NL1037124C2 - Plaster for treating a mosquito bite. - Google Patents

Description

Title: Plaster for treating a mosquito bite

The present invention relates to a plaster for treating a mosquito bite, a bite from another insect or in general for treating an itchy spot on a user’s skin.

Description of the prior art

Some insects, in particular mosquitoes, can bite a human being. When an insect bites, this often results in irritation and itch. The irritation and itch can be quite annoying and can last for several hours or even days.

A mechanical method of treating mosquito bites is known. This mechanical method 5 comprises pressing one’s own fingernail into the skin at the location of the mosquito bite. Often, two impressions are made with a nail. The two impressions form a cross together, with the bite being located at the center of the cross. Herein below, this method is referred to as the “grandmother method”.

Although known and used, the grandmother method has problems. Some people 10 dislike the idea of pressing a fingernail in one’s own skin. Furthermore, some people have fingernails which are too short or too blunt to make the required impression. Children in particular do not always know how to make the impression or are not capable of making an impression in their own skin.

Furthermore, underneath the fingernails of a person, dirt may gather. When the 15 fingernail is used for making the impression in the skin, the dirt may be pressed into the bite together with the fingernail. This is rather unhygienic and may lead to further irritation and inflammation of the bite.

Moreover, mosquito bites can be located at places which are hard to reach with one’s own fingernail.

20 From CA1018852, a further device is known for treating mosquito bites. The device is a ring which can be put around the finger of a user. The ring comprises a cross which can be pressed into the skin of a user. A disadvantage of the device of CA1018852 is that the user must carry the device with him. A further disadvantage is that each time the device is used, the cross must be positioned precisely in the right location. A further disadvantage is 25 that the device of CA1018852 may also become dirty very easily and potentially inflame the bite.

Moreover, mosquito bites can be located at places on the body which are hard to reach with the device of CA1018852.

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Summarizing, there is no good way for treating irritation and itch from a mosquito bite. Since mosquito bites are a permanent and recurring problem for millions of people, this is a long-felt problem.

5 Object of the invention

It is an object of the invention to resolve at least one problem of the prior art.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for treating irritation and itch from a mosquito bite or bite of another insect.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for treating an itchy 10 spot on a user’s skin.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for treating mosquito bites which device is also suitable for children and people who are not capable of making an impression in their own skin with their fingernail.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hygienic device for treating irritation 15 and itch from a mosquito bite.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device which protects a mosquito bite from scratching.

The invention 20 In order to achieve at least one object, the invention provides a plaster for treating itch from a bite of a mosquito, a bite from another insect or a spot on a user’s skin having itch from a different cause, the plaster comprising: - one or more sticky surfaces allowing the plaster to be stuck onto the skin of a user in such a way that the plaster extends over the bite, 25 - an impression organ configured to be positioned over the bite and configured to - in use - be pressed into the skin by the user, wherein the impression organ is constructed to at least temporarily relieve the user from the itch when the impression organ is pressed into the skin.

When a mosquito bites a human, the mosquito pierces the skin and inserts a 30 sucking tube. The mosquito turns and twitches the sucking tube. During this movement, the sucking tube damages the tissue and forms a blood pool. The mosquito then injects saliva into the blood pool and sucks the blood/saliva mixture through the tube. Irritation and itch is caused by the mixture of saliva and blood remaining in the pool.

The plaster according to the invention can be easily stuck onto the skin of a person. 35 The impression organ is positioned over the mosquito bite. Whenever the user feels irritation or itch, the user presses on the impression organ with his or her finger. The impression organ will be pressed into the skin of the person.

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The impression into the skin of the impression organ triggers an axon-reflex of the user. The axon reflex triggers a signal to the stem cells in the area of the bite. On receipt of the signal, the stem cells release histamine. The histamine causes a widening of capillary veins in the area of the bite. This widening results in a temporary relief from the irritation and 5 itch.

