Sims, Larry A. (Hermosa Beach, CA)

06/548186

10/29/1991

11/02/1983

Download PDF RE33727       PDF help

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Baxter International, Inc. (Deerfield, IL)

128/851

A61F15/00; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61B19/08

128/82, 128/846, 128/849-854, 128/887, 128/888, 128/155-157

2703083	Adhesive bandage	March, 1955	Gross	128/156
2752038	Bandage package	June, 1952	Abbott	206/63.2
2783172	Laminated label structure	February, 1957	Avery	154/46.8
2884126	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet material	April, 1959	Ulrich	206/59
2924331	Adhesive bandage envelope	February, 1960	Hoey	206/63.2
2927689	Ready-made bandage	March, 1960	Look	206/63.2
3007571	Adhesive bandage	November, 1961	Marinaro	206/63.2
3065120	Dry transfer decals	November, 1962	Avelar	154/46.8
3194717	Laminated tape structure	July, 1965	Albert
3236370	Sterile surgical drape	February, 1966	Pereny et al.	206/63.2
3246049	Pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an isocyanate cross-linked polyester of castor oil and diglycolic acid, and tape coated with said adhesive	April, 1966	Webber	260/829
3260260	Surgical drape or laminate	July, 1966	Questel	128/132
3288135	Drape	November, 1966	Pereny et al.	128/132
3299890	Surgical bandage, dressing and the like	January, 1967	Parker	128/156
3311338	Adherent cushioning support	March, 1967	Culley	248/205
3315677	Disposable shield having transfer tape along side edges	April, 1967	Tyrrel, Jr.	128/288
3349765	Surgical drape	October, 1967	Blanford	128/132
3364928	Surgical drape	January, 1968	Creager, Jr. et al.	128/132
3373741	Plastic splint	March, 1968	Hill et al.	128/90
3389827	Easy-open container and sealing tape	June, 1968	Abere et al.	220/53
3416520	Surgical drape	December, 1968	Creager, Jr.	125/132
3416524	Surgical dressing	December, 1968	Meier	128/156
3423277	DISPOSABLE SURGICAL DRAPES	January, 1969	Dipner	161/118
3452750	VAGINAL BIB	July, 1969	Blanford	128/132
3483018	EXTENSIBLE ADHESIVE TAPE	December, 1969	Waldman	117/68.5
3490971	FOAMABLE LAYER AND METHOD OF APPLYING SAME TO SUBSTRATE	January, 1970	Walters	156/79
3520306	WOUND CLOSURE	July, 1970	Gardner et al.	128/335
3645835	MOISTURE-VAPOR-PERMEABLE PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE MATERIALS	February, 1972	Hodgson	161/146
3675844	ENVELOPE WITH SEALING MEANS	July, 1972	Sorrell	229/80
3679458		July, 1972	Sorrell, et al.	117/68.5
3774592	METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN IMPROVED BODY ELECTRODE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION	November, 1973	Lahr	128/2.1E
3852823	METHOD OF SEALING A BATHING OR SHOWER CAP TO THE HEAD OF THE WEARER	December, 1974	Jones	2/68
3857140	DETACHABLE BANDAGE CLASP	December, 1974	Leveen	24/87TB
3861008	CLAMP FOR SURGICAL PURPOSE, PREFERABLY FOR HOLDING TOGETHER FABRICS SERVING TO LIMIT AN OPERATION FIELD	January, 1975	Wannag	242/55P
3870593	STRETCH-ORIENTED POROUS FILMS AND PREPARATION AND USE THEREOF	March, 1975	Elton et al.	161/159
3878843	SURGICAL DRAPE WITH EDGE GRIPS AND METHOD	April, 1975	Morgan	128/132D
3889667	Surgical drape	June, 1975	Collins	128/132D
3896789	Retinoic acid dipensing pressure sensitive dermotological tape	July, 1975	Trancik	128/2R
3900617	Method of rendering flexible sheet material non-adherent and article produced thereby	August, 1975	Grenoble	427/387
3916887	Surgical drape with adhesive on top and bottom	November, 1975	Kelly	128/132
3973563	Adhesive bandage backings	August, 1976	Green et al.	128/156
4005247	Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions	January, 1977	Graham	526/15
4024312	Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having extensible and elastic backing composed of a block copolymer	May, 1977	Korpman	428/343
4028474	Weatherproof decal	June, 1977	Martin	428/40
4067327	Tabbed towel	January, 1978	Shannon, Sr.	128/132D
4082705	Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions	April, 1978	Beede et al.	260/4R
4097943	Absorbent pad	July, 1978	O'Connell	5/335
4112177	Porous adhesive tape	September, 1978	Salditt et al.	428/304
4112213	Pressure sensitive adhesive tapes and method of making same	September, 1978	Waldman	526/279
4157410	Composite pressure sensitive adhesive construction	June, 1979	McClintock	428/40
4162356	Method and composition for rendering flexible sheet material non-adherent	July, 1979	Grenoble	528/31
4163077	Contamination-tolerant pressure-sensitive adhesive tape	July, 1979	Antonsen et al.	128/355
4182449	Adhesive bandage and package	January, 1980	Kozlow	206/441
4182789	Multi-layer graphic arts tape system	January, 1980	Castelluzzo	428/40
4201808	Radiation curable silicone release compositions	May, 1980	Cully et al.	428/40
4202292	Modular pig cage assembly	May, 1980	Dabroski	428/219
4219596	Matrix free thin labels	August, 1980	Takemoto et al.	428/41
4253899	Method of making matrix free thin labels	March, 1981	Takemoto et al.	156/277
4263906	Two part wound bandage	April, 1981	Finley	128/157
4394904	Peripherally supported package for adhesive-surfaced articles	July, 1983	Larimore	206/447

