WO2015107479A2

WO2015107479A2 - Wound-dressing cover for pets and livestock

Info

Publication number: WO2015107479A2
Application number: PCT/IB2015/050311
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuela Troiani
Original assignee: Manuela Troiani
Priority date: 2014-01-15
Filing date: 2015-01-15
Publication date: 2015-07-23
Also published as: WO2015107479A3; ITRM20140007U1

Abstract

A wound-covering device constituted by a sort of belly covering or jacket that is fixed in place by means of the combined use of a neck opening for passage of the head of the animal and of at least one soft and resistant band, set transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis of the animal, there being provided inserts and stretches of elastic material that enable the animal to move freely without feeling constrained, albeit holding the wound-dressing cover stably in place for the time necessary for the wound to heal.

Description

WOUND-DRESSING COVER FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK

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DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the veterinary sector and regards more precisely a device for protecting wound dressings, for the area of the belly and for the dorsal area of four-footed pets and/or livestock .

Also today, to protect the wounds of domestic animals and pets, specifically dogs and cats, but also livestock, such as for example horses, traditional gauzes and bandages are used, but these are difficult to apply without assistance and equally difficult to hold in position on account of the particular conformation of the body, as well as of the significant liveliness of the animals.

Very frequently dressings shift or get torn by the animal, which tries to lick itself, with consequent higher chances of the wound getting infected, thus lengthening the healing time.

Another traditional solution is the "Elizabethan collar", which is a rigid protection to be applied around the neck of the animal. An animal that is wounded, which has either undergone an operation or to which a dressing has simply been applied, involves a series of requirements: the first need is to prevent the animal from licking the wound, thus spoiling the work of the veterinary surgeon. Animals hate wearing Elizabethan collars because it makes them feel exposed to the risk of attack from other animals. Furthermore, it prevents them from moving freely, drinking, and eating without any discomfort.

To overcome the above drawback a wound-covering device has recently been proposed, constituted by a sort of belly covering or jacket that is fixed to the animal by means of the combined use of a plurality of soft and resistant bands, fixed with respect to said belly covering or jacket, which are passed through and fixed in corresponding eyelets, appropriately distributed on the opposite side of the belly covering or jacket itself so that the latter will remain stably in place for the time necessary for the wound to heal.

The above device, however, still presents a series of disadvantages, first of which being that it is necessary to make available a considerable number of sizes in order to adapt the device to the different dimensions of the animals on which it is to be applied.

The second drawback regards precisely the fixing system of the wound-dressing cover via bands and strings that are attached dangling from the side edges of the cover itself and that are fixed to the corresponding band on the opposite side by means of a stretch of Velcro that can be adjusted according to the circumference of the body of the animal.

The above solution in fact does not enable the animal to move freely since, once the bands or the strings are fixed in place, the possibility of lengthening them is extremely limited.

The task of the invention is to overcome the above drawbacks by getting the wound-dressing cover, whether it is to be used for the belly or for the back of the animal, to adapt elastically to the movements of the animal, without causing the latter to feel bridled in a constrictive harness, and, at the same time, to reduce the need for an excessive number of sizes of the device for the different types of animals.

The above has been obtained, according to the present invention, by providing, on one end of the device, whether a belly covering or a jacket, a neck opening, through which the head of the animal can pass, and by fixing the device in place by means of at least one fastening band or string, set crosswise with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wound-dressing cover, where both the neck opening and the band are constrained to, or provided with, inserts or stretches of elastic material that enable freedom of movement of the wounded animal, at the same time ensuring that the wound-dressing cover will remain in place.

In the specific case of a wound to the belly of the animal, the wound-dressing cover is further provided with a second, rear, opening, of adequate length, through which the tail of the animal is made to pass, leaving the rear limbs on the outside. In this case, the front neck opening and the rear opening, which is shaped and sized so as to leave not only the tail but also the genitals free, are connected together by a band or strap that runs longitudinally along the animal and that is able to extend elastically thanks to stretches of elastic material with which it is equipped .