In order to create the axon reflex, the impression organ has a specific form. In an embodiment, the impression organ is sharp enough to create an axon-reflex, but not sharp enough to cause a wound or otherwise damage the skin.

If the impression organ is relatively blunt, the impression organ will have to be 10 impressed longer to create the axon reflex than when the impression organ is relatively sharp.

The impression organ is manufactured from a substantially hard material.

It will be understood that the words “into the skin” do not mean that the impression organ is completely moved underneath the skin.

15 The impression organ is constructed to cause some pain when impressed in the skin.

The pressure of the impression organ on the skin triggers the axon-reflex (sometimes also referred to as “triple response of Lewis”), which results in histamine being released and the capillary veins being widened. The pain which is inflicted is mild and only temporary.

Because the plaster is stuck on the wound, it does not have to be positioned each 20 time. A single positioning during the sticking is sufficient.

Plasters with cushions are known for other purposes, but these cushions are neither hard enough nor sharp enough to cause the required axon-reflex.

The plaster can also be referred to as a “band-aid”.

The plaster has the advantage that the working of the plaster does not decrease 25 substantially. Each time the impression organ is pushed, the relief of itch occurs without a substantial decrease over time.

It will be clear that many kinds of plasters may be used in conjunction with the impression organ. A number of examples are shown in the figures, but many other kinds of plasters can be conceived without departing from the scope of the invention.

30 Further, although reference is made to mosquito bites, the present invention is also well suitable for bites of many other insects. For instance, the plaster may be used for bites from wasps, bees and other insects.

The plaster is hygienic and protects the bite from dirt.

The plaster can be positioned anywhere on the body, including in places which are 35 hard to reach with a fingernail.

The making of impressions can be repeated each time the user feels irritation or itch. The user simply presses on the plaster with his or her finger. The ease of use makes the -4- plaster very suitable for children, because it allows a child to treat its own bite by pressing on the plaster, without scratching and damaging the skin A further effect of the plaster is that scratching is impossible. The bite is protected against scratching and, thus open wounds can not occur due to scratching. This is also 5 helpful with children.

In one embodiment, the impression organ is arranged on a skin side of the plaster. The impression organ may be glued to the surface or attached via other means. It is possible that the impression organ is provided through a hole in the plaster, such that it extends through the plaster. In this case, one end of the impression organ is configured to be 10 impressed into the skin; the other end is adapted to be contacted by the user’s finger.

In use, the impression organ may form a protrusion on the outer side of the plaster. The protrusion forms a raised section or a button-like object which is suitable for pushing by the user.

In one embodiment, the impression organ comprises one or more ridges or ridges.

15 The ridges project from the surface of the plaster. The ridges may be formed by one or more fin-like organs.

Generally, the one or more ridges comprise a rim which is sharp enough to cause some pain, and blunt enough to prevent a wound from occurring when the ridge is pressed into the skin.

20 In one embodiment, the impression organ has a sharpness which is similar to a human fingernail. It is found in grandmother’s method that this sharpness works in practice.

In one embodiment, the impression organ defines a cross-like form constructed to make a cross-shaped impression in the skin. The cross-like form resembles the form made by two orthogonal fingernail impressions.

25 In one embodiment, the impression organ has the form of one or more triangles, one or more circles, one or more squares or a combination thereof. It has been found that these forms provide an adequate axon-reflex in a suitable area around the bite.

In one embodiment, the plaster is impregnated with an anti-irritation substance. The further provision of the anti-irritation substance in the plaster, in combination with the 30 impression organ, substantially increases the total effect of the plaster. Many substances are known in the field of the art.

In one embodiment, the impression organ comprises a center with radially extending ridges. The radial ridges define an area around the bite in which the axon-reflex is created.

In one embodiment, the plaster comprises a compartment for holding an anti-irritation 35 substance, wherein the compartment comprises a discharge nozzle, and wherein the compartment is coupled to the impression organ in such a way that when the impression organ is pressed into the skin by the user, some substance is ejected onto the bite.

