WO1997006761A1

WO1997006761A1 - Axillary dressing

Info

Publication number: WO1997006761A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/013192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rache M. Simmons
Original assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
Priority date: 1995-08-16
Filing date: 1996-08-14
Publication date: 1997-02-27

Abstract

The axillary dressing enables secure, comfortable placement of a dressing covering the axillary area (1) after axillary dissection breast cancer surgery, breast implantation placement through an axillary approach, or any other procedure incising the axillary area. The axillary dressing is also applicable for non-surgical lesions to the axilla. The dressing has a bandage section (11) that completely covers the affected area. The bandage section is secured to the axillary area using soft straps (17, 18, 28) that are preferably partially elastic and sewn to the bandage section on one end and attached using hook material at the other end. One strap (18) is designed to go around the torso and another strap (17) is designed to go over the affected shoulder. The straps are designed to be fastened from the front to reduce difficulty in affixing the dressing and enable easy adjustment of the straps. The axillary dressing is applicable to either axilla. The axillary dressing may also be combined with a breast surgery dressing to create an axillary breast dressing (111) to cover both an axilla and the breast area (1) to facilitate recovery of a lesion.

Description

AXILLARY DRESSING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to dressings, particularly surgical dressings for the axillary area after procedures such as an axillary dissection for breast cancer or melanoma surgery, breast implantation placement or first rib resection (due to thoracic outlet syndrome) through an axillary approach, or hidradenitis excision (removal of sweat glands in the armpit). This invention also relates to dressing for lesions to the axilla caused by sports, accidents, or other non-surgical reasons.

2. Discussion of the Related Technology

Generally, axillary wounds are dressed merely with gauze and tape. The axillary area is difficult to dress, because movements of the affected arm often causes gauze and tape placed in that area to bunch up, lose coverage, or become uncomfortable for the wearer. Additionally, due to discomfort caused by the injury itself, a wearer may have limited mobility ofthe affected arm, thus making it difficult to affix the dressing properly.

A dressing for breast cancer surgery such as a surgical breast biopsy, called the Surgi-Bra, is manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corp. of Deerfield, Illinois. This dressing, which looks much like a sports bra, is applicable for dressing the breast area after a breast biopsy, breast implantation placement through an inframammary approach, or a segmental resection. Segmental resection is often called lumpectomy, wide excision, segmental mastectomy, and quadrantectomy, depending on the amount of breast tissue removed. Another common name for segmental resection is partial mastectomy.

The Surgi-Bra dressing encircles the torso and covers both breasts. Two shoulder straps hold the dressing in place. To enable ease in fastening and removing the Surgi-Bra dressing, the torso section has a hook and loop fastener at the front, and the shoulder straps each have hook and loop fasteners at the top. The Surgi-Bra dressing supports the affected breast during the convalescent period, reducing discomfort from the incision and protecting the affected breast. The Surgi-Bra dressing, however, does not provide coverage of the axillary area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The axillary dressing enables secure, comfortable placement of a dressing covering the axillary area after axillary dissection breast cancer surgery, breast implantation placement through an axillary approach, or any other procedure incising the axillary area. The axillary dressing is also applicable for non-surgical lesions to the axilla. The dressing includes a bandage section that covers the affected axilla and the affected side of the upper torso. The bandage section is secured around the torso and over the affected shoulder using soft straps that are preferably partially elastic and attached using hook material. The straps are designed to be fastened from the front to reduce difficulty in affixing the dressing. The axillary dressing is applicable to either axilla.

The axillary dressing may also be combined with a breast dressing such as the Surgi-Bra to create an axillary-breast dressing. This dressing allows a patient to dress both an axillary dissection incision and a segmental resection incision simultaneously. The axillary-breast dressing is fastened using hook and loop material around the torso and both shoulders. The fasteners for the torso section and the shoulder straps are positioned at the front for ease in affixing the dressing. The axillary- breast dressing supports and protects both the affected breast and axilla. An object of the invention is to provide a dressing for the axillary area that adequately covers the axillary area, can be affixed and worn comfortably, and does not bunch up. Another object of the invention is to facilitate a wearer's participation in physical activities during a convalescent period after axillary injury, so that the wearer has adequate protection of the lesion, yet does not experience discomfort caused by a dressing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a diagram of the axillary area.

