A PRESSURE ABSORBING SKIN PATCH AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Abstract

Provided is a patch including at least one pressure-absorbing member, the pressure absorbing member formed of a resilient material and having at least a first surface, the at least first surface is configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, an outermost surface of said plurality of projections lies along a projections plane of the pressure-absorbing member, the projections being deformable when subjected to pressure applied to the patch, so as to absorb at least some of the applied pressure.

Claims

1. A patch comprising at least one pressure-absorbing member, said pressure absorbing member formed of a resilient material and having at least a first surface, wherein said at least first surface is configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, and wherein an outermost surface of said plurality of projections lies along a projections plane of said pressure-absorbing member, said projections being deformable when subjected to pressure applied to the patch, so as to absorb at least some of the applied pressure.

2. A patch according to claim 1, wherein the resilient material has at least one of the following properties: it is at least one of elastomer, soft polymer, polymer composite, polymer gel, silicone, silicone rubber, silicone gel, silicone foam, silicone sponge, rubber, gel, hydrogel, gel foam, gel sponge, foam, open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, and fabric; it has a specific heat capacity greater than that of skin of a patient; it has thermal conductivity greater than that of skin of a patient; and/or it has high thermal conductance rendering the resilient material capable of functioning as a coolant after being refrigerated.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. A patch according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-absorbing member is a two-faced pressure-absorbing member, wherein the first surface and a second surface are each configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, and wherein an outermost surface of a plurality of first projections extending from the first surface lies along a first projections plane of the two-faced pressure-absorbing member, and an outermost surface of a plurality of second projections extending from the second surface lies along a second projections plane of the two-faced pressure-absorbing member.

7. A patch according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing layer formed of the resilient material, wherein the sealing layer is disposed along the projections plane and connected to the plurality of projections so as to enclose the channels and form enclosed channels therebetween.

8. A patch according to claim 7, wherein the sealing layer is an additional pressure-absorbing member.

9. A patch according to claim 8 wherein the pressure-absorbing member and the additional pressure-absorbing member are oriented with respect to one another either: in a face-to-face manner, such that the projections plane of the pressure absorbing member faces the projections plane of the additional pressure-absorbing member; or a face-to-back manner, such that the projections plane of the pressure absorbing member and the projections plane of the additional pressure-absorbing member face in the same direction.

10. A patch according to claim 1, further comprising an additional pressure-absorbing member, wherein the pressure-absorbing member and the additional pressure-absorbing member are oriented with respect to one another in a back-to-back manner, such that the projections plane of the pressure absorbing member faces in an opposite direction and away from the projections plane of the additional pressure-absorbing member.

11. (canceled)

12. A patch according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid reservoir having one of the following configurations: the at least one fluid reservoir is disposed along at least one channel of the plurality of channels; the at least one fluid reservoir is disposed at least at one of the plurality of intersections; the at least one fluid reservoir contains a fluid and the patch is configured such that when the projections are deformed under an external pressure applied upon at least a portion of a surface of the patch, the fluid is propelled from the at least one fluid reservoir so as to flow into the at least one channel, wherein a frictional force between the fluid and channel walls of the at least one channel absorbs at least a portion of said external pressure.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A patch according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is either a viscous fluid, a colored fluid, a fluid configured to undergo a change in color as a consequence of contact with at least one of a second fluid and a coating on the channel walls, a fluid that has a specific heat capacity greater than that of skin of a patient, a fluid that has high thermal conductance rendering the fluid capable of functioning as a coolant after being refrigerated, a fluid that contains at least one freezing point depressant so as to improve efficacy of the fluid as a coolant after the fluid is refrigerated.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A patch according to claim 15, wherein a viscous flow of said viscous fluid absorbs at least an additional portion of said external pressure.

22. A patch according to claim 21, further comprising at least one resistance element disposed in at least one channel in the plurality of channels so as to increase at least one of said frictional force and an energy absorption of said viscous flow, and thereby at least of one of said portion of said external pressure and said additional portion of said external pressure.

23. A patch according to claim 22, wherein the at least one resistance element is one of a valve, an obstruction and a quantity of porous media.

24. A patch according to claim 1, configured to be secured by an adhesive material to at least a portion of a medical device which comes into contact with skin of a patient.

25. A patch according to claim 1, comprising articulation arrangements for articulation of the patch to a medical device.

26. A patch according to claim 1, configured to be disposed, at least indirectly, intermediate a patient and an external pressure applying member.

27. A patch according to claim 1, wherein one of said first surface and said projections plane of the pressure absorbing member is one of a pressure-engaging surface and a skin-engaging surface of the patch; and the other one of the first surface and the projections plane of the pressure absorbing member, is an other one of the pressure-engaging surface and a skin-engaging surface of the patch.

28. A patch according to claim 1, further comprising a second pressure absorbing member, said second pressure absorbing member formed of a resilient material and having a first surface and a second surface, wherein at least one of said first surface and said second surface is configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, and wherein an outermost surface of said plurality of projections lies along a projections plane of said pressure-absorbing member, said projections being deformable when subjected to pressure applied to the patch, so as to absorb at least some of the applied pressure; and wherein said second pressure absorbing member is attached to the at least one pressure-absorbing member, at a stacked manner.

29. A patch according to claim 28, wherein the second pressure absorbing member is stacked upon the at least one pressure-absorbing member in one of a face-to-face orientation, a back-to-back orientation, and a face-to-back orientation.

30. A patch according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure-absorbing member further comprises at least one medicament receptacle containing a medicament, and at least one medicament conduit extending from said medicament receptacle towards a surface of the patch, and wherein deformation of the projections propels said medicament towards said surface of the patch via said at least one medicament conduit.

31. A patch according to claim 30, wherein the medicament receptacle is disposed in one or more of the plurality of channels.

32. A patch according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is a medicament and the patch is further configured with one or more medicament conduits each extending from a channel towards a surface of the patch, and wherein deformation of the projections propels the medicament towards the surface of the patch.

