Abstract:
Adhesive bandages/shield/cover with at least one raised non-adhesive portion which is elevated above the at least one adhesive layer with attached water temperature gauge indicator. The raised non-adhesive portion is peripherally surrounded by an adhesive layer with attached water temperature gauge indicator and is designed to protect surgical sites and cutaneous wounds as well as any other skin malady. Neither the raised non-adhesive portions of the bandage/shield/cover nor the adhesive layer with attached water temperature gauge indicator are in contact with the cutaneous layer which is the subject of the sought protection, with the adhesive layer with attached water gauge temperature indicator coming into contact only with the area surrounding the affected site which can result in the reduction or elimination of exposure to moisture and/or contaminates, and the correct water temperature can be indicated to eliminate any scalding of the skin. In addition, the surgical site or cutaneous wound is protected from force or impact. The raised non-adhesive portion may also be transparent to provide for monitoring of the surgical site or cutaneous wound while the surgical site or cutaneous wound remains protected.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Throughout the lengthy history of medicine, a common and serious problem has been discovering new and improved ways of keeping wounds, cutaneous surgical sites, infant umbilical cords and other cutaneous maladies clean, dry and safe from water scalding which could cause serious problems in facilitating rapid healing. This is especially difficult when some aspect of the wound is raised in such a way that traditional bandages and shields cannot adequately cover it in any type of sealed way, and/or the elevated plane and differing surfaces of some wounds raise the bandage unevenly which can allow air and water to potentially make contact with the wound which is already very sensitive and delicate. In addition, the strip shape of traditional bandages and shields does not offer any sort of seal, a water temperature indicator or added protection along all the edges, particularly, as is the case in some traditional bandages and shields which have gauze in the central portion of the inner face of the bandage. 
         [0002]    This difficulty arises, for example, in the case of newborn babies, where the remaining umbilical stump resulting from the severing of the umbilical cord is extremely delicate and prone to infection. Medical professionals advise to keep this umbilical remnant clean and dry to facilitate its eventual healing and subsequent dropping off. Keeping a newborn clean and dry is already challenging, especially with regard to the stump which is in close proximity to body parts which need to be washed regularly and at the correct water temperature to avoid other localized infection. In this way, there is a need for a solution which can keep the umbilical stump protected, dry, and safe from any skin burns during such activities such as bathing, which at the same time does not come into contact with the stump which can result in discomfort, skin scarring and possible irritation. Traditional bandages and shields are simply not designed for such tasks. 
         [0003]    An additional cutaneous issue is trying to keep peripherally inserted central catheter lines (hereinafter, “PICC lines”) and other medical apparatuses such as accessed ports dry and safe from unhealthy elevated water temperature while at the same time allowing the patient to live a normal life in which bathing and occasional exposure to moisture is an unavoidable necessity. Traditional adhesive bandages and shields also fail in this regard as the adhesive is often not water resistant, and doesn&#39;t have a water temperature indicator. In addition, the issue of a raised surface, previously discussed, makes it difficult to have any full coverage over an uneven area without the possibility of resulting air pockets gapping and subsequent potential introduction of moisture, bacteria and/or other foreign matter. This is crucial as the skin is very fragile and sensitive. Any exposure to elevated water temperature could cause severe long term problems and scarring which could cause physical, emotional, and mental issues, particularly when there is no protective adhesive layer surrounding every edge of the bandage. In addition, traditional bandages and shields have continuous contact with the skin which can further irritate the area of contact with the bandage and prolong healing time, not to mention causing pain to the area with the potential of constant rubbing and/or contact. Along the same lines, removal of traditional bandages from cutaneous wounds or surgical sites can be extremely painful as there is a potential that the adhesive portion will have adhered to at least part of the cutaneous wound or surgical site. 
         [0004]    The same challenge of keeping an area clean and dry is also inherent in cases where there are sutures or stitches. One is often advised that such areas be kept dry which is challenging in one&#39;s day to day life. Again, traditional bandages and shields which often have an adhesive layer which is located close to the wound site can stick to the wound resulting in discomfort and in other cases the possibility of accidental pulling and/or removal of the stitches or sutures. 
