Abstract:
A wound measuring device and system measures the length, width and depth of a wound. The device and system features first and second ruler members connected and secured by a connecting member which allows the ruler members to move to measure the length and width of a wound. The connecting member affords perpendicular movement of the ruler members providing accurate and consistent measurement of wounds irregular in shape and size. An end of the first or second member is designed to be inserted in the wound to measure the depth and undermining of the wound. Use of the device provides little to no discomfort to the patient.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application number 61489391, filed May 24, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a device and system to measure wound size and more specifically to a device and system which measures the length, width and depth of a wound. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Taking the measurements of a wound allows health care providers to assess the level of tissue damage and to track the healing process. This enables them to determine the appropriate measures to take and to record how well a particular type of wound care is working. Members of the wound care team do not use the same technique to determine the measurements and the results may not be accurate. Measurements are especially unreliable for large or irregular wounds due to inconsistencies in measurements. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention introduces a measuring device and system that measures wound sizes providing a more accurate comparison of measurements and healing or non-healing over time. 
         [0005]    An aspect of an embodiment of the invention features the measuring device and system designed for use on curved or flat body surfaces. 
         [0006]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features the measuring device and system designed to measure wounds irregular in shape and wounds that cover uneven body surface. 
         [0007]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features an accurate, inexpensive and consistent method of measuring wounds. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features ruler members that identify the direction the ruler members should be positioned on the wound. 
         [0009]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features ruler members which are secured in a manner which allows perpendicular movement so one member measures the length of the wound and the other member measures the width and either ruler member measures the depth of the wound. 
         [0010]    Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first ruler member which measures the length of the wound. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective member of a second ruler member which measures the width of the wound. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3   a  is a top side of a perspective view of a connecting device which secures and connects the first ruler member and second ruler member. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   b  is a bottom side of a perspective view of a connecting device which secures and connects the first ruler member and second ruler member. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device illustrating the connected first ruler member and second ruler member connected by the connecting device measuring a wound. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first ruler member  100  which measures the length L of the wound  800 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The first ruler member  100  is a straight strip having measurement indicia  110 . The marking indicia  110  are markings along a top surface  120  of the first ruler member  100 . The indicia  110  markings are marked at equal intervals along the left or right top edge of the top surface  120  of the first ruler member  100 . A bottom end  125  or tip of the first ruler member  100  is marked with a “0” increment marking. A top end  126  of the first ruler member  100  is marked with the largest increment, the length of the measuring area of the first ruler member  100 . A direction identifier  130  extends from the top end  126  with a marking or symbol  131  that identifies a direction the first ruler member  100  should be positioned on an object or wound  800  to be measured. The direction identifier may also feature a design or symbol to identify the brand owner or hospital or other identifier which will identify the maker or owner of the tool. The identifier is preferably circular, however, alternate shapes may be used to display the identifier or marking symbol. When the first ruler member  100  is positioned over a wound,  800 , it is used to measure the length L of the wound  800 . The wound length L is a distance from an end  125  of the first ruler member  100  to a first end of a greatest opening of the wound. The length measurement L is taken when the first ruler member is positioned over the wound or object to be measured. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective member of a second ruler member  200  which measures the width W of the wound  800 . The second ruler member  200  is a straight strip having measurement indicia  110 . The marking indicia  110  are markings along a top surface  220  of the second ruler member  200 . The indicia  110  markings are marked at equal intervals along the left or right top edge of the top surface  220  of the second ruler member  200 . A bottom end  225  or tip of the second ruler member  200  is marked with a “0” increment marking. A top end  226  of the second ruler member  200  is marked with the largest increment, the length of the measuring area of the second ruler member  200 . A handle  230  extends from the top end  226  of the second ruler member  200 . The handle  230  allows the user of the second ruler member  200  to manipulate the second ruler member  200  to take measurements. The handle  230  is rectangular in shape, however, an alternate shape may be used. The handle  230  also features an area which receives the wound owner&#39;s information such as name, date, etc. A label may be placed on the handle with information or it may be written directly on the handle  230 . Measurement indicia are not marked on the direction indicator  130  or the handle  230 . When the second ruler member  200  is positioned over a wound or object  800 , it is used to measure the width W of the wound  800 . Wound width W is a distance from an end of the connected second ruler member  225  to a second end of the greatest opening of the wound. 
         [0018]    The tip  125  of the first ruler member  100  or the tip  225  of the second ruler member measures the depth of the object or wound to be measured. The tip  125  of the first ruler member  100  or the tip  225  of the second ruler member  200  is inserted inside of the wound or object its furthest distance inside of the wound or object to a surface of the wound to determine the wound depth. 
