Patent Publication Number: US-2020281774-A1

Title: Animal bandage wrap including an antimicrobial coating

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An animal such as a dog or horse can become wounded. For example, the dog digging under a fence might cause the skin of the dog to develop an abrasion. As another example, a protruding nail in a stall might puncture the skin of a horse in the stall. Animals can develop skin wounds in many ways. 
     The wound can be treated to improve the likelihood of the skin healing properly. To treat the wound, a veterinarian or owner of the animal with the wound might clean the wound, apply an antiseptic to the wound, apply an antimicrobial ointment to the wound, apply a bandage, and wrap the bandage to secure the bandage to the skin of the animal. The veterinarian or owner can repeat the process until the skin has healed and the wound is gone. 
     Despite the treatment efforts, the wound might become infected. Bacteria and viruses can enter the wound and cause the infection. The bacteria and viruses can enter the wound from anywhere, including from the wrap used to wrap the bandage. Therefore, there is a need to prevent the wrap from being a source of bacteria and viruses that could enter into the wound and cause the infection. 
     In addition, wraps are used as an injury prevention tool for animals engaged in sporting activities. For example, an animal trainer, owner, or veterinarian might wrap the legs of a racing horse. Such wrapping of the legs of the horse is thought to help prevent a condition called “rundown,” where the fetlock of the leg hits the ground. The fetlock repeatedly hitting the ground can cause an abrasion wound. The wound can become infected. In any event, the wrap comes into contact with the skin of the animal, and the skin might have small wounds that are overlooked during wrapping. The wrap therefore might introduce bacteria and viruses into the overlooked wound. Therefore, there is a need again to prevent the wrap from being a source of bacteria and viruses that could enter into the wound and cause the infection, and to generally be free of bacteria and viruses to improve the health and well-being of the animal. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a wrap for a non-human animal comprises: an elastic portion; an exterior surface; and an antimicrobial coating applied to the exterior surface; wherein, the antimicrobial coating includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. 
     Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the exterior surface adheres to itself;   the elastic portion comprises natural rubber; and   the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof is one or more of: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.       

     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of imparting antimicrobial properties onto a wrap for a non-human animal comprises: applying, to an exterior surface of a wrap for a non-human animal, the wrap including an elastic portion, a solution including a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, and a solvent. 
     Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the exterior surface adheres to itself;   the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof is between 0.1 percent and 10 percent by weight of the solution;   the solvent is isopropyl alcohol;   the isopropyl alcohol is between 30 percent to 90 percent by weight of the solution; and   the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof is one or more of: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.       

     According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of treating a non-human animal comprises: wrapping a portion of a body of a non-human animal with a wrap, the wrap including an elastic portion, an exterior surface, and an antimicrobial coating applied to the exterior surface; wherein, the antimicrobial coating includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. 
     Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the exterior surface adheres to itself during said wrapping;   the portion of the body of the non-human animal is a limb;   the non-human animal is a horse and the wrap is applied to help prevent a limb of the horse from experiencing rundown; and   the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof is one or more of: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.       