DE1935916	February, 1971
GB842617	July, 1960
GB1494643	December, 1977
GB1502628	March, 1978
GB1509447	May, 1978

Rosenbaum, Fred C.

Gutowski, Anthony M.

Willian Brinks Olds Hofer Gilson & Lione

1. A system for bandaging a patient comprising:

a flexible bandage having a backing with an adhesive on a surface thereof for applying to a patient; and

a frame means which is substantially less flexible than the bandage and is attachable to the backing thereof for maintaining said bandage in a generally flat configuration and for controlling wrinkling during handling and application of the bandage to the patient when attached thereto;

whereby the bandage may resume its flexible nature after application to the patient and removal of the frame means, so as not to interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage on the patient's anatomy.

2. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frame means is stiffer than the bandage.

3. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 2, wherein the frame means is heavy paper.

4. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 2, wherein the frame means is thermoplastic.

5. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the flexible bandage is a dressing for a wound.

6. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 2, wherein the flexible bandage is a burn dressing.

7. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the flexible bandage is a surgical drape.

8. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 4, wherein the flexible bandage is an incise surgical drape and is severable at a surgical incision.

9. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the bandage is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid water and bacteria.

10. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the backing and adhesive are transparent for viewing a patient beneath the bandage.

11. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the adhesive forms a continuous coating on the backing so that the adhesive is adapted to secure the backing directly to the wound or incision area.

12. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the frame is secured to the bandage by an adhesive.

13. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the frame is bendable.

14. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the frame is preattached to the bandage, and both the frame and flexible bandage are sterile and inside a sterility protecting package.

15. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the bandage has a removable liner protecting the adhesive prior to use.

16. In a flexible bandage or wound dressing having a backing with an adhesive on one side thereof for applying to a patent, the improvement comprising:

a reversibly attachable frame means;

said frame being substantially less flexible than the bandage or wound dressing and attachable to the backing thereof for maintaining said bandage or wound dressing in a generally flat configuration and having external dimensions sufficient to control wrinkling across a major area of the flexible bandage when attached thereto during application;

whereby the bandage or wound dressing may resume its flexible nature after application to the patient and removal of the frame means, so as not to interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage or dressing on the patient's anatomy.

17. A frame as set forth in claim 16, In a flexible bandage or wound dressing having a backing with an adhesive covering one surface thereof so that the bandaging area of the flexible bandage can be directly adhered to a patient, and a removable liner protecting the adhesive prior to use, the improvement comprising:

a frame means which can be attached to and detached from said bandage;

said frame being bendable so as to temporarily conform to a patient's anatomy during application of the flexible bandage, said frame being substantially less flexible than the bandage or wound dressing for maintaining said bandage or wound dressing in a generally flat configuration, and said frame having external dimensions sufficient to control wrinkling across a major area of the flexible bandage when attached thereto during application;

whereby the bandage or wound dressing may resume its flexible nature after application to the patient and removal of the frame means, so as not to interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage or wound dressing on the patient's anatomy,

wherein the frame is generally rectangular with an open central portion. .

