Abstract:
A protective cover for a site on a patient is provided which provides an effective moisture barrier to the site. The cover includes a first, absorptive layer which absorbs and wicks away any accumulated moisture on the site to keep the site dry and contaminant free, and a second, waterproof layer which precludes penetration of moisture and other such external effects to keep both the first layer and the site dry. Cuffs formed on open end portions of the second layer direct water and other such contaminants away from potential points of entry, thereby providing a further level of protection to the first layer and the site.

Description:
This is a Continuation in Part of application Ser. No. 10/956,029 filed Oct. 4, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a protective cover. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     Patients who have an injury to a particular area, or site, on the body which requires a relatively long healing time and/or protection from external elements, or who have a medical condition which requires access to a port site for periodic administration of medication, often have difficulty protecting these sites from contamination or damage due to external influences. One such site may be a wound, perhaps requiring stitches or administration of topical medication under a sterile dressing to facilitate the healing process. However, exposure to external elements, such as, for example, water and detergents during bathing, is often detrimental to the healing process, even when the site is covered by a sterile dressing. 
     Another such site may be a port insertion site. Ports are often inserted into the body of a patient to facilitate the administration of fluid and/or drug therapy, as well as for the drawing of fluids, such as blood, from a patient. These ports may be left in place for extended periods of time so that medical personnel (and/or the patient) need only to access the port to administer fluids and/or draw samples, rather than relying on temporary methods, such as a needle and syringe, which may be uncomfortable and time consuming. 
     An example of one such body port is a peripheral intravenous central catheter (PICC). A PICC is a long, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein in a patient&#39;s arm and threaded up into a larger vein above the heart. Medications flowing into the PICC are mixed with and carried by the blood into the bloodstream. The PICC may be left in for extended periods of time for patients requiring repeated infusion type therapy. Although this arrangement facilitates the administration of fluid therapy when required, it also leaves the PICC exposed when not in use, leaving it vulnerable to damage and contamination. This can be particularly problematic when bathing, as the PICC may be exposed to water, detergents, and the like which may contaminate the PICC and cause infection at the entry site. 
     Additionally, many patients may feel self conscious with an exposed PICC. Ace bandages are sometimes wrapped and secured around the port site, but these are bulky and uncomfortable to wear, do not provide ready access to the port when required, are difficult to put on and secure with one hand, and do not provide effective protection against water and/or detergents when bathing. Stockinette-type webbing is also sometimes used, but its limited elasticity and web like structure prove uncomfortable and ill fitting, do not prevent disturbance of the PICC, and likewise do not provide any protection while bathing. 
     Still another such site may include a cast. While a cast is typically put in place to facilitate a proper setting and healing of a bone, and not necessarily to facilitate healing of an external wound, there are still many instances in which a cast may require protection against external effects, such as water and detergents during bathing, which can easily cause degradation of the structural integrity of the cast, cause infection to the skin beneath the cast, and ultimately affect the quality of healing. 
     The typical solution to the problem of protecting these sites (wounds, ports, casts, and the like) while bathing, whether the site is covered by a sterile dressing or not, is to extend a plastic bag over the site and secure the bag in place with a string, or perhaps an elastic band. However, there are numerous disadvantages associated with this type of system. 
     A relatively minimal external force applied to an unfitted bag secured by a string or elastic band may cause slippage or movement, thus possibly exposing the site and/or a sterile dressing covering the site, to damaging moisture and the like. Further, the integrity of the bag is unknown, thus possibly allowing water to seep into the dressing and/or the site through holes in the bag. The bag is unlikely to be sterile, allowing for contamination of the dressing and/or the site by something other than water while bathing. Further, an unfitted bag cannot provide any positive retention, and slippage/friction may cause further damage to the site. Additionally, if a site to be protected happens to be on a patient&#39;s arm, the closed end of the bag must necessarily also be fitted over the patient&#39;s hand, and the patient essentially loses the use of that hand while the bag is in place. 
     These types of protective measures do not provide a fast, efficient, effective moisture barrier, either to the site itself, or to a sterile dressing which may be covering the site. Moisture damage to a sterile dressing usually results in that moisture penetrating the dressing and contaminating the site it is supposed to protect. Moisture damage to the sterile dressing also requires that the dressing be changed in order to maintain a sterile environment around the site, resulting in added expense, time, and inconvenience to both the patient and the care provider. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter. 
     A protective cover for a site on a patient according to embodiments of the invention is provided, including a first, absorptive layer which covers the site, and a second, waterproof layer which covers the first layer and precludes entry of moisture and other contaminants. 
     Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a site on an arm of a patient which requires protection; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of a first layer of a protective cover for the site shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of the first layer shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 1D  shows the first layer of  FIG. 1B  positioned and secured on the site shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1E  shows a second layer of a protective cover for the site shown in  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1F  shows the second layer of  FIG. 1E  positioned atop the first layer shown in  FIG. 1D ; 
         FIGS. 1G-1I  show the second layer of  FIGS. 1E and 1F  secured atop the first layer shown in  FIG. 1D ; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a site on an arm of a patient which requires protection; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of a first layer of a protective cover for the site shown in  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2C  shows the first layer of  FIG. 2B  positioned and secured on the site shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a side view of a second layer of a protective cover for the site shown in  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 2E and 2F  show the second layer of  FIG. 2D  positioned and secured on the first layer shown in  FIG. 2C . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is directed to a cover for a site on a patient which is associated with, for example, a wound or a port, either of which may or may not be covered by a sterile dressing, a cast, or any other such site which requires protection, and especially to a cover configured to provide protection from external elements to which a site may be exposed during, for example, bathing. The cover may be placed directly on the site, or may be positioned so as to provide a moisture barrier to a sterile dressing positioned over the site. For purposes of discussion, any references to the “site” to be protected may also include a sterile dressing covering such a site. Certain embodiments of the invention are in the form of a flat first layer covered by a flat second layer, each layer being configured to be sequentially positioned on a body portion of a patient and secured in place by an appropriate securing mechanism. 
     In one embodiment, the first layer may be a substantially rectangular layer which is wrapped around a body portion so as to cover a site, and may or may not overlap itself, depending on the patient&#39;s particular needs. In other embodiments the first layer may be of a shape suited to a particular site, and sized to cover only the site. Likewise, the second layer may be a substantially rectangular layer which is wrapped around a body portion so as to cover and protect the first layer, and thus, the site, and is sized and/or shaped based on a size and/or shape of the first layer. 
     The first layer may be, for example, formed of a material which absorbs any moisture which may collect on or near the site and/or the dressing and which wicks that moisture away from the surface of the first layer which contacts the site to maintain a dry, contaminant free environment in the area proximate the site. This moisture may be generated by the site due to, for example, sweating, condensation due to heat generated in the area proximate the site, seepage of a wound, and the like. The first layer is preferably disposable so as to preclude site contamination due to the first layer itself, and to further maintain a sterile environment proximate the site. The first layer may be secured in place over the site in various ways, including but not limited to securing mechanisms provided at ends of the layer, such as, for example, tape, hook and loop fasteners, ties, drawstrings, elastic elements and the like. 
     After positioning the first layer over the site and/or wrapping the first layer about the body portion on which the site is located, the second layer may be positioned atop the first layer so as to protect the first layer from external elements such as, for example, water and detergents to which a patient is exposed during bathing. The second layer is preferably formed of a material which repels moisture generated on the outer, external side of the cover. The second layer may be a waterproof material such as, for example, latex, vinyl, or plastic. The second layer may also be disposable so as to preclude site contamination due to the second layer itself and further maintain a sterile environment proximate the site. The second layer may be secured in place over the first layer in various ways, including but not limited to securing mechanisms provided at ends of the layer, such as, for example, adhesive tape or bands, hook and loop fasteners, ties, drawstrings, elastic elements and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, after the second layer is wrapped about the appropriate body portion and secured in place atop the first layer, ends of the second layer may be folded over so as to use gravity to further direct water, detergents, and the like away from the site. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second layers may each be formed as a tubular, or sack-like member having one end thereof closed, and the other end thereof open so as to fully protect a site on, for example, an extremity, such as, for example, a cast positioned on a hand and arm of a patient, or a cast positioned on a foot and leg of a patient. Similar to other embodiments, in this embodiment, the extremity may be inserted into the first layer through its open end, and then the first layer may be secured as described above. The extremity covered by the first layer may then be inserted into a second layer, and the second layer secured atop the first layer as described above. In this manner, the first and second layers serve to fully protect the site from external contamination by providing coverage to the entire site. 
     The invention will now be discussed referring to specific embodiments of the invention disclosed in  FIGS. 1A-2F  of the present application. 
       FIGS. 1A-1I  depict an embodiment of the invention wherein a cover for a site on a patient is fitted onto the site. Although a port site on an arm of a patient may be referred to and used as an example, this is done merely for ease of discussion, and it is well understood that the invention as embodied and broadly described herein may be applied to any number and types of sites which require protection, and that a site to be covered may also include a sterile dressing positioned on the site. Likewise, although tape may be referred to and used as an example of an appropriate securing mechanism used to secure each of the layers, this is done merely for ease of discussion, and it is well understood that the invention as embodied and broadly described herein may include any number, type, and combination of securing mechanisms without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a site  5  on an arm of a patient which requires protection from the external elements to which it is exposed while bathing.  FIG. 1B  is a top view of a first layer  10  configured to be fitted atop the site  5  and secured in place with a tape  15 , and  FIG. 1C  is a side view of the first layer shown in  FIG. 1B . The site  5  may or may not include a sterile dressing. In one embodiment of the invention, the first layer  10  may be made of an absorbent coated type material, with the side of the first layer  10  which contacts the site  5 , or the absorbent portion  11 , made of a highly absorbent paper or fabric weave to effectively absorb and wick moisture away from the site  5 . A coating portion  12  may be applied to the absorbent portion  11  on the side of the first layer  10  which does not contact the site  5 . The coating portion  12  may be made of a thin plastic, latex, rubber, or other such material to contain any moisture collected by the absorbent portion  11  of the first layer  10  within the first layer  10 . The first layer  10  may be wrapped around the site  5  several times to provide added moisture protection and wicking to the site  5 , and may be adjusted (i.e., overlapped as necessary) to properly fit around the patient&#39;s arm so as to provide a proper fit. The tape  15  is then easily secured to whatever portion of the first layer  10  necessary to secure the first layer  10  in place and provide a proper fit, as shown in  FIG. 1D . 
