Abstract:
A medical dressing assembly and associated method of using the same comprising an isolating member, a member for controllably inputting matter and a member for controllably exhausting matter. The isolating member is capable of isolating an affected area of a patient from an external environment. The isolating member includes a patient engaging strap member and a cover member. The patient engaging strap member includes a bottom surface which is positionable so as to be substantially internally facing. The cover member extends away from the patient engaging member. The cover member defines a volume wherein the patient engaging strap member provides access to the volume. The bottom surface of the at least one patient engaging strap member is capable of engaging a portion of the patient, to, in turn, substantially confine at least a portion of the affected area of a patient within the volume defined by the cover member. The member for controllably inputting matter controllably inputs matter into the volume. The member for controllably exhausting matter controllably exhausts matter from the volume.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to a medical dressing assembly, and more particularly, to a medical dressing assembly which, among other things, isolates an affected area of a patient, such as a burn, incision, abrasion, and/or other abnormality, without contacting the same. The present invention further relates to an associated method of using such a medical dressing assembly. 
     2. Background Art 
     Medical dressings have been known in the art for years. Moreover, treating an affected area of a patient with a medical dressing in cooperation with medication is likewise well known in the art. Indeed, conventionally an affected area of a patient is cleansed, coated with medical ointment, and subsequently wrapped in a bandage or gauze like material, which directly contacts the affected area. In addition, certain types of affected areas require that the patient be given medication internally, such as one or more antibiotics for treating primary and/or secondary bacterial infections, pain killers and/or tranquilizers for treating pain and/or traumatic anxiety. While treating an affected area of a patient using the above-identified conventional medical dressings have become common in today&#39;s medical practice, such use remains largely problematic for several reasons. 
     A first problem associated with a conventional medical dressing is that, the dressing must be removed and a fresh dressing must be reapplied on a regular basis so that discharge from the affected area does not stick or cling to the affected area. Such a process can be time consuming, cumbersome, and extremely painful, especially for burn patients, if the dressing is not removed and fresh dressing reapplied prior to hardening or crusting of the discharged matter. 
     A second problem recognized with the use of a conventional medical dressing is that the affected area is typically covered with a bandage, thereby substantially precluding air circulation around the affected area. Again, for a burn patient, circulation around the affected area is highly desirous inasmuch as the circulated air provides the patient with substantial relief from the “residual burning” sensation, which often times can be extremely painful and persist for an extended period of time. 
     A third problem associated with a conventional medical dressing is that it does not substantially preclude fluid from leaving the affected area of the patient. As such, the patient can become dehydrated very rapidly, as a result of the fluid loss, especially if the affected area is large and/or deep. As is well known, dehydration of the patient can lead to many other serious and sometimes fatal complications. 
     In addition, a conventional medical dressing also substantially precludes continuous topical application of medication to the affected areas inasmuch as the affected area is directly covered and/or wrapped. As such, patients are typically administered large quantities of medicine either orally or intravenously, many of which have adverse side effects, especially at high concentrations. Prolonged administration of powerful drugs at high concentration, such as new generation antibiotics, is not optimal inasmuch as the patient can, over time, develop a resistance to the medication, thereby rendering the medicine less effective, and, at times, completely ineffective. Moreover, due to the concentration requirements of administering medication using conventional means, a patient may not be able to receive a particular medicine if an adverse reaction is observed above a particular concentration. 
     Furthermore, use of a conventional medical dressing can be problematic when a physician or care taker attempts to observe the affected area for healing or complications because the dressing must be at least partially removed for observation. 
     Finally, even though a conventional medical dressing covers the affected area of the patient, the affected area is not completely isolated from the external environment, where harmful airborne contaminants and other undesirable matter can inadvertently come into contact with the affected area and further complicate the healing process. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a medical dressing assembly that remedies the aforementioned detriments and/or complications associated with conventional medical dressings. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a medical dressing assembly comprising: (a) means for isolating an affected area of a patient from an external environment, wherein placement of the isolation means defines a volume surrounding at least a portion of the affected area of the patient; (b) means for controllably inputting matter into the volume; and (c) means for controllably exhausting matter from the volume. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the isolation means is geometrically configurable into at least one of the group consisting of a hand dressing, a forearm dressing, an upper arm dressing, a facial dressing, an upper torso dressing, a lower torso dressing, an upper leg dressing, a lower leg dressing, a foot and ankle dressing, and mixtures thereof. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the isolation means comprises: (a) at least one patient engaging member; and (b) a cover member associated with the at least one patient engaging member. In this embodiment the at least one patient engaging member may comprise a patient engaging base member having an inner peripheral geometry greater than the affected area of the patient. Such a patient engaging base member may be at least partially associated with an adhesive, which is preferably covered with a protective, peel-away member. Alternatively, the at least one patient engaging member may comprise a patient engaging strap member, which is optionally adjustable, and may be partially associated with an adhesive, which is preferably covered with a protective, peel-away member. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover member can be non-expandable and/or expandable to define a fixed and/or variable volume, respectively. Preferably the cover member is substantially transparent, thereby enabling observation of the affected area of the patient. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the matter inputting means and/or the matter exhausting means includes at least one of a regulator, a clamp, and a filter for controlling the input/output rate of matter into/out of the volume. 