The wound-dressing cover, both in the case of a belly covering and in the case of a jacket, is preferably made of reusable material, whether pure cotton or a mixed material. Both of the versions are provided with an additional protective layer made of fabric with antibacterial properties or medicated, if necessary, in the presence of sutures or particularly delicate wounds.

Obviously, all the fabrics are washable by hand or in a washing machine.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, two preferred embodiments thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a first embodiment of the wound-dressing cover for the belly area when it is worn by the animal;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the wound-dressing cover of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view from beneath of the wound- dressing cover itself; and

Figure 4, 5, and 6, are three views, respectively a perspective view, a top plan view, and a plan view from beneath, of a second embodiment of the wound- dressing cover suitable for the dorsal area, when it is worn by the animal .

With reference to the first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the wound- covering device for the area of the belly is constituted by an appropriately shaped central portion or belly covering, designated as a whole by 2, which is able to cover the belly of the animal, connected at the front to an ample neck opening 4 to allow the head of the animal to pass easily, and in its rear part, to an ample opening 6 where the tail can pass, without interfering with the physiological functions of the animal (see Figure 1) . The opening 6 is delimited by a pair of braces 6a and 6b that join up at the point from which a band or string 8 that runs longitudinally along the back of the animal draws its origin, connecting the opening 6 with the neck opening 4.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dorsal band 8 has stretches 8a of elastic material that enable lengthening thereof during the movements of the animal. Other stretches can be applied also on the band that constitutes the neck opening 4.

The belly covering is then tightened on the animal by means of a soft and resistant strap or band, which can be appropriately adjusted.

Preferably, the above strap is constituted by a ribbon 9 that draws its origin from one side of the wound-dressing cover itself, and that is equipped, on one face, with fast-attachment (Velcro) means 10, so that, once the free end has been passed through a buckle 11 with a mobile cross piece, sewn on the other side of the wound-dressing cover, it can, by passing over the dorsal band 8, be folded back and fixed on itself, after its length has been adjusted according to the circumference of the animal. To prevent, however, the animal from feeling constrained within a restrictive harness, the ribbon 9 is provided with a stretch of elastic material 12 so as to guarantee in all situations a certain freedom of movement for the animal .

The additional layer made of synthetic fabric that does not stick to any wound and is to be applied on the inner face of the wound-dressing cover replicates the shape of the device so far described. Proper protection/breathing of the wound enables the latter to remain clean, thus preventing the exudate from coming into contact with dirt or dust, causing risk of infection. A well-protected wound ensures a faster and less traumatic healing for the animal.

The conformation of the wound-dressing cover allows for natural freedom of movement.

Advantageously, on the surface in view of the belly cover or on the bands that are passed over the back of the animal, a symbol or an indication may be affixed that immediately makes it clear that the animal in question has a wound and consequently could be edgy and hence more irritable, the purpose being to warn people to be careful and to approach the animal that is wearing this logo/symbol with adequate caution.

With reference to the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the wound- covering device for the dorsal area is constituted by a central portion, appropriately shaped, designated as a whole by 52, which is able to cover the back of the animal and to drop along its sides with two ample flaps, with a front part that has an ample neck opening 54 for passage of the head of the animal, whereas at the rear it simply rests on the back and is held in place only by the presence of the band or strap 59, which is fixed, as already described for the first embodiment, by passing it through the buckle 61 and folding it back and attaching it on itself thanks to a layer of Velcro 60 (see Figure 6) .

Fixing of the two flaps of the wound-covering device to the sides of the animal can be further ensured by the presence of other appropriate fastening means in the form of bands, or strings, or straps that dangle from the side edge of the device itself.

The additional layer made of synthetic fabric that is to be applied on the inner face of the wound- dressing cover replicates the shape of the device so far described.

Also in this case, proper protection/breathing of the wound enables the latter to remain clean, preventing any exudate from coming into contact with dirt or dust, with consequent risk of infection. A well-protected wound ensures a faster and less traumatic healing for the animal.

