Patent ID: 12251296

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail and clearly to such an extent that an ordinary one in the art easily implements the inventive concept.

In this specification, the inside refers to the surface or area facing the body part on which the band may be worn on the body, and the outside refers to the surface or area facing away from the body.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an injury contact prevention band100according to an embodiment. The injury contact prevention band100may prevent an injury or wound11from contacting an external object while fastened to a patient's body10. For example, external objects may include bedding such as blankets or bed mattresses. InFIG.1, the injury contact prevention band100is illustrated fastened to the pelvis portion so that the injury cover portion1000is positioned in a position covering the buttocks. However, unlike this, the injury contact prevention band100may be fastened to various parts of the body10such as the arm or thigh so that an injury cover portion1000may cover the area where the injury11occurs. For example, an injury or a wound may be a variety of injuries that may be painful or infected upon contact, such as bedsores, surgical sites, or skin problems. The injury contact prevention band100may include an injury cover portion1000, a fastening portion2000, and a hole cover portion3000.

The injury cover portion1000is configured or designed to cover a part of the body10including the injury11. In one embodiment, the injury cover portion1000may be flexible and/or elastic. For example, the injury cover portion1000may be made of a natural or synthetic material having flexibility and/or elasticity, such as leather, rubber, polyurethane, or acrylic resin. In another embodiment, the injury cover portion1000may have a structure in which components of different materials are combined. For example, the injury cover portion1000may be provided in a structure in which fabrics of different materials overlap each other to form a plurality of layers.

In one embodiment, the injury cover portion1000has an injury opening hole1100and a cut portion1200.

The injury opening hole1100cuts through the entire thickness of injury cover portion1000, or penetrates between an inner surface and an outer surface of the injury cover portion1000to expose, reveal, show, or display the injury11of the fastened body10to the outside. In one embodiment, a plurality of injury opening holes1100may be arranged along at least one direction. For example, a plurality of injury opening holes1100may be arranged in a grid structure. In another embodiment, the injury opening holes1100may be provided in various numbers and arranged in any patterns or along various directions. The injury opening hole1100may have a circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, elliptical, or any suitable shape.

FIG.2is a side cross-sectional view of the area where the injury opening hole1100of the injury cover portion1000illustrated inFIG.1is positioned, cut from the inner side to the outer side. Referring toFIGS.1and2, the injury contact prevention band100may be fastened to the body10so that the open injury opening hole1100is positioned facing the injury11site. The injury cover portion1000may be provided with a thickness greater than the protrusion height of the injury11depending on the protrusion height of the injury11from the surrounding skin. The thickness of the injury cover portion1000may be provided by considering the degree to which the injury cover portion1000is compressed by the weight of the patient wearing it. However, the thicker the injury cover portion1000, the greater the burden on the patient, such as making it difficult to move the worn part when worn, so the thickness of the injury cover portion1000relative to the protrusion height of the injury may be determined by test wearing or by other experiments or simulations, by considering the above-mentioned conditions. Therefore, the injury that opens through the injury opening hole1100is prevented from being contacted by the injury cover portion1000, and prevented from contact with external objects by being surrounded by the injury opening hole1100.

FIGS.3and4are partial front views illustrating injury contact prevention bands100aand100baccording to an example embodiment. The injury opening holes1100aand1100bmay have various shapes such as square or oval. For example, the injury opening holes1100aand1100bmay be provided in a slit shape having an elongated shape in one direction. In this way, the injury opening holes1100aand1100bare provided in various shapes, so that the user may selectively use the injury contact prevention band100having the injury opening holes1100,1100aand1100bsuitable for the shape and size of the injury. An injury cover portion1000a, having a function similar to the function of the injury cover portion1000ofFIG.1, is shown inFIG.3and an injury cover portion1000bis shown inFIG.4. Further, a hole cover portion3000bhaving a function similar to that of the hole cover portion3000ofFIG.1is shown inFIG.4.

In the drawings of the present specification, it is illustrated that injury opening holes1100,1100aand1100bof the same shape are formed in one injury contact prevention band100. However, one injury contact prevention band100may have injury opening holes1100,1100aand1100bof different shapes.

Referring again toFIG.1, the cut portion1200may be located in the end area1300of the injury cover portion1000.