     The medical dressing assembly may also comprise a source for supplying a controlled gas, such as air, purified air, a noble or inert gas, an oxygen enriched gaseous mixture, oxygen, and mixtures thereof. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the dressing assembly further comprises one or more of the following: (a) cooling means associated with the matter inputting means; (b) at least one of a vaporizer or a nebulizer associated with the matter inputting means; (c) filtering means associated with the matter exhausting means; and (d) means for collecting discharge matter from the affected area. 
     It is also contemplated that the medical dressing assembly of the present invention can be pressurizable from approximately ambient pressure to approximately 10 p.s.i. 
     The present invention is also directed to a medical dressing assembly comprising: (a) an isolating member, capable of isolating an affected area of a patient from an external environment including: (1) at least one patient engaging member; and (2) a cover member associated with the at least one patient engaging member, wherein placement of the isolating member defines a volume surrounding at least a portion of the affected area of the patient; (b) at least one input conduit hermetically associated with the isolation member; and (c) at least one exhaust conduit hermetically associated with the isolation member. 
     The present invention is further directed to a method of dressing an affected area of a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing a medical dressing assembly including: (1) an isolating member having at least one patient engaging member and a cover member associated with the isolating member; (2) at least one input conduit; and (3) an exhaust; (b) operatively securing the isolating member associated with the cover member onto the patient so that at least a portion of the affected area of the patient is isolated from an external environment; (c) supplying matter into the medical dressing assembly through the at least one input conduit; and (d) venting matter from the exhaust into an external environment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1A of the drawings is a fragmented perspective view of a medical dressing assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B of the drawings is a side elevational view of a medical dressing assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A-2I of the drawings are perspective views of various geometrical configurations of medical dressing assemblies fabricated in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3 of the drawings is a perspective view of a medical dressing assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, are identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1A in particular, a perspective schematic representation of medical dressing  10  is shown, which generally comprises means  12  for isolating an affected area of a patient, such as a burn, incision, abrasion, skin graft, and/or other abnormality, from an external environment, wherein placement of isolation means  12  defines a volume  14  (FIG. 1B) surrounding at least a portion of an affected area of a patient, means  16  for controllably inputting matter into the volume; and means  18  for controllably exhausting matter from the volume. It will be understood that FIG. 1A is merely a schematic representation of medical dressing assembly  10 . As such, some of the components have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity. 
     For purposes of the present disclosure, isolation means  12  of medical dressing assembly  10  may include a patient engaging base member  20  and a cover member  22  hermetically associated therewith. Preferably patient engaging base member  20  includes an inner peripheral geometry greater than the affected area of the patient. As is further shown in FIG. 1A, the underside of patient engaging base member  20  may be at least partially associated with adhesive  24 . Although not necessary, adhesive  24  is preferably fabricated from a hypoallergenic material so as to minimize any irritation surrounding the affected area of the patient. In addition, adhesive  24  may be covered, in whole or in part, with a protective, peel-away member  25  (FIG.  1 B)—similar to those associated with the backing of a conventional band-aid. It will be understood that patient engaging base member is preferably fabricated from a conformable material such as a natural and synthetic polymeric resins and/or composites which are well known in the art. While preferred fabrication materials have been disclosed, for illustrative purposes only, numerous other materials are likewise contemplated for use including metals, ceramics, as well as commercially available double sided tape. 
