GB2082919A

GB2082919A - Wound dressings

Info

Publication number: GB2082919A
Application number: GB8124847A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: JONES LESLIE BERNARD
Current assignee: JONES LESLIE BERNARD
Priority date: 1980-09-04
Filing date: 1981-08-14
Publication date: 1982-03-17

Abstract

A dressing for use in covering wounds comprises a flexible plastics shield which is transparent and which has a convex curved surface region (1), a depending side wall (3), and an outwardly extending perimeter flange (5, 7). The dressing (1, 3, 5, 7) can thus be positioned over a wound and adhesive tape can be used on the perimeter flange (5, 7) to secure the dressing in position, the wound being protected though not contacted and visible at all times. This is clearly an advantage over the prior art. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to dressings The present invention relates to a dressing for use in covering a wound whilst the wound is healing.

Conventional dressings are made of a gauze material and comprise a pad which can and normally does, contact the wound and means for securing the dressing to the body of the human being or animal being treated. Said securing means may be strips which can be tied around the body or part of the body, or strips which can be adhered to the body adjacent the wound.

The purpose of such dressings is to basically protect the wound whilst it is healing. However, during the healing process it is quite often necessary for the wound to be inspected by a doctor or other person to see that all is well. This entails the removal of the dressing and as the dressing has been in contact with the wound and will usually have absorbed matter excreted from the wound, a fresh dressing has to be applied after the wound inspection.

Thus it will be appreciated that dressings of the conventional kind have certain inherent disadvantages and must necessarily be disposable.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages inherent with the use of conventional wound dressings.

According to the present invention there is provided a dressing for use in covering a wound, comprising a flexible plastics shield which has a curved surface region and a perimeter which, in use, can engage the skin around the wound, means being also provided for use in securing the shield in position.

Thus, by virtue of the present invention, the flexible plastics shield may be located over a wound, and for example, sticking plaster may be used to secure the shield in position. As the shield does not contact the wound itself but basically encapsulates the wound, the dressing may be easily removed when required.

A A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally oval flexible plastics shield made of a transparent plastics material, the major portion of the shield being convex with a depending side wall and a perimeter flange, extensions of the perimeter flange enabling the shield to be secured over a wound with sticking plaster or some other suitable adhesive material. In one embodiment the perimeter flange or parts thereof, is itself provided with a suitable self-adhesive. The shield is flexible only sufficiently to allow the dressing to flex to the shape of the body, the convex-shaped portion being resiliently deformable and strong enough to protect the wound.

By utilising the preferred embodiment of the present invention the dressing need not be removed from over the wound purely for wound inspection as the wound may at all times be viewed through the transparent shield.

By providing various depths of side wall, different wounds and functions can be catered for by the dressing. For example, dressings according to the present invention, with a deep side wall can serve to collect fluids ejected from a wound by a drain. Such dressings can also themselves be provided with drains.

If the wound is required to breathe the shield can simply be provided with vent holes.

The present invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 2, in use.

Two embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Both embodiments of dressing are generally oval in configuration and made of a transparent, flexible plastics material. Each embodiment comprises a convex-shaped shield portion 1, from the edge of which a side wall 3 depends, a lateral perimeter flange 5 extending from the side wall 3 and, in use, engaging the skin surrounding the wound.

In one embodiment (see Fig. 2). the perimeter flange 5 has finger-like projections 7 which enable the dressing to be secured in position by means of an adhesive tape (see Fig. 3). Alternatively the perimeter flange 5 and/or projections 7, can be provided with a self-adhesive. In the other embodiment (see Fig. 1), the perimeter flange 5 is extended as a rectangular sheet 9 having cuts 11 which enable the dressing to flex for easy positioning over a wound and in contact with the surrounding skin. This sheet 9 can likewise be provided with a suitable self-adhesive or separate adhesive tape can be used to secure the dressing in position. It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments show merely two of the many possible securing configurations available within the scope of the present invention.

Whilst the dressing may close off a wound e.g.

burn, from the ambient atmosphere (Fig. 1), vent holes 13 can be provided (see Fig. ) if required.

By providing various depths of side wall 3, for different embodiments, different wounds and functions can be catered for by the dressing. For example, dressings with a deep side wall 3 can serve to collect fluids ejected from a wound by a surgical applied drain. Further, such dressings can themselves be provided with a drain.

The illustrated embodiments are both of generally oval configuration. However, within the scope of the present invention, the flexible dressing may be designed to fit specific wounds and may thus be of any desired shape e.g. the dressing shield may be long and narrow to cover a long operation incision.

The present invention thus provides a dressing which facilitates inspection of a wound at any time.

Claims

1. A dressing for use in covering a wound, comprising a flexible plastics shield which has a curved surface region and a perimeter which, in use, can engage the skin around a wound, means being also provided for use in securing the shield in position.

2. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which the flexible plastics shield is made of a transparent plastics material.

3. A dressing as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the flexible plastics shield has a depending side wall from which a perimeter flange extends outwardly, said perimeter flange forming said means for use in securing the dressing in position.

4. A dressing as claimed in claim 3, in which the perimeter flange is provided with finger-like projections.

5. A dressing as claimed in claim 3, in which the perimeter flange is extended as a rectangular sheet.

6. A dressing as claimed in claim 5, in which the rectangular sheet has cuts therein to enable the dressing to flex for easy positioning over a wound.

7. A dressing as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the perimeter flange is provided with a self-adhesive for use in securing the dressing over a wound.

8. A dressing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the flexible plastics shield is convex.

9. A dressing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the flexible plastics shield is oval.

10. A dressing as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the flexible plastics shield is provided with vent holes.

1 1. A dressing for use in covering a wound, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1, or Figs. 2 and 3, of the accompanying drawings.