HEALING TAPE

Abstract

Disclosed is an adhesive wound healing tape comprised of a water vapor permeable backing and adhesive that can be applied over a wound and remain in place throughout the healing process. Preferably, the tape is applied over a wound without gauze bandage or non-stick gauze material and compresses opposing sides of the cut into one another to promote faster healing with a less visible and often invisible scar.

Claims

1. A method for healing a cut in skin using healing tape comprising the steps of: closing the cut so that the opposite sides of the cut are brought back into proximity and contact; covering the cut with healing tape so that with the opposite sides of the cut are maintained in contact, the healing tape including a first surface comprised of a water vapor permeable tape backing, and a second surface comprised of a skin compatible adhesive; pressing the adhesive on the second surface of the tape to the skin on opposite sides of the cut; the cut becoming immobilized by the attachment of the healing tape to the skin as a result of the mechanical strength of the healing tape in tension and in shear; and wherein the adhesive is a non-polymerizing adhesive.

2. The method of claim 1 where the opposite sides of the cut are caused to close by applying the healing tape to a first side of a cut, then applying a tension to the tape so that the flesh is caused to close the cut according to said closing step, and then pressing the tape against the skin on the opposite side of the cut so that the tape is adhesively bonded to both sides of the cut.

3. The method of claim 1 where the water vapor permeability of the tape is larger than a water vapor permeability value of skin beneath the tape, such that the skin avoids becoming water saturated by the tape.

4. The method of claim 1 where the cut is cleaned before the tape is applied.

5. The method of claim 1 where an anti-bacterial agent is applied to the healing tape prior to its application to the skin.

6. The method of claim 1 where the tape is cut from a continuous spool of tape.

7. The method of claim 1 where the cut results from surgery and the healing tape is applied to secure and close the wound post surgery.

8. The method of claim 1 where the opposite sides of the cut are pushed together with fingers prior to application of the healing tape.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a contact adhesive which releasably bonds to human skin.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said adhesive includes a methacrylate.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the tape has a thickness of less than about half a millimeter.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the tape is formed primarily of polyvinyl chloride.

13. The method of claim 1 where the wound is a tear.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the healing tape is provided in precut lengths.

15. A method for healing a cut in skin, including the steps of: wiping debris away from the cut; drying skin on either side of the cut; comparing a length of the cut to a width of healing tape, the healing tape comprised of a flexible tape backing on a first surface and a tape adhesive on a second surface opposite the first surface, the healing tape having an elongate form with a length greater than the width; attaching the healing tape to skin adjacent to the cut with the healing tape oriented with a long axis perpendicular to the cut if the cut is determined by said comparing step to be shorter than the width of the healing tape or the healing tape oriented with a long axis parallel to the cut if the cut is determined by said comparing step to be longer than the width of the healing tape; said attaching step including attaching a first end of the healing tape to the skin through the adhesive on the second surface, closing the cut, laying the healing tape over the cut, and attaching a second end of the healing tape to the skin opposite the first end of the healing tape, through the adhesive on the second surface; wherein the healing tape of said comparing step exhibits flexibility at least as flexible as skin flexibility; wherein the healing tape of said comparing step exhibits elasticity less than elasticity of the skin; wherein the flexible backing of the healing tape of said comparing step is water vapor permeable to a greater degree than skin, such that water vapor exiting skin is not trapped against a surface of the skin beneath the backing; and wherein the healing tape adhesive is a non-polymerizing adhesive.

16. A method for closing a wound in skin, including the steps of: bringing margins of the wound together and into contact; and placing tape over the wound with portions of the tape in contact with skin on either side of the wound; and wherein said bringing step includes the tape having a thin flexible layer of material extending between lateral edges spaced apart by a width of the tape, and extending between opposite ends spaced apart by a length of the tape, and with the material having a lower surface parallel with and spaced from an upper surface by a thickness of the tape, wherein a non-polymerizing adhesive is located upon said lower surface, said adhesive being biocompatible with placement adjacent to human skin, said adhesive able to hold to human skin strong enough to avoid un-bonding from human skin when forces associated with wound margin spreading are encountered; and the material having a porosity greater than an average porosity of human skin, such that fluids such as blood are drawn out of the skin and into the material forming the tape.

