GB2625282A

GB2625282A - An article for use in healing a wound

Info

Publication number: GB2625282A
Application number: GB2218646.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: N'jie Isatou
Original assignee: Isatou Njie
Current assignee: Isatou Njie
Priority date: 2022-12-12
Filing date: 2022-12-12
Publication date: 2024-06-19
Also published as: GB202218646D0

Abstract

An article (2) for use in healing a wound (4, figure 1) comprising: a cover portion (8), wherein: the cover portion is made of a foam material; the foam material is a thermoplastics material; the cover portion has a concave shape formed by heat treating the thermoplastics material; the cover portion is for location over the wound such as to protect the wound and thereby facilitate the healing of the wound; and the cover portion is provided with at least one aperture (10) which permits air to circulate over the wound. The cover portion is preferably made of a closed cell cross-linked polyethylene thermoplastic. The cover portion may be attached to locating means (12), which may take the form of clothing articles, such as a pair of briefs, leggings, trousers, boxer shorts, a blouse, a shirt, or a vest. Medicaments may be impregnated into the foam material, as well as pads for absorbing liquids.

Description

AN ARTICLE FOR USE IN HEALING A WOUND

This nvention relates to an article for use in healing a wound.

Wounds may he the resuft of surgery or accidents. Often a wound is loft unbandaged, espeCialiy where surgery has taken place and the wound has been stitched together. Unbandaged wounds ma e irritated by clothing being worn by a person. Also the unbandaged wounds may be more susceptible to infection due to being touched by cloth It is an aim of the present invention to red mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one nonlimitirg embodiment of the p there is provided an article for use in healing a wound. Which comprises, (J) a cover portion, and wherein: the cover portion i made of a foam material; ib the toam material is a thermoplastics material, the cover portion has cave shape formed by heat the thermoplastics meter (v) the cover portion is for location over the wound such as to protect the wound hereby faciiitate the healing of the (vi) the cover portion is provided with at least one aperture which permits air to circulate over the wound when the cover portion is located aver the wound and thereby further facilitate the healing of the The article of the present invention is able to reduce the tendency of unbandaged wounds to be irritated by dothing and/or become infected, for example by the clothing or by other ways. The concave shape of the cover portion enables o it over the wound and protect the wound. If the cover portion is pressed against, then the pressing may e the cor e shape to collapse. However, when the pressure released, the thermoplastics material enables the cover portion to resume its original shape. Thus the protection afforded by the cover portion is able to be maintained over different required periods of time and in different circumstances.

Preferably, the thermoplastics material is a thermoformable material. Alternatively: the thermoplastics material may be a thermosetting n thermoptastics material is preferably a ale ial. The closed cell thermopla -jos material is easily deaned and less iv to harbour germs than an open cell thermoplastics rratehai, However, if desired, the thermoplastics materia: may be an open cell ti material. The thermopastics fo. erial may be a soft thermoplastics foam Preferably, the thernioplastics polyethylene thermoplastics material his case ermopiastics material is preferably a closed cell cross-linked polyethylene thermoplastics material, Such plastics materials may be front a family of plastics foam materials known as 7ote thermoplastics materiaL Zote foam thermopiastics materials that may be used within the Zote foam range are Piaslazote and Evazote. The words Zotei, Plastazote and Evazote are. Registered Trade Marks.

ay be one in which the article includes locating means for locating the cover portionover the wound, and in which the locating means is secured to the cover.

he one in which the locating rncans comp e aperture. and n which the -over portion is located in the aperture.

The ar one in which the locating means is permanently secured to the cover The article e one in which the aperture in the locating means is smaller than cover portion, and in which the location means has been stretched to enable the locating means to be secured to the cover portion. The stretching of the locating means is advantageous in that it may ensure that the ocat ecured smoothly and evenly around the entire periphery of ttie cover portion. Furthermore if the locating means is stretched during use of the arti the prior stretching involved in securing the locating means to the cover portion helps to stop the cover.ortion tearing way from the locating means during use of the especially if repeated stretching is involved. if the aperture in the locating portion is the same size as the cover portion, then there is less stretch as the aperture is relatively bigger. Thus, with the smaller hole, there is more material to stretch when stretching the article during use.

Preferably, the Focahng means is secured to the cover portion by sewing. Other securing meads may be employed so that, for example, the locating Means may be secured to the cover portion by an adhesive.

