Abstract
A device for providing a skin or wound dressing, a wound treatment set, and a method to provide a skin or wound dressing, wherein the skin or wound dressing includes an active substance, and wherein the device comprises at least two chambers for the storage of at least two liquids, which are openable by mechanical action, so that, after opening of the chambers, the liquids are miscible and are transferrable to an active substance carrier.
Claims
1. A device for providing a skin or wound dressing, comprising an active substance, wherein the device comprises at least two chambers for the storage of at least two liquids, which are openable by mechanical action, so that, after opening of the chambers, the liquids are miscible and are transferrable to an active substance carrier.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein after opening of the chambers, the liquids are mergeable outside the active substance carrier, or a mixing area is present into which the liquids are transferrable, and the liquids are then transferrable from the mixing area to the active substance carrier.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two separate chambers are manufactured from a plastic.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the two chambers are openable by pressure, whereby the released liquids are transferrable to the active substance carrier.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two separate chambers are openable by a turning movement or linear movement, whereby the chambers are mechanically opened by a protruding edge, a sealed area, or by a predetermined breaking point.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the two chambers and the active substance carrier are arranged in at least two different levels.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a casing which encloses the active substance carrier.
8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one lid, which with an intermediate piece, encloses the at least two separate chambers for the storage of two liquids; or these chambers are formed in the lid or the intermediate piece.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the active substance carrier is located below the intermediate piece, whereby the active substance carrier is held by an openable bottom piece.
10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate piece has several openings.
11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes at least one elastic element, whereby the release of a seal initiates a movement whereby the opening of the chambers for storing two liquids is facilitated.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the two chambers are formed by at least two plastic layers, which are firmly connected on two opposite sides, and, on one side with which the chambers can be connected are separated by a folding edge.
13. A device according to claim 11, wherein the active substance carrier is contained in a third chamber, which is formed by at least two plastic layers, which are firmly connected on two opposite sides and on one side are separated by a folding edge, from at least one further chamber which can be designed as a mixing chamber.
14. Wound treatment set including a device according to claim 1, a wound spacer, a cover film, and a dressing fixation.
15. Method for providing a skin or wound dressing, including an active substance, comprising opening a device according to claim 1, and taking out a wound dressing dosed with an active substance.
16. A device according to claim 2, wherein the liquids are mergeable outside the active substance carrier by creating a mixing area upon opening of the two chambers.
17. A device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two separate chambers are manufactured from a plastic with one section made out of a flexible plastic.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the at least two separate chambers are manufactured from a plastic film.
19. A device according to claim 4, wherein the two chambers are openable by pressure, whereby the released liquids are transferrable to the active substance carrier with the aid of this pressure.
20. A device according to claim 5, wherein the at least two separate chambers are openable by a turning movement or linear movement, whereby the chambers are mechanically opened by an openable welding seam.
21. A device according to claim 9, wherein the active substance carrier is located below the intermediate piece, whereby the active substance carrier is held by an openable bottom piece, whereby the bottom piece is impervious to liquids.
22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the active substance carrier is located below the intermediate piece, whereby the active substance carrier is held by an openable bottom piece, whereby the bottom piece has a grip portion which is not covered by the active substance carrier.
23. A device according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate piece is of a sieve-like design.
24. A device according to claim 11, wherein the device includes at least one elastic element, whereby the release of a seal initiates a folding mechanism, whereby the opening of the chambers for storing two liquids is facilitated.
25. A device according to claim 11, wherein the device includes at least one elastic element, whereby the release of a seal initiates a movement, whereby the opening of the chambers for storing two liquids is effected.
Description
[0083] Hereinafter, using 9 figures, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example, without thereby limiting the invention.
