MEDICAL DRESSING REMOVABLE ADHESIVE STRIPS

Abstract

Medical dressings are provided that minimize the disruptive forces directed at the device-skin interface during the processes of dressing changes. The instantaneous disruptive force, imparted to a healing skin wound by an adhesive dressing as it is being de-adhesed from the vicinity of the skin wound, is determined, in part, by the yield strength (force/unit area) of the adhesive/skin interface and, in part, by that portion of surface area (area) of skin-dressing adhesion participating in traction of the skin at said instant. A method to minimize the disruptive force of a medical dressing is to reduce the surface area of skin-dressing adhesion being de-adhesed at a specific instant by dividing the total surface area of skin-dressing into substantially smaller subareas, each of which, when being de-adhesed, would impart disruptive forces to the healing skin wound which are smaller than the tensile strength of the skin wound.

Claims

1. A medical dressing that minimizes disruptive forces at a device-skin interface during a dressing change, said medical dressing comprising: a serpentine, coiled, or discontinuous pattern of an adhesive applied to the contact surface of the medical dressing.

2. The medical dressing of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a low-detachment force adhesive.

3. The medical dressing of claim 1 further comprising a channel to fit around features of a medical appliance or percutaneous access devices (PAD) to be secured, and a cutout to accommodate a medical device or neck of a PAD to be secured.

4. The medical dressing of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a separation thread, a secondary backing layer, or perforation pathways.

5. The medical dressing of claim 1 further comprising photo-activated detach sites.

6. The medical dressing of claim 1 wherein the medical dressing is pre-manufactured as a rectangular-type dressing or in a roll tape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates prior art wearable and implanted components of a cardiac assist system with a percutaneous access device (PAD) and internal driveline;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a prior art, partial cutaway view of a flanged percutaneous access device (PAD) with relative dimensions of aspect exaggerated for visual clarity;

[0022] FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective views of a prior art modular external interface seal for a PAD appliance secured with adhesive dressings to a subject;

[0023] FIG. 4A illustrates a coiled medical dressing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 4B illustrates a serpentine medical dressing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 4C illustrates a “split-ring” style medical dressing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate various patterns of adhesive backings for rectangular dressings for minimizing disruptive forces to a wound area in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

[0027] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a center perforated medical dressing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Medical dressings according to the present invention have utility to significantly minimize the disruptive forces directed at the device-skin interface during the processes of dressing changes. It is appreciated that device interfaces include percutaneous access devices (PAD). PAD used herein may include PAD used in cardiac assist systems that promote the formation of a natural biologic seal between the skin and the device to form a barrier to microbial invasion into the body. Percutaneous access devices may also illustratively be used for other devices including peritoneal dialysis catheters, Steinman pin, Kirschner wires, and chronic indwelling venous access catheters that require skin penetration.

[0029] The instantaneous disruptive force, imparted to a healing skin wound by an adhesive dressing as it is being de-adhesed from the vicinity of said skin wound, is determined, in part, by the yield strength (force/unit area) of the adhesive/skin interface and, in part, by that portion of surface area (area) of skin-dressing adhesion participating in traction of the skin at said instant. Ideally, the instantaneous disruptive force imparted to a healing skin wound is less than the then-extant skin wound tensile strength. A useful means to reduce the disruptive force created by removal of a dressing is to reduce the portion of surface area of skin-dressing adhesion being separated at any specified instant. A means to accomplish a reduction of surface area of skin-dressing adhesion being de-adhesed at a specific instant is to divide the total surface area of skin-dressing into substantially smaller subareas, each of which, when being de-adhesed, would impart disruptive forces to the healing skin wound which are smaller than the tensile strength of the skin wound. Herein we refer to such dressings a “low-detachment force” dressings. Embodiments of the inventive medical dressings may include peel-away dressings manufactured with a serpentine pathway which limits the skin-adhesive contact area which is being pulled apart at any one moment as the dressing is being removed from the skin. In an inventive embodiment, a coiled “Boa” style could be used for general medical applications currently treated with a rectangular adhesive dressing such as a Tegaderm™ or similar product. In a specific inventive embodiment, a serpentine “Sidewinder” style could also be used for rectangular dressings or could be manufactured in “roll tape” form. An inventive “split-ring”, or alternatively a paired hemi-dressing, style is provided for ViaDerm™ implementations as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C or could also be used for any “drain dressing” or “medical appliance” dressing.

[0030] Embodiments of the inventive medical adhesive dressings may be applied conventionally. At the time of removal, the serpentine pathway may be activated for the removal maneuver by pulling a separation thread, removing a secondary backing layer, pulling against premanufactured perforation pathways, or other more active measures illustratively including a special removal tool, or photo-activated detach sites.

[0031] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 4A illustrates a coiled “boa style” medical dressing 300 with a separation thread 302. Embodiments of the coiled medical dressing 300 may utilize a low-detachment force adhesive dressing and is suitable for pre-manufactured rectangular-type dressings. FIG. 4B illustrates a serpentine “sidewinder style” medical dressing 310. Embodiments of the serpentine medical dressing 310 may utilize a low-detachment dressing force adhesive and is suitable for pre-manufactured rectangular-type dressings or a roll tape style dispenser. FIG. 4C illustrates a “split-ring” style medical dressing 320 for use with the ViaDerm™ implementation as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C or could also be used for any “drain dressing” or “medical appliance” dressing. As the medical dressing 320 is pulled up during a dressing change, the resultant pull force on the wound area alternates in direction as sections of the dressing 320 are lifted up. The dressing 320 has a channel 322 to fit around features of a medical appliance or PAD to be secured, and a cutout 324 to accommodate a medical device or neck of a PAD to be secured. Embodiments of the “split-ring” style medical dressing 310 may utilize a low-detachment force adhesive dressings.

[0032] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate various patterns of low-detachment force adhesive backings for rectangular or other shaped dressings for minimizing disruptive forces to a wound or surgical device area. The exemplary patterns of adhesive have breaks or changes in direction to minimize or control the forces exerted on the skin or device being secured with the medical dressing as the dressing is being lifted for removal. It is appreciated that additional adhesive patterns and shapes may also be used to minimize or control the forces exerted on the skin or device during removal.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a center perforated medical dressing 330. The center perforation 334 allows the medical dressing 330 to be removed in sections. A slit 338 at one end of the dressing allows a medical device or neck of a PAD to be placed in the cutout 336.

[0034] Patent documents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These documents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.