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In an embodiment, the impression organ has a sharpness which is comparable to the human nail. Thus, the impression organ is not too sharp, so that damage to the skin is avoided. The impression organ is also not too blunt, because then the axon reflex will not occur or will take too much time to occur.

5 The outer side of the plaster may be provided with a visual marking showing the user where to push. For children, special children’s markings or cartoons can be printed on the outer side of the plaster.

The present invention further relates to a method of treating itch from mosquito bite, a bite from another insect or a spot on a user’s skin creating itch from a different cause, the 10 method comprising providing a plaster comprising: - one ore more sticky surfaces allowing the plaster to be stuck onto the skin of a user in such a way that the plaster extends over the bite, - an impression organ configured to be positioned over the bite and configured to - in use - be pressed into the skin by the user, wherein the impression organ is constructed to at 15 least temporarily relieve the user from the itch when the impression organ is pressed into the skin, the method comprising sticking the plaster on the skin over the bite, and pressing on the impression organ in such a way that the impression organ is impressed into the skin.

The method has the same advantages and effects as discussed in relation to the 20 plaster.

The present invention further relates to the use of the plaster according to claim 1 for the treatment of itch from a mosquito bite, a bite from another insect or a spot on a user’s skin creating itch from a different cause.

The invention is explained in more detail in the text which follows with reference to the 25 drawing which shows a number of embodiments which are given purely by way of nonlimiting examples.

List of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the plaster according to 30 the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the first embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the first embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a view on the outer side of a second embodiment according to the 35 invention.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the second embodiment.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of the second embodiment.

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Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment.

Figure 9 shows a front view of the second embodiment.

Figure 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the impression organ.

Figure 11 shows an isometric view of the impression organ, viewed from the skin 5 side.

Figure 12 shows a plan view of the impression organ, viewed from the press side. Figure 13 shows another side view on the impression organ.

Figure 14 shows a plan view of the impression organ, viewed from the skin side. Figure 15 shows an isometric view of the impression organ, viewed from the press 10 side.

Figures 16 a-g show different possible cross-sections of the rim of the impression organ.

Figure 17 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment according to the invention, viewed from the skin side.

15 Figure 18 shows a plan view of the third embodiment, viewed from the press-side.

Figure 19 shows a side view of the third embodiment.

Figure 20 shows a plan view of the third embodiment, viewed from the skin side. Figure 21 shows a plan view of the third embodiment, viewed from the press side. Figures 22a-l show various embodiments of the form of the impression organ.

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Description of the Figures

Turning to Figure 1, a plaster 1 (or band-aid) according to the invention is shown. The plaster 1 comprises an impression organ 2. The impression organ 2 is fixed onto the inner side 4 of the plaster. The outer side of the plaster is denoted with reference numeral 5. The 25 impression organ 2 is located centrally of the plaster and may be glued or connected otherwise to the inner surface 4 of the plaster. Sticky surfaces 6 are provided on the inner side 4 (or skin side). The impression organ may have a diameter of about 5mm, or between 2 and 10 mm.

The impression organ 2 comprises fins 8, which may also be indicated as 30 upstanding ridges 8. The ridges 8 form a cross 10. In figure 3, it can be seen that the ridges 8 project from the inner side 4 of the plaster 1.

The outer perimeter 12 of the plaster can have any suitable shape. The plaster can be of variable size.

The impression organ defines a flat plane, which can be seen in figures 3 and 4.

35 Thus, the ridges 8 will contact the skin evenly. When in use the impression organ is present, the ridges 8 exert a substantially uniform force on the skin.

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The impression organ has a skin side 14 and a pressing side 16. In the embodiment of Figures 1-4, both the skin side as the pressing side are flat.

The impression organ 2 may be manufactured from a synthetic material such as plastic, metal or another material. The impression organ is substantially stiffer than the 5 plaster itself.