         [0005]    Traditional bandages and shields also do not allow for monitoring of the wound site. Once a traditional bandage is applied, the cutaneous wound or surgical site beneath it is not visible as it is covered by the bandage. The unknown state of the cutaneous wound or surgical site can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety, especially in cases in which it is imperative to keep such sites completely clean and dry. In the course of bathing or other exposure, one is not able to determine if the bandage is actually successful in keeping the wound clean, dry and safe from elevated water temperature. This introduces the real and dangerous possibility of wounds being subjected and/or exposed to prolonged moisture contact which is potentially extremely damaging. In the alternative, if one is able to monitor the wound site, one is able to immediately discontinue contact with moisture should there be even an infinitesimal amount of leakage, which reduces the amount of damage which may result from prolonged exposure. 
         [0006]    A further longstanding problem with traditional bandages and shields relates to cutaneous wound and surgical site protection. Traditional bandages and shields are generally formed completely with soft and flexible material. This material is usually lightweight and is not capable of protecting the cutaneous wound or surgical site from any external force. In this way, traditional bandages and shields expose the covered area to potential harm from force which can be extremely damaging to the cutaneous wound or surgical site as well as being painful and prolonging the healing process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In accordance with the following disclosure, the problem of cutaneous wound or surgical site exposure and irritation can be avoided by a bandage/shield/cover with a raised non-adhesive portion which is essentially peripherally surrounded by a partially adhesive layer with an attached water temperature gauge indicator. The partially adhesive layer with an attached water temperature gauge indicator can be formed into one or many tabs which can result in various different shapes of the bandage/shield/cover which enhances the ease by which the bandage is applied and removed, while also greatly reducing the possibility of skin puckering beneath the bandage. There is also a partition of the shield that has an additional tab located on the outer layer of the shield with no adhesive which allows for easy removal of the shield. The inclusion or exclusion of tabs also allows for customization of the shield and allows the shield to better form to fit different body parts, which in turn decreases the possibility of gapping and/or lifting as a result of movement. The bandage/shield/cover can be circular or ovular in shape and can also be water resistant. A temperature gauge strip is added along the rim to allow correct water temperature for newborn so their skin will not be damaged by unsafe water temperature. With regard to the appearance of the bandage/shield/cover, it can be all or partially transparent as a means by which the covered area can be continuously monitored. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an environmental view depicting an application of a bandage/shield/cover according to the accompanying disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a bandage/shield/cover in accordance with the current disclosure, depicted in a first exemplary application of use. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a bandage/shield/cover in accordance with the current disclosure, depicted in a second exemplary application of use. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bandage/shield in accordance with the current disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the bandage/shield/cover depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the bandage/shield depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of the bandage/shield/cover depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side view of one embodiment of a bandage/shield/cover in accordance with the accompanying disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of a bandage/shield/cover in accordance with the accompanying disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferred bandage/shield/cover  100  in accordance with the current disclosure in one possible field of use. In this particular embodiment, the shield  100  is depicted as being used as a protective layer which covers an umbilical stump  5  and the water temperature gauge indicator is flush with the cover and lays flat on the newborn&#39;s skin ( 114 ),  FIG. 2 . The protective layer can be water resistant and can adequately measure the temperature of the water so the newborn&#39;s skin doesn&#39;t burn ( 114 ). For example, the umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 , of a newborn baby is very delicate and must remain intact (with the infant) until the stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 , naturally drops off. This manner of use of the bandage/shield/cover  100  can be utilized as a means of protecting the stump  5 ,  FIG. 2  during such activities which may cause potential harm to the umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 , such as bathing of the newborn. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of a bandage/shield/cover  100  with adhesive layer  111 , with the attached water temperature gage indicator ( 114 ) and raised non-adhesive portion  112 .  FIG. 2  depicts the bandage  100  in a field of use covering an umbilical stump  5 . In this embodiment, the raised non-adhesive portion  112  is shown as transparent with the purpose of being able to view the stump  5  and monitor for leakage during activities such as bathing, and the temperature gauge strip will allow for accurate water temperature but it need not be transparent and may also be opaque. Umbilical stumps  5  are extremely sensitive and delicate and the raised non-adhesive portion  112  is not in contact with the stump as to avoid irritation and discomfort. In addition, the raised non-adhesive portion and the non adhesive tab on the outer layer of bandage/shield/cover  112  makes removal of the bandage/shield/cover  100  much easier and less dangerous as there is a greatly reduced chance that the slightly adhesive portion will come into contact with the sensitive stump which could potentially result in the bandage/shield/cover sticking to the stump  5  and pulling painfully during removal which is a common problem with prior art bandages in which the non-adhesive area lies flat against the skin. In addition, it doesn&#39;t have any water temperature gauge indicator which could cause extreme and sever skin damage, and is not elevated above the adhesive portion which surrounds it nor does it have an additional non-adhesive tab. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  depicts the bandage/shield/cover  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in another possible field of use with the adhesive layer  111  with an attached water temperature gauge indicator portion ( 114 ) and raised non-adhesive portion  112 .  FIG. 3  depicts the bandage/shield/cover  100  covering a raised cutaneous wound  6 , although the bandage/shield/cover can be used to cover or protect any other cutaneous surface malady as well as medical apparatuses (including but not limited to PICC lines, accessed ports, sutures, stitches and other surgical sites), in the same way. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , raised non-adhesive portion  112  protects the cutaneous wound  6  from exposure to moisture and other contaminates. The adhesive layer  111  and  114  can also be water resistant and temperature sensitive. The attached water temperature gauge indicator ( 114 ) allows for accurate and safe water temperature for bathing so the delicate and sensitive skin does not get damaged or scalded which can lead to further care. The raised non-adhesive portion  112  can also be transparent to allow for monitoring of the site. Again, as is depicted in  FIG. 2 , the raised non-adhesive portion  112  is not in contact with the wound  6  in order to avoid irritation, discomfort, and burn which is different from prior art bandages/shields/covers in which the non-adhesive gauze is not raised above the adhesive layer nor does it have an additional non adhesive tab for easy removal. In addition, because the bandage/shied/cover  100  has no contact with the cutaneous wound site  6 , and the raised portion  112  is non-adhesive there is a greatly decreased risk of the raised portion of the bandage/shield/cover  100  adhering to the wound  6  during removal of the bandage. Not only does this feature decrease the chances of the pain and irritation to a patient which could result from having to remove an adhesive layer from a wound  6 , but it also decreases the risk of an adhesive layer with an attached water temperature gauge indicator coming into contact with sutures or stitches and inadvertently ripping them out during the removal process (ripping out stitches or sutures during the healing process can not only be painful, but potentially dangerous as well and the raised non-adhesive portion also decreases the likelihood of this occurrence). 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  depicts the bandage/shield/cover  100  in  FIGS. 1-5 and 8  with the adhesive layer  111 , an attached water temperature gauge indicator portion  114 , and a raised non-adhesive portion and temperature gauge strip  112 , all of which can be formed from any durable and flexible material including but not limited to silicone, rubber, or fabric all of which can be water resistant. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  is completely peripherally affixed (by adhesive or other method) to the rim of the base of the raised non-adhesive portion  112  which can be dome shaped; the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gage indicator  114 , extending outward from the periphery of the rim of the base of the raised non-adhesive portion  112  such that the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  is absent underneath the raised non-adhesive portion  112 , such that neither the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator gauge  114  nor the raised non-adhesive portion  112  come into contact with the cutaneous wound  6 ,  FIG. 3 , or umbilical stump,  5 ,  FIG. 2 , while the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  extends outward from the edges of the base of the raised non-adhesive portion  112  and adheres to the skin surrounding the raised non-adhesive portion  112 , securing the bandage/shield/cover  100  into place. 