18. A frame as set forth in claim 16, wherein the frame is sterile and in a sterility protecting package.

19. A frame as set forth in claim 17, wherein the frame is bendable, but is stiffer than the bandage.

20. A method of bandaging a patient with a flexible bandage comprising the steps of:

(a) securing to the bandage a frame means that is substantially less flexible than the bandage for maintaining said bandage in a generally flat configuration and for controlling wrinkling during handling and application of the bandage to the patient;

(b) applying the bandage to a patient while the frame means is secured to the bandage; and

(c) separating the frame means from the bandage so the frame means does not interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage of such patient's anatomy.

21. A method of bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 20, wherein the securing step includes adhesively attaching such frame to the bandage.

22. A method of bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 20, wherein the separating step includes breaking apart an adhesive joint between the frame and the handle.

23. A method of bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 22, wherein the breaking apart of the adhesive joint includes progressively peeling the bandage and frame apart.

24. A method of bandaging a patient with a flexible bandage comprising the steps of:

(a) securing to the bandage a frame means that is substantially less flexible than the bandage for maintaining said bandage in a generally flat configuration and for controlling wrinkling during handling and application of the bandage to the patient; said frame means being manually bendable to temporarily conform to an area of the patient's anatomy;

(b) applying the bandage to a patient while the frame means is secured to the bandage with the bandage being applied during a bending action of the frame means about the patient's anatomy; and

(c) separating the frame means from the bandage to provide increased flexibility of the bandage on such patient's anatomy.

25. A system for bandaging a patient comprising:

a flexible bandage having a transparent backing that is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid water and bacteria;

a transparent flexible adhesive continuously covering one surface of the backing so that the entire bandaging area of the flexible bandage can be directly adhered to a patient;

a removal liner associated with said adhesive for protecting the adhesive prior to use; and

a frame means which is substantially less flexible than the bandage and is attachable to the backing thereof for maintaining said bandage in a generally flat configuration and for controlling wrinkling during handling and application of the bandage to the patient when attached thereto;

whereby the bandage may resume its flexible nature after application to the patient and removal of the frame means, so as not to interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage on the patient's anatomy.

26. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 25, wherein the frame means is stiffer than the bandage.

27. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 26, wherein the frame means is heavy paper.

28. A system for bandaging a patient as set forth in claim 26, wherein the frame means is thermoplastic.29. A system for bandaging a patient comprising:

a flexible bandage having a backing with an adhesive covering one surface thereof so that the bandaging area of the flexible bandage can be directly adhered to a patient;

a removable liner for protecting the adhesive prior to use; and

a bendable frame means which is substantially less flexible than the bandage and is removably attached to the backing opposite the surface covered with adhesive for maintaining said bandage in a generally flat configuration, said frame means having external dimensions sufficient to control wrinkling across a major area of the flexible bandage during handling and application of the bandage to the patient;

whereby the bandage may resume its flexible nature after application to the patient and removal of the frame means, so as not to interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage on the patient's anatomy,

wherein the frame is generally rectangular with an open central portion. 30. A system for bandaging a patient comprising:

a flexible bandage having a transparent backing that is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid water and bacteria;

a transparent flexible adhesive continuously covering one surface of the backing so that the entire bandaging area of the flexible bandage can be directly adhered to a patient;

a removable liner associated with said adhesive for protecting the adhesive prior to use; and

a frame means which is substantially less flexible than the bandage and is attachable to the backing thereof for maintaining said bandage in a generally flat configuration and for controlling wrinkling during handling and application of the bandage to the patient when attached thereto;

whereby the bandage may resume its flexible nature after application to the patient and removal of the frame means, so as not to interfere with the flexible functioning of the bandage on the patient's anatomy,

wherein the frame is generally rectangular with an open central position. 31. A system for bandaging a patient comprising:

a flexible bandage having a backing that is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid water and bacteria;

a flexible adhesive continuously covering one surface of the backing so that the bandaging area of the flexible bandage can be directly adhered to a patient, wherein said adhesive is permeable to water vapor, but impermeable to liquid water and bacteria;

a removable liner associated with said adhesive for protecting the adhesive prior to use; and

a frame means removably secured to the surface of the backing opposite the surface covered with adhesive;

wherein said frame means is substantially less flexible than the bandage but is bendable so as to temporarily conform to a patient's anatomy during application of the flexible bandage, and has external dimensions sufficient to maintain said bandage in a generally flat configuration and for controlling wrinkling across a major area of the flexible bandage during handling and application to a patient,

wherein the frame is generally rectangular with an open central portion.

