Support dressing

Abstract

A support dressing comprises a conformable material that is capable of conforming to a body part when secured thereto; an adhesive for releasably securing the dressing to the body part; and at least one resilient component that has greater stiffness than the flexible material. It is particularly useful in preventing or reducing undesired torsion, for example, for the neck.

Claims

1. A support dressing for preventing or reducing movement of a body part, the support dressing comprising: a) at least one layer of conformable material that is capable of conforming to a body part when secured thereto; b) an adhesive for releasably securing the dressing to said body part; and c) a unitary resilient component that has greater stiffness than the conformable material, wherein the dressing has a plurality of arms and the unitary resilient component is generally cruciate in shape and is configured to prevent or reduce undesired torsion of said body part, wherein the plurality of arms are not all the same length; wherein the dressing is sized and configured to be applied to a region of a neck of a user to limit undesired movement.

2. The dressing according to claim 1, wherein the unitary resilient component is configured to prevent or reduce undesired bending of said body part.

3. The dressing according to claim 1, wherein the unitary resilient component comprises or consists of one or more of the following materials: a plastics material; a metal or alloy; card, wood, a composite material, a laminate.

4. The dressing according to claim 1 that is at least 10 cm long when measured across its maximum length.

5. The dressing according to claim 1 that is at least 15 cm long when measured across its maximum length.

6. The dressing according to claim 1 that is at least 10 cm wide when measured across its maximum width.

7. The dressing according to claim 1 comprising one or more apertures that extend through the dressing so as to improve moisture vapour permeability and/or to reduce adhesion.

8. The dressing according to claim 1 wherein the at least one layer of conformable material comprises an outer layer of conformable material and an inner layer of conformable material, with the unitary resilient component being located between said outer and inner layers.

9. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in medicine.

10. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in treating, preventing or reducing one or more of: a) injury b) strain c) aches d) pain e) discomfort f) mechanical dysfunction.

11. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in improving posture.

12. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in sport.

13. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in the workplace.

14. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in treating or preventing injury to the neck.

15. The dressing according to claim 1 for use in treating or preventing injury to one or more of the following: vertebrae, nerves, muscles, ligaments or joint capsules.

16. A kit comprising a dressing according to claim 1 and one or more of the following: a) instructions for use in applying the dressing b) one or more other dressings c) a sealed container.

17. A kit for making a dressing according to claim 1, wherein the kit comprises said conformable material and said unitary resilient component; said kit optionally comprising one or more of the following: a) instructions for use in making the dressing b) adhesive c) a further conformable material d) cutting means e) a release paper.

18. The dressing according to claim 1, wherein the dressing includes two pairs of two arms, a first pair of arms being shorter than a second pair of arms.

19. The dressing according to claim 18, wherein the first pair of arms is configured to have a lower contact area with the body part than the second pair of arms.

20. A support dressing for preventing or reducing torsion of a body part, the support dressing comprising: a) a conformable material that is cruciate in shape and configured to conform to a body part when secured thereto; b) an adhesive for releasably securing the dressing to said body part; and c) a unitary resilient component that is generally cruciate in shape, has greater stiffness than the conformable material, and is configured to prevent or reduce undesired torsion of said body part; wherein the dressing includes two pairs of two arms, a first pair of arms being shorter than a second pair of arms and the first pair of arms being configured to have a lower contact area with the body part than the second pair of arms and wherein the dressing is sized and configured to be applied to a region of a neck of a user to limit undesired movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Having described the present invention in general terms, it will now be described by way of the following non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a view from above of a dressing for a lower back.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the part of FIG. 1 indicated by the line X-X.

(4) FIGS. 3 to 6 provide views from above of various alternative shapes for dressings of the present invention. (Many more shapes are of course possible.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Turning now to FIG. 1, a dressing for the lower back 10 is shown. It can be seen that the dressing 10 is generally cruciate in shape and therefore has four arms. Two relatively short arms 12, 14 and two relatively long arms 16, 18 are provided.

(6) The two relatively long arms 16, 18 are designed to contact the upper buttock region of a patient wearing the dressing, where there are relatively few proprioreceptors and a higher contact area is desired.

(7) The two relatively short arms 12, 14 are designed to contact a higher region on the back on either side of the spine. Here the concentration of proprioreceptors is higher (for a given area) and therefore the contact area need not be as great.

(8) Thus the dressing shown is not symmetrical about a horizontal axis (when in use). It is however bilaterally symmetrical about a vertical axis, which is shown as Y-Y in this Figure.

(9) Turning now to FIG. 2, this shows a cross-section taken through an arm 16 of the dressing 10 and along the line X-X shown in FIG. 1. For ease of reference the cross section is shown schematically in FIG. 2 and is not to scale.