     For purposes of the present disclosure, cover member  22  is expandable, which as will be discussed in greater detail below, enables volume  14  to vary depending upon, among other things, this thickness of cover member  22  as well as internal pressure within volume  14 . Alternatively, cover member  22  may be fabricated from a non-expandable material, which enables volume  14  to remain constant during treatment of the affected area. Cover member  22  is preferably substantially transparent so as to enable observation of the affected area of the patient. Additionally, it is desirous for volume  14  to be pressurizable from approximately ambient pressure to approximately 10 pounds per square inch. Such pressurization can substantially preclude the patient from becoming dehydrated—especially when the affected area of the patient is rather large where discharge matter and fluid loss can rapidly occur. While a preferred pressure range has been disclosed, for illustrative purposes only, it will be understood that such a requisite pressure will vary from injury to injury, and that the only limitation relative to pressurizing volume  14  is that the pressure must be substantial enough to reduce dehydration of the affected area, and, in turn, the patient. Cover member  22  may be fabricated from any one of a number of materials, however, expandable latex type materials are preferred. 
     As is best shown in FIGS. 2A-2I, medical dressing assembly  10 , may be configured into any one of a number of geometric configurations including those conforming to, for example, a hand dressing (FIG.  2 A), a forearm dressing (FIG.  2 B), an upper arm dressing (FIG.  2 C), a facial dressing (FIG.  2 D), an upper torso dressing (FIG.  2 E), a lower torso dressing (FIG.  2 F), an upper leg dressing (FIG.  2 G), a lower leg dressing (FIG.  2 H), a foot and ankle dressing (FIG.  2 I). In such embodiments, medical dressing assembly  10  may include one or more patient engaging strap member(s)  26 . 
     Patient engaging strap members  26  serve to effectively seal off the affected area of a patient from the external environment, and may be fabricated from any one of a number of materials including, natural and synthetic polymeric resins and/or composites. Preferably patient engaging strap member  26  is adjustable for adaptation to numerous different sized patients. Although not necessary, either one or both of the top surface or bottom surface of patient engaging strap member  26  can be at least partially coated with an adhesive, which may or may not be hypoallergenic. Similarly to the underside of patient engaging base member  20  of FIG. 1A, the underside of patient engaging strap member  26  may also include an adhesive covered with a protective, peel-away member. Alternatively, patient engaging strap member  26  may include a tie-securing mechanism and/or hook and loop securing mechanism, such as VELCRO—which is commercially available from numerous sources. 
     As is best shown in FIG.  1 A and FIGS. 2A-2I, matter inputting means  16  may comprise one or more conduit(s)  28 . Conduits  28  are preferably hermetically associated with isolation means  12 , and in particular, at least one of patient engaging base member  20 , patient engaging strap member  26 , and/or cover member  22 . Conduits  28  are preferably directly connected to isolation means  12  by connectors  30 . Connectors  30  may comprise any one of a number of configurations that would be known to one having ordinary skill in the art—so long as the particular connector is capable of forming a substantially hermetic seal. It will be understood that while connectors  30  have been shown in particular locations, numerous other locations are contemplated in accordance with the present invention. It will be further understood that conduits  28  may be configured with various internal and/or external diameters. 
     In accordance with the present invention, and as is best shown in FIG. 1A, matter input means  16  can be routed from a single input to multiple inputs by a splitter  32 , which allows matter to be introduced into volume  14  at multiple predetermined locations. 
     As is shown in FIG. 3, matter input means  16  may be associated with one or more matter input rate regulating means  46 , such as, for example, a pressure regulator, a clamp for pinching or narrowing associated conduit  28 , or a filter which, in addition to removing undesired matter from matter input means  16 , can optionally serve as a mechanism for regulating the matter input rate depending upon, among other things, the thickness and porosity of the filter. 
     As is best shown in FIG.  1 A and FIGS. 2A-2I, matter exhaust means  18  may comprises one or more conduit(s)  28 . Similar to matter input means  16 , one or more conduit(s)  28  are preferably hermetically associated with isolation means  12 , and in particular, at least one of patient engaging base member  20 , patient engaging strap member  26 , and/or cover member  22 . Conduits  28  are preferably directly connected to isolation means  12  by connector  30 . Connector  30  may comprise any one of a number of configurations that would be known to one having ordinary skill in the art—so long as the particular connector is capable of forming a substantially hermetic seal. While matter exhausting means  18  has been disclosed, for illustrative purposes only, as comprising one or more conduits  28 , it will be understood that matter exhausting means  18  may also, or, alternatively comprise one or more apertures associated with isolation means  12  of a predetermined size. 
     Referring again to FIG. 3, matter exhaust means  18  may be associated with one or more matter exhaust rate regulating means  48 , such as, for example, a pressure regulator, a clamp for pinching or narrowing associated conduit  28 , or a filter which, in addition to removing undesired matter from matter exhaust means  18 , can optionally serve as a mechanism for regulating the matter exhaust rate depending upon, among other things, the thickness and porosity of the filter. 
