Wound healing electrode set

Abstract

The set for the electrical stimulation of a patient, comprises a backing, at least one electrically active zone and a wire connected to said electrically active zone for connection to a stimulator. Said backing has the shape of a bandage or of a plaster.

Claims

1. A method for using electrical stimulation for wound healing, the method comprising: providing an electrode set comprising: a backing comprising a first folded zone extendable in a first direction, the first folded zone comprising a one-time stretchable material configured to extend in the first direction and remain in an extended configuration once extended, an opening for avoiding a wound on a patient's body, the opening positioned in the backing such that the backing surrounds the opening, and a first electrically active zone on the backing and a second electrically active zone on the backing, the first folded zone coupled to and positioned between the first and second electrically active zones to allow the first and second electrically active zones to be positioned at varying distances from each other to change a size of the opening in the first direction while maintaining integrity of the backing around the opening and connections to the first and second electrically active zones, the first and second electrically active zones configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient's body; a single connector including two contacting wires integrated into the connector, each contacting wire connected to one of the first and second electrically active zones; and extending the first folded zone in the first direction to increase a size of the backing and the size of the opening; and applying the electrode set to the patient's body such that the wound of the patient is received within the opening and the backing surrounds the wound; placing an elastic conductive gauze over the opening; and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's body using the electrode set, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided through the elastic conductive gauze.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is positioned in the backing adjacent to the first folded zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode set further comprises a second folded zone extendable in a second direction that is different than the first direction to change the size of the opening in the second direction, and wherein the method further comprises: extending the second folded zone in the second direction to increase the size of the backing and the size of the opening.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to electrically connect the first and second electrically active zones to an electrical stimulation device, and the method further comprises: connecting, with the connector, the electrode set to the electrical stimulation device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the electrical stimulation device is a TENS unit.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the electrical stimulation device is configured for applying a wound healing treatment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second electrically active zones comprises an active agent for iontophoretic delivery.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the backing is non-conductive.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second electrically active zones is removably attachable to the backing, and wherein the method further comprises: attaching the at least one of the first and second electrically active zones to the backing.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one-time stretchable material is plastically deformable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be better understood by the description of several embodiments and of the drawings in which

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the set according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

(4) FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a second embodiment and variants therefrom in perspective;

(5) FIGS. 6-7 illustrate a third embodiment in top view and bottom view, respectively and

(6) FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment in bottom view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) A first embodiment is illustrated in perspective in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, the set comprises a backing material 1, for example having the shape of a bandage or plaster, said backing having a zone 2 with attachment means, for example a zone comprising Velcro™ or equivalent means. In addition, the set comprises an attachable electrical element 3 which comprises electrically active zones 4, 4′, 4″, 4″′ (for example four as illustrated but this number may be varied if necessary). All said electrically active zones 4-4″′ are connected to a wire 5, 5′, 5″, 5″′ for connection to a stimulation device.

(8) The electrical element 3 comprises a zone 6 which corresponds to zone 2 of the backing for attachment of the element 3 to the backing 2, for example as is done with Velcro™. The backing can be used as a bandage and once the electrically active zones are applied to the desired body part of a user, the device can be attached to said part as a bandage, thus maintaining the active zones against the user.

(9) In the variant of FIG. 2 where similar parts are referenced as in FIG. 1, the backing 1′ for example has the shape and size of a belt and comprises two additional zones 7, T with attachment means, for example such as Velcro™ for attachment of the backing 1′ as a belt. Of course, other equivalent means may be used for attaching the two ends of the backing 1′, instead of zones 7, T with Velcro™.

(10) A second embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. In this variant, the backing material 20 in the shape of a bandage carries two separate electrodes 21, 22, each connected to a connection wire 23, 24. As in the first embodiment, the backing can be made of a spunlace backing, a bandage or any other equivalent material.

(11) FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the set of FIG. 3 and the same elements are referenced with the same numbers. In addition, in this figure, one has represented in more detail connectors 25, 26 that are at the end of wires 23, 24 for connection to a stimulation device (not shown).

(12) In the variant of FIG. 5, the wires 23, 24 pass through the backing material 20.

(13) In embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the backing 30 comprises two lateral zones 31, 32 carrying the electrically active zones 33, 34 and a deformable central zone 35 allowing to adapt the plaster size to the area to be treated, shown also in the detail of FIG. 7.

(14) The deformable zone 35 can be an elastically deformable zone or a “one-time unfold” (i.e. plastically deformable) zone which remains in an unfolded configuration once applied. The elastic zone 35 can be made directly in the backing, for example by cutting said zone into net-shaped zones which can be deformed laterally. This zone 35 can also be made of a specific material with a dedicated shape or by other equivalent means.