(10) It can be seen from this cross section that the dressing comprises a plurality of components.

(11) An upper layer 22 is formed of a protective backing fabric. This fabric is conformable so as to conform to the contours of the skin. It also carries an adhesive 26.

(12) For illustrative purposes the adhesive 26 is shown as discrete blobs or spots. This is because it does not form a continuous layer, but is discontinuous. This allows moisture vapour permeability and therefore assists in allowing sweat to evaporate through the dressing. It also assists in aiding subsequent removal of the dressing, by reducing the quantity of adhesive and the surface area of a patient in contact with adhesive.

(13) It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the upper layer 22 is attached via the adhesive 26 to a central relatively rigid strut 24 of resilient material and is also to a conformable lower layer of non-woven material 28.

(14) The non-woven material 28 carries its own adhesive 30, which attaches it to a release paper 32. If desired, at least part of the release paper 32 may extend out from the remainder of the dressing 10 so it can be easily gripped and removed prior to application of the dressing (not shown). Alternatively, overlapping release papers may be provided. One of the release papers can then be gripped in the region of the overlap to facilitate removal.

(15) Turning back to FIG. 1, it can be seen that there are actually two rigid struts 24 which overlap at a central position to form an internal cruciate structure 20 located within the boundaries of the cruciate dressing 10. This internal cruciate structure 20 provides the dressing 10 as a whole with increased rigidity.

(16) Thus, for example the dressing 10 can advantageously be held at a single position between thumb and forefinger whilst it is being applied to the skin without it flopping over. (This facilitates applying the dressing to a patient and reduces potential wastage. It contrasts with many prior art dressings that have no real internal structural supports and can simply flop down under their own weight and adhere to themselves and are thus rendered unusable.)

(17) More importantly the overlapping struts 24 provide a much greater resistance to torsion than would occur if they were absent. The struts 24 can flex or twist to some degree, but, as they so, their resilience urges them to seek to return to their previous orientation/close thereto. This in turn causes an opposing force to be exerted on the skin of a person to whom the dressing has applied, which acts as a stimulus.

(18) This stimulus is sensed by the person via proprioreceptors in the skin and will normally cause the person not to twist further in a given direction, especially if the person has previously been warned of the risks of such action. Indeed, if the person continues to twist then a greater reactive force will be exerted by the struts 24 and the stimulus will be greater, causing additional stimulation of proprioreceptors in the skin and a further indication to the person wearing the dressing that the torsional movement is potentially dangerous.

(19) It is important to bear in mind that the struts 24 do not have to be particularly strong. Their main function is to exert a stimulus and not to physically prevent torsion. Indeed if a patient chooses to twist in an undesirable manner then the patient will normally be free to do so. However the patient will then be fully aware of this via the stimulus transmitted via the skin's proprioreceptors and will therefore have had ample opportunity to have taken preventative action, if desired.

(20) However, in most cases it is envisaged that patient compliance will be very high, given the stimulus provided by the dressing against possibly dangerous movement. Thus the dressing 10 can aid significantly in reducing pain or discomfort or the risk thereof.

(21) The dressing 10 is of course also useful in preventing or reducing the risk of injury.

(22) It may even simply act as an aid for correct posture, as discussed earlier herein.

(23) It should also be noted that the dressing 10 is of course not limited to the particular shape shown in FIG. 1. Any shape or structure can be provided as long as the dressing fulfils its function.

(24) Various non-limiting alternative shapes for support dressings are shown in FIG. 3, with the resilient support indicated by dotted lines.

(25) FIG. 3 shows a cruciate support dressing 34 comprising a conformable material 36 and a resilient support structure 38 in which the arms are of equal size.

(26) FIG. 4 shows a support dressing 40 and a conformable material 42 in which one end 43 is much wider than the other end 41. The wider end 43 is for contacting a region where the number of proprioreceptors for a given area of skin is relatively low. The less wide end 41 can be used for contacting a region where the number of proprioreceptors is relatively high. A generally cruciate resilient support structure 44 is also shown, which has a central aperture 45.

(27) FIG. 5 shows a generally rectangular support dressing 50 comprising a plurality of parallel resilient members 54 and a conformable material 52 that covers the resilient members 54.

(28) FIG. 6 shows a generally square support dressing 60 comprising a cruciate support structure 64 and a conformable material 62 that covers the resilient support structure 64.

(29) [NB: In FIGS. 1, and 3 to 6 the dotted lines illustrate a resilient structure located below an outer cover layer of material. The resilient structures are therefore not directly visible when the support dressings are in use. However, in practice, contours defining the general periphery of the resilient structures will normally be identifiable because the height of the dressing will normally be greater in the region of the resilient material than in the region where resilient material is not present.]