In use, the plaster is stuck onto the skin over the bite. The impression organ 2 forms an elevated part on the plaster 1. The user will understand that it is this elevated part that needs to be pressed. Possibly, visual marking aid the user further. For instance a cartoonlike drawing may be applied, so that children will also understand here to push.

10 The uppermost rim 18 of the ridge 8 of the impression organ 2 is the part that engages the skin. The rims 18 are sharp, but not too sharp. The sharpness is to be carefully chosen. The sharpness should be sufficient to cause some pain and trigger an axon-reflex, but the rims 18 should be blunt enough not to cause a wound when pressed by the user.

Turning to Figures 5-9, a second embodiment is shown wherein the impression 15 organ 2 has a curved form, i.e. wherein the skin side 16 of the impression organ 2 forms a button-like object on the plaster. The skin side 14 of the impression organ 2 has ridges 8 which form a cross-like shape. Similar to the embodiment of figures 1-4, the skin side 14 is substantially flat.

The impression organ 2 may be arranged in a hole in the plaster such that it extends 20 through the plaster. As an alternative, it is also possible that the plaster 1 overlies the buttonlike form of the impression organ 2.

Turning to figures 10-15, the impression organ 2 is shown. The impression organ 2 has a curved pressing side 16, which resembles a button-like shape. The impression organ 2 resembles a cross having four legs 20. The legs 20 are formed by the ridges 8. The ridges 25 have a thickness 22 and a height 24. The height 24 may be between 1-10mm.

Figures 11 and 14 show the rims 18 on the ridges 8. The rims 18 are configured to engage the skin and are semi-sharp. The sharpness resembles the sharpness of a human fingernail. The radius of the rims 18 may be between 0,1 and 0,5 mm. In one embodiment, the radius is in the order of 0,25 mm.

30 Turning to Figures 16 a-g various forms of the rims 18 are shown. Figure 16a shows a rounded form. When the thickness 22 of the ridge 8 is sufficiently small, the round form will be sharp enough to trigger the axon-reflex. Figure 16b shows a ridge 8 having a triangular rim 18. Figure 16 shows a ridge 8 having a flat rim 18. Figure 16d shows a ridge having a concave rim 18, which defines two outer rims for each ridge 8. Figure 16e shows a ribbed rim 35 18. Figure 16 shows a ridge 8 having two upstanding rims 18 on either side of the bar 8, wherein the rims 18 have flat surfaces. Figure 16g shows a bar 8 having a wave-like rim 18. Many other forms are possible.

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It is also possible that the plaster contains a compartment (not shown) for holding an itch reducing substance. A nozzle may be provided in or on the impression organ. In use, when the user presses on the impression organ, the substance is discharged from the compartment through the nozzle onto the bite.

5 The plaster can be impregnated with a substance which further reduces the itch.

The substance may be a solution comprising ammonia or antihistaminic

The outer side of the plaster may be printed with an attractive print or visible marking. The print may comprise a visual sign which shows the user where to press.

Crescent cross with central apex 10 In use, when a user experiences itch from a mosquito bite, he or she will take a plaster and mend it onto the skin in the usual way. The impression organ is positioned directly over the bite. When the plaster is in place, the user presses the part which overlies the impression organ. The impression organ will be pressed into the skin. A pain reaction will result. The itch will temporarily disappear or decrease.

15 Figures 17-21 show another embodiment according to the invention. In this embodiment, the impression organ 2 is constructed such that it can exert a pinching action on the bite. The ridges 8 do not form an intersection, but the area near the center 25 is left open. Thus, the impression organ 8 can be positioned over the mosquito bite.

At the pressing side 16, the ridges 8 are connected to one another via a hinge 20 connection 26. The hinge connection may be formed via a thin strip of resilient material, such as plastic.

