Devices and methods for body protection against moisture and contaminants

A nonpermeable enclosure formed from a clear, waterproof fabric, has a cover ridge for insertion into a channel so as to produce a barrier against moisture and contaminants, and is attached to a closure band for securing the nonpermeable enclosure over a wearer's hand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Application is related to Provisional Patent Application entitled “Water Proof Device for Body,” filed 10 May 2015 and assigned filing No. 62/159,304, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for protection of body areas against ambient moisture and contaminants and, in particular, for protection of body wounds from water and contamination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art that care givers experience difficulty in attending to patients who have sensitive areas on their skin, or wounds that need to be kept dry. Attempting to bathe such individuals, for example, becomes challenging and difficult as certain areas of the patient's body need to be kept dry, or free from contaminants, while attempting to complete the bathing routine.

Merely covering the problem area on a patient using a conventional bandage is not acceptable, as such methods cannot guarantee that water leakage or other contamination does not occur.

What is needed is a method of protecting or sealing off part of a person's body so that the person can shower, bathe, or immerse into water or a fluid mixture, while protecting a wound or sensitive area from the water or fluid.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a protective device suitable for keeping moisture from a selected region of a body, the protective device comprising: a closure band formed from a flexible substrate, the closure band having a first channel imbedded in a first substrate surface and a first ridge disposed on a second substrate surface in a raised configuration, the closure band further having an adhesive strip on the second substrate surface for attaching the closure band to the body proximate the selected region; and a nonpermeable enclosure formed from a clear, waterproof fabric, the nonpermeable enclosure having a first cover ridge disposed on a surface of the nonpermeable enclosure in a raised configuration, the first cover ridge inserted into the first channel so as to produce a barrier against moisture and contaminants between the closure band and the nonpermeable enclosure.

In another aspect of the present invention, a protective device suitable for keeping moisture from a selected region of a body comprises: a closure band formed from a flexible plastic substrate, the closure band having a first channel and a second channel imbedded in a first substrate surface and a first ridge and a second ridge disposed on a second substrate surface in a raised configuration, the closure band further having a pair of adhesive strips on the second substrate surface for attaching the closure band to the body proximate the selected region; and a nonpermeable enclosure formed from a clear, hypoallergenic material, the protective covering having a first cover ridge and a second cover ridge disposed on a surface of the protective covering in a raised configuration, the first cover ridge inserted into the first channel so as to produce a barrier against moisture and contaminants between the closure band and the protective covering, and the second cover ridge inserted into the second channel so as to produce a second barrier.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for keeping moisture from a selected region of a body comprises the steps of: providing a closure band formed from a flexible substrate, the closure band having a channel imbedded in a first substrate surface and a ridge disposed on a second substrate surface in a raised configuration, the channel extending into the ridge, the closure band further having an adhesive strip on the second substrate surface; attaching the closure band to the selected region of the body using the adhesive strip; providing a nonpermeable enclosure configured to cover the selected region of the body, the nonpermeable enclosure having a cover ridge configured for releasable attachment to the channel; and inserting the cover ridge into the channel so as to produce a barrier against moisture and contaminants.

The additional features and advantage of the disclosed invention is set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the invention as described, together with the claims and appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and device for protecting selected areas of the body from moisture, water, or other contaminants. Basically, the device comprises a band or cuff with surface channels and ridges, and a nonpermeable protective covering. The protective covering can be adapted for placement over a hand, over a forearm, or over an expanse of a body such as the chest area. The band has one or more adhesive strips on one side for attachment to the wrist, the forearm, or the chest, for example. The protective covering may have a single opening, for covering the hand, or two openings for placement over the forearm, or may be a shallow pouch. Ridges in the protective covering serve to releasable attach the protective covering to the band or cuff. This two piece configuration allows for reuse of the band or cuff. In an alternative embodiment, the band may be fabricated integral with the protective covering to provide a single-piece unit.