33. A patch according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is contained in a capsule, wherein the capsule is configured to rupture when an external pressure exceeding a threshold capsule-rupturing pressure is applied upon a portion of a surface of the patch at least adjacent to the at least one reservoir.

34. A patch according to claim 1, wherein the patch has a length and a width, and the plurality of channels comprises a first quantity of channels and a second quantity of channels, wherein the first quantity of channels is oriented in parallel with the length, wherein each channel of the first quantity is disposed at a distance from one another along the width of the patch, and wherein the second quantity of channels is oriented in parallel with the width of the patch, wherein each channel of the second quantity is disposed at a distance from one another along the length of the patch.

35. A patch according to claim 1, wherein the patch has a central point, a diameter, an outermost extent defined by the diameter, and a plurality of channels comprising a first quantity of channels and a second quantity of channels, wherein the first quantity of channels is a quantity of annular channels disposed at a distance from one another between an innermost annular channel disposed at a minimal distance from the central point and an outermost annular channel disposed at a minimal distance from the outermost extent, and wherein the second quantity of channels is a quantity of radiating channels extending in a radiating manner from the innermost annular channel to the outermost annular channel, wherein each radiating channel of the quantity of radiating channels is disposed at a distance from adjacent radiating channels.

36. A patch according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the pressure-absorbing member and the sealing layer is at least semitransparent.

37. (canceled)

38. A patch according to claim 1, wherein said patch is configured to have a patch stiffness matched to a skin stiffness of skin of a patient at a location of use of said patch.

39. A patch according to claim 38, wherein said patch stiffness is a weighted average of skin layer stiffness of multiple tissue layers at said location, wherein said weighted average is a sum of a product of said skin layer stiffness and a thickness of each of said multiple tissue layers divided by a total thickness of said multiple tissue layers.

40. A patch according to claim 39, wherein said patch is applied at said location along a skin-engaging surface of the patch, and the patch has at least one additional layer in addition to said at least one pressure-absorbing member disposed at a distance from said skin-engaging surface, and wherein the patch has a graded-stiffness, such that a stiffness of said skin-engaging surface is equal to said patch stiffness, and a stiffness of each said at least one additional layer is a reduced stiffness, wherein a difference between said reduced stiffness and said patch stiffness is directly related to said distance.

41. A method of manufacturing a pressure-absorbing patch comprising a pressure-absorbing member, wherein said pressure-absorbing member has a plurality of projections extending therefrom with an outermost surface extending along a projections plane, and a plurality of channels, with at least one fluid reservoir disposed along at least one channel, the method comprising: obtaining a negative mold of said pressure-absorbing member; preparing a mixture of a material for forming the pressure-absorbing member; pouring said mixture into said mold; allowing the mixture to solidify; introducing a fluid into said at least one fluid reservoir in the molded structure; and applying a sealing layer to the pressure-absorbing member along said projections plane of the pressure-absorbing member, so as to seal the plurality of channels.

42. A method of producing a patch according to claim 41, wherein said pressure-absorbing member is a first pressure absorbing member and said sealing layer is an additional said pressure-absorbing member, the method further comprising: producing the additional pressure-absorbing member; introducing a fluid into the at least one fluid reservoir of the first pressure absorbing member; and applying and attaching the two pressure-absorbing members along their projections planes.

43. A method of absorbing, via a pressure-absorbing patch, an external pressure exerted on a body by a pressure producing source, the method comprising: obtaining a patch comprising at least one pressure-absorbing member, wherein the pressure-absorbing member is formed of a resilient material and has at least a first surface, wherein said at least said first surface is configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, and wherein an outermost surface of said plurality of projections lies along a projections plane of the pressure-absorbing member; and introducing said patch in-between said body and said pressure producing source, directly or indirectly, so as to allow said projections to deform when subjected to said external pressure, said projections thereby absorbing at least some of said external pressure.

44. The method according to claim 43 further comprising at least one fluid reservoir disposed along at least one channel of said plurality of channels and containing a viscous fluid, and wherein the introducing comprises: introducing said patch, in at least one of a direct and indirect manner, in-between said body and said pressure producing source, so as to allow said projections to deform when subjected to said external pressure, said projections thereby absorbing at least some of said external pressure, and so as to allow said viscous fluid to be propelled out of said at least one fluid reservoir so as to flow into the at least one channel, a viscous flow of the viscous fluid and a frictional force between the viscous fluid and channel walls of the at least one channel thereby absorbing at least a portion of the external pressure; and introducing a medicament into said at least one channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0135] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0136] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a patch in accordance with an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0137] FIG. 1B is a top view of the patch of FIG. 1A;

[0138] FIG. 1C is a cross-section of the patch of FIGS. 1A and 1B, taken along line C-C in FIG. 1B;

[0139] FIG. 2A is a top view of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0140] FIG. 2B is a cross-section of the patch of FIG. 2A, taken along line B-B in FIG. 2A;

[0141] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0142] FIG. 4A is a top view of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0143] FIG. 4B is a cross-section of the patch of FIG. 4A, taken along line 4A-4A in FIG. 4A;

[0144] FIG. 4C is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0145] FIG. 4D is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with yet another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0146] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0147] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of a method, by which a two-layer patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter can be produced;

[0148] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one example of a method, by which a three-layer patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter can be produced.

[0149] FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the patch of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, shown in use;

[0150] FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter, shown in use with an endotracheal tube.

[0151] FIG. 10 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0152] FIG. 11 is a top view of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0153] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an article of footwear fitted with a heel pad according to an example of the disclosure;

[0154] FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0155] FIG. 14A is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with still another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0156] FIG. 14B is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with yet another example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

[0157] FIG. 15 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with even another example of the presently disclosed subject matter; and

[0158] FIG. 16 is a cross-section of a patch in accordance with yet another example of the presently disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0159] FIG. 1A shows a patch 10, configured according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, for placement on the skin of a patient in a location on the patient's body which is at-risk for the development of a pressure injury.