       FIG. 1E  shows a second layer  20  configured to be fitted atop the first layer  10 , adjusted, and secured in place with tape  25 . It is noted that, in this particular embodiment, a first tape  25   a  is provided on an outer, external side of the second layer  20  which is exposed to the elements, while a second tape  25   b  is provided on an inner side of the second layer  20  which contacts the first layer  10 . Similar to the first layer  10 , as the second layer  20  is wrapped around the site  5 , the second layer  20  may be adjusted (i.e., overlapped as necessary) to properly fit around the patient&#39;s arm and the first layer  10  so as to provide a proper fit, as shown in  FIG. 1F . The first tape  25   a  may then be easily secured to whatever portion of the second layer  20  necessary to secure that end of the second layer  20  in place and provide a proper fit, as shown in  FIG. 1G . The opposite end of the second layer  20  is, at this point, not yet secured by the second tape  25   b . Ends  27   a  and  27   b  of the second layer  20  may be folded over as shown in  FIG. 1H  to form cuffs  29   a  and  29   b  at each end of the second layer  20 . The second tape  25   b , which was exposed as the end  27   b  was folded over, may then be secured, and the end  27   b  folded over again to form a cuff  29   b  as shown in  FIG. 1I . The cuffs  29   a  and  29   b  provide a more secure waterproof seal and use gravity to naturally direct the flow of water, detergents, and the like away from potential points of entry  28   a  and  28   b  to the site  5 . Further, because the second layer  20  is preferably waterproof, the second layer  20  provides an effective moisture barrier to the first layer  10 , and thus to the site  5 . 
     This system for protecting the site  5  provides an effective moisture barrier for the site  5 . More particularly, the first layer  10  not only absorbs moisture, but also wicks moisture away from contact with the site  5  which may collect on or near the site  5  due to, for example, sweating, steam, seepage, and the like. The waterproof second layer  20  precludes entry of water, detergents, and the like, from outside the site  5  and cover, and thus contamination of the site  5 , due to such external elements. This is especially advantageous in the case of a site which requires a sterile dressing, in that it keeps the dressing dry and contaminant free, thus eliminating the need for otherwise unnecessary dressing changes. 
     The embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 2A-2F  allows an extremity of a patient to be fully covered for protection of a site during an activity such as, for example, bathing. This type of cover may be useful when, for example, a site to be protected is on a hand or foot, or when a site to be protected is a cast which extends along the arm or leg and onto a hand or foot, respectively. For ease of discussion,  FIGS. 2A-2F  show a cast positioned on an arm and hand of a patient. However, it is well understood that the invention as embodied and broadly described herein may be applied to any number, types, and location of sites which require such protection. Similarly, the invention as embodied and broadly described herein may include any number, type, and combination of securing mechanisms without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a cast  50  positioned on an arm and hand of a patient, and  FIG. 2B  shows a first layer  60  of a cover system for the cast  50 . The first layer  60  may also be merely a sheet of material configured to absorb and wick moisture away from the cast  50 . That is, the material of the first layer  60  may merely be wrapped around the cast  50  any number of times and secured. The first layer  60  absorbs and wicks moisture away from the cast  50 , and may be held securely in place over the cast by a securing mechanism, such as tape  65  as shown in  FIG. 2C . 
     A second, preferably waterproof, layer  70  is shown in  FIG. 2D . The second layer  70  may be positioned over the first layer  60  and securely held in place by tape  75 , as shown in  FIG. 2E . The single, open end  77  of the second layer  70  may be folded over as shown in  FIG. 2F  to form a cuff  79  which provides a more secure waterproof seal and directs water, detergents, and the like away from a potential point of entry  78  to the cast  50 . Thus, an effective moisture barrier is provided for the cast  50 , as the first layer  60  not only absorbs, but also wicks away moisture which may collect on the cast  50 , while the waterproof second layer  70  precludes entry of water, detergents, and the like, and thus contamination or degradation of the cast  50  due to such external elements. 
     It is well understood that the protective cover according to embodiments of the invention may be positioned covering any location, or site, which must be covered during bathing or the like, including, but not limited to the arm, hand, leg, foot, torso, neck, etc. Likewise, in the examples shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the cover is worn by a human. However, the cover may also be adapted to fit an animal which has a site which may require similar protection. 
     The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.