17. The method of claim 16 including the further step of allowing blood to clot within the material forming the tape.

18. The method of claim 16 including the further step of the skin being skin of a patient in excess of 80 years of age, with thin skin.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the skin being skin of a patient taking a blood thinner medication.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein a coagulant agent is provided upon or within the material forming the tape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a typical untreated cut or incision within skin, and also a partial section view taken along line A-A of the plan view of this figure.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a cut or incision which has been sutured closed, and including a partial section view taking along line B-B of this figure and also a partial section view taken along line C-C of this figure, section B-B located at a suture location and section C-C located at a midpoint between two sutures.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the healing tape of this invention being applied perpendicularly to a cut or incision within skin, the cut or incision indicated by a dashed line.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the healing tape of this invention being applied parallel to a cut or incision within skin, the cut or incision indicated by a dashed line.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a wound and showing spreading forces at margins of the wound and bodily fluid flow from the wound.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 5, but with margins of the wound closed by the healing tape of this invention, by applying a closing force.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pre-cut section of tape for use according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a wound in skin that is closed by tape of this invention, closing the wound at the surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] The healing tape is comprised of two components to heal cuts and incisions as well as other wounds and sores. In FIG. 1, plan view and Section AA, item 101 shows the two edges of a typical cut at the surface of skin before treatment; item 102 shows the center and deepest extent of the cut, and item 103 shows the two opposing sides of the cut.

[0052] For comparison FIG. 2 shows prior and existing art, not the “healing tape” invention.

[0053] Present treatment of cuts and incisions with suturing is described using FIG. 2, plan view and sections B-B and C-C.

[0054] In the plan view, item 201 is the outside edge of a typical wound with typical sutures item 202 in place along the two edges of the cut and some distance from the edge of the cut. Section B-B shows the suture thread as item 203 on the surface and 204, the same suture within or under the surface of the skin. Item 205 shows the required surgeons knot. Each suture is a separate unit and between any two sutures the skin, which is “rubbery,” is free to create an opening for blood escape and formation of scab materials, item 207. Item 206 indicates the two openings in the surface of the skin for each suture created by the needle and pulled “open” by tension in the suture thread. Scabs and scar tissue forms in each place the needle enters or exits, 206. Section C-C, item 207 shows the scab material which forms between each pair of sutures.

[0055] Item 301, 401 is the surface of surrounding skin, 302 is the tape backing, 303 is the adhesive layer or adhesive surface. The healing tape composite, including tape backing, item 302, and adhesive 303, are applied directly to and over the cut while the two sides are pressed together.

[0056] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the components and typical application of the healing tape. FIG. 3 shows a cut item 304 shorter than the width of the tape, while FIG. 4 shows a longer cut with the healing tape applied lengthwise along the cut. The healing tape is comprised of a water vapor permeable tape backing (shown as items 302 and 402) and an adhesive layer, item 303 and 403. The backing defines a first surface opposite a second surface, and also generally refers to the material which makes up the tape between the surfaces. The backing being water vapor permeable and somewhat water resistant has sufficient tensile strength to resist the relative motion or shearing of the skin, is bonded to the skin on opposite sides of a cut line during healing. The second surface, the adhesive layer (items 303 and 403), with the backing are sufficiently flexible to adapt to the curved surface of the skin. Typically the tape is at least as flexible as human skin and has an elasticity that is less than that of human skin. In one embodiment, tensile strength of the tape is about 3,000 grams per inch of tape width. The healing tape holds the two sides of the cut 304 and 404 in compressive contact while capillaries can provide blood flow to all areas and surfaces of the cut, and carry away lymph fluid and blood that is depleted of oxygen and nutrients.

[0057] Application of the tape is performed in three steps. For a short cut:

[0058] Step one, a length of healing tape of up to approximately 6 centimeters long (shorter for the smallest cuts), is placed on the skin on one side of the cut as shown in FIG. 3.

[0059] Step two requires applying pressure, arrows 305 on the cut using the adhered tape on one side and at the same time, pressure a short distance from the cut as shown by arrows 306 to force the two sides of the cut into intimate contact along its full length. Light finger pressure is adequate.

[0060] Step three requires the free end of the tape to be brought into contact with the skin while the two sides of the cut remain in intimate contact.