[0160] A patch in accordance with an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, such as patch 10, can comprise at least one pressure absorbing member formed of a resilient material, having at least a first surface. The first surface can be configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom, and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections. An outermost surface of the plurality of projections can lie along a projections plane of the pressure-absorbing member, and the projections can be deformable when subjected to pressure applied to the patch, so as to absorb at least some of the applied pressure.

[0161] Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the exemplary patch 10 comprises a pressure-absorbing member 11 formed of a resilient material, having a thickness 15, and having a first surface 12 and a second surface 18. In the exemplary patch 10, as can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1C, it is the second surface 18 which is configured with a plurality of projections 13 extending therefrom, and a plurality of channels 16 crossing one another at a plurality of intersections 17, which can be seen in FIG. 1B. The plurality of channels 16 form an array of channels 16A. The projections 13 are deformable so as to absorb an external pressure applied to the patch.

[0162] As mentioned above, the term pressure will be used to denote any kind of pressure, including focal pressure, shear stress, and pressure caused by any directly or indirectly exerted forces, e.g., normal forces, shear forces and frictional forces.

[0163] The resilient material can be any suitable resilient material, e.g., elastomer, soft polymer, silicone, silicone rubber (e.g. transparent room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber, polydimethylsiloxane, vinyl methyl), silicone sponge, rubber (e.g. neoprene, ethylene-vinyl acetate or poly-ethylene-vinyl acetate), soft polymer, gel (e.g., polymer gel, silicone gel or hydrogel), gel sponge, foam (e.g., silicone foam, gel foam, open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, etc.), fabric, polymer composite (i.e. multi-phase material in which one or more fillers are integrated with a polymer matrix), or any suitable combination thereof.

[0164] As further shown in FIG. 1A, the exemplary patch 10 is bounded by an outer bounding wall 19 which forms an outer perimeter of the patch 10. It will be appreciated that like the plurality of projections 13, the outer bounding wall 19 can be deformable so as to absorb an external pressure applied to the patch in a region of the outer bounding wall 19.

[0165] Each of the projections 13 can be seen to have an outermost surface 14 facing in an opposite direction from the first surface 12 and disposed at a distance therefrom. In the view of the patch 10 shown in FIG. 1A, the first surface 12 of the patch 10 is facing in a downward direction, while the outermost surfaces 14 of each of the projections 13 can be seen to be facing in an opposite, upward direction. The outermost surfaces 14 of each of the projections 13 can further be seen to be disposed at the distance of the thickness 15 of the pressure-absorbing member 11 from the first surface 12 of the patch 10. The outermost surfaces 14 of the projections 13 lie along a projections plane 27 of the pressure-absorbing member 11, indicated in FIG. 1C.

[0166] Like the plurality of projections 13, the outer bounding wall 19 of the exemplary patch 10 can be seen in FIG. 1A to have an outward-facing surface 29 facing upward, in an opposite direction from the first surface 12, and disposed at a distance of the thickness 15 of the pressure-absorbing member 11 from the first surface 12 of the patch 10.

[0167] It will be appreciated that the outer bounding wall 19 of the exemplary patch 10 further has an inner side surface 31 facing in an internal direction toward the projections 13, and an outer side surface 33 opposite the inner side surface facing in an external direction from the patch 10.

[0168] In FIG. 1B, the array of channels 16A of the patch 10 can be seen to be formed of the plurality of channels 16 crossing one another at a plurality of intersections 17.

[0169] It can furthermore be seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C that the void spaces disposed in between the projections 13 constitute a portion of the plurality of channels 16. In the exemplary patch 10, as can be seen in FIG. 1B, the void spaces disposed in between the projections 13 constitute five innermost channels 16i of the plurality of channels 16 in the array of channels 16A, while the void spaces disposed in between the projections 13 and the outer wall 19 constitute four outermost channels 16o of the plurality of channels 16 in the array of channels 16A.

[0170] In FIG. 1C, which shows a cross-section of the patch 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, taken where indicated by the letters C in FIG. 1B, three of the innermost channels 16i of the array of channels 16A can be seen in cross-section to be disposed in between the four projections 13 visible in cross-section in the figure, while two of the outermost channels 16o of the array of channels 16A can be seen in cross-section to be disposed in between the two outermost projections 13 and the outer wall 19 of the exemplary patch 10.

[0171] The patch can be configured such that either the first surface or the projections plane of one of the pressure-absorbing members of the patch, is a skin-engaging surface of the patch, and bears against, directly or indirectly, the skin of a patient, in an area of the patient's body which is prone to develop a PI. The surface of the patch which is opposite the skin-engaging surface, can be a pressure-engaging surface of the patch, configured to receive the application of an external pressure upon it.

[0172] In an alternative embodiment, the patch can be configured such that the first surface or the projections plane of one of the pressure-absorbing members of the patch, is the pressure-engaging surface of the patch, and the surface of the patch which is opposite the pressure-engaging surface, can be the skin-engaging surface of the patch.

[0173] In yet an alternative embodiment, particularly those in which at least a portion of the external pressure exerted on the skin results from a support surface exerting a reactive support force opposite a weight force of a body part of a patient, the skin-engaging surface of the patch and the pressure-engaging surface of the patch can be the same surface of the patch, which can be opposite from a support-engaging surface of the patch. The support-engaging surface of the patch can bear against an element which provides support to a patient, e.g., a mattress of a bed, or a seat, such as that of a wheelchair, car, bedside chair, shower stool or toilet, or a head support or arm support of a wheelchair.

[0174] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an exemplary patch 810 can be seen to be positioned on a mattress M underneath a heel HP of a patient. The posterior aspect of the heel HP of the patient can be understood to be at-risk for the development of a PI due to its weight W exerted upon the mattress M, and the reaction force R consequentially exerted by the mattress M upon the heel HP of the patient. It is noteworthy that in addition to the vertical component of the reaction force R which occurs in reaction to the gravity force acting on the heel HP, and is shown in FIG. 8, the reaction force R can also typically have a horizontal component, which is not shown in FIG. 8, in reaction to a frictional force acting between the heel HP of the patient and the mattress M.