[0084] Shown are:
[0085] FIG. 1 a schematic longitudinal section representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0086] FIG. 2 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0087] FIG. 3 a schematic longitudinal section representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0088] FIG. 4 a schematic exploded-view drawing of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0089] FIG. 5 a schematic exploded-view drawing of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0090] FIG. 6 a schematic exploded-view drawing of a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0091] FIG. 7 representations of the intermediate piece and of the lid of the fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0092] FIG. 8 a schematic top view representation of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing, in storable condition,
[0093] FIG. 9 a schematic top view representation of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing, in the condition where the two liquids are mixed,
[0094] FIG. 10 a schematic representation of the manufacturing steps of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing,
[0095] FIG. 11 a schematic cross-section representation of a seventh embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing
[0096] FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing, whereby FIG. 1a describes the storable condition of the device, FIG. 1b shows the condition where the two liquids are mixed, and FIG. 1c shows the condition of the device where a skin or wound dressing is presented which can be removed from the device.
[0097] The device for making available a skin or wound dressing 10, which is shown in FIG. 1a, includes at least two chambers for storing two liquids 12, 14, and an active substance carrier 16. The two chambers 12, 14 are formed in a lid 20, which together with an intermediate piece 22, encloses the two liquids. The intermediate piece 22 and the lid 20 have at least two predetermined breaking points 24, 26, whereby the first breaking point 24 is situated between the two chambers 12, 14 formed by the lid 20 and the intermediate piece 22. The second breaking point 26 is located between one of the chambers 12, 14 and the space 28 which contains the active substance carrier 16.
[0098] By applying pressure on the lid in the location of the first chamber 12, the first predetermined breaking point 24 will be specifically targeted and opened, so that the two chambers 12, 14 are connected to a mixing area 30. This half-opened condition is shown in FIG. 1b, whereby in this condition, the active substance carrier 16 has not yet been moistened. Here, the predetermined breaking point 26 is closed, so that at the beginning of pressure application this predetermined breaking point, first of all, resists opening.
[0099] If pressure is further applied, the second predetermined breaking point 26 will open, so that the condition shown in FIG. 1c is reached. Here, the liquid mixture which is contained in the mixing area 30 is transferred to the active substance carrier 16.
[0100] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, of a device according to the invention. It can be seen that the two chambers 12, 14 have a smaller diameter than the active substance carrier 16, so that, when the device is opened, at least some of the active substance is transferred to the active substance carrier 16 from above.
[0101] It should be noted that the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is presented relatively conceptually, in order to clarify the principles of the present invention. It goes without saying that the expert can implement this concept quite easily, whereby the chambers 12, 14 are executed in the form of a film arrangement, whereby the two predetermined breaking points 24, 26 are executed as detachable seams of different stability. Furthermore, pressure can be applied via a screw-in lid, as is explained in detail in the second and third embodiments.
[0102] FIG. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal section representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing, whereby FIG. 3a presents the storable condition of the device, FIG. 3b present the condition when the two liquids are mixed, and FIG. 3c presents the condition where a skin or wound dressing is made available which can then be removed from the device.
[0103] The device for providing a skin or wound dressing 40, which is shown in FIG. 3a, includes at least two chambers for the storage of two liquids 42, 44 and an active substance carrier 46. The two chambers 42, 44 are fitted in a lid 50 which, together with a separating film 52, encloses the two liquids. Below the separating film is an intermediate piece 54 with two protrusions 56, 58. The area between the separating film 52 and the intermediate piece 54 can be considered as the mixing area 62. Below the intermediate piece 54, in collaboration with a detachable bottom piece 60, a space is formed in which the active substance carrier 46 is introduced. The bottom piece 60, together with the intermediate piece 54, forms a casing.
[0104] In FIGS. 3b and 3c, the opening of the device shown in FIG. 3a is explained. As the lid 50 is screwed, in the direction of the intermediate piece 54, via a thread (not shown), the two protrusions 56, 58 are pressed through the separating film 52, so that the two chambers 42, 44 are opened and the two liquids flow into the mixing area 62.
[0105] The liquids stored in the chambers 42, 44 are conducted out of the mixing area 62 into the active substance carrier 46, so that a skin or wound dressing, including an active substance, is obtained. The gas previously contained in the active substance carrier and in the mixing area is conducted into the space between the lid 50 and the separating film 52, so that the liquids originally stored in the chambers 42, 44 are relatively completely pressed into the active substance carrier 46.