The locating means is doubled over where the locating means defines perture and is secured by the sewing. The sewing may be two separate rows of stitching. Alternatively the sewing may be cross-stitch se),wng. Other types of sewing may be employed.

The article may alternatively be one in which the locating means is releasably attached to the cover portion. e locating means s releasable {ocating means releasably attached to the cover portion: then the cover portion may d for replacement as and when the cover portion needs to he releasable locating means may be in the form of matricies of interlocking ph push together to secure and pull apart to release. Such matholes are preferable those known as Velcro (Registered Trade Mai Other releasable locating means may be employed, for example press studs or hooks The article may be one in which e is a plurality of the apertues in the cover portion, and in which the apertures are distanced apart and/or sized such that the cover portion does not tear consequent article. The apertures may be of any suitable number, size, shape and pattern The article may be one in which the cover portion includes a medicament for helping heaflnq of the wound and/or surrounding tissue. Preferably the medicament is impregnated into the foam material, The medicament may otherwise be provided in or on the foam material. The medicament may be a silicone -1,,dicarrient, Other types of medicament be employed.

The article over portion may be positioned appropriately on the article of clothing as required to cover the wound. The boating means may be part of the remainder of the article of clothing. Alternatively the locating means may be a separate locating means which is secured to the remainder of the article of c °thing The article of clothing may be a pair of briefs. The pair of briefs may be especially suitable for wounds in abdominal area such for example as wounds incurred as a result of operations for a caesarean section.

Ian cancer, a hysterectomy, an appendectomy or a hernia.

The briefs may include a waist aperture, and a pair of leg apertures. The briefs may aiso include a waistband defining the waist aperture. The waist aperture may be defined by an elasticated waistband. The waist aperture may be defined by other means if desired. The leg apertures in may each be defined 1w an elasticated lea band, Alternattvely apertures may be nometasticatect leg apertures and thus defined, ft by material of a body pordon of the briefs.

The briefs may be produced as disposal briefs or washable briefs.

The briefs may include a pad for absorbing blood due to afterbirth bleeding by women having just given birth.

The pad may be a pad which is not secured to the briefs, In this case, the women chose pads of their liking.

Alternatively. briefs -one in which the pad is permanently secured in position in the briefs. The briefs can then be disposable b iefs. Women usina the disposable briefs wiU have the kno iiedge that not only is the pad suitable for absorbing the blood fro rbirth bleeding, but the briefs are also such that they are able to helpful for wound healing from a caesarean on. Thus the briefs are advantageous in that they are able to be used by women for absorbing blood due to afterbirth bleeding, irrespective of whether or not the women have given birth naturally or by way of a caesarean section. The briefs are espectaily advantageous when it is borne in mind that many women giving birth do not know until the very last moment that they will have to give birth by a caesarean section. Thus the briefs can be purchased prior to birth, and women will have peace of mind in knowing that the same briefs will be useahie if they give birth naturally and simply require to absorb the blood due to the afterbirth bleeding, or if they give birth via a caesarean section and then need h absorb the blood due to the afterbrt bleeding. and also need to avoid aggravating their caesarean section wound and its surrounding tissue. When the pad is permanently secured in position briefs, titer nets may be one in whichthe pad is of a size am absorbency for absorbing the blood wUhout leakage of the blood from the briefs during use.

The article of Clothing may alternatively be a pair of leggings, a pair of trousers, or boxer shorts.

The article of clothing may afternatively be a blouse, a shirt or a vest. ln this case, the wound will USW: be in an upper part of the body of a person.

Alternatively, the article may be a bandage or a plaster.

Alternatively, the y be one in which the locating means is adhesive on a peripheral edge of the cover portion.

The article may be one which has been treated with an o.douriretaining "al. Preferably the article is one in which the a is not treatedwith an odour-re aterial, Odour-retaining materials are known that retain adonis, for example from blood or vaginal discharge, such that the odours are at least less noticeable than hey would othevise be. However, dour-retaining material may mask the odour from an infection in or caused by the wound, and this is not desirable.

The article may be one in which the concave shape, Ned from °Lind over who the article is placed in use. defines any reqrnred shape.

for example a circular, elliptical, square, shape. The concave shape causes the cover hexagonal or octagona bow and thus be a to cover and protect the wound without contacting the wound. Preferab cover portion is such that it does not bow to the extent That it creates a substantially noticeably bulge in the article: and one which would be such that it would be visible under clothing and thus aesthetically not pleasing.