     As is shown in FIG. 3, medical dressing assembly  10  preferably comprises a source  38  for supplying a controlled gas. It will be understood that the particular controlled gas used in association with medical assembly  10  will vary from application to application, however, preferred controlled gas sources include air, purified air, a noble or inert gas, an oxygen enriched gaseous mixture, oxygen, and mixtures thereof. 
     Referring again to FIG. 3, medical dressing assembly  10  may optionally be associated with means  40  for cooling matter inputting means  16 . Such cooling means may include, for example, a container filled with ice, ice water, water or other cold matter, upon which matter inputting means  16  can be dipped or otherwise associated with. In addition, other cooling means are contemplated for use in association with the present invention, including refrigerated containers. Of course, the type of cooling means will varying depending upon the particular situation. For example, a patient confined in a hospital type setting may be afforded a controlled, refrigerated container, while a field patient, such as a soldier, may be merely afforded crushable cold packs which are placed around matter input means  16 . 
     As is also shown in FIG. 3, medical dressing assembly  10  may optionally comprise medication delivery means  42 , such as a vaporizer or a nebulizer associated with matter inputting means  16 . Such a feature is highly desirous inasmuch as most medications are administered in large quantities via oral introduction or intravenous introduction. In accordance with the present invention, medicine can be vaporized and/or nebulized and subsequently introduced into matter input means  16 , which is directly, topically applied to the affected area in a substantially lower concentration that the conventional, above-identified medication administration means. Using such an embodiment enables a patient to receive only as much medication as is necessary to treat the affected area, which can substantially prolong, or, in some cases, eliminate the time period before the patient builds up a resistance to the medication. In addition, because the concentration of the drug can be substantially reduced, many adverse side effects associated with powerful healing and/or pain relieving medications can be minimized or, alternatively, outright eliminated. To be sure, such an improvement in medication administration to affected areas has enormous beneficial consequences. 
     In a preferred embodiment, and as is shown in FIG. 3, medical dressing assembly  10  may optionally comprise means  44  for collecting discharge matter from the affected area of a patient. Discharge collection means  44  preferably functions as a gravity drain through an aperture  50  associated with isolation means  12 . Conduit  28  is preferably attached to aperture  50  through connector  30 , which assists in directing discharge matter to a predetermined location. Although not shown, discharge collection means  44  can also be associated with a suction mechanism to expedite removal of unwanted discharge from the affected area. 
     In operation, medical dressing assembly  10 , which includes an isolating member having at least one patient engaging member and a cover member associated therewith, at least one input conduit, and an exhaust is placed on the patient, thereby operatively securing the isolating member onto the patient so that at least a portion of an affected area of a patient is isolated from an external environment. Second, matter such as a controlled gas and/or medication is supplied into the medical dressing assembly through the at least one input conduit, which builds pressure within volume  14  (FIG.  1 B). Third matter retained within volume  14  is exhausted into the external environment. It will be understood that the rate of exhaust is preferably configured to be less than the input rate of matter so that the system maintains a positive internal pressure to substantially preclude matter from the external environment from entering volume  14 , and, in turn, the affected area of the patient. 
     Preferably the above-identified method further comprises at least one of the following steps: cooling the matter prior to the step of supplying matter into the medical dressing assembly, and introducing vaporized or nebulized medication into the medical dressing assembly through the matter input means, and, in turn, applying the medication to the localized, affected area of the patient. 
     Although not necessary, the step of venting matter from the exhaust into the external environment may include the step of filtering the matter prior to venting the exhaust into the external environment. 
     Using medical dressing assembly  10  avails the patient having an affected area numerous benefits including: (1) the isolation means substantially precludes matter from the external environment from contacting the affected area of the patient; (2) the controlled input of matter, such as oxygen, can substantially eliminate the residual “burning sensation” felt by burn patients; (3) the dressing assembly does not directly contact the affected area thereby further mitigating pain associated with the affected area relative to conventional medical dressings; (4) the pressure within the volume of the medical dressing assembly substantially precludes fluid loss and the complications associated with dehydration; (5) the affected area is readily observable, thereby enabling a physician or care taker to examiner the affected area without disturbing the medical dressing assembly; (6) the matter input means generates a flow of gas, thereby properly circulating the affected area and reducing both pain as well as the associated healing time and; (7) the application of medication is topically localized, which substantially reduces the concentration of the medication, thereby prolonging associated resistances as well as minimizing any adverse side effects. In addition, under certain circumstances, the concentration of the medication may be low enough so that a patient that would otherwise have an adverse allergic reaction can be administered a particular medication. 
     The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.