Figure 2 shows a diagram of the axillary dressing. Figure 3 shows a diagram of the axillary dressing as worn. Figure 4 shows a diagram of the axillary-breast dressing. Figure 5 shows a diagram of the axillary-breast dressing as worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows a diagram of the axillary area. During breast cancer surgery, lymph nodes in the armpit are often removed. This procedure, called axillary dissection, usually involves an incision below the hair-bearing area ofthe armpit. This incision leaves a lesion 2 at the axillary area 1. Other procedures that leave lesions in the same location include breast implantation placement through an axillary approach, hidradenitis excision, and axillary dissection for melanoma surgery. Physical therapy and active exercises of the affected arm and hand are encouraged during the convalescent period, however, this activity often causes difficulty in keeping dressings properly in place.

Figure 2 shows a diagram of the axillary dressing. The axillary dressing has a bandage section 11, preferably made of nylon or a cotton and lycra blend. Although the bandage section can be made of any thin, flexible material, soft materials having elastic support are preferred. The bandage section 11 is preferably of trapezoidal shape, with a top width 12 of five to six inches, a height 13 of twelve inches, and a bottom width 14 of seven to eight inches. This shape enables the bandage to completely cover the axillary area without having excess material. Preferably, the bandage section has elastic border 25 to ensure a snug fit against the axilla and any absorbent gauze covering the lesion. The bandage section, however, can be taller or shorter depending on the height of the wearer. The widths of the bandage section can also be adjusted depending on the girth of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the bandage section has top loop 34 at a top corner of the bandage section 11, middle loop 15 approximately three inches down from the top loop, and bottom loop 16 at a bottom corner of bandage section 11. All the loops are on the same side of the bandage section 11. The loops may be integral with the bandage section or attached to the bandage section by sewing, snaps, adhesives, or other appropriate fastening method. These loops serve as attachments for strap closures, however, the strap closures may be attached directly to the bandage section using other procedures such as snaps, adhesives, or hook and loop material.

In a preferred embodiment, the axillary dressing has three straps: an arm strap 28, an axilla strap 17, and a torso strap 18. In a preferred embodiment, these straps are approximately one inch to one-and-a-half inches wide to provide secure fastening without discomfort. The straps are attached to the edge of the bandage section 11 opposite loops 34, 15,

16. Preferably the straps are sewn to the bandage section, however, the straps may be attached using snaps, adhesive, or hook and loop material instead.

In a preferred embodiment, the arm strap has approximately three inches of elastic fabric 29 attached at the upper corner of bandage section opposite the top loop 34. Eight inches of plush cotton strap 30 is then attached to the elastic fabric, and hook material 31 is at the far end of the cotton strap. The axilla strap has three to three and a half inches of elastic fabric 19 attached to the bandage section oppposite the middle loop 15. Attached on the other end of the elastic strap 19 is a plush cotton strap 20 of approximately twelve inches in length with hook fabric 21 at the far end. The torso strap 18 has six inches of elastic fabric 22 attached on one end to the bandage section 11 and attached on the other end to approximately twenty inches of soft cotton strap 23 with hook material 24 at the end. The hook material sections 31, 21, 24 of the straps are designed to fasten securely to the soft cotton sections of the strap. If hook material does not fasten securely, a strip of loop material may be attached to the soft cotton strap. Alternatively, snaps, buckles, adhesives, clasps, or a variety of other adjustable fasteners can be used instead of hook material.

The elastic material 29 of the arm strap is attached to an upper corner of the bandage section 11 opposite the top loop 34. The elastic material 19 of the axilla strap is attached to the bandage section, approximately three inches down from the top corner, opposite the middle loop 15. The elastic end of the torso strap is attach to the bottom corner of the bandage section opposite the bottom loop 16. The elastic portions 29, 19, 22 of the strap provide additional security in securely fastening the axillary dressing, however, they are not necessary. Additionally, the elastic portions need not be at the end ofthe strap closest to the bandage; instead, the elastic portions may be in the middle of the straps.

Instead of constructing the straps using an elastic fabric and a cotton fabric, the straps may be constructed of a single material such as a cotton and lycra blend. This material would provide the elasticity, support, and comfort of the elastic fabric and cotton fabric combination.