The end area1300may be located between an end and an other end of an edge area of the injury cover portion1000. In one embodiment, the end area1300may include a first edge area1310and a second edge area1320.

The first edge area1310is one of the areas between the end1001and the other end1002of the edge area of the injury cover portion1000. The second edge area1320is another one of the areas between the end1001and the other end1002of the edge area of the injury cover portion1000.

In one embodiment, the cut portion1200may be located in the middle between the end1001and the other end1002of the injury cover portion1000in each of the first edge area1310and the second edge area1320. The cut portion1200is formed by cutting into a recessed shape from the outer perimeter the injury cover portion1000toward the central area1400. The cut portion1200may have a wedge shape that becomes wider as it moves away from the central area1400.

As described above, the cut portion1200may be formed or position in the end area1300, so that when the injury contact prevention band100is fastened to the body10, each part cut by the cut portion1200in the end area may move more freely and flexibly inward and outward according to the curve of the body10, thereby the lifting part from the skin caused by mutual interference may be reduced. The farther the part of the injury cover portion1000is from the central area1400, the more movement may occur relative to the skin when the body10moves, and the part that is lifted from the skin has more movement compared to the part that is not lifted. The part that is lifted from the skin causes more movement than the part that is not lifted, which may cause pain and injury due to chafing of the skin. Therefore, as described above, the cut portion1200may reduce the lifted area and prevent skin chafing due to such lifting.

The fastening portion2000fastens the injury cover portion1000to the body10. In one embodiment, the fastening portion2000includes a first fastening member2100, a second fastening member2200, and a connecting member2300.

The first fastening member2100extends from the end1001of the injury cover portion1000. The first fastening member2100may be flexible and/or elastic.

The second fastening member2200extends from the other end1002of the injury cover portion1000. The second fastening member2200may be flexible and/or elastic.

For example, the first fastening member2100and the second fastening member2200may be made of natural or synthetic materials having flexibility and/or elasticity, such as leather, rubber, polyurethane, or acrylic resin. In another embodiment, the first fastening member2100and the second fastening member2200may have a structure in which different materials are combined. For example, the first fastening member2100and the second fastening member2200may be provided in a structure in which fabrics made of different materials overlap each other to form a plurality of layers. In one embodiment, the injury cover portion1000, the first fastening member2100, and the second fastening member2200may be provided as an integrated body having the same material and structure.

The connecting member2300detachably connects the end of the first fastening member2100and the end of the second fastening member2200to each other. In one embodiment, the connecting member2300may be provided in a zipper manner. Alternatively, the connecting member2300may be provided in various types of fastening structures that allow the end of the first fastening member2100and the end of the second fastening member2200to be attachable to each other and detachable from each other. For example, the connecting member2300may be provided in various structures, such as a Velcro® or button fastening structure.

FIG.5is a front view illustrating an example of a fastening portion to which an extension member is connected. Referring toFIG.5, the fastening portion2000may further include an extension member2400. The extension member2400extends the length of the fastening portion2000. In one embodiment, the end2401of the extension member2400is provided to be detachable from the end of the first fastening member2100. And the other end2402of the extension member2400is provided to be detachable from the end of the second fastening member2200. A fastening configuration detachable from the configuration of the connecting member2300that is provided at the end of the first fastening member2100may be provided at the end2401of the extension member2400. A fastening configuration detachable from the configuration of the connecting member2300that is provided at the end of the second fastening member2200may be provided at the other end2402of the extension member2400. For example, when the connecting member2300is provided as a zipper structure, A configuration of a zipper detachable from the zipper configuration of the connecting member2300that is provided at the end of the first fastening member2100may be provided at the end2401of the extension member2400. Another configuration of the zipper detachable from the zipper configuration of the connecting member2300that is provided at the end of the second fastening member2200may be provided at the other end2402of the extension member2400. Alternatively, the connecting member2300and the extension member2400may be fastened to each other using a Velcro® or button structure. The extension member2400allows the length of the injury contact prevention band100to be adjusted according to the circumference of the body part.

FIG.6is an enlarged front view of the injury opening hole1100illustrated inFIG.1with a hole cover portion3000. The hole cover portion3000covers the injury opening hole1100and is connected to the injury cover portion1000in the injury opening hole1100so that the user may easily separate it from the injury opening hole1100by hand. If a plurality of injury opening holes1100are provided, a plurality of hole cover portions3000may be provided to correspond to the plurality of injury opening holes1100respectively.

