A Self-Adhesive Member

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-adhesive member for adhering to and covering a portion of a user's skin, said self-adhesive member comprising a backing layer having a self-adhesive coating, said backing layer comprises at least a first and a second portion, wherein said first portion surrounds said second portion, and wherein said first portion comprises at least a first row of slits extending along an outer edge of said backing layer and being distanced a first distance therefrom and said second portion being either void of slits or being provided with fewer slits per area unit than said first portion.

Claims

1. A self-adhesive member for adhering to and covering a portion of a user's skin, said self-adhesive member comprising a backing layer having a self-adhesive coating, said backing layer comprises at least a first and a second portion, wherein said first portion surrounds said second portion, and wherein said first portion comprises at least a first row of slits extending along an outer edge of said backing layer and being distanced a first distance therefrom and said second portion being either void of slits or being provided with fewer slits per area unit than said first portion.

2. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein said first portion constitutes 10-75 percent of the surface area of said self-adhesive member.

3. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein the slits in said first row of slits are distanced a substantially first uniform distance from said outer edge of said backing layer.

4. A self-adhesive member according to claim 3, wherein said substantially first uniform distance between each slit in said first row of slits and said outer edge is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

5. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein said first portion of said backing layer further comprises a second row of slits extending in a direction along said first row of slits and distanced from said outer edge of said backing layer with a second distance, which second distance is greater than said first distance between said first row of slits and said outer edge.

6. A self-adhesive member according to claim 5, wherein the slits in said second row of slits are distanced a substantially uniform second distance from said outer edge of said backing layer.

7. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein said first portion of said backing layer further comprises a second row of slits extending in a direction along said first row of slits and said slits in said second row of slits are distanced a uniformly spaced third distance to each proximal slit in said first row of slits.

8. A self-adhesive member according to claim 5, wherein said slits of said second row of slits and said first row of slits are arranged offset relative to one another such that the centre of substantially all slits of said second row of slits are arranged intermediate of two proximal slits of said first row of slits.

9. A self-adhesive member according to claim 8, wherein said slits in said second row of slits, which have their respective centres arranged intermediate of two proximal slits of said first row of slits, each has a longitudinal extension which is at least as long as the distance (L) between said two proximal slits of said first row of slits.

10. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein each of said slits in said first and/or second row of slits has a length which is between 2 mm and 10 mm.

11. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein said slits within said first row of slits and/or said slits within said second row of slits are arranged at distance from each other between 2 mm and 10 mm.

12. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein said first row of slits and/or said second row of slits is arranged around a periphery of said self-adhesive member.

13. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein the slits of the first and second row of slits are provided such that it is not possible to draw an imaginary line in the plane of the self-adhesive member, extending from an outer edge of the self-adhesive member to another outer edge of the self-adhesive member, which line is perpendicular to the outer edge of said self-adhesive member, without intersecting at least one slit.

14. A self-adhesive member according to claim 1, wherein said slits in said first and/or second row of slits have an elongated shape, and wherein at least 80 percent of the slits has their major longitudinal extension in the same direction as the extension of the outer edge of the self-adhesive member that each slit is closest to.

15. A self-adhesive member according to claim 3, wherein said self-adhesive member further comprises a wound pad attached to said backing layer distanced from said outer edge of said backing layer; and said substantially uniform first distance between each slit in said first row of slits and said outer edge of said backing layer is shorter than a fifth distance between each slit in said first row of slits and an outer edge of said wound pad.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0060] FIG. 1a shows a self-adhesive member according to an embodiment of the invention in perspective.

[0061] FIG. 1b shows cross-section A-A of the self-adhesive member in FIG. 1a.

[0062] FIG. 2a shows an enlarged partial top view from the cut out B in FIG. 1a.

[0063] FIGS. 2b-2i show different embodiments of the first and second rows of through openings on the self-adhesive member shown in FIG. 2a.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows the self-adhesive member in FIG. 1a in use.

[0065] FIG. 4 discloses a self-adhesive member according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] All the figures are highly schematic, not necessarily to scale, and they show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0067] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] FIG. 1a shows a square-shaped self-adhesive member 1 for adhering to and covering a portion of a user's skin, such as a self-adhesive wound care product. FIG. 1b shows the cross-section A-A in FIG. 1a and hence, they will be described together. The self-adhesive member 1 is not limited to have a square shape, it may have any other suitable shape, such as round, oval etc.

[0069] The self-adhesive member 1 comprises a backing layer 2 having a self-adhesive coating 9, preferably a silicone-gel adhesive coating although other adhesive coatings are conceivable such as polyurethanes acrylic adhesives or rubber based or acrylic based soft hotmelt coating.

[0070] The backing layer 2 is a flexible layer, which can readily be applied to any part of the wearer's body. The backing layer is suitably a polymer film, preferably a polyurethane film, as such films are suitable for this purpose. The plastic film, in particular the polyurethane film, may have a thickness of less than 100 μm, preferably 10-50 μm, in order to allow the wound care product to adapt closely to the shape of the wearer's body. The backing layer 2 may alternatively be a laminate, which could suitably include an elastic film made of for example polyurethane (PU), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The laminate could also include a layer of nonwoven or textile material. The layers of the laminate may be laminated by adhesive lamination, using for example hotmelt or acrylic glue, heat lamination or flame lamination.

[0071] A carrier layer (not shown) may also be provided on the backing layer, in order to facilitate handling of the wound care product. The function of the carrier layer is to support the plastic film and to provide steadiness, while applying the wound care product to the wearer's skin, whereupon the carrier layer is removed. Such carrier layer may be a plastic film of somewhat higher stiffness than the material used for the backing layer, or nonwoven material, flexible foam material, or paper, which advantageously is polyethylene-coated, or the like.

[0072] The solution provided by this invention is particularly suitable when the wound care product is a ready-to-use product, such as pre-cut products which come in ready-to-use sizes, adhesive wound care tapes, film dressings and other ready for use dressings, and ostomy products, such as base plates.

[0073] The backing layer 2 has an outer edge 3 which extends all around the self-adhesive member 1. A wound pad 4 is arranged at a central area 6 of said self-adhesive member 1, and it will be in contact with the wound during use. An edge area 7 comprising the outer edge 3 surrounds the central area 6. The self-adhesive member 1 is not limited to have a wound pad, instead the self-adhesive member 1 can be connected to a bag at the central area to receive waste, for example, as part of an ostomy appliance (not shown). It can also be used in e.g. film dressings for negative pressure wound therapy, electrodes for electrostimulation of wounds, skin prevention dressings, dressings for prevention of pressure ulcers and/or dressings containing anti-microbial substances.

[0074] The backing layer 2 comprises a first portion 50 and a second portion 60. The first portion 50 comprises a first row of through openings 10, which extends along said outer edge 3 of said backing layer 2 around the whole self-adhesive member 1 and it is arranged at a first distance D1 from said outer edge 3 (see also FIG. 2a). The first distance D1 is between 2-10 mm, preferably between 2.5-8 mm, and more preferably 3-7 mm. In other words the first portion 50, and thereby the first row of through openings 10 is arranged on the edge area 7. The second portion 60 is void of any through openings.

[0075] The through openings 100 of said first row of through openings 10 have a uniform shape and size and they are arranged equally spaced around the self-adhesive member 1.

[0076] The backing layer 2 also comprises a second row of through openings 20, which are also provided in said first portion 50 and extending along said outer edge 3 of said backing layer 2 and it is arranged at a second distance D2 from said outer edge 3. The second distance D2 between the second row of through openings 20 is greater than said first distance D1 between said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3.

[0077] The through openings 200 of said second row of through openings 20 are also uniform in size and shape and they are arranged equally spaced around the self-adhesive member 1. They are in this embodiment also uniform to the openings 100 of the first row of through openings 10.