[0175] The patch 810 can be seen to be similar to the patch 10 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, having a single pressure-absorbing member 811 formed of a resilient material, the pressure-absorbing member 811 having a first surface 812 and a second surface 818. Like in the exemplary patch 10, shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, it is the second surface 818 of the patch 810 which is configured with a plurality of projections 813 extending therefrom between a plurality of channels 816. It is noted that elements of the patch 810 which correspond to similar elements of the patch 10 in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, have the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements of the patch 10, increased by 700.

[0176] It can further be seen in FIG. 8 that the exemplary patch 810 is configured and positioned such that the first surface 812 of the single pressure-absorbing member 811 of the patch 810 is the skin-engaging surface of the patch, bearing against the skin of the heel HP of the patient. As explained previously, since the external pressure exerted on the skin of the heel HP results from the support surface of the mattress M exerting the reactive support force R opposite the weight force W of the foot of the patient at the heel HP, the skin-engaging surface 812 of the patch 810 is also the pressure-engaging surface of the patch 810, while the surface of the patch 810 which is opposite the skin-engaging surface 812 is the support-engaging surface of the patch 810, which, as can be seen in FIG. 8, lies along the projections plane 827 of the pressure-absorbing member 811.

[0177] The patch 810 can be seen in FIG. 8 to be deformable so as to absorb an external pressure applied to the patch, as the patch 810 can be seen to have its undeformed thickness 815 at its outer bounding wall 819, while at a central area of the patch 810, the patch 810 can be seen to have been deformed by the weight W of the patient's heel HP, to a minimal deformed thickness of 815D. It will be appreciated that as a result of the above mentioned absorption of pressure by the patch 810, the patch 810 can provide protection to the patient's heel HP from a pressure injury.

[0178] It will be appreciated that the exemplary patch 810 could be held in place on the mattress M by a combination of gravity and friction, or alternatively, it could be connected, e.g., by adhesive, to the patient's heel HP. Yet alternatively, it could be mounted to the mattress M.

[0179] In another embodiment of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter, the pressure-absorbing member can be a two-faced pressure-absorbing member. The two-faced pressure-absorbing member can have a first surface and a second surface, each configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections. An outermost surface of the plurality of first projections extending from the first surface can lie along a first projections plane of the two-faced pressure-absorbing member, and an outermost surface of the plurality of second projections extending from the second surface can lie along a second projections plane of the two-faced pressure-absorbing member.

[0180] FIGS. 14A and 14B each show a cross-section of an exemplary patch 410 and 1410, respectively, comprising a two-faced pressure-absorbing member. It is noted that elements of the patches 410 and 1410 which correspond to elements of the patch 10 have the same reference numbers as those in the patch 10, increased by 400 and 1400 respectively.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 14A, the exemplary patch 410 has a first surface 412 and a second surface 418, each configured with a plurality of projections 413 extending therefrom and a plurality of channels 416, which, though it cannot be seen in the section view of FIG. 14A, can be understood to cross one another at a plurality of intersections, like the channels 16 of the patch 10 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C.

[0182] In FIG. 14A, the plurality of first projections 413 extending from the first surface 412 and the plurality of channels 416 associated with the first surface 412 have the reference numbers 413′ and 416′, while the plurality of second projections 413 extending from the second surface 418 and the plurality of channels 416 associated with the second surface 418 have the reference numbers 413″ and 416″ respectively.

[0183] An outermost surface 414′ of the plurality of first projections 413′ extending from the first surface 412 lie along a first projections plane 427′ of the two-faced pressure-absorbing member 411, and an outermost surface 414″ of the plurality of second projections 413″ extending from the second surface 418 lie along a second projections plane 427″ of the two-faced pressure-absorbing member 411.

[0184] It will be appreciated that the exemplary patch 1410 shown in FIG. 14B is similar to the patch 410 shown in FIG. 14A, with corresponding elements of the patch 1410 having reference numbers corresponding to those of the patch 410. The patch 1410 is different from the patch 410 however, in that the projections 1413′ and 1413″ are not aligned with one another, as the projections 413′ and 413″ are aligned with one another as demonstrated by the centerlines CL passing through pairs of aligned projections 413′ and 413″. Rather, the projections 1413′ and 1413″ are staggered with respect to one another as the distances DC between the center lines CL′ and CL″ of the projections 1413′ and 1413″ indicate.

[0185] The patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter can further comprise a sealing layer formed of a resilient material. The sealing layer can be disposed along a projections plane of a pressure-absorbing member of the patch, and it can be connected to the plurality of projections of the pressure-absorbing member so as to enclose the channels and form enclosed channels between the projections.

[0186] Exemplary patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is an example of such a patch. It will be appreciated that the patch 110 is the same as the patch 10 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, with the addition of the sealing layer 123. FIG. 2A shows a top view of the exemplary patch 110, which corresponds to FIG. 1B, which shows a top view of the exemplary patch 10. It is noted that elements of the patch 110 which correspond to elements of the patch 10 have the same reference numbers as those in the patch 10, increased by 100.

[0187] FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of the patch 110 of FIG. 2A, taken where indicated by the letters B in FIG. 2A. The sealing layer 123 can be seen in FIG. 2B to be disposed along the projections plane 127 of the pressure-absorbing member 111 of the patch 110, and connected to the plurality of projections 113 of the pressure-absorbing member 111 so as to enclose the channels 116 and form enclosed channels 137 between the projections 113.

[0188] It will be appreciated further that in the exemplary patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in addition to abutting the outermost surfaces 114 of each of the projections 113, the sealing layer 123 also abuts the outermost surfaces 129 of the outer bounding wall 119.

[0189] It will be appreciated that in the view of FIG. 2A, the sealing layer 123 lies across the entire area of the patch 110, and accordingly, the projections 113 and the line designating the inner surface 131 of the outer bounding wall 119 are indicated by dashed lines, as they are obscured in FIG. 2A by the sealing layer 123.

[0190] However, it will further be appreciated that in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, as will be explained in further detail below, the sealing layer 123 can be transparent or partially transparent, so that while the outermost surfaces 114 of the projections 113 and the outermost surfaces 129 of the outer bounding wall 119 are obscured as the sealing layer 123 is disposed on top of them, a degree of visibility of the plurality of the channels 116 of the array of channels 116A through the sealing layer 123 remains.