The size of the impression organ may vary, in dependence on for instance the kind of bite which in turn depends on the kind of insect. A relatively large bite will require a relatively large impression organ and a relatively small bite will require a relatively small 25 impression organ. The size of the plaster is dependent on the size of the impression organ.

Turning to Figures 22a-k, various possibilities for the form of the impression organ 2 are shown. Figure 22a shows a square-like form. Thus, the ridges 8 of the impression organ 2 are configured as a square. In use, the impression organ is to be positioned such that the bite is located in the square.

30 Figure 22b shows an embodiment wherein two squares are provided concentrically.

Figure 22c shows an embodiment wherein a square and a cross are superimposed. It is also possible to superimpose a circle with a cross.

Figure 22d shows an embodiment having the form of a single circle. This is a very simple and efficient form 35 Figure 22e shows an embodiment having two concentrically arranged circles. It is also possible to superimpose more than two circles or, more generally, annular forms.

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Figure 22f shows an embodiment in the form of a cross which has been mentioned with regard to other embodiments as well.

Figure 22g shows an embodiment having two superimposed crosses, wherein one cross is rotated 45 degrees relative to the other cross. This shape may also be regarded as 5 having a plurality of legs which extend radially away from a center of the impression organ.

Figure 22h shows an embodiment having a cross, rotated about 45 degrees.

Figure 22i shows an embodiment having a Y-shape, which is also very simple.

Figure 22j shows an embodiment having a triangular shape.

Figure 22k shows an embodiment having two triangular shapes, one arranged in the 10 other.

Many other forms of the impression organ are possible.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that numerous changes in the details and the arrangement of the parts may be varied over considerable range without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

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Claims (14)

A patch for treating itching of a mosquito bite, a bite from another insect, or a patch on the skin of the user that itches due to another cause, the patch comprising: 5 - one or more sticky surfaces that make it possible for sticking the patch to the skin of the user in such a way that the patch extends over the bite, an indentation member adapted to be positioned over the bite and adapted to - during use - be inserted into the skin be pressed by the user, the impression member being constructed to at least temporarily relieve the itchiness of the user when the impression member is pressed into the skin. 2. A patch according to claim 1, wherein the impression member is constructed to cause some pain when it is pressed into the skin. 3. Plaster according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the impression member is arranged on a skin side of the plaster. 4. A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impression member forms a protrusion on the skin side of the patch. A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the press-in member comprises one or more ridges that extend from the surface of the patch. 25 A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more ridges comprise an extreme edge that is sharp enough to cause any pain, and is blunt enough to prevent a wound from occurring when the impression member is pressed into the skin. 30 A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impression member has one or more edges that have a sharpness comparable to a human fingernail. A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing member has a center with ridges extending radially therefrom. 1037124 A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impression member defines a cross shape that is constructed to make a cross-shaped impression in the skin. 5 A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impression member is in the form of one or more triangles, one or more circles, one or more squares or a combination thereof. A patch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patch is impregnated with an anti-irritant substance. 12. A plaster according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plaster comprises a compartment for holding a substance for treating a bite, wherein the compartment has an outflow opening, and wherein the compartment is coupled to the impression member in such a way that when the impression member is pressed into the skin by the user, an amount of the substance is sprayed onto the bite. A method of treating itch from a mosquito bite, a bite from another insect, or a patch on the skin of a user who is itching for another cause, the method comprising providing a patch comprising: one or more sticky surfaces which allow the patch to be stuck to the skin of a user in such a way that the patch extends over the bite, an indentation member configured to be positioned over the bite and arranged to - during use - to be pressed into the skin by the user, the impression member being constructed to at least temporarily relieve the itchiness of the user when the impression member 30 is pressed into the skin, the method comprising: sticking the bite over the bite plaster on the skin of the user, and pressing on the impression member in such a way that the impression member is pressed into the skin. The use of the patch according to claim 1 for the treatment of itching of a mosquito bite, bite of another insect or a spot on the skin of the user that itches for another cause. 1037124