     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a wrap for a non-human animal, illustrating an elastic portion with an exterior surface, onto which an antimicrobial coating is applied; 
         FIG. 2A  is an overhead view of an alternative embodiment wrap for a non-human animal, illustrating a top layer and a portion of the top layer torn away to see the elastic portion, which itself is illustrated torn away to illustrate a bottom layer, the top layer having an exterior surface, onto which an antimicrobial coating is applied; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along line IIB-IIB of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the elastic portion sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer, and an optional adhesive layer applied to the bottom layer; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the wrap of  FIG. 1  beginning to be applied over the limb of a horse in order to treat the horse; and 
         FIG. 3B  is a continuation of the scene presented in  FIG. 3A , with the wrap having been applied over the limb of the horse, and the exterior surface adhering to itself without the use of an adhesive or tape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a wrap  10  for a non-human animal is illustrated. The wrap  10  includes an elastic portion  12 . Because the elastic portion  12  is elastic, the wrap  10  can be stretched at least along its length  14  and then contract. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic portion  12  forms a web  16  surrounding voids  18 , which makes the wrap  10  generally porous. The wrap  10  includes an exterior surface  20 , which the elastic portion  12  can provide directly. The elastic portion  12  can comprise natural rubber, including 99 percent by weight or more natural rubber. Regardless of the composition of the elastic portion  12 , the exterior surface  20  adheres to itself without the addition of an adhesive coating. In other words, the material (such as natural rubber) of the exterior surface  20  imparts a sufficient natural tackiness or other property to allow the wrap  10  not to release from itself when contacting itself when wrapped around the non-human animal. The wrap  10  further includes an antimicrobial coating  22  applied to the exterior surface  20 . It is believed that an example of such a wrap  10 , but not including the antimicrobial coating  22 , is Vetrap Bandaging Tape (3M Company, Minnesota, USA). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an alternative embodiment wrap  10 A for a non-human animal is illustrated. The wrap  10 A includes the elastic portion  12 , which may take the form of strands of elastic material. Thus the wrap  10 A can stretch along its length  14  and then contract. The wrap  10 A further includes a top layer  24  and a bottom layer  26  sandwiching the elastic portion  12 . The wrap  10 A further includes a binder  28  that impregnates the elastic portion  12 , the top layer  24 , and the bottom layer  26 . The wrap  10 A can optionally include a pressure sensitive adhesive  30  coated onto the bottom layer  26 . The top layer  24  can be a fabric. In some embodiments, the top layer  24  is a warp-knitted (weft insertion) fabric. The bottom layer  26  can be a fabric. In some embodiments, the bottom layer  26  is spun bond nonwoven nylon. In other embodiments, the bottom layer  26  is warp-knitted (weft insertion) fabric. The wrap  10 A further includes the exterior surface  20 , which may include the exposed surface of the top layer  26 , the exposed surface of the bottom layer  26 , or the exposed surface of the adhesive  30  if utilized, or any combination thereof. The wrap  10 A further includes the antimicrobial coating  22  applied to the exterior surface  20 . It is believed that an example of such a wrap  10 A, but not including the antimicrobial coating  22 , is PetFlex Flexible Cohesive Bandage (Andover Healthcare Inc., Massachusetts, USA). 
     The antimicrobial coating  22  includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. 
     Preferred silane quaternary ammonium ions or salts thereof include 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Applying the antimicrobial coating  22  to the exterior surface  20  imparts antimicrobial properties on the exterior surface  20  and to the wrap  10 ,  10 A generally, which prevents or lessens the ability of the exterior surface  20  to harbor harmful microbes, viruses, bacteria, and the like and spread them to the non-human animal on which the wrap  10 ,  10 A is applied. 
     Further described herein is a novel method of imparting antimicrobial properties onto the wrap  10 ,  10 A. The method comprises applying to the exterior surface  20  of the wrap  10 ,  10 A, a solution including the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, as described above. In addition to the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, the solution can further include a solvent. A preferred solvent is isopropyl alcohol. After application of the solution to the exterior surface  20 , the solvent, if utilized, generally evaporates, which leaves the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof applied to the exterior surface  20 . Again, preferred silane quaternary ammonium ions or salts thereof include 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The solution can be applied to the exterior surface  20  via any application method, including electrostatic spraying, dipping, and coating. 
     The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can comprise between 0.1 percent and 10 percent by weight of the solution. More preferably, the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can comprise between 0.75 percent and 5 percent by weight of the solution. Even more preferably, the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can comprise between 1.9 percent and 2.1 percent by weight of the solution. 
     As for the isopropyl alcohol, the isopropyl alcohol can comprise between 30 percent to 90 percent by weight of the solution. More preferably, the isopropyl alcohol can comprise between 55 percent and 65 percent by weight of the solution. An example preferable solution comprises (by weight) 60.0 percent isopropyl alcohol, 2.02 percent 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, and 34.19 percent deionized water. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , further described herein is a novel method of treating a non-human animal  32 . The method includes wrapping a portion of a body  34  of the non-human animal  32  with an embodiment of the wrap  10 ,  10 A. The wrap  10 ,  10 A, as described above, includes the elastic portion  12 , the exterior surface  20 , and the antimicrobial coating  22  applied to the exterior surface  20 . As discussed, the antimicrobial coating  22  includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The antimicrobial coating  22  can include any of the attributes described above. The wrap  10 ,  10 A utilized can have any of the attributes described above, such as the exterior surface  20  adhering to itself during said wrapping. The self-adhering property avoids the need for a clip or excessive tape to keep the wrap  10 ,  10 A applied to the portion of the body  34  of the non-human animal  32 . The portion of the body  34  can be a limb  34   a , among other things. Non-limiting examples of the non-human animal  32  include a horse  32   a , a dog, and a cat. The wrap  10 ,  10 A can be applied for various forms of treatment of the non-human animal  32 , including to help prevent rundown of the horse  32   a , or to aid in healing a wound. Because the antimicrobial coating  22  is applied to the exterior surface  20  of the wrap  10 ,  10 A, the wrap  10 ,  10 A is much less likely to harbor bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that could harm the non-human animal  32 . 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.