[0191] It will further be appreciated, as can be seen in FIG. 2B, that the sealing layer 123 serves to enclose the channels 116 of the array of channels 116A so as to form a closed channel 137 of each channel 116.

[0192] The exemplary patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is shown to further comprise fluid reservoirs 135 disposed along the plurality of channels 116 of the array of channels 116A. The fluid reservoirs 135 disposed in the plurality of channels 116 of the exemplary patch 110 can be seen to be disposed at the plurality of intersections 117 between the plurality of channels 116. It will be appreciated that the locations of the intersections 117 in FIG. 2A correspond to the locations of intersections 17 in FIG. 1B, although for the sake of clarity, the intersections 117 in FIG. 2A are not labeled due to overcrowding of the figure.

[0193] In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, the fluid reservoirs 135 contain a fluid, and the patch 110 is configured such that when the projections 113 are deformed under an external pressure applied upon at least a portion of a surface of the patch 110, the fluid is propelled from the fluid reservoir 135 so as to flow into at least one of the channels 116. It will be appreciated that a frictional force between the fluid and channel walls of the channel or channels 116 in which the fluid flows, absorbs at least a portion of the external pressure applied to the patch 110. Thus, at least a portion of the mechanical energy delivered to the patch via the external pressure applied to the patch, is absorbed by the patch, and not transmitted to the skin.

[0194] The fluid can be a colored fluid, and as mentioned previously, the sealing layer 123 can be transparent or partially transparent so that the flow of the fluid in the enclosed channels 137 can provide a visual indication of the pressure being exerted on the patch which can be monitored by a caregiver.

[0195] It will be appreciated that different examples of a patch in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, having the pressure indication feature described above, can be configured such that a measure of dispersion of the colored fluid in the channels can indicate a measure of the pressure applied to the patch.

[0196] FIG. 12 shows one example of a patch such as patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, serving as a heel pad, configured to be attached to the back of a shoe, so as to absorb pressure applied by the back of the shoe to the area of the Achilles tendon at the back of the foot.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 12, the exemplary pad 1210 is attached by an adhesive to the inside back area 1286 of the shoe SH, so as to provide protection to the heel (and optionally to the Achilles tendon area at the back of a foot; not shown) which would be inserted into the shoe SH. The pad 1210 could thus absorb pressure applied by the back area 1286 of the shoe SH to the Achilles tendon area at the back of the foot inserted into the shoe SH.

[0198] In additional embodiments of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter, the sealing layer, such as the sealing layer 123 of the exemplary patch 110 shown in FIG. 2B, can be an additional pressure-absorbing member, such as the pressure-absorbing member 11 of the exemplary patch 10 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the pressure-absorbing member 111 of the exemplary patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pressure-absorbing member 411 of the exemplary patch 410 shown in FIG. 14A, the pressure-absorbing member 1411 of the exemplary patch 1410 shown in FIG. 14B, or any other pressure absorbing member.

[0199] Examples of such a patch are shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 15. FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of an exemplary patch 210, which is similar to the cross-section of the patch 110 shown in FIG. 2B. It will be appreciated that elements of the patch 210 which correspond to elements of the patch 110 have the same reference numbers as the corresponding elements of the patch 110 in FIG. 2B, increased by 100.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 3, the patch 210 comprises a first pressure-absorbing member 211, and it differs from the patch 110 in that the sealing layer of the patch 210 is an additional pressure-absorbing member 211′ which is identical to the first pressure-absorbing member 211. The first pressure-absorbing member 211 and the additional pressure-absorbing member 211′ are oriented with respect to one another in a face-to-face manner, such that the projections plane 227 of the first pressure absorbing member 211 faces the projections plane 227′ of the additional pressure-absorbing member 211′. Like the sealing layer 123 of the patch 110, the additional pressure-absorbing member 211′ serves to enclose the channels 216 so as to form an enclosed channel 237 of each channel 216.

[0201] More specifically, in the case of a face-to-face orientation of identical pressure-absorbing members, as shown in FIG. 3, the enclosed channels 237 are formed by the channels 216 of the first pressure-absorbing member 211, which form the bottom half of the enclosed channels 237, while the channels 216′ of the second pressure-absorbing member 211′ form the upper half of the enclosed channels 237. It will be appreciated that the outermost surfaces 214 and 214′ of the projections 213, cannot be seen in FIG. 3, as they abut each other and are therefore not visible.

[0202] It will be appreciated that one or both of the pressure-absorbing members 211 and 211′ of the patch 210 can be transparent or semi-transparent like the sealing layer 123 of the patch 110 described above with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B, and that the patch 210 can have one or more fluid reservoirs 235 and one or more intersections 217 like the fluid reservoirs 135 and the intersections 117 of the patch 110 described above with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B, so that the patch 210 can be endowed with the visual pressure indicating capabilities described above with respect to the patch 110 of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0203] An additional embodiment of a patch in which the sealing layer is an additional pressure-absorbing member can be similar to the exemplary patch 210 shown in FIG. 3, except that its first pressure-absorbing member and its additional pressure-absorbing member can be oriented with respect to one another in a face-to-back manner, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0204] Such a patch, exemplary patch 1510, is shown in FIG. 15. It will be appreciated that elements of the patch 1510 which correspond to elements of the patch 210 have the same reference numbers as the corresponding elements of the patch 210 shown in FIG. 3, increased by 1300.

[0205] As shown in FIG. 15, the patch 1510 comprises a first pressure-absorbing member 1511, and an additional pressure-absorbing member 1511′ similar to the first pressure-absorbing member 211 and the additional pressure-absorbing member 211′ comprising the patch 210 shown in FIG. 3. However, rather than being oriented with respect to one another in a face-to-face manner along their respective projections planes 1527 and 1527′, like the pressure-absorbing members 211 and 211′ of FIG. 3, the pressure-absorbing members 1511 and 1511′ of the patch 1510 are oriented with respect to one another in a face-to-back manner, such that the projections plane 1527 of the pressure absorbing member 1511 faces in the same direction as the projections plane 1527′ of the additional pressure-absorbing member 1511′.

