Medical bandage for the head, a limb or a stump
Inventors
Kantor, Deborah • Whiteman, Sherrin
Assignees
HERO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Publication Number
US-9867965-B1
Publication Date
2018-01-16
Expiration Date
2035-04-23
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A medical bandage is provided, capable of being rapidly, adjustably, intuitively and universally fitted on a head, limb or stump, for instance to conceal and protect a wound. The medical bandage is cap-shaped, and is formed of several layers, and comprised at least one port for obtaining quick access to a wound concealed by the medical bandage. When open, a port can stabilize a drainage tube, or provide a passage through which to easily and rapidly apply a medicine. The medical bandage can be directly fit on the head or other body part, providing an all-in-one dressing, wrap and treatment, and eliminating the need for cumbersome and difficult to manage gauze roll and multiple bandages of various sizes, shapes, and uses. The medical bandage provides simple, rapid, and effective treatment of emergency trauma wounds, and improved medical treatment of acute or chronic wounds.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a medical bandage specifically designed in a cap shape for easy, rapid, adjustable, intuitive, and universal application on a head, a limb, or a stump, addressing the shortcomings of conventional dressings. This bandage comprises multiple layers: a skin-compatible first layer closest to the wound, an intermediate absorbent or flexible bladder second layer, and a non-permeable third layer forming the outer surface. The bandage includes at least one through port allowing quick access to the wound without removing or repositioning the bandage, facilitating treatments such as applying medicine, stabilizing drainage tubes, or compressing the wound.
The problem being solved is that conventional medical bandages for heads, limbs, or stumps are typically cumbersome, difficult to deform and apply, especially in emergency or trauma situations involving immobilized patients. These dressings, often flat or generic, require manipulation to fit curved or complex body parts, consuming valuable time and increasing the risk of contamination or ineffective placement. Current head-specific bandages focus on compression or shape but do not efficiently enable rapid treatment or universal application to various body parts. Therefore, there is a need for a cost-effective, optimized dressing that facilitates wound treatment, stabilization, viewing, medicating, and allows rapid universal dressing changes for both acute and chronic care.
The medical bandage invention addresses these needs by forming a three-dimensional cap-shaped main body with concave inner and convex outer surfaces, having layers arranged to control fluid permeability and absorption. The design includes adjustable straps, some with hook-and-loop fasteners, permitting size customization and compression. The bandage can include active agents such as coagulants, antimicrobials, heating or cooling agents in its layers. Integration of access ports permits non-traumatic insertion of syringes, tubes, or other devices directly to the wound site. Alternative embodiments include a flexible bladder layer capable of holding solids, liquids, or gases, supporting warming or cooling functionalities by exothermic reactions upon activation. Overall, the bandage aims to combine wound dressing, wrapping, and treatment into a single, easy-to-use device suitable for emergency and ongoing wound care.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three main inventive features related to the design and functional structure of a medical bandage.
Three-layer cap-shaped main body with through ports
A medical bandage comprising a cap-shaped main body with a concave inner surface and convex outer surface, including a skin-compatible first layer closest to the wound, a second layer arranged between the first and third layers comprising at least one space allowing the first and third layers to directly face one another, and a non-permeable third layer. The main body includes at least one through port providing access to the inner cavity for wound access or drain support.
Adjustable straps arranged along the rim
The main body further comprises at least one adjustable strap configured to attach two sections of the bandage, where the strap may be fixedly attached on one end and disconnectably attachable on the other, utilizing hook-and-loop fasteners. The straps are attachable along and parallel to the rim to provide adjustable fitting and compression.
Cap-shaped main body formed by multiple partial portions separated by gaps
The first, second, and third layers comprise multiple adjacent partial portions forming the cap shape, where at least two partial portions of the second layer are separated by a gap through which the first and third layers directly face each other, and the first and third layers include perforated seams aligned with these gaps to enable selective opening.
The claims consistently emphasize a cap-shaped multi-layer bandage with a skin-compatible inner layer, an intermediate absorbent or bladder layer, and a non-permeable outer layer; the presence of through ports for wound access; adjustable straps for fitting and compression; and a construction of layers from multiple partial portions providing selective openings. These features enable rapid, adjustable, and universal application on a head, limb or stump with accessible wound treatment ports.
Stated Advantages
Allows rapid, intuitive, and universal fitting on head, limb, or stump, facilitating emergency and ongoing wound care.
Eliminates the need for cumbersome and multiple bandages, reducing treatment time and risk of contamination.
Provides integrated access ports for easy application of medicine, wound inspection, and stabilization of drainage tubes without removing the bandage.
Includes adjustable compression via straps, improving wound hemostasis and dressing security while maintaining patient comfort.
In some embodiments, incorporates active agents (coagulants, antimicrobials, heating/cooling agents) directly within the bandage layers for enhanced treatment.
Flexible bladder layer embodiments can provide warming or cooling therapy via exothermic reactions and compressive effects.
Documented Applications
Emergency trauma wound treatment on head, limbs, or stumps including bleeding control and protection.
Post-surgical wound care providing a stable dressing with adjustable compression and integrated medication application.
Ongoing chronic wound care, facilitating rapid dressing changes and continued access for wound monitoring and treatment.
Use on amputated limbs or stumps, supporting drainage tubes and wound protection.
Treatment or prevention of hair loss on the head or other body parts.
Interested in licensing this patent?