Additionally, if the straps were constructed of the same material as the bandage section, the straps could be manufactured integrally with the bandage section. Figure 3 shows a diagram of the axillary dressing as worn. Initially, the lesion is covered with an absorbent gauze. The gauze is then covered with the axillary dressing to protect the gauze and prevent bunching and shifting of the gauze. When wearing the axillary dressing, the arm strap 28 goes over the upper arm of the wearer and through the top loop 34. The hook material at the end of the arm strap passes through top loop 34 and folds back on the strap for easily accessible and easily adjustable fastening. Analogously, the axilla strap 17 goes over the affected shoulder ofthe wearer through the middle loop 15, and the hook material 21 fastens back onto the strap. Meanwhile, the torso strap 18 goes around the lower torso of the wearer and through the bottom loop 16. Similarly, the hook material 24 of the torso strap 18 is folded back on the strap and fastened to the soft cotton section 23. If there is any difficulty keeping the axilla strap 17 from sliding off the shoulder of the wearer, the axilla strap may be fastened so that it goes around the neck of the wearer and is attached to loop 15.

The axillary dressing can thus be easily fastened from the front and is easily adjustable for wearers with differing heights and girths. Preferably, the axillary dressing has a right and a left version, however, the axillary dressing may be reversible if right and left versions are not available.

In dressing an axillary wound using the axillary dressing, a wearer could loosely fasten the arm and axilla straps to the top and middle loops and then insert an arm through the straps. Bandage section 11 with elastic border 25 could then be properly positioned over the axillary area and any absorbent gauze. The arm and axilla straps could be tightened or adjusted to keep the bandage section snugly in place. Finally, torso strap 18 could be fastened through bottom loop 16. If, however, the wearer had an assistant, it might be easier to first properly place the bandage section 11 over the axillary area and then fasten the three straps.

Figure 4 shows a diagram of the axillary-breast dressing. The axillary dressing can be combined with a breast dressing to dress multiple lesions such as those caused by axillary dissection performed in combination with segmental resection. Or a person may prefer to wear the axillary-breast dressing instead of wearing the axillary dressing and a separate bra.

Like the axillary dressing, the axillary-breast dressing has a bandage section 111, preferably made of nylon or a cotton and lycra blend fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the axillary dressing portion of the bandage lllb is integral with the breast surgery portion of the bandage Ilia, and there are designated left and right axillary-breast dressings. Alternatively, two axillary dressing portions may be used to dress both axilla. An axillary dressing portion lllb, however, can be a separate piece of material that is either removable or permanently attached to the breast surgery portion of the bandage Ilia. A removable axillary dressing portion could allow the portion to be transferred to dress either axilla. For the breast dressing, soft supportive material is especially preferred. Preferably, the bandage section is shaped to conform to the breasts 126a, 126b and the axilla 127. In a preferred embodiment, the axillary-breast dressing has elastic material on the circumference 125a, 125b to ensure a secure fit around the torso. Also, the bandage section may be fastened around the torso using hook material 132 and loop material 133 to ensure a secure fit.

In a preferred embodiment, the bandage section has two loops 115, 116 used to attach and adjust the shoulder straps 117, 118 of the combination dressing. The loops may be integral with the bandage section or attached to the bandage section by sewing, snaps, adhesives, or other appropriate fastening method. Instead of using loops, the strap closures may also be attached directly to the bandage section using other procedures such as snaps, adhesives, or hook and loop material. An arm strap 128 attaches around the affected arm to a third loop

134, which helps to keep the axillary dressing portion stable during arm movement. In a preferred embodiment, the three straps 117, 118, 128 are approximately one inch to one-and-a-half inches wide and constructed from soft cotton. Preferably the straps are sewn to the bandage section 111, however, the straps may be attached using snaps, adhesive, or hook and loop material instead.

In a preferred embodiment, each shoulder strap 117, 118 has three to three and a half inches of elastic fabric 119, 122 attached to the bandage section 111 and attached on the other end to a plush cotton strap 120, 123 of twelve inches in length with hook fabric 121, 124 at the far end. The hook material sections 121, 124 of the straps are designed to go through loops 115, 116, fold back onto cotton straps 120, 123, and fasten securely to the soft cotton sections of the strap. If the hook material does not fasten securely, a strip of loop material may be attached to the soft cotton strap. Alternatively, snaps, buckles, adhesives, clasps, or a variety of other adjustable fasteners can be used instead of hook material. The elastic portions 19, 22 of the strap provide additional security in securely fastening the axillary dressing, however, they are not necessary. Like the axillary dressing, the elastic portions need not be at the end of the strap closest to the bandage.

