WO2018148086A1

WO2018148086A1 - Bandage for treating amputees and related method

Info

Publication number: WO2018148086A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/016353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Solomon
Original assignee: Tier Life Inc.
Priority date: 2017-02-07
Filing date: 2018-02-01
Publication date: 2018-08-16
Also published as: EP3579791A4; CA3052959A1; EP3579791A1

Abstract

A bandage for wrapping an amputee's stump includes a stretchable sleeve having a first open end, a second open end, and a closed middle portion between the first and second open ends, such that a first sleeve portion is formed between the first open end and the closed middle portion, and a second sleeve portion is formed between the second open end and the closed middle portion. The bandage also includes a strip disposed inside the first sleeve portion and dimensioned to wrap over the stump. The first sleeve portion is configured to maintain the stump covered by the strip, and the second sleeve portion is configured to cover over the first sleeve portion.

Description

BANDAGE FOR TREATING AMPUTEES AND RELATED METHOD

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/499,883, filed on February 7, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to bandages, and more particularly, to a bandage for traumatic and post-surgical amputations.

Background of the Invention

[0003] It is often necessary to apply pressure to the stump remaining after a full limb amputation and to compress the stump in a well-fitting prosthesis to limit swelling and deforming. Amputation wound treatment often involves wound pads, elastic bandages, and fasteners. Many medical professionals find the noted components cumbersome and difficult to use. Wrapping a stump with an elastic bandage, for example, requires making numerous folds and holding various sections of the bandage in place simultaneously and maintaining tension as the bandage is wrapped around the stump. Further, conventional elastic bandages frequently unwrap when positioned around the end of a stump, and amputees find it difficult to re-wrap the stump by themselves, hampering patient self-sufficiency. Further improvements in bandages for amputated limbs and other wounds are possible.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bandage for treating amputees and related methods of use.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a bandage for wrapping an amputee's stump includes a stretchable sleeve having a first open end, a second open end, and a closed middle portion between the first and second open ends, such that a first sleeve portion is formed between the first open end and the closed middle portion, and a second sleeve portion is formed between the second open end and the closed middle portion. The bandage also includes a strip disposed inside the first sleeve portion and dimensioned to wrap over the stump. The first sleeve portion is configured to maintain the stump covered by the strip, and the second sleeve portion is configured to cover over the first sleeve portion.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for treating an amputation stump includes extending a strip disposed in the first sleeve and wrapping the strip around the amputation stump. The closed middle portion of the sleeve is placed at the distal end of the stump, and the first sleeve portion is rolled up along the residual limb from the distal end of the stump, providing a first coverage layer to the residual limb. The second sleeve portion is then rolled up over the first sleeve portion, providing a second coverage layer to the residual limb. [0007] These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is a top view of a sleeve of the bandage in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is a top view of the sleeve of the bandage of Figure 1 in a rolled up position with a strip disposed inside a first sleeve portion of the sleeve, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 is a top view of the sleeve of the bandage of Figure 1 in a rolled up position with a strip partially extended from a first sleeve portion of the sleeve, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 is a top view of the sleeve of the bandage of Figure 1 in a rolled up position with a strip extended from a first sleeve portion, according to one

embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5 is a side view of the sleeve of the bandage of Figure 1 in a rolled up position;

[0013] Figure 6 is a perspective view of wrap a strip of the bandage around an amputation stump;

[0014] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first sleeve portion covering the strip of bandage wrapping around an amputation stump; [0015] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second sleeve portion rolling up to cover the first sleeve portion; and

[0016] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second sleeve portion of the bandage covering the first sleeve portion.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bandage 10 for wrapping an amputee's stump includes a stretchable sleeve 12 having a first open end 14, a second open end 16, and a closed middle portion 18 between the first and send open ends 14 and 16. A first sleeve portion 20 is thus formed between the first open end 14 and the closed middle portion 18, and a second sleeve portion 22 is formed between the second open end 16 and the closed middle portion 18. A strip 24 is disposed inside the first sleeve portion 20 and dimensioned to wrap over a stump. The first sleeve portion 20 is configured to maintain the stump wrapped by the strip 24 (e.g., Kerlix gauze strip), and the second sleeve portion 22 is configured to cover the first sleeve portion 20.

[0018] In the depicted embodiment, the closed middle portion 18 is made by sewing a line in the middle portion of the sleeve 12 approximately perpendicular to the length of sleeve 12, forming both the first sleeve portion 20 and the second sleeve portion 22. Specifically, the center of the sleeve 12 is sewn with a straight line 26 and two crescent-shaped lines 28 are connected to the straight line 26 on its two ends. One crescent-shaped line 28 curves toward the first end 14, and the other crescent-shaped line 28 curves toward the second open end 16. When the strip 24 is attached to the first sleeve portion, the two distal-end corners of the strip 24 are sewn to the sleeve by the two crescent-shaped lines 28 using stretch stitch. This enables the easy removal of strip 24 from the sleeve 12 by ripping or cutting, if desired. Other suitable fastening or connecting methods of producing a closed middle portion and/or attaching the strip 24 to the sleeve 12 can be used. The crescent-shaped lines 28 are approximately symmetrical, so that they will be well aligned with each other when the first sleeve portion 20 and the second sleeve portion 22 are applied to the stump, increasing the comfort level for bandage users. The first open end 20 and the second open end 22 are finished with a serge (overlocking) stitch for cosmetic appeal. Other types of finish can be used.

[0019] The sleeve 12 is preferably made of a lightweight and stretchable woven material such as cotton, polyester, spandex, nylon, rayon, a combination thereof, or other suitable materials. The sleeve 12 or a portion thereof (e.g., second sleeve portion) can also be made of a water-impervious material to form a watertight seal against the stump or other wounds covered by the bandage. The water-imperious material can be a synthetic polymer such as Kevlar, poly cotton, nylon, spandex, polyethylene and combinations thereof.

