GB2537337A

GB2537337A - Bandage

Info

Publication number: GB2537337A
Application number: GB1418134.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Ashman Stuart; Frances Ashman Rebecca
Original assignee: HERO HEALTHCARE Ltd
Current assignee: HERO HEALTHCARE Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-14
Filing date: 2014-10-14
Publication date: 2016-10-19
Also published as: GB201418134D0

Abstract

A bandage 2 comprising, a first layer 4 adapted to be applied to a patients skin; a second layer 10 adapted to adhere to the first layer and to cause said first layer to apply compression to the patients skin; wherein at least one aloe containing material is provided in the first layer. The aloe material may be dried aloe 8 and/or aloe vera. The bandaged may comprise at least one adhesive material 6 and/or 12 for adhering the second layer to the first layer, such adhesive may be provided in the first material. The aloe containing material may be provided in the adhesive material. The bandage may comprise at least one odour capturing material included in the first layer; such odour capturing material may comprise at least one cyclodextrin material. The first layer may be compressible, the layer comprising at least one foam material. The second layer may comprise at least one stretchable material, wherein such stretchable material is stretchable to a limited extent. The invention is particularly directed to the treatment of venous leg ulcers, wherein the second layer comprises an elasticated loop of material designed to provide pressure to the applied area.

Description

BANDAGE

The present invention relates to a bandage, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a bandage for the treatment of venous leg ulcers.

Multicomponent multilayer bandages are known for treating venous leg ulcers in patients suffering from severe chronic venous disease. Research has shown that strong compression, in the region of 44 mm Hg, was required for treatment of venous leg ulcers. A known multilayer bandage system comprises a series of different bandages of variable elasticity in order to achieve the necessary compression by combining the benefits of short stretch and long stretch bandages. In particular, at work the bandage behaves as a short stretch bandage, producing a marked massage effect, while at rest the bandage provides constant intermediate pressure, which can be tolerated at night, thereby making it possible to wear the bandage continuously for up to 7 days without loss of pressure.

One such known bandage has four layers and provides a sub-bandage pressure of 35-40 mm Hg at the ankle. The bandage incorporates elastic layers to achieve this sustained level of compression over time. This four layer bandage is used primarily in the treatment of venous ulceration and achieves healing in patients with both deep superficial and combined venous incompetence. Four layer bandages can also be used to prevent recurrence in patients who are unable to wear elastic hosiery. Vulnerable patients with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease have been managed successfully using such bandages with the bandage changed every 1-2 weeks.

Although the known bandages are very successful in treating certain conditions, existing bandages suffer from a number of disadvantages. In particular, wound odour and breakdown of skin can occur and the components of the bandage can slip relative to each other, thereby causing reduced compression over time. In addition, existing four layer systems can be bulky and hot to wear, making it difficult or uncomfortable to wear the bandage together with normal footwear.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a bandage comprising: a first layer adapted to be applied to a patient's skin; a second layer, adapted to adhere to said first layer and to cause said first layer to apply compression to said patient's skin; and at least one aloe containing material in said first layer.

By providing at least one aloe containing material in the first layer, this provides the advantage of providing a more compact bandage which avoids excessive skin breakdown and bandage slippage. It has been found that the present invention surprisingly further assists healing of venous leg ulcers by improving the wellbeing of patients, since the more compact bandage enables everyday clothing and footwear to be worn with the bandage.

At least one said aloe containing material may be dried aloe.

At least one said aloe containing material may be aloe vera.

The bandage may further comprise at least one adhesive material for causing said second layer to adhere to said first layer.

At least one said adhesive material may be provided in said first layer.

At least one said aloe containing material may be provided in at least one said adhesive containing material.

The bandage may further comprise at least one odour capturing material included in said first layer.

At least one said odour capturing material may comprise at least one cyclodextrin material.

Said first layer may be compressible.

Said first layer may include at least one foam material.

Said second layer may comprise at least one stretchable material.

At least one said stretchable material may be stretchable to a limited extent.

This provides the advantage of enabling a controlled amount of compression to be applied by the bandage when the second layer is stretched to its fullest extent.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a bandage embodying the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a bandage 2 comprises a compressible first layer 4 of polyurethane foam material having an adhesive layer 6 sprayed on one side thereof. The adhesive layer 6 makes the first layer 4 cohesive, i.e. it adheres to itself but not the skin of a patient. The adhesive layer 6 contains an odour capturing material (not shown) containing one or more cycodextrin products. The adhesive layer 6 also includes dried aloe 8. A second layer 10 contains stretchable material which is stretchable to a limited extent, for enabling the bandage 2 to be wrapped around a body part of a patient having a wound such that the tension in the second layer 10 causes the first layer 4 to apply compression to the wound. The second layer 10 has an adhesive layer 12 sprayed on one side thereof to make the second layer 10 cohesive, i.e. so that it adheres to itself but not to the skin of the patient. By stretching the second layer 10 to its fullest extent, a controlled amount of compression can be applied.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.