Abstract
A wound care dressing that combines a sodium alginate hydrogel spread and a calcium solution spray to create a transparent membrane over damaged skin eliminating the need for a secondary dressing. The calcium dissolved in alcohol displaces sodium from the hydrogel spread, resulting in the formation of the membrane. The membrane decreases healing time by fostering hemostasis, a moist wound healing environment and absorption of exudate and blood from the wound. The membrane also provides an immediate cooling effect for the damaged skin. Once the wound is cleaned, the user applies the hydrogel and covers it with a mist of spray which creates a film layer. The membrane is transparent and flexible such that the skin surface is still visible and the membrane will not be dislodged as the skin is manipulated. The dried surface of the membrane is not tacky, eliminating the need for a secondary dressing.
Claims
1. A flexible and transparent membrane cover over a tattoo and aftercare system for tattoo consisting of: a non-crosslinked, transparent hydrogel polymer network spread consisting of sodium alginate and a liquid; a mineral spray solution containing a calcium compound; a tackifier; and the flexible, transparent membrane cover being formed by treating said non-crosslinked, transparent hydrogel polymer network spread on the tattoo with the mineral spray solution.
2. The flexible and transparent membrane cover over a tattoo and aftercare system for tattoo of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel polymer network spread reacts with the mineral spray solution to form the flexible, transparent membrane cover, wherein at least one ion from said mineral spray solution is transferred to the hydrogel polymer network spread.
3. The flexible and transparent membrane cover over a tattoo and aftercare system for tattoo of claim 1, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of deionized water and alcohol.
4. The flexible and transparent membrane cover over a tattoo and aftercare system for tattoo of claim 1, wherein said tackifier is a glycerol solution.
5. The flexible and transparent membrane cover over a tattoo and aftercare system for tattoo of claim 1, wherein said mineral spray solution distributed over a layer of the hydrogel polymer network spread on a wounded skin surface creates the flexible and transparent membrane cover, wherein a proximate portion of the flexible and transparent membrane cover is adjacent to said wounded skin surface, wherein a distal portion of the flexible and transparent membrane cover is not adjacent to said wounded skin surface.
6. A flexible, transparent hydrogel membrane coating comprised of: a spreadable sodium alginate polymer network; a calcium solution; wherein said spreadable sodium alginate polymer network reacts with said calcium solution producing a flexible; transparent hydrogel membrane coating.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a view of a user with a fresh tattoo on the skin;
(2) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(3) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(4) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(5) FIG. 2 is a view of the hydrogel being spread over the tattoo;
(6) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(7) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(8) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(9) Ref. 4 is hydrogel, spread over tattooed surface by user;
(10) FIG. 3 is a view of the tattoo covered with spray;
(11) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(12) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(13) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(14) Ref. 4 is hydrogel spread over tattooed surface;
(15) Ref. 5 is mist sprayed over hydrogel;
(16) FIG. 4 is a view of the tattoo covered in film that has not set;
(17) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(18) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(19) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(20) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(21) Ref. 7 is pooled exudate beneath hydrogel and film covering;
(22) FIG. 5 is a view of the tattoo covered in film that has set;
(23) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(24) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(25) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(26) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(27) Ref. 7 is pooled exudate beneath hydrogel and film covering;
(28) FIG. 6 is a side view of film covering the tattoo and undamaged skin;
(29) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(30) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(31) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(32) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(33) Ref. 7 is pooled exudate beneath hydrogel and film covering;
(34) FIG. 7 is a front view of the tattoo covered in film;
(35) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(36) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(37) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(38) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(39) Ref. 7 is pooled exudate beneath hydrogel and film covering;
(40) FIG. 8 is a front view of the non-tacky film covering;
(41) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(42) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(43) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(44) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(45) FIG. 9 is a front view of the dry film covering;
(46) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(47) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(48) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(49) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(50) FIG. 10 is a front view of the film over tattooed skin in an extended, stretched position;
(51) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(52) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(53) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(54) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(55) FIG. 11 is a close up view of the film cover over the tattoo;
(56) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(57) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(58) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(59) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel;
(60) FIG. 12 is a close up view of the film cover over the tattoo;
(61) Ref. 1 is the freshly applied tattoo;
(62) Ref. 2 is the user's skin covered by tattoo;
(63) Ref. 3 is undamaged skin adjacent to tattoo;
(64) Ref. 6 is the film covering over tattoo and hydrogel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(65) While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may be modified, altered or varied without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the following claims.
(66) The present system and method for wound care dressing combines a hydrogel matrix and spray to create a transparent membrane or film layer. The spray interacts with the hydrogel to form a membrane over the skin which eliminates the need for a secondary dressing. The present wound care system plays a pivotal role in hemostasis, which involves constriction of the blood vessel, temporary blockage of the blood vessel and coagulation of blood until the damaged tissue is repaired. The hydrogel matrix blocks the damaged blood vessels and also keeps the coagulated blood and exudate contained and also traps moisture around the wound to promote faster healing in a moist wound healing environment. The flexible cover formed by the combination of the hydrogel matrix and the film layer also absorbs the exudate that seeps from the wound as the wound heals.