[0078] The second distance D2 is between 4-20 mm, preferably between 5-16 mm, and more preferably 6-14 mm. In other words the second row of through openings 20 is also arranged on the edge area 7. The first distance D1 between said through openings 100 in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 of said backing layer is shorter than a fifth distance D5 between said through openings 10 in said first row of through openings 100, measured from said through opening edge closest to said outer edge 3 of said self-adhesive member 1, and an outer edge 8 of said wound pad 4. The second distance D2 between the through openings 200 in said second row of through openings 20 and said outer edge 3 of said backing layer 2 is shorter than a sixth distance D6 between the through openings 200 in said second row of through openings 20, measured from said through opening's edge closest to said outer edge 3 of said self-adhesive member 1, and said outer edge 8 of said wound pad 4.

[0079] FIG. 2a shows an enlarged view of a first embodiment of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 at the area B in FIG. 1a, i.e. a part of the first portion 50 is illustrated. The through openings in this embodiment are uniform straight slits 100a. If the self-adhesive member is rounded or has rounded parts, the slits may have the same roundness such that they, at least along the major portion of their extension, follow the edge of the backing layer. The slits 100a are extending in the longitudinal direction of the outer edge 3. Each slit 100a, 200a is essentially parallel with the outer edge 3, which is essentially a straight edge. At the corners (see FIG. 1), the slits 100a in this embodiment follow the contour of outer edge. Alternatively, the slits in the corners may be omitted.

[0080] The first distance D1 between each slit 100a in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge 18 of the slit 100a, closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2.

[0081] The second distance D2 between each slit 200a in said second row of through openings 2 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge 28 of the slit 200a closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 3.

[0082] Alternatively, said slits 200a in said second row of through openings 20 are distanced a uniformly third spaced distance D3 to each proximal slit 100a in said first row of through openings 10. Said uniformly third spaced distance D3 between each slit 200a in said second row of through openings 20 and each proximal slit 100a in said first row of through openings 10 is between 2-10 mm, preferably between 2.5-8 mm, and more preferably 3-7 mm. The distance D3 is to be measured in the perpendicular direction to the outer edge.

[0083] Each slit 200a, 100a of said second row of through openings 20 and said first row of through openings 10 is arranged offset relative to one another.

[0084] It is exemplified that each slit 200a, 100a of said second row of through openings 20 and said first row of through openings 10 is arranged offset relative to one another such that the centre C.sub.200 of substantially all slits 200a of said second row of through openings 20 are arranged intermediate of two proximal slits 100a of said first row of through openings, i.e. the centre C.sub.200 of one slit 200a in said second row of through openings 20 is arranged in the middle i.e. at half the distance, between the centres C.sub.100 of two proximal arranged slits 100a in said first row of through openings 10. Each slit 200a of the second row of through openings 20 has an longitudinal extension, i.e. a length L.sub.TH2, which is at least so long as the distance L between said two proximal slits 100a of said first row of through openings 10. Each slit 100a of the first row of through openings 10 has an longitudinal extension L.sub.TH1 which is at least so long as the distance L between said two proximal slits 200a of said second row of through openings 20. Preferably, they are longer so the slits 100a, 200a overlap each other.

[0085] Each of said slits 100a, 200a, in said first and/or second row of through openings 10, 20 has a length L.sub.TH1, L.sub.TH2 which is between 2-10 mm, preferably between 3-8 mm, and more preferably 4-6 mm, which is to be measured in the longitudinal direction of the outer edge.

[0086] FIG. 2b shows a part of the first portion 50 with the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 as uniform oval through holes 100b, 200b. However, the positions and the distances relative the through holes 100b, 200b in the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 are the same as described for the slits in FIG. 2a. However, the first distance D1 between each through hole 100b in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an point, i.e. edge point 18′ of the through hole closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2 in a direction perpendicular to said outer edge 3.

[0087] The second distance D2 between each through hole 200b in said second row of through openings 20 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between a point, i.e. an edge point 28′ of the through hole 200b closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2 in a direction perpendicular to said outer edge 3.