In one embodiment, the outer perimeter surface of the hole cover portion3000fittingly engages with, or accommodates, the inner perimeter surface of the injury opening hole1100. That is, the hole cover portion3000has a shape and size that may be inserted into the injury opening hole1100and completely cover the injury opening hole1100. For example, when the injury opening hole1100has a circular or square shape, the hole cover portion3000correspondingly has a circular or square shape that fittingly engages, or accommodates, the injury opening hole1100. When the injury opening holes1100aand1100bhave a slit shape as illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the hole cover portion3000also has a shape corresponding to the injury opening holes1100aand1100b.

In one embodiment, a gap area3010may be positioned or located between the hole cover portion3000and the injury opening hole1100in a state where the hole cover portion3000is inserted into the injury opening hole1100and connected to the injury cover portion1000. The gap area3010may include a plurality of separation areas3011and a plurality of connection areas3012.

A plurality of separation areas3011includes areas in which the hole cover portion3000and the injury cover portion1000are separated from each other in the gap area3010. A plurality of connection area3012includes areas where the hole cover portion3000and the injury cover portion1000are connected to each other in the gap area3010. The plurality of separation areas3011and the plurality of the connection areas3012are placed or positioned alternately along the circumferential direction of the gap area3010. The length of the connection area3012in the circumferential direction of the gap area3010is shorter than the length of the separation area3011in the circumferential direction of the gap area3010. A plurality of the connection areas3012may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The connection area3012has a length in the circumferential direction of the gap area3010that may be easily cut by hand, but may not be easily separated due to unintentional collision or contact. Accordingly, the length of the connection areas3012in the circumferential direction of the gap area3010may vary depending on the material of the injury cover portion1000. The length of the connection areas3012in the circumferential direction of the gap area3010may be determined through experiment.

The separation area3011and the connection area3012may be formed by a punching process while the hole cover portion3000is provided integrally with the injury cover portion1000. Alternatively, the separation area3011and the connection area3012may be formed in the injury cover portion1000by various processing methods.

The characteristics of the gap area3010described above with respect toFIG.6may be applied to the injury opening holes1100,1100a, and1100bprovided in various shapes as described above.

FIG.7is a front view illustrating a hole cover portion3000aaccording to an example embodiment. The hole cover portion3000aincludes a first cover member3100and a second cover member3200. The first cover member3100may have a structure that surrounds the second cover member3200. For example, the first cover member3100and the second cover member3200may have a concentric circle and/or ring structure with different diameters.

The outer perimeter surface of the first cover member3100may engage with the inner perimeter surface of the injury opening hole1100. A first open hole3110penetrating between the inner surface and the outer surface, or cutting through the thickness, of the first cover member3100is located in the first cover member3100.

In one embodiment, a first gap area3010may be positioned between the first cover member3100and injury opening hole1100when the first cover member3100is inserted into the injury opening hole1100and connected to injury cover portion1000. The first gap area3010may include a first separation area3011and a first connection area3012.

The first separation area3011is an area in which the first cover member3100and the injury cover portion1000are separated from each other in the first gap area3010. The first connection area3012is an area where the first cover member3100and the injury cover portion1000are connected to each other in the first gap area3010. The first gap area3010, the first separation area3011, and the first connection area3012are corresponding to the first gap area3010, the separation area3011, and the connection area3012inFIG.6respectively. The first gap area3010, first separation area3011, and first connection area3012may have the same structure and characteristics with respect to the injury opening hole1100as the first gap area3010, the separation area3011and connection area3012inFIG.6.

The second cover member3200covers the first open hole3110. The outer perimeter surface of the second cover member3200engages with the inner perimeter surface of the first open hole3110.

In one embodiment, when the second cover member3200is inserted into the first open hole3110and connected to the first cover member3100, a second gap area3220may be located between the second cover member3200and the first open hole3110. The second gap area3220may include a second separation area3221and a second connection area3222.