(15) Preferably, this embodiment includes at least one lateral flap 36 or 37 which allow a user to pull said flap apart 36 or 37 and thus adapt the size of the plaster to the area on which it is being applied by deformation of the elastic zone. Preferably, it comprises two flaps 36, 37, one on each side of said lateral zones to carry out this “pulling apart” operation. Also, this embodiment includes wires 38, 39 for connection to a device, for example a stimulator. Of course, these wires may comprise connectors for allowing a detachable connection to said device as illustrated in other embodiments of the invention.

(16) A further embodiment of the patch according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the patch comprises a layer of material 40, for example a backing material that is non-conductive.

(17) On this backing, one has placed four electrically active zones 41-44 which form electrodes applied to the user of the patch. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the patch comprises four electrically active zones. Of course, it is possible to use less (for example two) such zones, or more than four zones.

(18) In the centre zone, there is situated an opening 45 for avoiding a wound to be covered by the patch.

(19) Preferably, this backing 40 comprises several parts that are folded 46 to 49 (for example folded zones) and that allow the patch size to be adapted to the wound or to the body of the wearer. Typically, to form these folds 46-49, backing material is made of a one-time stretch material allowing the user to stretch the patch to the proper size and then place said patch without worrying that it will come back to its original size and shape.

(20) In the representation of the FIG. 8, one has illustrated four electrically active zones 41-44 with four folded zones 46-49, but it is also possible with such four electrically active zones to use less than four folded zones, for example only two, preferably zones 46 and 48 or 47 and 49 for symmetry. Of course this is only an example and other configurations are possible.

(21) Also, if less (or more) than four electrically active zones are used, the number of folded zones can be decreased (or increased) accordingly.

(22) On the right side, one has also represented the contacting wires 50 allowing a contact to a stimulator (not shown in this figure), said wires being connected at their other end to the electrically active zones 41 to 44. Of course, in a variant, it is possible to use a single connector in which all the wires are integrated instead of individual wires each with one single connector each.

(23) In the present invention, the electrically active zones may be standard sticky hydrogel electrodes or made of non-sticky material if the set is used with a garment of a bandage allowing the maintain a tight contact between the active zones and the skin.

(24) Various shapes, for the backing, bandage or plaster and also the electrically active zones and the fold zones, may be envisaged and the illustrative example given should not be construed as limiting. For example the shapes could be adapted to the body area on which it will be used.

(25) For the folded zones, instead of one-time stretchable material, one may use a very elastic textile material (for example a spunlace backing with high elasticity).

(26) Preferably, the backing is slightly larger than the electrically active zones to allow a user to hold the set appropriately and stretch it to the right (or desired) size.

(27) When set comprises an opening (such as an opening 45), this allows a wound care even when the set is applied to a patient and without removal of the set.

(28) In a variant, it is possible to use an elastic gauze for protection of the wound for example over or in the opening 45.

(29) In a further variant, it is possible to add an active agent on at least one of the electrically active zones of the embodiments described above to allow the application of medication via iontophoresis.

(30) In another variant, it is possible to add in the opening an elastic electrically conductive gauze. Such a gauze would allow, for example to apply an electric treatment directly into the wound.

(31) Regarding the electrical stimulation, any stimulation may be envisaged. For example, during wound care but not only at this moment, it is possible to apply a TENS waveform to reduce pain. Other signals may be used, for example signals that improve the healing of a wound.

(32) As one will readily understand from the above description, many stimulation signals and method may be carried out with the present set. For example one may apply a TENS stimulation for pain relief. In a variant, one may apply a stimulation that has a wound healing effect. In another variant, one may use the set to carry out a iontophoretic treatment (with the addition of a suitable active agent one at least one electrically active zone).

(33) As one will understand, the active zones of the above described embodiments preferably include each a gel pad for contact with the skin of the user.

(34) The connection wires can pass through the backing/plaster or not. They can be free as represented in the figures or joined in a connector to facilitate the connection and avoid loose single wire. If the connector is asymmetrical, this can ensure that a wrong connection is carried out. Also, to this effect the connector may comprise specific means to ensure a proper and easy connection.

(35) Of course, the embodiments described above are non-limiting illustrative examples and variations with equivalent means are possible. For example, it is possible to use more than two active zones.

(36) The type of active zones used may vary. They can be of the “EASY” type mentioned above, or of another type: for example pads with electrically conductive zones as known in the art.

(37) In addition, other equivalent means than Velcro™ may be used to attach the electrode(s) or pads forming the active zones to the bandage. They can be glued or attached to the bandage by any other equivalent means.

(38) As will be readily understood, the set of the present invention can be used in combination with a electrical stimulator for applying different stimulation to the wearer. Such stimulations can be a TENS stimulation, or an EMS stimulation or any other suitable stimulation applicable with such devices. Typical methods carried out by the present invention can be a healing method using an electrical stimulation. The device according to the invention may also be used for a wound healing method using electrical stimulation or other treatment methods, such a choice being linked to the signal applied to the patient and also to the number and positioning of the electrically active zones. As a skilled worker will understand, many methods are possible.