There is shown inFIG. 1a single opening protective covering10comprising a nonpermeable enclosure12and a closure band20, in accordance with the present invention. In the particular embodiment shown, the protective covering10has been sized and shaped to fit over a selected region of a user's body, such as the user's hand22as shown, so as to prevent moisture or particulate matter from contacting a wound28or other injury on the user's hand22. The closure band20is: (i) first attached to the user's hand22, and (ii) the nonpermeable enclosure12is releasably fastened to the closure band20by which the nonpermeable enclosure12is secured onto the user's hand22.

The nonpermeable enclosure12functions to keep out moisture, water, and contaminants, and may accordingly be fabricated from a hypoallergenic material, such as a flexible plastic, a coated fabric, or other suitable flexible material, for example. As shown inFIG. 2, an adjustment slit16may be provided in the nonpermeable enclosure12to enable the user to close the opening14after the hand22has been inserted, and the nonpermeable enclosure12is secured onto the closure band20. In an alternative embodiment, the closure band20and the nonpermeable enclosure12may be formed as a single unitary component (not shown) by which the closure band20is secured about the user's hand22after the user's hand22has been placed into the nonpermeable enclosure12.

FIG. 3shows the closure band20in the process of being secured about the user's hand22, as indicated by the arrow. For clarity of illustration, the nonpermeable enclosure12is not shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the closure band20is formed from a flexible substrate, such as a plastic material, and comprises a first substrate surface32with a first linear channel34and a second linear channel36formed in the first substrate surface32. The closure band20further comprises a second substrate surface42, opposite the first substrate surface32, with a first linear ridge44and a second linear ridge46in a raised configuration from the second substrate surface42. With additional reference toFIG. 4, the process of securing the closure band20about the hand22includes the steps of: (i) overlapping a second end section48of the closure band20over a first end section38of the closure band20; (ii) inserting a portion of the first linear ridge44into a portion of the first linear channel34; and (iii) inserting a portion of the second linear ridge46into a portion of the second linear channel36to completely secure the closure band20. The closure band20may be trimmed to a desired length by the user, to terminate at a band end30.

FIG. 5shows the first substrate surface32of the closure band20. Note that the first linear channel34is substantially parallel to the second linear channel36.FIG. 6shows the second substrate surface42of the closure band20. As shown, the first linear ridge44is substantially parallel to the second linear ridge46. In an exemplary embodiment, there may be an adhesive strip52disposed on the second substrate surface42between an edge54and the second linear ridge46. As noted above, the adhesive strip52functions to secure the closure band20to the user's hand22. It should be understood that, in the various embodiments described herein, more or fewer adhesive strips can be used as the particular application may require.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the closure band20in a looped configuration, similar to the state of the closure band20shown inFIG. 1. It can be seen that, in the configuration shown, the first linear ridge44and the second linear ridge46are disposed on the inside of the looped closure band20, and the first linear channel34and the second linear channel36are disposed on the outside of the looped closure band20. When secured to the user's hand22, the first linear channel34and the second linear channel36face outward for attachment to a first cover ridge24and a second cover ridge26, respectively, formed in the nonpermeable enclosure12, shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 8is a cross sectional view of the closure band20viewed looking at the band end30, as indicated by Section8-8arrows inFIG. 7. For clarity of illustration, the dimensions of the linear ridges44,46, the linear channels34,36, and the thickness of the closure band substrate have been exaggerated. The second end section48is placed onto the first end section38such that the second substrate surface42of the second end section48can be removably secured to the first substrate surface32of the first end section38. When the first end section38is thus attached to the second end section48, a closed band loop is formed configured for attachment to the user's wrist.

Referring toFIG. 9, the second end section48is shown in an unsecured position above the first end section38, prior to the process of securing the closure band20. The second end section48is positioned such that the first linear ridge44on the second end section48is positioned above the first linear ridge44on the first end section38. Note that the first linear ridge44has an interior surface comprising a first substantially flat inner wall62joined to a second substantially flat inner wall64by a curved inner vertex66. Note also that the first linear ridge44has an exterior surface comprising a first substantially flat outer wall72joined to a second substantially flat outer wall74by a curved outer vertex76. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the relevant art that the linear channels34,36extend into and lie substantially inside the linear ridges44,46respectively. That is, the interior surfaces of the linear ridges are basically the linear channels, and each linear channel forms an inside surface of a respective linear ridge.