         [0019]    The first and second ruler members  100 ,  200  are preferably light grey or transparent in color. When placed over the wound  800  or object, the light color or transparency affords the measurements to easily and accurately be taken and seen as well as it affords the measurer the ability to see the wound  800  or object to be measured underneath the rulers,  100 ,  200 . Additional light colors may be used so long as they do not obstruct the view of the measurer or conceal the object to be measured. The markings  110  are preferably in a black or other color that can easily be seen so that an accurate measurement may be identified. Markings  110  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are in centimeters. Ruler members  100 ,  200  provide measurements up to 15 cm in width and 15 centimeters in length. The markings may be shown in alternate metric units and the measurements may be increased or decreased to measure larger or shorter objects. The ruler members  100 ,  200  are flexible so they can be placed on curved body surfaces as well as flat body surfaces to accurately measure. Furthermore, the ruler members  100 ,  200  can easily be maneuvered over irregular sized objects to be measured. The rulers are sterilized for a one-time use. It is recommended for sanitary purposes that the rulers not be reused to avoid infections, for example. Open packages and unused ruler members should be discarded. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3   a  is a top side  301  of a perspective view of a connecting device  300  which secures and connects the first ruler member  100  and second ruler member  200 . The connection device  300  allows perpendicular movement of the first ruler member  100  and second ruler members  200  so that the rulers move in a sliding motion independent of each other. The connecting device  300  top side  301  features a first connector  302 . The first connector  302  features parallel first connector flanges  303 ,  304 . The flanges  303 ,  304  form a first channel  305  sized to receive the first ruler member  100 . The flanges&#39;  303 ,  304  walls contact the left and right outermost edges of the first ruler members so that the first ruler member remains secure in the connector  302 . The first ruler member  100  can movely back and forth or in and out freely through the channel. The connecting device is also a light grey or transparent color so that the markings on the ruler members remain visible. The channel has a bottom that receives and contacts a bottom side of the ruler member  100 . However, the area between the flanges  303 ,  304  remains open so the markings can easily be identified and measurements can be recorded. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3   b  is a bottom side  310  of a perspective view of the connecting device  300  which secures and connects the first ruler member  100  and second ruler member  200 . The bottom side  310  of the connecting device  300  is a second connector  311  having second connector parallel flanges  312 ,  313  that form a second channel  315  sized to receive the second ruler member  200 . The flanges  312 , 313  walls contacts the left and right outermost edges of the second ruler members so that the second ruler member remains secure in the connector  310 . The second ruler member  200  can movely back and forth or in and out freely through the channel  315 . The channel  315  has a bottom that receives and contacts a bottom side of the ruler member  200 . However, the area between the flanges  312 ,  313  remains open so the markings can easily be identified and measurements can be recorded. The first connector  301  and second connector  310  are attached so that the first connector&#39;s bottom side is secured to the second connector&#39;s bottom side. However, the first connector  301  is secured so that its channel  305  receives the first ruler member in a North to South direction so that the first ruler member  100  moves through the channel  305  in an up and down direction. The second connector  310  is secured to the first connector so that its channel  315  receives the second ruler member in a East to West direction so that the second ruler member  200  moves through the channel  315  in a left to right direction. The connecting device affords the first ruler member and second ruler member the ability to move independently of each other so that when the connecting device secures the first and second ruler members, there is always a perpendicular angle between the first and second rulers. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device illustrating the connected first ruler  100  member and second ruler member  200  connected by the connecting device  300  measuring a wound  800  on a body part such as a leg, for example. The connected ruler members form a measuring tool which may be used to measure the length, width and depth of a wound. The direction identifier  130  on the first ruler member identifies a direction the first ruler member  100  should be positioned on the wound  800  to be measured. The identifier is preferably an arrow, but another symbol may be used to identify which direction the ruler  100  should be positioned. The arrow should point to the wound owner&#39;s head, when the first ruler member  100  is placed over the wound opening. While keeping the arrow pointed towards the wound owner&#39;s head, the first ruler member  100  is adjusted so it measures the greatest expanse or opening of the wound from that direction. This is the wound length L. Without moving the first ruler member  100 , the second ruler member  200  is slide through the connecting device  300  so it measures the wound expanse or opening at the point where the greatest expanse or opening can be recorded. This is the wound width W. When connected, the first and second members,  100 ,  200  move perpendicular to each other. The wound length L and wound width W are recorded. Also, a time-marked camera may be used to take pictures of the placement and thus the measurements of the wound. Using the first ruler member tip  125  or second ruler member tip  225  where the indicator starts with “0” cm, the width depth and undermining is recorded as described above. 
         [0023]    The use of the measuring tool is contraindicated for use in measuring burns, rash or other abrasions not resulting in a puncture, cut, scrape or tear. Also, the tool is contraindicated for use in measuring surgical incisions other than those experiencing dehiscence. 
         [0024]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.