[0061] A longer cut, item 404, is addressed in similar fashion, the difference being the application of force and the need for the tape to be approximately 6 cm longer than the cut.

[0062] Step one—the tape is applied to the skin beyond one end of the cut.

[0063] Step two—force is applied to both sides of the cut, arrows items 405 before the tape is brought into contact with the skin where the two sides of the cut are in intimate contact. If the cut is quite long, the force and application of the tape is done in a series of identical steps.

[0064] Step three—the free end of the tape is brought into contact with the skin; a distance of about two centimeters.

[0065] The adhesive layer has sufficient bonding strength to hold opposite sides of the cut in intimate contact and to remain in place during the time required for healing. Small amounts of blood may initially escape the cut and accumulate mostly within the healing tape. Initial bonding time for the two sides of the cut has been found to be approximately an hour or slightly more. Bond strength increases with time. Leaving the healing tape in place for a week to 10 days is recommended.

[0066] During this time the tape and the cut do not require any attention. Washing the area, including the tape is permissible. Heavy force or pressure on the tape are to be avoided for at least several days.

[0067] The healing tape is also useful for promoting the healing of scrapes and sores, especially as can be had for elderly people with fragile skin. The healing tape performs the function of sutures to close a wound but without the scaring and infection probability of typical sutures or stitches as they are called.

[0068] Another type of skin wound is a torn flap. Skin, especially for elders, can be snagged and torn, producing a triangular “flap” with a 60 degree to 90 degree apex. Edges of the flap can be pulled back to be in contact with normal skin and the healing tape applied for scarless healing.

[0069] Wounds which remove an area of skin can also be protected with an application of the healing tape. The missing skin is replaced with natural skin, without using additional scaffolding type skin. Healing time for a torn flap is longer than for cuts depending on the dimensions of the missing skin.

[0070] Results of using healing tape are rapid reduction in pain; often to no pain as the tape is applied. Rapid reduction in bleeding; often no bleeding or excess bleeding. Elimination of scab formation if the two sides of the cut are in direct contact. Scabs and scar tissue cells are not formed. Instead pink skin type cells are formed which become normal color matching adjacent skin within weeks. Reduction in infections; usually to no infections. Elimination of the need to redress wounds. Since no sutures are used, elimination of the need to remove sutures. Elimination, or near elimination of scars; depending on care to close the wound.

[0071] The method of healing with healing tape can also be used on a wound that is a void in the surface of the skin; the void being preferably less than one half inch in diameter and one-eighth inch deep. In this type of wound, there are no opposite surfaces to push into contact. The steps of healing include: cleaning the void and the skin around the void if possible, applying a strip of healing tape over the cut, leaving the tape in place for over much longer than one week, the length of time determined by the width and depth of the void. Healing a void is much slower than healing a cut or tear or even a sore. Healing tape has been used to heal voids, new skin material forms under the tape without scaffolding material being used. In the observed use, new skin filled the void without leaving a scar.

[0072] FIGS. 5-8 show a wound before treatment and with the wound exhibiting a spreading force along arrow A (FIG. 5) and with bodily fluids B, such as blood discharging from the wound. In FIG. 6 the tape has been applied and a closing force, along arrow C, is holding the wound closed. FIG. 7 shows how width, length and thickness of the tape relate to each other. In one embodiment, the thickness is less than half a millimeter and the width is one-half inch, or three-quarter inch or one inch. The length can vary and is either cut to a desired length off of a spool/roll or provided in pre-cut length. FIG. 8 shows how the wound appears in elevation and how the tape closes the wound and allows bodily fluids to pass out of the wound in into or above the tape.

[0073] An adhesive 303 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 (as well as in FIG. 3). This adhesive is a contact adhesive that is non-polymerizing (does not need a polymerizing reaction to take place to have adhesive properties). Examples of this adhesive include methacrylate, polychloroprene, silicone, with or without compatible modifying resins. Other adhesive options include phenolics, terpene phenolics or phenolic-modified rosin esters; or silicone gel, acrylic or hydrogel adhesives.

[0074] This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. When embodiments are referred to as “exemplary” or “preferred” this term is meant to indicate one example of the invention, and does not exclude other possible embodiments. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified.