Abstract:
A protective inguinal perineal element for male and female patients includes a cushion that, when necessary, can have a topical substance applied to it which can be released to the patient.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     We, Biagio Ravo and Alberto Caramelli, have developed a thin soft flexible protective element for the perineal area of male and female patients with a cushion that, when necessary, can receive a topical substance and release the substance in the perineal area. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     In both male and female patients, the perineal area is a critical area due to the openings that appear and for its conformation which is restricted by closed lateral walls not exposed to air. Under normal conditions, and especially in pathological conditions, the perineal area can be a place of abundant exudation, secretion and transpiration. These conditions are especially apparent when the area is affected by a small pathology such as dermatitis, inflammation, and in severe situations, wounds, infections, ulcers and the like. 
     In the above-mentioned conditions, it is necessary to maintain dryness and cleanliness of the area and, at times, the application of topical substances is necessary. Therefore, it can be necessary to apply an element of protection and absorption which is able to easily conform to the anatomy in question and to be stable in its location. 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an element of protection which addresses these conditions. The element of protection which is the object of the present application, is useful for geriatric patients who are affected by local irritations and/or pathologies. The element of protection of the present invention can be particularly useful as a hygiene barrier and protective element for geriatric, adult and pediatric patients, whether they are physically well or are affected by some local affliction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above objects are achieved with a protective inguinal perineal element for male and female patients with a cushion that, when necessary, can have a topical substance applied to it which can be released to the perineal area of the patient. 
     The present invention is a soft flexible protective element, for male and female patients for the inguinal and perineal areas, which absorbs any liquid from transpiration, exudation, secretions or the like present in these areas under normal conditions or in patients with minor or severe afflictions in these areas. The element is made of a main body of a strip form with two lateral wings. The element includes a rectangular flat central cushion attached to the main body which can be folded onto itself in a U shape and compressed at the moment it is applied to the patient. 
     Considering the differences in the anatomy of male and female patients, the element of the present invention, in addition to having characteristics which are common to carry out its function, should also have diversified forms that would enable application to both male and female patients. This is described in the following description and illustrated in the attached figures. The characteristics that are common for use with both male and female patients are related to the posterior portion of the element, the nature of the material in which it is made, and the conformation of the absorbent material which has a cushion or pad that, when folded onto itself, provides a tight U-shaped configuration. This cushion and the U-shaped configuration, in addition to being anatomically correct, allows for ease of placement of any substance which needs to be topically applied. This substance can be gradually released from the cushion to the patient for the time interval in which the element is applied to the patient (i.e., until the element is replaced). 
    
    
     These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the brief description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a protective element according to one embodiment of the present invention which is designed for a male patient; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective element of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective side view of the protective element of FIG. 1 when it is applied to a patient; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the element of FIG. 1 applied to the patient as shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of a protective element according to a second embodiment of the present invention which is designed for a female patient; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the protective element of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective side view of the protective element of FIG. 5 when it is applied to a patient; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the element of FIG. 5 applied to the patient as shown in FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the protective element of FIGS. 5-8 in a position to be inserted in place in the patient. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIGS. 1-4, the protective element  10  of the present invention is designed for a male patient and, as shown, is composed of a flat body which has a central part  11  with lateral wings  11 A,  11 B, two V-forming flaps  12  which can be widened out, and a posterior trapezoidal section  13 . A rectangular, thicker spongy strip  14  is applied to the central part  11 . The strip  14  may also be considered a cushion or a pad. 
     Furthermore, between the extremities formed by flaps  12  and section  13  and in the lateral wings  11 A and  11 B of the central part  11 , various symmetrical cuts  15 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19  are applied which are meant to allow the protective element  10  to conform to the curved contour of the patient as highlighted in FIGS. 3 and 4. As described below, the protective element  10  will bend over itself such that the spongy strip  14  will form a central U-shaped cushion and the symmetrical cuts  15 ,  16 ,  18  and  19  will allow the lateral wings  11 A and  11 B to diverge from the U-shaped cushion conforming to the shape of the patient. 
     With the element  10  structured as described above, the element  10  may be folded along a longitudinal center line so that the spongy rectangular strip  14  will bend in the transverse section (as shown in FIG. 2) into a thin U-shaped configuration. Essentially, the central part  11  to which the strip  10  is attached is folded to contact itself as shown in FIG.  9 . This configuration allows the protective element  10  to fit correctly to the patient&#39;s anatomy to fulfill its intended function. The protective wings  11 A,  11 B prevent lateral secretion. 
     Regarding the anterior part formed by flaps  12  of the protective element  10  (FIGS.  1 - 4 ), it is important to highlight that the particular V-shaped configuration is adapted to the male anatomy. 
     The protective element  110  shown in FIGS. 5-8 is substantially similar to the protective element  10  shown in FIGS. 1-4. One can observe that the structure of protective element  110  is designed for a female patient. It is practically identical to element  10 . The differences lie in the form of the anterior part  112  which is substantially in a trapezoid shape. 
     In the body  111  of the element  110 , between the anterior and posterior parts  112  and  113 , are pairs of symmetrical cuts  115 ,  116 ,  118 ,  119 , that allow curvature for the element  110  to fold onto itself to form a very tight U shape, with the rectangular central strip  114 . Formed laterally of the body  111  and the center strip  114 , are wings  111 A and  111 B which are necessary to prevent the loss of secretions, exudations or the like or of a topical substance placed on the central strip laterally of the element  110 . 
     Regarding the material to be used for the protective element  10  or  110 , preferably it will be a tissue (not a woven fabric) for both the main body and the cushion or strip  14 . These may be formed of 70% polyester fiber and 30% non-resin fibers. It is important to point out that the union of fibers is obtained by water jets at high pressure, while the absence of any resinating procedures make the material completely non-allergenic, soft and elastic, all characteristics which are necessary to have it conform to the anatomy of a patient whether male or female, and in order to adapt it to the patient&#39;s anatomy allowing for movement to prevent epidermal abrasions. 
     As already mentioned, the central strip  14 , can be impregnated with any topical substance which can be released to the patient such as a pharmacological substance, for example, anaesthetics, softeners, antibiotics, disinfectant substances, etc. In cases in which the central strip  14  is impregnated with one of the above substances, it is preferable to have it covered with an impermeable cover  21 ,  121 , respectively, that can be removed at the time of use in order to avoid dispersion or dryness of the substance. 
     It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalence thereto.