[0088] FIG. 2c shows a part of the first portion 50 with the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 as uniform V-shaped slits 100c, 200c where the tip of the V is in the centre C.sub.100, C.sub.200 and pointing in the opposite direction to the outer edge 3, i.e. it is pointing towards the central area of the self-adhesive member 1. The positions and the distances relative the slit 100c, 200c in the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 are the same as described for FIG. 2a. However, the first distance D1 between each slit 100c in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point 18″ of the slit 100c closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2. In this case there are two edge points 18″ and each edge point 18″ is arranged at a distance D1 from said outer edge 3.

[0089] The second distance D2 between each slit 200c in said second row of through openings 20 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point 28″ of the slit 200 closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2. In this case there are two points, edge points 28″ and each edge point 28″ are arranged at distance D2 from said outer edge 3. The length L.sub.TH1, L.sub.TH2of the slits 100c, 200c are to be measured between the opening of the V, i.e. the distance between the two edge points, 18″ of the slits 100c in the first row of through openings 10, and between the two edge points, 28″ of the slits 200c in the second row of through openings 20. The angle α between the legs of the V-shaped slit is between 45°-175°, preferably between 60°-140°, more preferably 70°-120° and even more preferably between 85°-105°.

[0090] FIG. 2d shows a part of the first portion 50 with the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 as uniform U-shaped slits 100d, 200d, where the openings of the U's of the first row of through openings 10 are facing the openings of the U's of the second row of through openings 20. The bottom of the U's are centres C.sub.100, C.sub.200 and the bottoms of the U's of the first row of slits 100d are pointing towards the outer edge 3, while the bottoms of the U's of the second row of through openings 20 are pointing in the opposite direction. The positions and the distances relative the slits 100d, 200d in the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 are the same as described for FIG. 2a. However, the first distance D1 between each slit 100d in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point 18′″ of the slit 100d closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2, i.e. the bottom point 18′″ of the U. The second distance D2 between each slit 200d in said second row of through openings 20 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point 28′″ of the slit 200 closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2. In this case there are two edge points 28′″ and each edge point 28′″ is arranged at said second distance D2 from said outer edge 3. The length L.sub.TH1, L.sub.TH2 of the slits 100d, 200d are to be measured between the opening of the U. The depth L.sub.U of the U-shaped slits 100d, 200d is to be measured between the bottom of the U and the opening of the U shaped slit in the direction perpendicular to the outer edge. If the outer edge is rounded it will be in a direction perpendicular to a line which is tangential to the outer edge.

[0091] FIG. 2e shows a part of the first portion 50 with the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 as uniform slits 100e, 200e. Each slit is arranged in an angle to the outer edge 3. The angle β is between 5°-70°, preferably between 10°-60°, and more preferably 20°-50°. The centres C.sub.100, C.sub.200 of each slit 100e, 200e is at half the length of the slits 100e, 200e in the longitudinal direction of the outer edge. The positions and the distances relative the slits 100e, 200e in the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 are the same as described for FIG. 2a. However, the first distance D1 between each slit 100e in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point, i.e. edge point 18″″ of the slit closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2.

[0092] The second distance D2 between each slit 200e in said second row of through openings 20 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between a point, i.e. an edge point 28″″ of the slit 200e closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2. The length L.sub.TH1 of the slits 100e in said first row of through openings 10 is to be measured in the longitudinal direction of the outer edge 3 between the edge point 18″″ and the edge point which is positioned furthest away from the outer edge 3. The length L.sub.TH2 of the slits 200e in said second row of through openings 20 is to be measured in the longitudinal direction of the outer edge 3 between the edge point 28″″ and an edge point which is positioned furthest away from the outer edge 3.