[0106] After the liquids stored in the chambers 42, 44 have been transferred relatively completely into the active substance carrier 46, the bottom piece 60 can be removed and the skin or wound dressing (with an active substance carrier 46, moistened with active substance) can be taken out of the device.
[0107] FIG. 4 shows a schematic exploded-view drawing of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention 61. The third embodiment corresponds conceptually with the embodiment form shown in FIG. 3, so that reference is made to this in the details, and the same reference numbers denote the same components. Thus the third embodiment comprises two chambers 42, 44 formed by the lid 50 and the separating film 52, an intermediate piece 54 with a thread, through which the lid 50 can be moved in the direction of the protrusions 56, 58 provided on the intermediate piece 54, in order to open the chambers 42, 44 and to release the two liquids. In the present exploded-view drawing, the formation of the two chambers 42, 44 is shown by corresponding sections on the separating film 52. In the third embodiment, the protrusions 56, 58 are in close proximity, so that the mixing of the liquids already takes place as the liquids flow out of the chambers. Furthermore, the third embodiment includes a distribution film 64, located between the intermediate piece 54 and the separation film 52 and which leads to an improved mixing of the two liquids. The active substance carrier 46, located below the intermediate piece 54, is held by a bottom piece 60 which is attachable to the intermediate piece 54 by gluing or welding, for example. The bottom piece 60, together with the intermediate piece 54, forms a casing. The bottom piece 60 has a grip portion 66, which is not covered by the active substance carrier. After opening the device, the bottom piece 60 can be detached from the intermediate piece 54, so that the skin or wound dressing, containing active substance can be easily taken out.
[0108] Moreover, the lid 50 is connected via an easily removable securing mechanism 68 with the intermediate piece 54, in order to prevent the device being opened unintentionally.
[0109] FIG. 5 shows a schematic exploded-view drawing of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention. The fourth embodiment corresponds conceptually with the embodiment form shown in FIG. 3, so that reference is made to this in the details, and the same reference numbers denote the same components. Thus the third embodiment comprises two chambers formed by the lid 70 and the separating film, not shown in FIG. 5, an intermediate piece 74 with a thread, through which the lid 70 can be moved in the direction of the protrusions 76 a, 76b, 76 c, 76 d, 76 e, 76 f provided on the intermediate piece 74, in order to open the chambers and to release the two liquids 78, 80. In the fourth the embodiment, there are provided a large number of protrusions 76 a, 76b, 76 c, 76 d, 76 e, 76 f, so that the film to be opened, after opening, has a large number of cuts. This results in a very complete transfer of the two liquids into the intermediate piece 74.
[0110] In comparison with the third embodiment, shown previously in FIG. 4, the intermediate piece 74 differs in that it exhibits a radially arranged sieve-like area, with an impervious inner zone. In the fourth embodiment, the protrusions 76 a, 76b, 76 c, 76 d, 76 e, 76 f are located on the radially arranged sieve-like areas, so that the mixing of the two liquids takes place in this radially arranged sieve-like area. This embodiment is particularly useful for active substances where a pH change takes place during mixing. Preferably, this embodiment can be used for active substances which have a long shelf life at a high or at a low pH value. A skin tolerable pH value is appropriate and necessary however for the application of the active substances, whereby this can be achieved by mixing two liquids for pH adjustment.
[0111] Below the intermediate piece 74, the active substance carrier 46 is located and it is held by a bottom piece 60 which is attachable to the intermediate piece 74 by gluing or welding, for example. The bottom piece 60, together with the intermediate piece 74, forms a casing. As previously shown, the bottom piece 60 can have a grip portion, which is not covered by the active substance carrier. After opening the device, the bottom piece 60 can be detached from the intermediate piece 74, so that the skin or wound dressing containing active substance can be easily taken out.
