IE69666B1

IE69666B1 - Improvements in skin plasters

Info

Publication number: IE69666B1
Application number: IE922676A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Gerard Patrick Duffy
Original assignee: Gerard Patrick Duffy
Priority date: 1992-09-22
Filing date: 1992-09-22
Publication date: 1996-10-02
Also published as: AU4980693A; IE922676A1; WO1994006382A1

Abstract

A plaster (10) for topical application comprises a strip (11) securable to the skin by adhesive (13, 13'), a first flap (18) which when pulled exposes to the skin surface a first swab (20) which wipes the skin and a second flap (18') which when pulled exposes in succession to the skin surface a second swab (20') which wipes the skin and then a dressing (14) which remains in contact with the skin. At least one of the swabs (20, 20') can be impregnated with an antiseptic agent so that the action of pulling a flap (18, 18') can result in the skin being cleansed and sterilized prior to the dressing (14) coming into contact therewith. The flaps (18, 18') are each detachable from a central portion (12) at weakened lines (19, 19'), respectively. The surface of the plaster (10) overlying the dressing (14) is provided with an openable aperture (15, 16) for accessing the skin.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN SKIN PLASTERS This invention relates to skin plasters of the type comprising various types of fabric or synthetic materials and an adhesive substance for local application to cuts and abrasions and puncture sites resulting from needles, cannulas and the like, hereinafter referred to collectively as plasters.

In general, in procedures where a plaster is applied to the skin, the skin is first swabbed with an antiseptic, such as surgical spirit and optionally dried with a further swab before the plaster is actually affixed to the skin. Thus, one must have such swabs and antiseptic agent to hand.

A plaster which obviated the need for swabs and a skin antiseptic would be of considerable benefit to medical personnel applying such plasters but also in the home, schools, leisure areas and the woikplace, where all of these separate items may not readily be to hand.

A further problem is that once a plaster is in place, if access is required to the site of application, the plaster must be removed. The removal of a plaster can cause pain because the adhesive adheres to the site of application. Thus, a plaster which permitted access to die site of application without removing the plaster would have advantages in the situations hereinbefore mentioned.

The invention provides a plaster for topical application, which comprises a folded strip securable to the skin by adhesive and a flap which when pulled exposes in succession to the skin surface a swab which wipes the skin and then a dressing which remains in contact with the skin.

The plaster according to the invention can be provided with a further flap which when pulled exposes to the skin surface a further swab which wipes the skin.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plaster comprises a first flap which when pulled exposes to die skin surface a first swab which wipes the skin and a second flap which when pulled exposes in succession to the skin surface a second swab which wipes the skin and then the dressing which remains in contact with the skin.

Preferably, the first swab is impregnated with an antiseptic agent.

Thus, the plaster according to the invention obviates the need for 10 a separate wiping of the skin with an antiseptic agent to which a plaster is to be applied prior to application of said plaster, because this operation can be inherent in the application of the plaster as hereinbefore described by virtue of the structure and mode of application thereof.

The second swab, when such is present, can be impregnated with an active agent.

For example, the active agent can be a rubefacient, such as camphor or menthol or other locally acting peripheral vasodilator.

Other active agents that might be used to impregnate a swab 20 forming part of the plaster according to the invention include an antimicrobial agent, an antioxidant, a pH-controlling agent, a plasticizer, a surfactant, a humectant or a penetration enhancer.

The swab might also be impregnated with a local anaesthetic to suppress irritation and pain at the site of application of the plaster, depending on the medical procedure to be carried out on the patient.

In a further preferred embodiment once the plaster is secured in situ and the or each flap has been pulled to expose and bring the dressing into contact with the skin, means are provided for readily detaching the flaps and associated swab carrying portions of the plaster.

Suitably said means comprise a weakened line from which the flaps and associated swab canying portions can be detached by a tearing action, such as a tear-away strip.

The dressing itself can also be impregnated with an active agent. For example, the dressing can be impregnated with a haemostatic agent, such as thrombin. However, the active agent can also be an antimicrobial agent, including an antibiotic or, indeed, any of the active agents hereinabove specified for impregnation of a swab forming part of the plaster according to the invention.

The dressing can also contain an active agent in a form suitable for percutaneous or transdermal administration.

It will be appreciated that when the or each swab and or the dressing are impregnated with an active agent, the plaster must be composed of such materials or be of such a construction that mixing or leakage of the active agent(s), as appropriate, is prevented. For example, the or each swab can be provided with a foil backing which prevents leakage or transfer of the active agent into the overlying layers of the plaster in die folded condition.

Following detachment of the flaps they are generally discarded. However, a swab on the or each flap can he used to take a specimen of body fluid or discharge from broken skin for analysis by biochemical, histological or other pathological procedure.

According to a still further preferred embodiment according to the invention the surface of the plaster overlying the dressing is provided with an openable aperture for accessing the skin once the plaster is affixed to the skin.