[0206] Accordingly, the enclosed channels 1537 formed by the enclosure of the channels 1516 by the first surface 1512′ of the additional pressure-absorbing member 1511′, are more similar to the enclosed channels 137 of the patch 110 of FIG. 2B than to the enclosed channels 237 of the patch 210 of FIG. 3, as only the channels 1516 of the first pressure-absorbing member 1511 are enclosed so as to form the enclosed channels 1537, rather than a combination of the channels of both of the pressure-absorbing members, as in the patch 210 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 15, the channels 1516′ of the additional pressure-absorbing member 1511′ remain unsealed by any sealing layer or additional pressure-absorbing member, and therefore remain open channels.

[0207] It will be appreciated that in yet an additional embodiment of the patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter, yet an additional sealing layer or additional pressure-absorbing member of any suitable configuration could by attached to the projections plane 1527′ of the patch 1510 in FIG. 15, or to any of the projections planes or patch surfaces in the examples of patches which are shown in this specification to be an engaging surface of a patch, i.e., to be an outermost surface of a patch not having an additional patch layer attached to it.

[0208] Yet an additional embodiment of a patch comprising a first pressure-absorbing member and an additional pressure-absorbing member is exemplary patch 1610 shown in FIG. 16. It will be appreciated that the patch 1610 shown in FIG. 16 is similar to the patches 210 and 1510 shown in FIGS. 3 and 15 respectively, as it also comprises an additional pressure-absorbing member attached to a first pressure-absorbing member. It will appreciated that elements of the patch 1610 which correspond to elements of the patch 1510 have the same reference numbers as the corresponding elements of the patch 1510 shown in FIG. 15, increased by 100.

[0209] However, the patch 1610 differs from the patches 210 and 1510 shown in FIGS. 3 and 15 respectively, in that its first pressure-absorbing member 1611 and its additional pressure-absorbing member 1611′ are oriented with respect to one another in a back-to-back manner, such that the projections plane 1627 of the first pressure absorbing member 1611 faces in an opposite direction and away from the projections plane 1627′ of the additional pressure-absorbing member 1611′, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0210] It will be appreciated that the while the additional pressure-absorbing member 1611′ is an additional pressure-absorbing member attached to a first pressure absorbing member, similar to the additional pressure-absorbing members 211′ as 1511′ of patches 210 and 1510 shown in FIGS. 3 and 15 respectively, however, the additional pressure-absorbing member 1611′ cannot technically be considered to be a sealing layer, like the additional pressure-absorbing members 211′ and 1511′ of patches 210 and 1510 shown in FIGS. 3 and 15 respectively, since the additional pressure-absorbing member 1611′ does not serve to enclose the channels 1616 so as to form enclosed channels in the patch 1610, as the additional pressure-absorbing members 211′ as 1511′ do in their respective patches 210 and 1510.

[0211] Rather, like the channels 1516′ of the patch 1510, both the channels 1616 of the first pressure absorbing member 1611, as well as the channels 1616′ of the additional pressure-absorbing member 1611′, remain unsealed by any sealing layer or additional pressure-absorbing member, and therefore remain open channels, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0212] In yet even another embodiment of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter, at least one pressure-absorbing member of the patch can further comprise at least one medicament receptacle containing a medicament, and at least one medicament conduit extending from the medicament receptacle towards a surface of the patch, and wherein deformation of the projections of the pressure-absorbing member propels the medicament towards the surface of the patch via the medicament conduit or conduits.

[0213] One example of such a patch, exemplary patch 310, is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0214] FIG. 4A shows a top view of the exemplary patch 310, which corresponds to FIG. 2A, which shows a top view of the exemplary patch 110. FIG. 4B shows a cross-section of the exemplary patch 310, which corresponds to FIG. 2B, which shows a cross-section of the exemplary patch 110. It is noted that elements of the patch 310 which correspond to elements of the patch 110 have the same reference numbers as those in the patch 110, increased by 200.

[0215] The patch 310 is further configured in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter to comprise at least one medicament conduit disposed in at least one channel of the plurality of channels of the patch. It can be seen in FIG. 4A that the exemplary patch 310 comprises a medicament conduit 344 along every segment of a channel 316 disposed between two reservoirs 335.

[0216] In accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, each medicament conduit can have an opening at each one of its two opposite ends, wherein a first opening at a first end of each medicament conduit is disposed in a channel of the plurality of channels and wherein a second opening at a second end of the medicament conduit is disposed at a surface of the patch.

[0217] Accordingly, it can be seen in FIG. 4B that each medicament conduit 344 has a first opening 344C at its end which is disposed in a channel 316, and a second opening 344S at its opposite end which is disposed at the first surface 312 of the pressure-absorbing member 311.

[0218] It will be appreciated that the surface of a patch in accordance to the presently disclosed subject matter, at which the second openings of the medicament conduits can be disposed, such as the second openings 344S of the medicament conduits 344 of the exemplary patch 310, can be a skin-engaging surface of the patch, such that the medicament disposed in the patch can come into contact with the skin of the patient.

[0219] FIG. 4C shows a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of a patch having medicament conduits. It will be appreciated that the exemplary patch 1710 is similar to the exemplary patch 310 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in that it comprises medicament conduits 1744, which correspond to the medicament conduits 344 of the patch 310. Each of the medicament conduits 1744 of the patch 1710 also has a first opening 1744C at its end which is disposed in a channel 1716, and a second opening 1744S at its opposite end which is disposed at a skin-engaging surface 1789 of the patch 1710.