[0112] Moreover, it can be provided that the lid 70 is connected via an easily removable securing mechanism 68 with the intermediate piece 74, in order to prevent the device being opened unintentionally.
[0113] FIG. 6 shows a schematic exploded-view drawing of a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention. The fifth embodiment corresponds conceptually with the embodiment form shown in FIG. 3, so that reference is made to this in the details, and the same reference numbers denote the same components.
[0114] The device for providing a skin or wound dressing 90, which is shown in FIG. 6, comprises at least two chambers for the storage of two liquids and an active substance carrier 46. The two chambers are formed in a lid 92 which, together with the intermediate piece 94, contains the two liquids 96, 98. In the present embodiment ring shaped walls (not shown in FIG. 6) are provided in lid 92 which are fitted with seals 120, 122 and 122a. The seals are 120, 122 and 122a are located between the intermediate piece 94 and the ring-formed walls (not shown in FIG. 6). Instead of a separate seal, a sealed area can also be formed using appropriate material selection and/or shaping. Here, two chambers are created which can be filled via openings 100 and 102 in the lid. Two further openings 100a and 102a, through which air can escape, simplify the filling of the chambers. After filling, in the present embodiment, the openings 100, 100a, 102 and 102a are sealed with a film 103. The lid is movable upwards by a turning movement, so that the ring form walls, fitted with a seal, located in lid 92, can be moved away from intermediate piece 94 creating an opening. Here, a suitable thread is provided in the intermediate piece 94 and in the lid 92, which is formed by helical or wavy shapes 104 and 106, which convert a turning motion into a linear motion. The area between lid 92 and intermediate piece 94 can be considered as mixing area 108. Intermediate piece 94 has a radially aligned sieve-like area 110, whereby an impervious inner zone 111 exists, which, together with the lid forms a first chamber. The second chamber is formed via an annular wall 112 together with the lid. The annular wall 112 has a radial circumferential bevel 113, so that, after opening, the liquid in the second chamber flows easily into the radially aligned sieve-like area 110. Below intermediate piece 94, in cooperation with a removable bottom piece 60, a space is formed in which the active substance carrier is introduced. The bottom piece 60, together with the intermediate piece 94, forms a casing.
[0115] Furthermore, intermediate piece 94 has three recesses 114a, 114b, 114c, which prevent an unintentional opening of the device. The counterparts for tongues, not shown in FIG. 6, are located in lid 92.
[0116] FIG. 7 shows a representation of the intermediate piece (FIG. 7a) and of the lid (FIG. 7b) of the fifth embodiment in a schematic exploded-view.
[0117] In FIG. 7a, a top view of intermediate piece 94 is shown. The intermediate piece 94 exhibits a radially arranged sieve-like area 110 with an impervious inner zone 111, which, together with the lid, forms the first chamber. The second chamber is formed via an annular wall 112 together with the lid. The annular wall 112 has a radial circumferential bevel, so that, after opening, the liquid in the second chamber flows easily into the radially aligned sieve-like area 110.
[0118] Furthermore, three recesses 114a, 114b, 114c, are shown in FIG. 7a which prevent an unintentional opening of the device.
[0119] FIG. 7b shows the inner area of 92. In particular the annular walls 116, 118 are shown which together with the seals 120, 122, 122a, form two chambers with the previously presented sections of the intermediate piece. The chambers can be filled via the openings 100 and 102 in the lid.
[0120] Moreover, the lid exhibits three tongues 124a, 124b, 124c, which, together with the previously described recesses in the intermediate piece, prevent an unintentional opening of the device.
[0121] FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view representation of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention 130. In this sixth embodiment of the device in storage condition, the active substance carrier 136 is located between the two chambers for the storage of the two liquids, where, on the basis of the representation available, merely chamber 132 is shown. The chambers are formed by various polymer films, which are made into cavities. The sixth embodiment is fitted with an elastic element, through which, part of the storable device for providing a skin or wound dressing is under tension. The tension can be described with a molecular memory effect, through which the plastic returns to its original shape. Here, by releasing a safety mechanism, the opening of the chambers for storing two liquids is facilitated, preferably effected.