         [0021]    Additionally, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , several tabs  113  are shown. For example, the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  can be shaped into one or several tabs  113 . These tabs  113  contribute to the ease of application and removal of the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114 . The tabs  113  depicted in  FIG. 4  are rounded, however this need not be the case and the tabs can be presented in several different shapes.  FIG. 4  shows five tabs  113 , however there can be more or fewer tabs which can be either uniform in shape or variable in shape. All of the different shapes will have a temperature gage indicator and a non adhesive tab. The tabs  113  also serve another important purpose in that they allow for more ease of movement of the area, onto which the bandage/shield/cover  100  is applied. For example, it is ordinarily desirable for living beings to move and the addition of one or several tabs creates a bandage/shield/cover which has enhanced flexibility over a bandage/shield/cover of the prior art, which tends to gap, especially in the center (i.e. over a wound  6 ,  FIG. 3 , or an umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 ) with different types of movement. This gapping is undesirable as it exposes the wound site to unwanted moisture and other elements including contaminates. Providing tabs  113 , the number of which can be chosen to best accommodate the region of the body to which the bandage/shield/cover is applied, can greatly customize the fit of the bandage/shield/cover  100  to its particular intended application, thereby substantially reducing the risk of gapping and the resulting risk of exposure. The raised non-adhesive portion  112  is again depicted and is virtually completely peripherally bordered by the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114 . Depending on its fabrication, the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  may also be re-adherable such that it can be reused many times, which is especially useful in cases in which it is only adhered for a short period of time such as during bathing. The water temperature gauge indicator  114  is bonded onto the adhesive layer  111  and is re-usable many times as well. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  depicts the bandage/shield/cover  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 4  including the adhesive layer  111 , with the attached water temperature gauge  114  with the raised non-adhesive portion  112 . In this embodiment, the adhesive layer,  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  is again depicted as being shaped into several tabs  113  which aid in easing the process of removing the adhesive layer. In addition, the multiple tabs  113  allow the bandage/shield/cover  100  to be applied in such a way as to adhere more continuously with the body of a patient, so as to greatly reduce the chance of under bandage skin puckering (which can lead to discomfort and wound leakage). 
         [0023]    The tabs  113  also provide the potential for shapes which can be appropriate and popular with children. The bandage/shield/cover  100  of  FIG. 5  also depicts that the raised non-adhesive layer  112  is surrounded entirely by the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114 , which borders the raised portion  112  completely. For example, with respect to the bandage/shield/cover  100  of  FIG. 5 , there is no part of the raised non-adhesive portion  112  which creates the edge of the bandage. Encircling the elevated non-adhesive portion  112  with the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  provides heightened structural security for the bandage  100 . There is essentially not one portion of the raised non-adhesive portion  112  which is not anchored by the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114 . The anchoring by the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  greatly reduces the chances of lifting of the bandage/shield/cover  100  or gapping of the bandage  100  which can result in the wound site  6 ,  FIG. 3  or umbilical stump,  5   FIG. 2 , being exposed to unwanted elements (such as moisture or contaminates, which are a prevalent problem with prior art strip shaped bandages/shield/cover having edges which are not anchored by any adhesive). The safety portion of the water temperature gauge indicator  114  allows the delicate and sensitive skin to stay clean and safe from any harmful, deadly, scarring situations that could occur during bathing. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  depicts a bandage/shield/cover  200  with an adhesive layer  211 , with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214 , and raised non-adhesive layer  212 . In this embodiment, the adhesive layer  211  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214  is rounded and has no angular edges. Oftentimes, with cutaneous wounds  6 ,  FIG. 3  or umbilical stumps  5 ,  FIG. 2 , the surrounding area is sensitive. This embodiment is devoid of any tabs resulting in an alternate mode of removal as only one rounded edge needs to be peeled upward in order to facilitate the removal of the bandage in its entirety which reduces the potential irritation which may be caused by having to peel or lift the bandage/shield/cover at multiple sites. In this embodiment, the raised non-adhesive portion  212  can be dome shaped and peripherally attached at the rim of its base to the adhesive layer  211  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214  which extends radially outward from the raised non-adhesive portion  212 . Neither the raised non-adhesive portion  212  which is raised above the adhesive layer  211  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214 , nor the adhesive layer are in contact with the wound  6 ,  FIG. 3 , or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2  which the bandage/shield/cover  200  covers. Both the raised non-adhesive portion  212  and the adhesive layer  211  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214  may be formed from any polymer or other material which can be flexible and water resistant. The raised non-adhesive portion  212  and the adhesive layer  211  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214  need not be made from the same material and the raised non-adhesive portion  212  may be reinforced in order to make it thicker than the adhesive layer  211  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  214 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  depicts a bandage/shield/cover  300  with partially adhesive layer  311  and the attached water temperature gauge indicator  314  and raised non-adhesive portion  312 . In this embodiment, the adhesive layer  311  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  314  is again shaped into separate tabs  313  for easy application and removal.  FIG. 7  depicts four such tabs  313  although again, there may be a greater number of tabs or a lesser number thereof. For example, as was discussed earlier, the bandage  100 ,  300  is highly customizable with regard to the addition of tabs  113 ,  313  or as in  FIG. 6 , the absence of any tabs. This customizable nature results in the adhesive bandage/shield/cover ( 100 ,  200 ,  300 ) being capable of securely covering various different types of wounds  6 ,  FIG. 3 , and umbilical stumps  5 ,  FIG. 2 , in addition to being able to be tailored to best fit a plethora of different body parts. For example, a bandage/shield/cover which is shaped to fit perfectly on an elbow might not be the same shape as a bandage/shield/cover which is shaped to fit perfectly on a forehead. Again, the raised non-adhesive portion  112 ,  212 ,  312  is depicted completely, peripherally surrounded by the adhesive layer with the attached water temperature gauge indicator (respectively  111 ,  211 ,  311 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314 ). 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  depicts a side view of the bandage/shield/cover  100 ,  FIGS. 1-5 and 8  with adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  and raised non-adhesive portion  112 .  FIG. 8  depicts the raised non-adhesive portion  112  which allows for discontinuous contact of the bandage/shield/cover  100  with the cutaneous wound  6 ,  FIG. 3  or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 , which results in a decreased chance of irritation or rubbing to the cutaneous wound  6 ,  FIG. 3  or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 8  show the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  peripherally attached to the edges of the raised non-adhesive portion  112  such that the raised non-adhesive portion  112  forms a dome shape which has no contact with a wound  6 ,  FIG. 3  or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2  beneath it and is secured by the adhesive layer  111  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  114  which extends outward from the raised non-adhesive portion  112 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 9  depicts another side view of a bandage/shield/cover  400 , with adhesive layer  411  and the attached water temperature gauge indicator  415  with a rigid or more resistant raised portion  414 . In this embodiment, the raised non-adhesive layer  414  is comprised of a rigid or non-flexible material such as plastic or other polymer which protects the wound from stronger forces or impacts as well as protecting the wound  6 ,  FIG. 3 , or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 , from exposure to moisture or other contaminates. In this embodiment, the raised non-adhesive layer  414  is cup shaped. The adhesive layer  411  can be permanently affixed peripherally at the rim of its base by an adhesive or other means. The adhesive layer  411  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  415  extends outward from the base of the raised non-adhesive portion  414  and the adhesive layer  411  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  415  adheres to the skin surrounding the wound  6 ,  FIG. 3  or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2  site. Neither the raised non-adhesive portion  414 , nor the adhesive layer  411  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  415  are in contact with the wound  6 ,  FIG. 3 , or umbilical stump  5 ,  FIG. 2 . As in the previous embodiments, the rigid raised portion  414  is completely peripherally surrounded by the adhesive layer  411  with the attached water temperature gauge indicator  415  and can also have no tabs or several tabs. In addition, the rigid raised portion  414  can be transparent or opaque.