In a preferred embodiment, the arm strap 128 also has elastic portion 129, plush cotton portion 130, and a hook material portion 131 that goes through loop 134 and fastens back onto the plush cotton portion. Figure 5 shows a diagram of the axillary-breast dressing as worn. When wearing the axillary-breast dressing, the hook 132 and loop 133 material of the bandage section 111 is fastened around the torso of the wearer. The hook material 124, 131 of the shoulder straps 117, 118 go over the shoulders of the wearer, through loops 115, 116, and are folded back on the strap and fastened to the plush cotton material 120, 123. Similarly, the hook material 131 of the arm strap 128 goes over the affected arm, is folded back on the strap, and is fastened to the soft cotton section 130. The axillary dressing can thus be easily fastened from the front and is easily adjustable for wearers with differing heights and girths.

The axillary dressing and the axillary-breast dressing provides coverage of the axillary area even during physical activity. The dressing allows the wearer full range motion of the arm without bunching up or losing coverage. The dressing is also easily fastened from the front and easily adjustable. The dressing is particularly useful for covering incisions caused by axillary dissection breast cancer surgery, breast implantation placement through an axillary approach, or hidradenitis excision. The axillary-breast dressing may cover and protect multiple lesions caused by axillary dissection and segmental resection.

This invention may, of course, be carried out in specific ways other than those set forth here without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the presented embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications falling within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer comprising: a bandage section for covering an axillary area of the wearer; an axilla strap attached to the bandage section at two middle points of the bandage section and adapted to go over a shoulder corresponding to the axillary area of the wearer; and a torso strap attached to the bandage section at two bottom points of the bandage section and adapted to go around a torso of the wearer.

2. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: a middle loop at one of the two middle points of the bandage section; wherein the axilla strap is attached to the middle loop.

3. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: a bottom loop at one of the two bottom points of the bandage section; wherein the torso strap is attached to the bottom loop.

4. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: wherein the axilla strap includes an elastic section.

5. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: wherein the torso strap includes an elastic section.

6. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: wherein the axilla strap includes a hook material section.

7. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: wherein the torso strap includes a hook material section.

8. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: an arm strap attached to the bandage section at two top points of the bandage section adapted to go around an upper arm of the wearer.

9. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 8 further comprising: a top loop at one of the two top points of the bandage section; wherein the arm strap is attached to the top loop.

10. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 8 further comprising: wherein the arm strap includes an elastic section.

11. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 8 further comprising: wherein the arm strap includes a hook material section.

12. An axillary dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 1 further comprising: wherein the bandage section is trapezoidal in shape.

13. A method for dressing an axillary lesion on a wearer comprising the steps of: placing a bandage having one end of an axilla strap attached to a top point on the bandage and one end of a torso strap attached to a bottom point on the bandage over the axillary lesion; placing the axilla strap over a shoulder ofthe wearer and attaching another end of the axilla strap to another top point on the bandage; placing the torso strap around a torso of the wearer and attaching another end of the torso strap to another bottom point on the bandage.

14. A method for dressing an axillary lesion on a wearer comprising the steps of: attaching an arm strap to two top points on a bandage; attaching an axilla strap to two middle points on the bandage; placing the arm strap over an arm of the wearer; placing the axilla strap over a shoulder of the wearer; placing the bandage with one end of a torso strap attached to a bottom point on the bandage over the axillary lesion; placing the torso strap around a torso ofthe wearer and attaching another end of the torso strap to another bottom point on the bandage.

15. A combination axillary-breast dressing to be worn by a wearer comprising: an elongated bandage section for covering an axillary area and a breast area of the wearer, adapted to go around a torso of the wearer; a right shoulder strap attached to the bandage section at two top points of the bandage section and adapted to go over a right shoulder of the wearer; a left shoulder strap attached to the bandage section at two top points of the bandage section and adapted to go over a left shoulder of the wearer; and an arm strap attached to the bandage section at two top points of the bandage section and adapted to go over an arm corresponding to the axillary area of the wearer.

16. An axillary-breast dressing to be worn by a wearer according to claim 15 further comprising: hook material at one end of the elongated bandage section; and loop material at another end of the elongated bandage section; wherein the hook material and the loop material engage to fasten the elongated bandage section around the torso of the wearer.

17. A method for dressing an axillary lesion on a wearer comprising the steps of: placing a bandage having right shoulder strap attached to a top point on the bandage, a left shoulder strap attached to another top point on the bandage, and an arm strap attached to another top point on the bandage, over the axillary lesion and a breast area of the wearer; fastening the bandage around the torso of the wearer; placing the right and left shoulder straps over right and left shoulders of the wearer and attaching the right and left shoulder straps to at least one other top point on the bandage; placing the arm strap around an arm of the wearer and attaching another end of the arm strap to another top point on the bandage.