EXAMPLE

(30) Patients (n=38) with back pain were given an example of a support of the present invention (A) and a known support (B) (as described in PCT/AU2006/001938). Support (B) provides for either a lumber (lower back) plaster comprising an open square shaped support or a thoracic (upper back) plaster comprising an X shaped support. 17 subjects compared (A) to the lumber support (B) and 21 subjects compared (A) to the thoracic support (B). The patients were asked to compare each support in terms of general back support, maintenance of lumbar spine position, posture maintenance, rigidity, ability to prevent twisting movement, ability to prevent sideways bending and ability to limit combined movement of forward bending and twisting.

(31) Patients were not told in advance of the trial the object or purpose of each support plaster. The results are shown below.

(32) All numbers in %

(33) 1. What device provides the greater back support?

(34) TABLE-US-00001 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined B 23.8 5.9 14.8 A 71.4 94.1 82.8 Equal 4.8 2.4

(35) 2. Which device is better at maintaining your lumbar (low back) spine position?

(36) TABLE-US-00002 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined B 19 11.8 15.4 A 81 88.2 84.6 Equal

(37) 3. Which device maintains your general spine in a better posture?

(38) TABLE-US-00003 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined B 14 0 7 A 72 100 86 Equal 14 7

(39) 4. Which support is more rigid?

(40) TABLE-US-00004 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined White 23.8 5.9 14.8 B 76.2 94.1 85.2 A

(41) 5. Which device is better at reducing twisting/rotation movements?

(42) TABLE-US-00005 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined B 14 11.8 12.9 A 72 76.4 74.2 Equal 14 11.8 12.9

(43) 6. Which device is better at preventing bending to the side?

(44) TABLE-US-00006 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined B 14 11.8 12.9 A 72 82.3 77.2 Equal 14 5.9 9.9

(45) 7. Which device is better at limiting a combined movement of forward bending and twisting?

(46) TABLE-US-00007 Thoracic group Lumbar Group Combined B 19 5.9 12.4 A 76.2 94.1 85.2 Equal 4.8 2.4 B = Support of PCT/AU2006/001938 A = Example of a support of the present application

(47) These results clearly show that the support of the invention provides greater stability, rigidity and support to both upper and lower back simultaneously than those already known. The inclusion of the internal strut, which is not present in either the thoracic or lumbar device (B), provides the support needed to limit twisting and sideways bending movement. This is critically important, for it is clinical known that most disc injuries occur under this direction of movement when combined with flexion (forward bending).

(48) It should also be noted that the subjects found the support of present invention (A). comfortable to wear.

Glossary

(49) Various terms used herein will now be described in greater detail.

(50) Support

(51) This term is used broadly to include anything that prevents or reduces the likelihood of a part of the body moving in an undesired manner. Thus it includes dressings that may prevent undesired flexing or torsion.

(52) Dressing

(53) This term is not limited to dressings for wounds or injuries, but also includes dressings that be used as a support (see above). Thus, for example sports dressings or orthopaedic dressings are included. A dressing will normally comprise a flexible fabric and an adhesive. It may be provided in a sealed package and will often be in sterile form within said package.

(54) Treatment

(55) This term includes not only the treatment of pre-existing conditions, but also preventative (prophylactic) treatments. Prophylactic treatments can be particularly important for people prone to or at risk of injury, e.g. the elderly, players of certain sports (e.g. golf, contact sports, racket sports, etc.) and for people in professions involving a potential risk of injury to parts of the body (especially due to excessive torsional movement).

(56) The term treatment includes treatment of any undesirable effects/symptoms of a condition, including injuries, aches, pains, strains, discomfort, dysfunctions, etc.

(57) Thus it is not essential that a treatment provide a complete cure, as long as there is some benefit to the patient. In the case of the present invention treatment will normally be incurred simply by applying the dressing at an appropriate location and leaving it on a patient for sufficient time for it to have a desired effect.

(58) Arm

(59) This term is used to describe a part of the dressing that extends from another part and has a distinctive shape. Several arms may be present. For example if the dressing has a cruciate shape four arms may extend from a central region. The arms may be elongate, but this is not essential. The arms may even be of different sizes and/or different shapes.

(60) Release paper

(61) This includes any material that can be easily peeled away from an adhesive dressing so as to expose the adhesive for use. It is not limited to paper, but includes a wide range of flexible materials, as is well known in the art. Silicone release papers are preferred, but are not of course essential.

(62) Torsion

(63) This includes rotation or pivoting about any axis. Undesired torsion is such movement that causes or is likely to cause injury, strain, pain, discomfort or mechanical dysfunction.