The curved inner vertex66and the curved outer vertex76function to allow the inner walls62,64to slightly move apart from one another, or to slightly move towards one another, depending on external forces. Placement of the first linear ridge44into the first linear channel34causes the first linear ridge to compress slightly. This compression also causes the outer walls72,74to bulge or move apart slightly. This results in a state of friction between the first linear ridge44and the first linear channel34, for example, and serves to retain the first linear ridge44in the first linear channel34. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the first linear ridge44is merely the reverse side of the first linear channel34. That is to say, if the linear ridges44,46are formed on one surface of the closure band20, corresponding linear channels34,36are thereby formed in the reverse surface of the closure band20.

When the closure band20is open and unsecured, the linear channels34,36and the linear ridges44,46appear as inFIG. 9. When the closure band20is secured, as shown inFIG. 8, the section of the first linear ridge44in the second end section48is placed into the section of the first linear channel34in the first end section38, an action which slightly reduces the outer dimension of the section of the first linear ridge44in the second end section48. This action also slightly increases the outer width of the first linear ridge44in the first end section38. The section of the second linear ridge46in the second end section48is similarly inserted into the section of the second linear channel36in the first end section38.

It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the insertion of the first linear ridge44into the first linear channel34functions to create a barrier40against moisture and contaminants at the attachment of the second end section48to the first end section38. The insertion of the second linear ridge46into the second linear channel36similarly functions to create a moisture and contaminant barrier. In addition, the entire circumferential lengths of the cover ridges24,26of the nonpermeable enclosure12are inserted into the entire circumferential lengths of the upper linear channels34,36shown inFIG. 8. This engagement action creates a moisture and contaminant barrier along the entire interface of the protective covering10and the nonpermeable enclosure12to effectively seal off the user's hand22from moisture and contaminants, and allows the user to insert the covered hand22into water or other fluids without concern for wetting the wound28.

In an alternative embodiment, shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, a closure band80comprises a substantially linear substrate strip82with a linear ridge84on one side, and a corresponding substantially linear channel86on the reverse side of the substrate strip82. An adhesive strip88may be provided adjacent the linear ridge84.

In yet another embodiment, shown inFIG. 12, a closure band90comprises a substantially linear substrate strip92, a pair of substantially parallel linear ridges94formed on the substrate strip92, a first adhesive strip96disposed between one of the linear ridges94and one side of the linear substrate strip92, and a second adhesive strip98disposed between the other of the linear ridges94and another side of the linear substrate strip92. The closure band90can be used where a greater amount of adhesive is desired to keep the closure band90attached to and in place on the user's hand22.

FIG. 13is an illustration of a protective sleeve100used on a selected region of the user's body, such as the forearm102of the user, to provide protection against contamination of a wound104, for example. The protective sleeve100comprises a substantially cylindrical nonpermeable enclosure110, a first closure band106near the user's wrist, and a second closure band108near the user's elbow. As shown inFIG. 14, the cylindrical nonpermeable enclosure110includes a first cover ridge112and a second cover ridge114configured to fasten to the first closure band106, and a third cover ridge116and a fourth cover ridge118configured to fasten to the second closure band108, similar to the fastening configuration of the protective covering10with the closure band20shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 14shows more explicitly that the cover ridges112,114are disposed on an inner cylindrical surface122of the cylindrical nonpermeable enclosure110. Adjustment slits124, and corresponding adhesive strips126, are provided at both ends of the cylindrical nonpermeable enclosure110so as to provide adjustment on the user's forearm and insure a water-tight fit. As shown inFIG. 13, the cylindrical nonpermeable enclosure110may have a slight taper so as to more closely conform to the shape of the user's forearm102.