[0020] Before use and in storage, both the first and the second sleeve portions 20 and 22 are rolled towards the middle portion 18 to form a pair of back-to-back tori or toroid shapes. A strip 24 is disposed within the first sleeve portion 20 of the bandage 10. The strip 24 is connected (e.g., sewn) to the interior of the first sleeve portion 20. Alternatively, the strip 24 can simply be stored inside the first sleeve portion 20, without being attached thereto. In the depicted embodiment, the first sleeve portion 20 is rolled outward, and the second sleeve portion 22 is rolled inward.

[0021] When a bandage is in use, the strip 24 is pulled out from the interior of the first sleeve portion 20 and wrapped over the residual end (stump) of an amputated limb. The strip 24 can be applied to the stump by S-folding, or Z-folding or wrapping. The first sleeve portion 20 is then rolled up to the stump wrapped over by the strip 24. The second sleeve portion 22 is then rolled over the first sleeve portion 20. The bandage's toroid shape enables easy placement at the distal end of a stump and unrolling from the distal end to the proximal end of the residual limb. The rolled second sleeve portion 22 is thus pulled over the first sleeve portion 20 from the distal end to the proximal end of the residual limb. When the strip 24 is wrapped over a stump, the surface of the strip 24 can serve as an antifriction inner-surface for the first sleeve portion 20. The sleeve 12 thus provides uniform compression to a wrapped limb or stump.

[0022] The sleeve 12 and the gauze strip 24 can be designed to have different lengths. For example, the sleeve 12 can be 12, 18, 24 and 30 inches long and 1.5, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5 inches wide, depending on the location of the amputation (e.g., finger, wrist, foot, leg, etc.). Example lengths of strip 24 are 18 inches for a 24-inch sleeve and 24 inches for a 30-inch sleeve. The bandage 10 can provide 20-40 mmHg pressure, depending on the stretch of the bandage and limb perfusion. This can avoid the formation of a bandage-induced tourniquet, which is often caused by other types of bandage when they are too tight. For example, the bandage 10 provides approximately 30mm Hg compression pressure at a 50% stretch and distributes the pressure evenly to a limb, controlling swelling and promoting healing. Evenly distributed compression is achieved by the amputee with every application, eliminating the need for multi-step wrapping techniques or taping. The amputee will not have to undo and reapply the dressing from being too tight or too loose. The bandage can reduce nerve pain, a common issue after an amputation.

[0023] The disclosed bandage 10 includes a folded strip, an elastic bandage, and bandage fasteners in an integrated unit for quick and effective covering of an

amputation stump or other open wounds. The bandage can be applied in 30 seconds or less and can only be applied from distal to proximal, eliminating any possible application error.

[0024] The bandage can closely conform to the shape of the limb being covered. The bandage can be used to cover a post-surgically amputated limb in a hospital. The bandage can be used by the military for traumatic limb amputation. The bandage can be applied by on of any skill level with little to no training. The speed and ease in the application of the bandage provides for easier "stump dressing" changes by the patient or nurse and decreases the amount of time to apply a new bandage during dressing changes.

[0025] In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional modifications, as well as

adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1 . A bandage for wrapping an amputee's stump comprising:

a stretchable sleeve having a first open end, a second open end, and a closed middle portion between the first and second open ends, such that a first sleeve portion being formed between the first open end and the closed middle portion and a second sleeve portion being formed between the second open end and the closed middle portion;

a strip disposed inside the first sleeve portion and dimensioned to wrap over the stump; and

wherein the first sleeve portion is configured to retain the stump covered by the strip, and the second sleeve portion is configured to cover over the first sleeve portion.

2. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the strip is made of cotton material.

3. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the strip is medical grade gauze strip.

4. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve portion is rolled into a toroid shape.

5. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the second sleeve portion is rolled into a toroid shape.

6. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the strip is attached to interior of the first sleeve portion.

7. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the strip is not attached to interior of the first sleeve portion.

8. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is made of one or more of cotton, polyester, spandex, nylon, and rayon material.

9. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is made of woven material.

10. The bandage of claim 1 , wherein the closed middle portion is formed by sewing a middle portion of the sleeve with a straight line and two crescent-shaped lines, the two crescent-shaped lines are connected to the straight line on its two ends, wherein one crescent-shaped line curves toward the first end, and the other crescent-shaped line curves toward the second end.

1 1 . The bandage of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the sleeve is made of water impervious material.

12. A method for treating an amputation stump comprising: extending a strip disposed in a first sleeve portion of an elastic sleeve, the sleeve having a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion connected by a closed middle portion;

wrapping the strip around the amputation stump;

placing the closed middle portion of the sleeve at a distal point of the stump; rolling up the first sleeve portion from the distal point of the stump along a residual limb to provide a first layer coverage to the residual limb; and

rolling up a second sleeve portion over the first sleeve portion along the residual limb to provide a second layer coverage to the residual limb.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the strip is a gauze strip.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first sleeve portion is rolled into a toroid shape prior to applying to the stump.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second sleeve portion is rolled into a toroid shape prior to applying to the stump.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the strip is attached to interior of the first sleeve portion.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the strip is not attached to interior of the first sleeve portion.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the stretchable sleeve is made of one or more of cotton, polyester, spandex, nylon, and rayon material.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is made of woven material.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the closed middle portion is formed by sewing a middle portion of the sleeve with a straight line and two crescent-shaped lines, the two crescent-shaped lines are connected to the straight line on its two ends, wherein one crescent-shaped line curves toward the first end, and other crescent-shaped line curves toward the second end.