[0220] However, the second openings 1744S of the medicament conduits 1744 are not disposed at the first surface 1712 of the pressure-absorbing member 1711. Rather, as can be seen in FIG. 4C, the pressure-absorbing member 1711 along with the sealing layer 1723 are in an inverted position in the patch 1710 with respect to the position of the pressure-absorbing member 311 along with the sealing layer 323 in the patch 310. Consequently, rather than being located in the pressure-absorbing member 1711, the medicament conduits 1744 are disposed in the sealing layer 1723, which, in the patch 1710 comprises the skin-engaging surface 1789 of the patch 1710, since, as mentioned above, the skin-engaging surface of a patch in accordance to the presently disclosed subject matter, is the surface of the patch at which the second openings of the medicament conduits are disposed, such that the medicament disposed in the patch can come into contact with the skin of the patient. Thus, the skin-engaging surface 1789 of the patch 1710 is the surface of the sealing layer 1723 at which the second openings 1744S of the medicament conduits 1744 are disposed.

[0221] It will be appreciated that a sealing layer comprising medicament conduits can be considered to be a medicament-delivery layer of a patch in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus, the sealing layer 1723 of the exemplary patch 1710 shown in FIG. 4C can be considered to be a medicament delivery layer 1741.

[0222] It will be appreciated that a patch according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter can have features described above in any combination thereof.

[0223] For example, as shown in FIG. 4D, which shows a cross-section of yet another alternate embodiment of a patch having medicament conduits, the exemplary patch 1810 can be seen to comprise a pressure-absorbing member 1811 similar to the pressure-absorbing member 311 of the patch 310 shown in FIG. 4B which has medicament conduits 344. The exemplary patch 1810 can further be seen to comprise a sealing layer 1823 comprising medicament conduits 1844, i.e., a medicament delivery layer 1841, similar to the sealing layer 1723 comprising medicament conduits 1744, i.e., the medicament delivery layer 1741, of the patch 1710 shown in FIG. 4C. The exemplary patch 1810 can yet further be seen to comprise an additional sealing layer 1823′ disposed along the projections plane 1827 of the pressure-absorbing member 1811, so as to enclose the channels 1816.

[0224] Another example of a patch according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter which combines features described above is the exemplary three-layer patch 510 shown in FIG. 5. The exemplary patch 510 comprises two identical pressure-absorbing members 511 and 511′ similar to the identical pressure-absorbing members 211 and 211′ of the patch 210 shown in FIG. 3. The exemplary patch 510 can further be seen to comprise a medicament delivery-layer 541, similar to the medicament delivery-layers 1741 and 1841 of the respective patches 1710 and 1810 shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D respectively.

[0225] FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter, in which a patch such as the patch 1810 of FIG. 4D is wrapped around an endotracheal tube to form a patch 910 in the shape of a tube. It will be appreciated that the patch 910 is the same as the patch 1810 shown in FIG. 4D, with elements corresponding to the elements of the patch 1810 having the same reference numerals as the elements of the patch 1810, decreased by 900.

[0226] Thus, the endotracheal tube ET can be seen in FIG. 9 to be disposed at the center of the tube-shaped patch 910, which can be seen to comprise three layers, and which protects the skin SK from pressure exerted upon it by the endotracheal tube ET by being interposed between the endotracheal tube ET and the skin SK.

[0227] Like the patch 1810, the tube-shaped patch 910 comprises a medicament delivery-layer 941 which comprises the skin-engaging surface 989 of the patch 910. Disposed adjacent to the skin SK so as to be in a position to deliver a medicament to the skin SK, the medicament delivery-layer 941 is the outermost layer of the tube-shaped patch 910.

[0228] As can be seen in FIG. 9, the medicament delivery-layer 941 of the patch 910 comprises medicament conduits 944 for delivery of a medicament or medicaments from the enclosed channels 937 to the skin SK. It will be appreciated that the medicament conduits 944 are disposed all along the skin-engaging surface 989 of the tube-shaped patch 910, even though only a portion of the tube-shaped patch 910 can be seen to be in close proximity to the skin SK. It will be appreciated that this is the case so that contact between medicament conduits 944 and the skin SK can be assured regardless of how the endotracheal tube ET along with the tube-shaped patch 910 is positioned along the skin SK by a care provider, and regardless of movements of the patient, the tubing or other equipment, which can change the position of the endotracheal tube ET along with the tube-shaped patch 910, with respect to the skin SK.

[0229] Thus, the care provider (e.g. nurse, physician, anesthesiologist etc.) need not position the patch in a specific orientation in order to achieve the full protective effect of the patch during use, i.e. maximal access of medicament conduits in the patch to the skin. Likewise, medicament conduits can remain in contact with the skin regardless of a change of position or orientation of the patch associated with the application technique of the patch, or movements of the patient or any equipment.

[0230] It will be appreciated that the medicament delivery-layer 941 of the patch 910, as the outermost layer of the patch 910, can be configured to be transparent or partially transparent, in order to allow observation of the flow of the fluid in the enclosed channels 937 through the medicament delivery-layer 941.

[0231] FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter. The patch 1010 shown in FIG. 10 is similar to the patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, but as shown in FIG. 10, the thickness of the pressure-absorbing member 1011 varies from a minimal thickness 1015 to a maximal thickness 1016, and the sealing layer 1023 curves along the projections plane 1027 along the length 1017 of the patch 1010 between the minimal thickness 1015 to the maximal thickness 1016 of the patch 1010. Furthermore, the projections 1013 of the patch 1010 have varying widths of W1, W2 and W3, and the enclosed channels 1037 also have varying widths of W2 and W3.

[0232] FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter. The patch 1110 shown in FIG. 11 has a circular shape rather than a rectangular shape, and it can be described by a single dimension, i.e., a diameter, rather than two dimensions, i.e., a length and a width. The patch 1110 in FIG. 11 can be seen to have a central point 1115, a diameter DK and an outermost extent 1155 defined by the diameter D11.

[0233] As shown in FIG. 11, the array of channels 1116A of the patch 1110 comprises three concentric annular channels 1161, 1162 and 1163 disposed at a distance from one another between the innermost annular channel 1161 disposed at a minimal distance from the central point 1115 of the patch, and the outermost annular channel 1163 disposed at a minimal distance from the outermost extent 1155 of the patch. As shown in FIG. 11, the array of channels 1116A of the patch 1110 further comprises eight radiating channels 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, and 1178 extending in a radiating manner from the innermost annular channel 1161 to the outermost annular channel 1163, and disposed at a distance from one another.