FIG. 15show an exemplary embodiment of a curved closure band130configured for use where the straight closure bands20,80, and90might cause occlusion of blood flow in the user's hand22. The curved closure band130comprises a first curved ridge134and a second curved ridge136on a first surface of a substrate132, with two adhesive strips138disposed between the curved ridges134,136and adjacent edges of the substrate132. Corresponding curved channels142and144are shown on the reverse side of the substrate132, inFIG. 16.

In an alternative embodiment, shown inFIG. 17, a curved closure band150includes a first curved ridge152and a second curved ridge154on the substrate132. The curved closure band150includes a single adhesive strip156.FIGS. 18 and 19illustrate the manner in which the curved closure bands130and150may be secured on the user's arm22. An extended sleeve160has a curved sleeve end162shaped to conform to the curved closure bands130and150, as shown inFIG. 20. The extended sleeve160includes a first curved ridge164and a second curved ridge166conforming to the sizes and shapes of the curved ridges134,136, shown inFIG. 15, and of the curved ridges152,154, shown inFIG. 17. Attachment of the extended sleeve160to the curved closure bands130and150includes the insertion of the curved ridges164,166into the corresponding curved channels142,144, a method similar to the attachment method of securing the protective covering10to the closure band20as described above.

FIG. 21shows a closure cuff170that can be used on the user's wrist158to secure a conforming protective covering over the user's forearm102. The closure cuff170comprises a substrate172having a crested shape, a first linear ridge174and a second linear ridge176at the base of the substrate172, and a strip of adhesive178along the curved border of the substrate172.FIG. 22shows the linear channels184,186formed with the corresponding linear ridges174,176at the base of the substrate172.

FIGS. 23 and 24show the closure cuff170as may be worn on the user's wrist158. When in place, a protective sleeve180may be attached to the closure cuff170by inserting sleeve ridges188into the linear channels174,176of the closure cuff170, inFIG. 25, similar to the method used for securing the protective covering10to the closure band20as described above.

Shown inFIG. 26is a protective pouch covering190adapted for use over a flat area of a user's body, such as the chest region. The protective pouch covering190comprises a nonpermeable enclosure pouch192generally shaped as a shallow pouch, and fabricated from a plastic material, a coated fabric, or other suitable flexible material, for example. The nonpermeable enclosure pouch192includes an annular lip194serving as the perimeter of the shallow pouch, where the annular lip194has a first cover ridge196and a second cover ridge198formed in the annular lip194. It should be understood that the annular lip195is shaped as a closed curve, and need not be circular. Hence, the cover ridges196,198are not necessarily circular in shape. A slit202and an adjacent strip of adhesive204are provided in the nonpermeable enclosure pouch192to allow for adjustment in the dimensions of the protective pouch covering190, as may be required.

As shown inFIG. 27, a circumferential band200has been placed so as to enclose a selected region of the user's body. In the example shown, the circumferential band comprises a closed loop that has been placed about a wound208on the chest of a patient. The configuration of the circumferential band200may be similar to the configuration of the linear band90, shown inFIG. 12above. That is, the circumferential band200may comprise a circumferential substrate212having a first circumferential channel216and a second circumferential channel218formed in the circumferential substrate212. At least one circumferential strip of adhesive206may be provided on the reverse side of the circumferential substrate212to enable a user to secure the circumferential band200to the chest of the patient, or to another selected region of the user's body.

FIG. 28illustrates a method of attaching the protective pouch covering190to the circumferential band200by inserting the cover ridges196,198into the respective circumferential channels216,218. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the relevant art that the disclosed system of providing a protective covering for the wound208allows for replacement of the protective pouch covering190as desired, without the need to also replace the circumferential band200.

It is to be understood that the description herein is only exemplary of the invention, and is intended to provide an overview for the understanding of the nature and character of the disclosed devices and methods for providing protection from ambient moisture and contaminants. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of various features and embodiments of the method and devices of the invention which, together with their description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.