(67) FIG. 1 is a view of a user with a fresh tattoo on the skin. The tattoo is applied directly to the user's skin using needles and ink. As the tattoo is applied and the ink is deposited in the skin, ink and exudates are released from the skin. The skin immediately adjacent to the tattooed skin remains undamaged. After the completion of the tattoo, the wounded area is gently cleansed of any extraneous matter such as ink, blood, or surface exudates.
(68) FIG. 2 is a view of the hydrogel matrix being spread over the tattooed surface. Once the application of the tattoo is complete and the tattooed skin surface has been cleared of any debris or extraneous matter, the hydrogel matrix is spread over the entire tattooed area of the skin as well as the adjacent, non-wounded skin immediately surrounding the freshly tattooed skin. The extension of the hydrogel matrix onto the undamaged skin helps secure the hydrogel matrix to the wounded area adjacent to the undamaged skin. The user would then treat the hydrogel matrix spread over the wound with a spray solution. As the spray covers the hydrogel matrix, a film cover is instantaneously created over the tattoo from the interaction of the hydrogel matrix and the spray. The wound care system is functional within seconds of combining the hydrogel matrix and the spray at the surface of the skin. In addition, the surface of the film cover is smooth and not tacky as a common hydrogel would be. Since the surface is not sticky after the wound care system sets, no additional wound dressing is required as is commonly required with traditional wound dressings and hydrogels. The wound is protected from airborne bacteria and other environmental elements. In addition, the wound is still visible to the tattoo owner and any additional observers who wish to see the tattoo. The interior surface of the wound care system adjacent to the skin absorbs exudate and maintains a moist wound healing environment, which decreases the formation of the exudative crust, while the exterior surface of the wound care system blocks foreign substances from coming into contact with the wound.
(69) FIG. 3 is a view of the solution sprayed onto the surface of the hydrogel spread over the tattooed skin. As the spray covers the hydrogel matrix, a reaction occurs that creates a film cover over the wound. The wound care system is functional within seconds of combining the hydrogel matrix and the spray at the surface of the skin. In addition, after the film sets, the surface of the film is smooth and not tacky as one would expect a hydrogel coating to be. The hydrogel matrix is furthered strengthened by the presence of wound exudates as the additional moisture from the exudates keeps the hydrogel moist and strengthens the connection to the skin and tattooed surface. In addition, the wound care system decreases the formation of exudative crust, which is painful to remove and results in additional ink loss. As the exudates dries, the hydrogel matrix also dries and weakens.
(70) FIG. 4 is a view of the tattoo covered by the wound care system that has not yet set and is still moist on the exterior. Within a few seconds, the film will dry and become smooth and not tacky to touch. The film cover is transparent and flexible. The wound care system can be used on wounds or tattoos of various sizes, shapes, and diameters. The fresh tattoo can be seen by the users and passersby immediately after its application. In addition, the combined hydrogel and film cover foster a moist wound healing environment that encourages faster healing of the wound and lessens the formation of exudative crust which also decreases the loss of ink. Flexibility of the film layer is especially useful if the wound care system is to be applied over joints or in dynamic areas such as elbows, fingers, or knees. The hydrogel also gathers pooled exudate and blood and keeps them contained within the wound care system. As the exudates dries, the hydrogel matrix also dries and weakens. The drying hydrogel matrix begins to loosen from the surface of the skin. The wound care system is easily removed from the surface of the skin by gently rubbing the film surface with a moist towel until the wound care system detaches from the skin. Alternatively, the wound care system may be soaked in warm water, which will result in swelling as the hydrogel absorbs the water and will eventually release its bond to the skin.
(71) FIG. 5 is the film layer after it has set and no longer moist at the exterior surface of the film layer. The interior surface of the applied wound care system is moist, absorbs exudate and prevents excessive ink loss from the freshly applied tattoo. FIG. 6 is the wound care system covering the freshly applied tattoo and extending to the undamaged, adjacent skin. The extension of the wound care system to the undamaged skin strengthens the bond of the wound care system to the skin and help control the pooled exudate within the wound care system. FIG. 7 shows the freshly applied tattoo on the user's skin covered by the film covering of the wound care system. The system extends onto the undamaged, adjacent skin and collects exudate that oozes from the fresh tattoo. The surface is not tacky and does not require a secondary dressing. The system is also flexible and will not be disturbed or dislodged by movement of the tattooed skin. In addition, the new tattoo owner can immediately see the colors and details of the tattoo art as well as allow others to view the fresh tattoo. Traditional dressings obscure the fresh tattoo as it heals. Impatient people may be tempted to remove the dressing to view the fresh tattoo and expose the wound to pathogens in the environment.
(72) FIG. 8 shows the surface of the film covering is not tacky or wet to the touch. The film covering is securely attached to the surface of the skin, covering both the fresh tattoo and the undamaged adjacent skin. FIG. 9 shows the surface of the film covering is dry and will not leave a residue on any surface that it comes into contact with. FIG. 10 shows the flexibility of the wound care system. The film covering is securely attached to the surface of the skin and will not dislodge or detach is the skin is stretched or extended as the user moves. This is particularly helpful for tattoos applied over joints or in dynamic areas such as elbows, knees, or fingers. FIGS. 11-12 are a close up views of the film covering over the tattooed skin. The film extends to the undamaged, adjacent skin to help secure the wound care system to the freshly tattooed skin, contain pooled exudate, and to maintain a moist wound environment.