This embodiment of die invention allows access for injection, transfusion, die insertion of a cannula and many other medical procedures. By using materials conventionally used to form plasters, one can simply form such an openable aperture by a punching operation which generates a flap, which can be opened to access the skin but which remains attached to or hinged to the plaster and which can be closed again by simply pushing the flap back into position.

It will also be appreciated that the plaster according to the invention would be particularly suited for use in blood banks on blood or plasma donors. Thus, the plaster with one or two flaps could be applied to the site from which blood or plasma is to be withdrawn and successively wiped with antiseptic and optionally dried, the needle by means of which the blood is to be withdrawn is then passed through the aperture following opening thereof. Once the donation has been taken, the needle will be withdrawn and the aperture closed, optionally following introduction of an effective amount of a haemostatic agent through the aperture. Of course, it will be appreciated that the dressing as such could be impregnated with a haemostatic agent in the ready-touse state of the plaster.

Asindicated above, the plaster according to the invention is manufactured from materials conventionally used in plaster manufacture. The swabs can be formed of any suitable material such as lint, gauze and various types of mesh, as required. By selecting appropriate materials, one can achieve a plaster that is porous to air or, alternatively, occlusive, as required, depending on the particular application of the plaster. The outer surface of the plaster, in use, can be comprised of a waterproof material, if required.

Likewise, the adhesive material will be conventional adhesive material or material having inherent tackiness secundem artem.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Drawings in which: 5 Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a plaster according to the invention in the folded state, details of underlying layers thereof being shown in dotted outline; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the plaster of Fig. 1 5 in the unfolded state; and Fig. 3 is an end elevation in section of the plaster of Fig. 1.

Referring to the Drawings and, in particular, Fig. 2 thereof, there is indicated, generally at 10, a plaster consisting of a strip 11 cut to the desired dimensions and which can be folded into the configuration shown in each of Figs. 1 and 3.

The plaster 10 has a central portion 12 of a slightly greater width than the remainder of the strip 11, so as to accommodate a strip of adhesive (not shown) along the longitudinal edges 13, 13* thereof.

A dressing 14 is shown in dotted outline affixed on the under 15 surface of said central portion 12 and an aperture 15 closeable by a flap is cut from the central portion 12 but remains attached or hinged along a portion 17 of the edge of the aperture 15.

On either side of the central portion 12 there is a flap 18,18' each of which is attached to the central portion 12 by a weakened line 19, 19', respectively. Each of the flaps 18, 18' carries a swab 20, 20* shown in dotted outline on the under surface thereof. Each of the flaps 18, 18* has a tapered end portion 21, 21* which, together with a portion of the flap 18,18*, projects beyond the central portion 12 when the plaster is in the folded condition and by means of which the swabs 20, ' and the dressing 14 are successively brought into contact with the skin following application of the plaster 10 thereto. First the tapered end portion 21 and then the tapered end portion 21* is pulled so as to unfold the plaster 10 from the configuration shown in each of Figs. 1 and 3 to the fully opened configuration depicted in Fig. 2.

Once the flap 18 has been pulled into the fully extended position as shown in Fig. 2, it can simply be detached from the central portion 12 at the weakened line 19. Likewise, once the flap 18' has been pulled into the fully extended position as shown in Fig. 2, it too can simply be detached at weakened line 19*.

The flap 16 can be opened and closed, as required, for example, for the insertion and subsequent removal of a needle.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A plaster for topical application, which comprises a folded strip securable to the skin by adhesive and a flap which when pulled exposes in succession to the skin surface a swab which wipes the skin and then a dressing which remains in contact with the skin.

2. A plaster according to Claim 1, which is provided with a further flap which when pulled exposes to the skin surface a further swab which wipes the skin.

3. A plaster according to Claim 2, which comprises a first flap which when pulled exposes to the skin surface a first swab which wipes the skin and a second flap which when pulled exposes in succession to the skin surface a second swab which wipes the skin and then the dressing which remains in contact with the skin.

4. A plaster according to Claim 3, wherein the first swab is impregnated with an antiseptic agent.

5. A plaster according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the second swab is impregnated with an active agent.

6. A plaster according to any preceding claim, wherein once the plaster is secured in situ and the or each flap has been pulled to expose and bring the dressing into contact with the skin, means are provided for readily detaching the flaps and associated swab carrying portions of the plaster.

7. A plaster according to Claim 6, wherein the means comprise a weakened line from which the flaps and associated swab cariying portions can be detached by a tearing action.

8. A plaster according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface of the plaster overlying the dressing is provided with an openable aperture for accessing the skin once the plaster is affixed to the skin.

9. A plaster according to any preceding claim, wherein the plaster in the folded condition is provided with one or a pair of peel5 off strip(s).

10. A plaster according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.