Devices for protecting vulnerable sites on patients from liquid contamination and related devices, systems, and methods
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10660798-B2
Publication Date
2020-05-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A protective device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a cover including a first region that extends over a vulnerable site on a patient and a second region that extends over an area on the patient peripheral to the vulnerable site. The first region of the cover is at least generally impermeable to liquid water. The device further includes an adhesive film and a liquid-absorbing element. The adhesive film is configured to form an adhesive bond between the second region of the cover and the patient. The bond has an inner edge portion positioned toward the vulnerable site and an outer edge portion positioned away from the vulnerable site. The liquid-absorbing element is configured to absorb liquid contamination at the outer edge portion of the bond and/or liquid contamination approaching the outer edge portion of the bond when the cover is operably positioned on the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a protective device configured to be operably positioned on a human patient so that a first region of a cover extends over a vulnerable site and is at least generally impermeable to liquid water, while a second region extends over an area on the patient peripheral to the vulnerable site. An adhesive film forms an adhesive bond between the second region of the cover and the patient, with an inner edge portion positioned toward the vulnerable site and an outer edge portion positioned away from the vulnerable site.
A liquid-absorbing element is attached to the cover and is configured to absorb liquid contamination at the outer edge portion of the bond and/or liquid contamination approaching the outer edge portion of the bond when the cover is operably positioned on the patient. At least a portion of the liquid-absorbing element is positioned farther from the vulnerable site than the outer edge portion of the bond, and wicking of liquid contamination away from the outer edge portion of the bond is supported.
In embodiments, the cover is formed using flexible polymeric material configured to drape over a percutaneous device, or using a three-dimensional shell forming part of a three-dimensional space adjacent to the vulnerable site. The first region can include water vapor impermeability and/or permeability, and ventilation is provided using a third region that includes perimeter regions where adhesive film does not extend. An antimicrobial agent can be included as part of the liquid-absorbing element.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claims share the same core architecture and present four main inventive features: a liquid-water-impermeable first cover region over a vulnerable site, an adhesive film bond with inner and outer edge portions, a liquid-absorbing element positioned farther from the vulnerable site than the bond outer edge, and structural refinements including flexible drape or three-dimensional shell embodiments and ventilation via a perimeter region lacking adhesive film.
Cover over a vulnerable site with peripheral bonded region
A cover configured to be operably positioned on a human patient such that a first region of the cover extends over a vulnerable site on the patient and a second region of the cover extends over an area on the patient peripheral to the vulnerable site, the first region being at least generally impermeable to liquid water.
Adhesive film bonding with inner and outer edge portions
An adhesive film configured to form an adhesive bond between the second region of the cover and the patient, the bond having an inner edge portion positioned toward the vulnerable site and an outer edge portion positioned away from the vulnerable site when the cover is operably positioned on the patient.
Liquid-absorbing element farther from the vulnerable site and targeted to the bond outer edge
A liquid-absorbing element attached to the cover and configured to absorb liquid contamination at the outer edge portion of the bond and/or liquid contamination approaching the outer edge portion of the bond, at least a portion of the liquid-absorbing element being positioned further from the vulnerable site than the outer edge portion of the bond.
Adhesive film disposed along a side and liquid-absorbing element along the opposite side
A cover configured such that a first side of the second region faces toward the patient and a second side faces away from the patient, with adhesive film disposed along the first side to form the bond and a liquid-absorbing element disposed along the second side to absorb liquid contamination at and/or approaching the outer edge portion of the bond.
The claimed protection relies on positioning a liquid-water-impermeable first cover region over a vulnerable site, using an adhesive film to create an edge-defined bond with inner and outer edge portions, and providing a liquid-absorbing element positioned farther from the vulnerable site than the bond outer edge to absorb and/or wick contamination at and/or approaching that outer edge portion. Additional refinements include antimicrobial agent content, flexible drape or three-dimensional shell embodiments, and ventilation via perimeter regions lacking adhesive film.
Stated Advantages
Absorb liquid contamination at the outer edge portion of the bond and/or liquid contamination approaching the outer edge portion of the bond.
Wick liquid contamination away from the outer edge portion of the bond.
Provide ventilation of the vulnerable site via a third perimeter region where adhesive film does not extend.
Include antimicrobial agent content in the liquid-absorbing element.
Documented Applications
Protective covering for vulnerable sites on a human patient, including vulnerable sites associated with percutaneous devices.
Protection of adhesive bond regions adjacent to a vulnerable site by absorbing contamination at or approaching the bond outer edge portion.
Ventilation of the vulnerable site while using a cover that includes a peripheral adhesive bond area.
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