[0122] In FIG. 9, for further clarification, the condition of the sixth embodiment is shown as the two liquids are mixed. By releasing a safety mechanism, the chambers where the liquids are stored are first of all connected. This creates mixing space 138, which by further opening is connected with the cavity where active substance carrier 136 is located. The unfolding/opening for connecting the two chambers filled with liquid and/or the unfolding/opening to connect mixing space 138 with the cavity containing active substance carrier 136, are supported by the elastic element, preferably effected by it. In this preferred embodiment, by disengagement of a weld or another securing element, due to the tension, an opening process is caused with which the chambers are each connected with each other.
[0123] FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of the manufacturing steps of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing.
[0124] FIG. 10a shows that, first of all, a flexible polymer film 140 is joined with an elastomeric film 142. This can be done preferably by two-dimensional gluing. The elastomeric film 142 has a smaller surface area than the flexible polymer film 140. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10b, the flexible polymer film 140 is joined to the stiff polymer film 144 at three edges. This can be carried out, for example, by heated laser welding. In this way, an elongated cavity is created which is closed on three sides. Subsequently, using a pipette 150, first of all the first liquid is filled into this cavity, as shown in in FIG. 10c. After this, the filled area is bent off and separated with a clamp 152, so that the first chamber 132 is created which contains the first liquid. In the following, as shown in FIG. 10d, the second liquid is filled into the remaining area of the cavity.
[0125] After the cavity has been filled, the area filled with second liquid is also bent off and closed with a clamp 152, so that a second chamber 134 is created. Subsequently, the active substance carrier 136 is placed in the remaining space of the cavity, as shown in FIG. 10e.
[0126] Subsequently, the cavity is closed and a strap is attached with which this closure can be easily opened, as shown in FIG. 10f. According to FIG. 10g, the chambers which have been created can be turned over in such a way that the active substance carrier 136 is located between chambers 132, 134 with the liquids. After this, a seal can be fitted which prevents an unintentional opening of the device. After the seal has been fitted, the clamps generally can be removed.
[0127] The sixth embodiment comprises a flexible polymer film 140, an elastic element in the form of an elastomeric film 142 and a stiff polymer film 144. These polymer films 140, 142 and 144 are connected in such a way that two chambers 132, 134 are created, in which the two liquids are stored, as well as a cavity into which the active substance carrier 136 is placed.
[0128] In a preferred embodiment, the chambers are merely separated by clamping pressure, which, after the securing element has been released, leads first to an opening of the chambers forming a mixing area, and subsequently to an opening of the connection between the mixing area and the cavity.
[0129] FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-section representation of a seventh embodiment of a device according to the invention for providing a skin or wound dressing 160, whereby FIG. 11a shows the storable condition of device 160; FIG. 11b shows the condition when the two liquids are mixed, and FIG. 11c shows the condition of the device, in which a skin or wound dressing containing an active substance is provided, which can be removed from the device.
[0130] The device shown in FIG. 11a for providing a skin or wound dressing includes at least two chambers for the storing the two liquids 162, 164 and a mixing chamber 168, whereby the active substance carrier is located below the chambers 162, 164 and the mixing chamber 168. The two chambers 162, 164 are connected to a pulling mechanism 170, so that a pulling movement leads to the opening of two predetermined breaking points 172, 174. The pulling mechanism can be safeguarded, for example by an easily releasable predetermined breaking point, whereby this can connect the pulling mechanism 170 with the casing 171.
[0131] After the predetermined breaking points 172, 174 have been opened the liquids flow into the mixing chamber 178 and from there to the active substance carrier 176, as shown in FIG. 11b.
[0132] After the pulling mechanism 170 has been pulled out completely, the active substance containing skin or wound dressing can be taken out, as shown in FIG. 11c.
[0133] The features of the invention disclosed in the previous description, as well as in the claims, Figures and execution examples, can, both individually or in any form of combination, be essential for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.