[0093] FIG. 2f shows a part of the first portion 50 with similar uniform angled slits as the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 in FIG. 2e except that the slits 200f in the second row of through openings 20 are angled in the opposite direction to the slits 100f in the first row of through openings 10. Further, the slits 200f of the second row of through openings are not distanced a uniformly third spaced distance to each proximal slit in said first row of through openings. In this exemplary embodiment the slits 100f, 200f of the first and the second row of through openings are overlapping each other in the perpendicular direction to the outer edge. They overlap each other with a fourth distance D4 which is 1-10 mm, preferably 2-8 mm and more preferably 3-7 mm.

[0094] FIG. 2g shows a part of the first portion 50 with similar uniform V-shaped slits 100g, 200g as the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 in FIG. 2c except that the tip of the slits 100g in the first row of through openings 10 are pointing in the direction toward the outer edge 3. That is the openings of the V's are pointing toward each other.

[0095] FIG. 2h shows a part of the first portion 50 with similar through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 as in FIG. 2b, except that the through holes 100h, 200h are round. The diameter of the round through holes 100h, 200h is the same as the length L.sub.TH1 of the through holes measured in the longitudinal direction of the outer edge 3.

[0096] FIG. 2i shows a part of the first portion 50 with the through openings of the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 as slits 100i, 200i being provided adjacent a circular through-hole 110i, 210i at each end. Hence, the resulting shape of the through openings is uniform dog bone shaped through openings. The diameters of the circular through holes 110i, 210i, are somewhat larger than the width of the longitudinally extending slits 100i, 200i. The positions and the distances relative the through openings in the first row of through openings 10 and the second row of through openings 20 are the same as described for FIG. 2a. However, the first distance D1 between each through opening 100i, 110i in said first row of through openings 10 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point 18″″ of the through opening 100i, 110i closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2. In this case there are two edge points 18″″ and each edge point 18″″ is provided at a circular through hole 110i and is arranged at a distance D1 from said outer edge 3.

[0097] The second distance D2 between each through opening 200i, 210i in said second row of through openings 20 and said outer edge 3 is to be measured between an edge point 28″″ of the through opening 200i, 210i closest to the outer edge 3 of the backing layer 2. In this case there are two points, edge points 28″″ and each edge point 28″″ is arranged at a distance D2 from said outer edge 3 and at the circular through holes 210i.

[0098] FIG. 3 shows the self-adhesive member 1 in FIG. 1 in use attached to a knee 1000 when the knee is being bent. When applying the self-adhesive member 1 to the knee joint 1000 the knee is usually not bent. The self-adhesive member 1 will at this stage get a concave shape over the knee joint and it is held in place with aid of the adhesive of the backing portion. The outer edges 3 of the self-adhesive member 1, which are arranged on either side of the knee 1000, will run substantially parallel to each other. When bending the knee the backing layer 2 between the through openings 100, 200 in the first and the second row of through openings 10, 20, at the side of the knee will stretch when the skin it is attached to is stretched during the bending. By this, stress is induced to the self-adhesive member 1. The through openings 100, 200 in the first and the second rows of through openings 10, 20 will consequently deform by expansion and thereby relax the stress that is induced to the self-adhesive member.

[0099] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the through openings of the first and second rows are provided in the first portion 50 of the self-adhesive member and may have the size, shape, position and relationship to the other through openings as described above for any one of the previous embodiments. However, the through openings of the first and second row 100, 200 each have a gradually increasing length, as seen from the top of the drawing towards the bottom of the drawing. The embodiment in FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment with varying length of the through openings and length between the through openings. However, the varying lengths of the through openings and distances between them may also vary in other ways. It is for example conceivable with embodiments in which the first row and the second row vary independently of each other, or where one of the rows has a constant size of through openings while the through openings of the other row vary along its extension.

[0100] The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

[0101] It is for example possible to combine the different embodiments illustrated herein, such that e.g. the embodiments disclosed as being substantially parallel to the edge 3, i.e. the embodiments of FIGS. 2a-2d and 2g-2i may instead be arranged with an angle such as disclosed in FIGS. 2e and 2f to the edge 3.