubular dressing may be provided for covering a wound on an arm or leg or a portion of a finger or toe.

The wound dressing of the present invention can be applied to a wounded limb, such as a finger, arm, toe, foot or leg, by selecting a dressing having a diameter appropriate to the limb to which the dressing is to be applied (i.e. selecting a dressing having an inner circumference slightly less than the minimum circumference of the region of the limb to which the dressing is to be applied) and simply rolling or sliding the dressing over said limb until the absorbent layer is positioned over the wound, the dressing forming a close fitting enveloping tube around the wounded region of said limb. Accordingly the dressing can be applied using only one hand without requiring assistance from a third party.

The elasticity of the dressing will retain the dressing over the wounded limb without requiring any further adhesive or other retaining means and will apply a therapeutic compressive force to the wound. The waterproof outer material of the dressing will protect the wound from dirt and liquids or other materials to which the wounded limb may be exposed. The dressing can also serve as an insulator preventing loss of body heat the region of the wound and thus improving the circulation of blood to said region. Since no adhesive is used, the dressing is non-bonding and nonirritating and the elasticity of the dressing offers increased comfort and circulation than that provided by known dressings. As well as absorbing and retaining perspiration and other secretions from the wound, the absorbent layer traps oxygen over the region of the wound which is free to circulate over the wound, providing an ideal environment for healing.

The absorbent layer may be impregnated with anti-septic and/or analgesic substances.

Claims

1. A dressing for covering a wound on a limb or other portion of a persons body, said dressing comprising a tubular or sleeve-like member formed from a conformable, elastic, water impermeable material, and an absorbent layer provided on at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular member.

2. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer is bonded to the inner surface of the tubular member.

3. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer is moulded with the tubular member.

4. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent layer is formed from an elastic material.

5. A dressing as claimed in claim 4 wherein the absorbent layer is formed from an elastic fabric or a porous polymeric foam.

6. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent layer is provided offset from the ends of the tubular member whereby the end regions of the tubular member are free from absorbent material.

7. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the absorbent layer is provided around the circumference of the inner surface of the tubular member to provide a tubular region of absorbent material on the inner surface of the tubular member.

8. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tubular member is formed from a soft, water impermeable, conformable polymeric material.

9. A dressing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tubular member is formed from latex.

10.A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the absorbent layer is impregnated with anti-septic and/or analgesic substances.

11. A dressing substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.