Advantageously, on the surface in view of the dorsal wound cover a symbol or an indication may be affixed that immediately makes it clear that the animal in question has a wound and consequently could be edgy and hence more irritable, the purpose being to warn people to be careful and to approach the animal that is wearing this logo/symbol with adequate caution.

From what has been said so far the practical advantages of the wound-dressing cover forming the subject of the present invention emerge clearly: it is useful, practical, simple to use, makes it possible to warn people of the fact that the animal is suffering and hence more irritable, improves the quality of life of the wounded animal, can be sold in any pet shop, and can moreover be used in veterinary surgeries.

In the cases where the aforesaid wound-cover devices have been applied, there has effectively been noted a better psycho-physical condition of the animals, a faster healing, and an absence of complications due to contact of the wound with dust and dirt .

In conclusion, it should be noted that the wound- dressing cover, whether it be a belly covering 2 or a jacket 52, is preferably made of the fabric normally used for coveralls worn in operating theatres, possibly lined with an internal sponge or a fabric that is impermeable outside and transpirant /absorbent inside.

Claims

1) A wound-covering device for four-footed animals, characterized in that it is constituted by a belly covering (2) for protecting wounds in the area of the belly or by a jacket (52) for protecting wounds in the dorsal area, said belly covering or jacket being in the form of a lining of soft and foldable material, which is provided, at one end, with a neck opening (4, 54), for passage of the head of the animal, and which, once positioned so as to cover the area involved by the wound, is fixed on the wounded animal by means of bands and/or ties (9, 59) arranged transverse with respect to the body of the animal, the bands or ties being provided with stretches of elastic material (12, 62), which enable elastic lengthening thereof so that said belly covering or jacket remains stably in place for the time necessary for the wound to heal, without hindering the movements of the animal and without causing it to feel bridled in a constrictive harness.

2) The wound-covering device as per the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the case of the belly covering for protecting wounds in the area of the belly, it comprises: an appropriately shaped central portion (2) for the underside of the animal, which is able to cover the belly of the animal; an ample neck opening (4) in the front part, for enabling easy passage of the head of the animal, said neck opening being made with a band provided with stretches of elastically lengthenable material; and also an opening (6) in its rear part, for passage of the tail of the animal, said opening being delimited by two braces that join up at the start of a band (8) that joins said neck opening and said rear opening together, the band (8) running longitudinally along the back of the animal and being provided with stretches (8a) of elastically lengthenable material; there being provided a ribbon and/or strap (9) fixed on one side of the belly covering, the free end of which, provided with removable attachment means (Velcro) , is passed through a buckle fixed on the other side of the belly covering and is folded back on itself, after the length of the strap has been adjusted according to the circumference of the animal, said ribbon (9) being constrained to the belly covering through a stretch of elastic material (12) that guarantees freedom of movement for the animal .

3) The wound-covering device as per Claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of the jacket for protecting wounds in the dorsal area, a band and/or tie (59) is provided that draws its origin from one side of the jacket (52) itself and that is equipped on one face, at least for a certain stretch starting from its free end, with removable attachment means (60) so as to allow it, after the free end of the strap has been passed through a buckle with a mobile cross piece (61) fixed on the other side of the jacket, to be folded back on itself, being anchored in place according to the circumference of the animal.

4) The wound-covering device as per Claim 1, characterized in that, in the reusable version, it is made of pure cotton, also medicated. 5) The device as per Claim 4 and/or Claim 5, characterized in that an additional protective layer made of synthetic material that does not stick to any wound is provided, which can be applied, if necessary, in the presence of sutures or particularly delicate wounds and replicates the shape of the belly covering.

6) The wound-covering device as per Claim 2 and 3, characterized in that an additional protective layer made of synthetic material that does not stick to any wound is provided, which can be applied in the presence of sutures or particularly delicate wounds.

7) The wound-covering device as per the preceding claim, characterized in that said additional layer made of synthetic fabric that does not stick to any wound can be applied on the inner face of the wound-dressing cover, replicating the shape thereof.

8) The wound-covering device as per one or more of Claims 5, 6, and 7, characterized in that the reusable version and the additional layer made of synthetic fabric may be washed by hand or in a washing machine .