[0234] The patch 1110 can further have one or more reservoirs 1135 disposed at one or more intersections of the twenty-four intersections 1117 between the annular channels 1161, 1162 and 1163 and the radiating channels 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, and 1178.

[0235] FIG. 13 shows yet another embodiment of a patch according to the presently disclosed subject matter, having obstructions in a portion of its channels, thereby increasing the resistance imposed on the fluid flow in those channels, and hence the resulting energy dissipation in the area of the patch in which the partially obstructed channels are located.

[0236] It will be appreciated that the patch 1310, a cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 13, is similar to the patch 110 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with the addition of obstructions in the channels 1316. It will be appreciated that the cross-section of the patch 1310 shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the cross-section of the patch 110 shown in FIG. 2B. It is noted that elements of the patch 1310 which correspond to elements of the patch 110 have the same reference numbers as those in the patch 110, increased by 1200.

[0237] It can be seen in FIG. 13 that the middle channel 1316 and the two channels 1316 on the right-hand side of the patch 1310 are obstructed with respect to the two channels 1316 on the left-hand side of the patch 1310. The obstructions in the obstructed channels 1316 can be seen to be formed by the protrusions 1384 protruding from the projections 1313 into the channels 1316. Each of the two right-hand channels 1316 can be seen to be obstructed by two protrusions 1384, a protrusion 1384 protruding from each wall of the two right-hand channels 1316. The middle channel 1316 can be seen to be obstructed by only one protrusion 1384, protruding from the right-hand wall of the middle channel 1316.

[0238] It can further be seen in FIG. 13 that an unobstructed cross-sectional area available for fluid to flow through, of the enclosed channels 1337 of the channels 1316 is reduced in the obstructed middle channel 1316 and the two right-hand channels 1316 with respect to the unobstructed two left-hand channels 1316. Specifically, it can be seen in the figure that the unobstructed cross-sectional areas available for fluid to flow through of the two right-hand enclosed channels 1337 has been reduced to the hourglass shape shown in the figure, which is constricted in the middle in comparison with the unobstructed rectangular cross-sectional area of the two left-hand enclosed channels 1337. It can further be seen in the figure that the unobstructed cross-sectional area available for fluid to flow through of the middle enclosed channel 1337 has only been reduced on its right side, where the protrusion 1384 protrudes into the channel.

[0239] The presently disclosed subject matter further includes a method of producing a patch comprising two layers, each of which is a pressure-absorbing member formed of a resilient material and having at least a first surface, wherein the at least first surface is configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, and wherein an outermost surface of the plurality of projections lies along a projections plane of each pressure-absorbing member, the projections being deformable when subjected to pressure applied to the patch, so as to absorb at least some of the applied pressure. The patch further comprises one or more reservoirs disposed along one or more channels of the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels and the one or more reservoirs constituting a network of channels and reservoirs of each of the two pressure-absorbing members.

[0240] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the method comprises seven main steps 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660 and 670. An intermediate step, step 655 comprises the repetition of the main steps 630, 640, and 650 as will be explained below.

[0241] In the first main step of the method, step 610, a negative mold of the network of channels and reservoirs of each of the two pressure-absorbing members of the patch is produced, for example by three-dimensional (3D) printing. In the second main step, step 620, a mixture of a material for forming a molded structure of each of the two pressure-absorbing members is prepared. In the third main step, step 630, the mixture is poured into the mold. In the fourth main step, step 640, the mixture is allowed to solidify so as to cure, for example, at room temperature. In the fifth main step, step 650, the molded structure is separated from the mold. In the intermediate step, step 655, the main steps 630, 640, and 650 are repeated in order to produce a second molded structure for the second pressure-absorbing member of the patch. In the sixth main step, step 660, a fluid is introduced into the one or more reservoirs in one of the molded structures. In the seventh and final main step, step 670, the two molded structures are applied and attached to one another along their projections planes.

[0242] The presently disclosed subject matter further includes a method of producing a patch comprising three layers, each layer of the three layers being at least partially formed of a resilient material, the patch comprising a middle layer disposed between a top sealing layer and a bottom medicament-delivery layer, the middle layer being a pressure-absorbing member having at least a first surface, wherein the at least first surface is configured with a plurality of projections extending therefrom and a plurality of channels crossing one another at a plurality of intersections, and wherein an outermost surface of the plurality of projections lies along a projections plane of the pressure-absorbing member, the projections being deformable when subjected to pressure applied to the patch, so as to absorb at least some of the applied pressure. The pressure-absorbing member further comprises one or more reservoirs disposed along one or more channels of the plurality of channels, the plurality of channels and the one or more reservoirs constituting a network of channels and reservoirs of the pressure-absorbing member. The pressure-absorbing member further comprises at least one medicament receptacle containing a medicament, and at least one medicament conduit extending from the medicament receptacle towards a surface of the pressure-absorbing member.

[0243] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the method comprises six main steps 710, 720, 730, 740, 750 and 760. In the first main step of the method, step 710, a negative mold of the network of channels and reservoirs of the pressure-absorbing member, as well as holes for medicament conduits extending between the channels and a surface of the pressure-absorbing member, is produced, for example by three-dimensional (3D) printing. In the second main step, step 720, a fluid is introduced into the one or more reservoirs in the pressure-absorbing member. In the third main step, step 730, a medicament is introduced into a receptacle in the network of channels and reservoirs in the pressure-absorbing member. In the fourth main step, step 740, the medicament delivery-layer is perforated so as to form perforations in locations of the medicament delivery-layer corresponding with the holes of the medicament conduits in the pressure-absorbing member. In the fifth main step, step 750, the sealing layer is applied and attached to the pressure-absorbing member along its projections plane. In the sixth and final main step, step 760, the medicament delivery-layer is applied and attached to the pressure-absorbing member so as to align the medicament conduit holes in the pressure-absorbing member with the perforations in the medicament delivery-layer.