Apart from the provision of the cover portion and the locating means when the locating means is employed: then the article of the present invention, for example an article of clothing: may he made of a continuous material or a mesh -rial. The article may be made of cotton: silk or linen.

Any suitable natural or synthetic material may be employed. The material may be a stretchable or a non-stretchable material.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first article which is in the form of a pair of briefs and which is for use in healing a wound in a woman resulting from a caesarean section: Figure 2 is an enlarged vew of the briefs shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing how a cover portion of th as shown in Figure 2 is stitched in position: perspective vievs, like Figure 2 but shows a second article which is in the form of a second pair of briefs and which is for use w1/4 nd of the type shown in Figure 1 Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing how a cover as shown in Figure 4 is stitched in position; ure 6 is a front kr of the cover portion as shown Figure 7 is a view from the front and above of the cover portion as shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side perspective view of the cover portion shown in Figure Figure 9 shows of the present invention which is form of a pair of trousers and which is for use in healing a wound in a man or a woman resulting from an append l"loure 10 is articie of the present invention which is in the form of a vest and which is for healing., a wound in a woman Ring from an operation to her ieft breast is a view of a fifth article of the present invention a of a body band for fitting around the body of a man or a woman at a place where there is awound; Figure 12 is view of a sixth article of the present invention and in the form of a bandage and which is for use in healing a wound in an arm of a man or a woman; and Figure 13 shows a seventh article of e present invention and n the form of a cup and which is for use in healing a wound in a man or a woman at any appropriate part of their body.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2; there is shown an articte which form of a pair of hr and which is for use eating woman 6. The briefs 2 comprise a cover portion 8. is made of a foam material. The foam matena is a themnop:a The cover portion 8 has concave shape. The concave shape is formed by heat treating the thermoplastics material, The cover portion 8 is for location over the wound 4 such as to protect the wound 4 and thereby facilitate the heaflng the wound 4. More speciflcaUy, the concave shape of the cover portion 8 enables the cover portion 8 to sit over and around the wound 4 and not touch the woOnd 4.

The Cover portion 8 is provided with at least one aperture 10 which permits over the wound 4 when the cover portion 8 is located over the wound 4. This thereby further fatitates the healing of the wound 4.

The thermoplastics thermofermable. material, The thermoplastics material is also a dosed cell therrnoplastics material More spedfically, the thermoplastics materi is a closed cell linked polyethylene thermoplastics material, This closed cell cros linked polyethylene thermoplastics material is preferably that known as Plastazote or Evazote (Registered Trade Marks). The cove ortion 8 is such that soft for comfort of wearing, whUst at the same time being of a general dome shape to afford protection to the wound 4. if the dome shape of the cover portion 8 becomes depressed due to outside pressure during wearing of the briefs then the material of the cover portion 8 enabes the cover portion 8 to tea) its original shape once the pressure is removed. Thus the cove able continuously to provide protection for the wound 4.

The briefs 2 comprise locating means in the form of The briefs 2 also comprise a waist aperture 14, a waist band U165 18.

As can he appreciated from Figure 1, the body portion 12 comprises an aperture 22. The cover portion B is located in the aperture 22: The locating means in the form of the body portion 12 is permanently secured to the cover portion 8. The aperture 22 in the body portion 12 is smaller than the cover portion 8. The briefs 2 are such that the body portion 12 has been stretched to enable the body portion 12 to be secured to the cover portion 8 and in the aperture 22. The body portion 12 is secured to the cover portion 8 by sewing.

Figure 3 shows the edge 24 of the body portion 12 defining the aperture 22 bent over and stitched with two rows of parallel shrch The cover portion 8 comprises a p: of the coertures 10.. The apertures 10 allow air to circulate over the w u ate healing of the wound 4.

Because the body portion 12. is sewn to the cover portion 8: the co portion 8 is permanently secured in position. The briefs 2 may be was: for multiple use. Alternatively the briefs 2 may be disposable briefs for onetime use only.

Optionafly. the body portion 12 may te.dicament for h heang of the wound 4 and/or surrounding tissue. The medicament for example, a siUcone medicament or a chiornexidine medicament. Other medicaments may be employed.

tptionat embodiments of the briefs 2, the cover portion 8 t be secured in positron by means other than sewing, so that it may be secured on by, for example, adhesives.

The waistband 16 is an elasticated waistband 16. Alternatively he waistband 16 may be a seamless waistband. The leg apertures 18 are elasticated leg apertures 18 defined by an elasticated leg band 28. Alternatively, the leg apertures 18 may be seamless leg apertures.

The body portion 12 of the briefs 2 is a continuous material as shown. The body portion 12 May alternatively made of a nonconUn such as a gauze or a mesh. The body portion 12 may be made of any suitable and appropriate material including, for example cotton, silk or linen.

The wound 4 is shown as a horizontal -* 4 resulting from a caesarean incision. * The incision is usually horizontal for a first caesarean birth. A similar but displaced horizontal incision is usually employed for a second caesarean birth. It is not usually recommended to have more than three caesarean births.

if the woman 6 has given birth normally and wtnout section. then the women will need to absorb blood due to afterbirth bleed: In this case, a pad 20 may be provided e briefs 2. The pad 20 ma one which is not attached to the briefs 2. Altera'," a briefs 2. may be such that the pad. 41, e.itly secured in position, for example by sewing. Generally the pad 20 may be secured in position ma means employed for securing the cover portion 8 Referring now to Figures there is stcwn a secono pair of briefs 30. The briefs 30 are like the.fs 2 and thus similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In the briefs 30, the cover portion q is secured in position by stitching 27 in which the edge 24 of the body portion 12 is not bent over, and,h the stitching 27 is that known as cross-stitch.

The briefs 2, 30 may be used for various types of wounds including caesarean sections, tummy tuck wounds, ovarian cancer wounds: hysterectomy wounds or hernia wounds. surgery. the wounds are Stitched together: and' ariabiy the wound and its surrounding area are tender. The briefs 2 30 are able to protect the wound 4 and thus promote healing. Furthermore. S 2, 30 are provided with the apertures 10 low air to circulate over the wound 4 resuthng from the surgery. The furthers able to promote the healing of the wound 4.

The cover portion 8 is heat rnouided into the concave shape which from the wound 4. The cover portion 5 may be made from am sheet material which is initially flat. The fiat sheet mate at then be heated: for example for a period of 12 seconds for ea, millimetre of thickness of the foam materiaL Thus, for exam*: with an appropriate thi atetial the foam material may be heated for seconds in an o Ii e heated thermoplastics foam material, supported in a hgid frame, then be pushed over a steel doi allowed to cod, whereby the foam sheet materia is heat moulded trf the required concave shape Figures 6, 7 and 8 s..own how the cover portion ' is providec concave shape and how the concave 32. The peripheral flanges the cover portion 5. a extends into pee' he -hing of the hod Because the cover portion 8 is made of the foam materiaL it will be able to be deformed under sufficient pressure as mentioned above. However. persons with a wound typically do not wear tight fitting clothing that would put undue pressure on the wound 4. If the cover portion 8 is deformed, then it is o revert to its pe as mentioned above, The cover portien 8 may be produced is able to look aesthetically pleasing, and as natural as possible in the briefs. If desired, the briefs may be such that they all have cover portion 8 of the same size. Alternatively, the be such that tir portions of different sizes for different Whatever)f the cover portion 8, the cover portion 8 will normally be such that it is of a size to completely cover the wound 4. The cover portion 8 may be of different colours to give different pleasing aesthetic appearance, The apertures 10 in the cover portion 8 in number, shape and pattern from what is shown in the Figures. Generally, th apertures 10 may he in any required aesthetic designs, for example to portra flowers or atterns.

The briefs of the present invention may be produced by taking a pair already manufactured briefs, and then placii cover portion on the centre front of the pair of a! The briefs may then be marked around the cover portion 8. it 8 may then be removed and an appropriate size for the cover porOon 8.

over portion 8 is the a 12.

The machine sewing is around the perimeter of the cover portion 8 and examples of the stitching that may be employed are shown and describe above with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

The cover portion 8 may be of various shapes o that it may have, for example, straight vertical sides or outward curved sides. At the lower end of the sides. the covet portion 8 may have curved portions which are able to connect to appropriate portions of the leg apertures 18. The cover portion 8 may be configured to fit into the Vshaped crotch area/crutch area of the woman " The cover portion 8 is dome-shaped so that it is concave both horizontally and vertically when worn. Any deformation of the cover portion 8 is not permanent and the cover portion 8 is able to return to its shape after the deformation which may he caused by temloraw pressure as that mentioned above during use of the briefs, or it may be caused by washing or other means. The cover portion 8 may he positioned wherever required on the briefs, for example to one side or the back of the briefs.

Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown an article which is in the form of a pair of trouser bottoms 34 and which are for use in healing a wound in a or a woman. The trouser he 36 in an area where the man or the provided with a cove.orgery.

Figure 10 shows an artitie in the form of a vest: 38 having a cc portion 40. The vest 38 is for use by a womanwho has a wound area her left breast. tr. of a Cody band 42 and Figure Ii shows an rso use in healing a body band 42 is provided with a cover portion 44 and adjustable fastener means In form of Velco (Registered Trade Mark) strips 46, 48 Other types of fastener means may be employed: with the fastener means being adjustable or non-adjustable.

Figure 12 shows an article 60 which is like the article 42 and similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. The article 50 is smaller than the article 42 and the article. 50 is for fitting around an arm of the person having a wound, in all of the articles 34, "z-f the cover portions are made of a thermoplastics foam-material which is formed into a concave shape by heat treating the thermoplastics foam material,.

Figure 13 shows an article 52 having a body portion 54. The article 52 the form of a simple cup, portion 52 is made into a recuired concave shaoe by heat treating a thermoplastics foam material. The body portion 52 extends into a peripheral flange c'which is provided w.h an adhesive on its lower edge 58. The adhesive enables the article 52 to be stuck wherever desired on a person's body and over a wound requiring protection All of the cover portions shown Figures 9 13 are prov or more apertures for permitting air circulate over the wound when the is located over the wound and thereby to facilitate the healing of the wound appreciated that the embodiments of the inve? above with erence to the accompanying drawings have been given by it of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for exampi the article may be another type of article for use in healing a wound at another part of the person's body. The person may be male or female, and of any age. The s medicate material may be another medicated material.

The measurements shown in the drawing are example measurements and other measurements may he iployed individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other dra rigs and in all aspects of the invention. Th vention also extends to the individual components mentioned d/e, how n ab e, lake,n singly or n any combir-lio

Claims

An article for use in healing a wound, which art a cover portion, and h rein: (ii) the cover portion is made of a foam ma iai; the foam mat is a thermoplastics material: the cover Wilton has concave shape formed by heat tr the thermoplastics material; the cover portion is for location over the wound such as to protect the wound and thereby facilitate the healing of the wound and (vi) the cover portic permits air to circulate over the wo located over the n r' of the An ecordino to claim I in which the therrnoformable material, aperture which the cover portion is atfiltate the healing a An article according to ciaim I or claim filch the thermoplastics material is a closed cell thermoplastics material.
An article according to any one of claims I -3 in which the thermoplastics material s a polyethylene thermoplastics materic 5. An crude according to any one of claims 3 -4 in which the thermopiastics material a closed eel/ crossUnked polyethylene thermoplastics material.
An article according to any one of the preceding clams in which the article includes locating means for locating the cover portion ound, and in which the locating means is secured to the cover.
An article according to claim 6 in which the locating means an aperture, and in which the cover portion is located in the aperture.
6. An article according to claim 7 in which the lac:at permanently secured to the cover portion.An article according to claim in which the aperture in a s is smaller than the cover portion. and which the.ociai toiled to enable the locatina means to be secured to 9 has cover portion 10. An article according to c.at in which the locating means is secured e cover portion by s 11. An article according to claim 10 in Whicii the locating means is doubled over where the locating means defines the aperture and is secured by the sewing.12. ice according to any one of claims 1 -7 ii which the ocatin means is r&easably attached to the cover portion.icie according to any one of the preceding here lity of the apertures in the cover portion. and in which the apertures are distanced apart and/or sized such a cover portion does not tear consequent Upon stretching of the article.14. An article -according to any one of the preceding ciaims in cover portion includes a medicament for helping healing of the wound and/or surrounding tissue.15. An article according to claim 14 in which the med:ca: ant is impregnated into the foam mater 16. An a era s: according to claim 15 in which 17. An article according to any one of the preceding claims in which the article is an article of clothing 18. An article according to claim 17 in which thea of lothing is a pair of briefs.19. An article accord 8 in which the briefs include a pad for absorbing btood du: ding b $4, having just given birth.: 20. .An article accon r 10 in which the pad is permanently secured in position in the briefs.21. An article according,'Iarm 17 in which the article of clothing is a of leggings, a pair of trousers, boxer snorts, a blouse, or a vest.22. An article accordini to a y one in which the article is a bandage or a plaster.23. An article of clothing according to ciaXtt 17 in which the locating means is an adhesive or a peripheral edge of