Abstract:
A method of activating an electronic self adhesive bandage whereby the electronic circuitry in the bandage is activated when the bandage is peeled away from its backing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/426,061 filed 23 Jun. 2006 
     
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  Shows side cutout view of self adhesive bandage and peel away backing. 
         [0003]      FIG. 2  Shows front view of self adhesive bandage. 
         [0004]      FIG. 3  Shows front view of peel away backing. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           10  Peel Away Backing 
           11  Self Adhesive Bandage 
           12  Trigger Material 
           13  Circuit Activation Sensor/Switch 
           14  Electronic Circuit 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  2  AND  3   
       [0010]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the self adhesive bandage. It includes the bandage part  11  made from a polymer with physical properties similar to that used in conventional self adhesive bandages. One of the sides of the bandage would have the adhesive on it and would be adhered to the backing shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0011]    The bandage contains an embedded electronic circuit  14  which may be powered by an internal battery integral to this said circuit. 
         [0012]    The electronic circuit  14  may be a sanitizing circuit such as the UV LED circuit in cross referenced related application Ser. No. 11/426,061. Or it may be another type of electronic circuit or device such as a wound monitoring device or a medicine activating device. 
         [0013]    The circuit  14  is intended to be activated by an electronic sensor or switch  13 . This can be a reed switch, a capacitive sensor, a contact switch, a photonic sensor, or some other type of sensor or switch capable of detecting the presence of backing  10  which is adhered to the self adhesive bandage  11  or detecting material embedded in said backing. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the peel away backing for the self adhesive bandage. In the preferred embodiment the backing material  10  is made from a coated paper material as found in standard self adhesive bandages or a material of similar physical properties. The backing may include embedded triggering material  12 . This triggering material may be metallic for activating a capacitive or contact switch, it may be magnetic for activating a reed switch, or it may be some other material capable of activating the sensor or switch  13  in the bandage. If a photonic sensor or limit switch is used to activate the electronic circuit  14  in the bandage then an embedded material  12  may not be necessary because the sensor or switch  13  would detect the backing  10  directly. 
       OPERATION 
     FIG.  1   
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the bandage and backing shown together but separated to show detail. The bandage  11  and backing  10  would be adhered to each other while the complete bandage is in its package or wrapper. The sensor or switch  13  would be in close proximity to and facing the embedded material  12  in the backing while the backing is adhered to the self adhesive bandage. In one embodiment the sensor or switch would be a normally closed switch so the proximity of the triggering material or backing would render it open and the electronic circuit  14  de energized. When the user of the bandage peels the backing  10  away from the bandage  11  the sensor or switch  13  would close and energize electronic circuit  14 . This invention allows for a virtually unlimited shelf life for electronic bandages and instant activation at the moment of use.