BACKGROUND

In a co-pending, co-owned application invented by Frederic Grossmann and Larry A. Sims, filed Sept. 11, 1980, Ser. No. 186,352, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,520, clamp on and other type of handles are described for use in applying large area adhesive backed bandages to patients. Such bandages when applied to a patient require extremely careful handling, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,370, to prevent the bandage from sticking from itself or excessively wrinkling. When used as an "incise" drape, a surgical incision is made directly through the bandage and into the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem of handling large area bandages, such as for burn dressings, wound dressings, and incise drapes, is overcome by the present invention which includes a frame structure for spreading the highly flexible adhesive backed bandage into a somewhat flattened configuration during the application of such bandage to a patient. After the bandage has been applied, the frame structure is removed from the bandage, permitting the bandage to have full flexible freedom to move with the patient's body.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the frame attached to the adhesive backed bandage;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the frame prior to attaching to such bandage;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3--3 showing a first embodiment of the frame in relatively thin configuration;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a second embodiment of the frame construction of a thicker configuration;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing the frame being peeled from the bandage after application to a patient;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a sterile package broken away to show a package frame and bandage system; and

FIG. 8 is a sterile containing a frame only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, an adhesive backed flexible bandage, shown generally at 1, is secured to a frame 2. For easy attachment and detachment of the frame, a protruding border 3 of the flexible drape is provided. The frame unattached to flexible bandage 1 is shown in FIG. 2.

In a first embodiment of the frame shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, a frame back 5 is coated with an adhesive 6, which in turn is protected by a peel off liner 7. In this figure, the frame back 5 is of relatively thin material, such as a heavy paper. Thermoplastic or other material could also be used for the frame back. FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the frame wherein a frame back 9 is of a relatively thicker material, but not as wide as the FIG. 3 embodiment.

When the frame 2 is attached by its adhesives to the top of flexible bandage 1, the configuration is that of the sectional view of FIG. 5. Bandage 1 preferably has a backing 10 that is coated with an adhesive 11. A strip member 12 secured to adhesive 11 prevents the removable liner 13 from sticking to an edge portion of the flexible bandage. This provides an easily graspable tab on liner 13 that is unstuck to the adhesive when peeling off the liner 13. Liner 13 can be of a discardable paper material. The flexible backing 10 and adhesive 11 are preferably of a water vapor permeable, liquid water and bacteria impermeable film material. One type of such water vapor permeable bandage is manufactured by the British firm of Smith & Nephew and marketed in the United States under the trademark OP-SITE. An instruction sheet for such OP-SITE bandage is attached showing how it is applied to a patient without the benefit of the present invention.

When the frame 2 and flexible bandage 1 are attached to each other and liner 13 has been removed, the bandage is smoothed down against the contours of a patient's anatomy. Preferably, the frame 2 is slightly flexible or bendable so as to temporarily conform to a patient's anatomy during application of the flexible bandage. After such application, the frame can be peeled off of the flexible bandage 1, as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, after application, the bandage resumes its very highly flexible nature so as to readily move with the patient's body. Even though, as shown in FIG. 6, the frame is slightly flexible or bendable, it still remains stiffer than the flexible bandage material itself.

The system, which includes the frame 2 and flexible bandage 1, are contained within a sterile package, as shown in FIG. 7. The package of FIG. 7 has been broken away to reveal the frame and bandage. In FIG. 7, the frame can be preattached to the bandage, or alternatively, they can be attached to each other upon opening the package of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows a sterile package in which only the frame is within the package.

Throughout the specification and claims, the term "bandage" has been used in a very broad sense to include any large area adhesive backed sheet material applied to a patient, such as a wound dressing, burn dressing, incise drape, etc. The term "frame" has also been used in a broad sense to include an attachable structure which is applied to the drape for spreading into a more manageable configuration during the application to the patient. Such frame need not enclose a central opening nor be rectangular in shape.

In the foregoing description, specific examples have been used to describe the invention. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that certain modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.