The second separation area3221is an area in which the first cover member3100and the second cover member3200are separated from each other in the second gap area3220. The second connection area3222is an area where the first cover member3100and the second cover member3200are connected to each other in the second gap area3220. A plurality of second separation areas3222and a plurality of second connection areas3222are provided alternately along the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220. The length of the second connection area3222in the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220is shorter than the length of the second separation area3221in the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220. A plurality of second connection areas3222may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The second connection area3222has a length in the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220that may be easily cut by hand, but may not be easily separated due to unintentional collision or contact. Accordingly, the length of the second connection area3222in the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220may vary depending on the material of the injury cover portion1000. The length of the second connection area3222in the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220may be determined through experiment.

In one embodiment, the direction in which each second connection area3222is located from the center of the hole cover portion3000amay coincide with the direction in which each first connection area3012is located from the center of the hole cover portion3000a. Therefore, the force when tearing off the second cover member3200is transmitted directly to the first connection area3012, so that compared to when the force is transmitted through the first separation area3011, the stress concentrated in the first connection region3012is lowered. Accordingly, when the second cover member3200is torn off, the probability that the first cover member3100is torn off together may be reduced.

In addition, the length of the second connection area3222in the circumferential direction of the second gap area3220may be shorter than the length of the first connection area3012in the circumferential direction of the first gap area3010. Therefore, the probability that the first connection area3012is torn apart by a force that may separate the second connection area3222may be reduced.

In a state in which the hole cover portion3000ais integrated with the injury cover portion1000, the first separation area3011, the second separation area3221, the first connection area3012, and the second connection area3222may be formed by a punching processing method. Alternatively, the first separation area3011, the second separation area3221, the first connection area3012, and the second connection area3222may be formed in the injury cover portion1000by various processing methods.

Unlike the hole cover portion3000aofFIG.7having a double structure, the hole cover portion3000may have a triple or more multi-layer structure.

If a hole of excessive size compared to the injury11is opened in the injury cover portion1000, the area supporting the body weight of the injury cover portion1000may become narrow, thereby lowering the weight dispersion rate. And, if a hole of a smaller size than the injury11is opened in the injury cover portion1000, a problem may occur in which the injury cover portion1000and the injury11come into contact. As described above, the hole cover portion3000ain a multiple structure allows the injury contact prevention band100to utilize the hole of an appropriate size for the injuries of various sizes.

The features of the first gap area3010and the second gap area3220described with reference toFIG.7are applicable to the injury opening holes1100,1100a, and1100bprovided in various shapes as described above.

FIG.8is a perspective view illustrating an example of the hard cap portion4000.FIG.9is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the hard cap portion4000ofFIG.8inserted into the injury opening hole1100. Referring toFIGS.8and9, the injury contact prevention band100may further include a hard cap portion4000. The hard cap portion4000is spaced apart from the inner opening1101inFIG.2of the injury opening hole1100and covers the outer opening1102inFIG.2of the injury opening hole1100. The hard cap portion4000is detachably fastened to the injury opening hole1100. The hard cap portion4000has hardness. For example, the hard cap portion4000may be made of hard plastic such as phenol resin, epoxy resin, or polyester resin, or hard metal such as titanium alloy. Alternatively, the hard cap portion4000may be made of various hard materials. In one embodiment, the hard cap portion4000includes a cover wall4100, a side wall4200, a fastening protrusion4300, and a fringe portion4400.

The cover wall4100covers the outer opening1102inFIG.2of the injury opening hole1100when the hard cap portion4000is inserted, pushed, or pressed into the injury opening hole1100. The cover wall4100has a shape and size such that outer circumference thereof engages the inner circumference of the injury opening hole1100. For example, when the injury opening holes1100,1100aand1100bare provided in a circular, square, or slit shape, the cover wall4100may accordingly have a circular, square, or slit shape, respectively. The cover wall4100may be provided in a shape that is gently convex outward. Therefore, in response to the fact that the shape of the injury cover portion1000is generally convex outward when wrapping around the body10, the patient wearing it may feel a more natural comfort.

The side wall4200protrudes inward from the inner surface of the cover wall4100when the hard cap portion4000is inserted, pushed, or pressed into the injury opening hole1100. The side wall4200may have a cylindrical shape with an outer perimeter surface fittingly engaged with the inner perimeter surface of the injury opening hole1100.

The protrusion length of the side wall4200from the cover wall4100may be smaller than the thickness of the outer perimeter surface of the injury opening hole1100. In one embodiment, the protrusion length of the side wall4200from the cover wall4100is shorter than a length that the cover wall4100may protrude from the inner opening1101inFIG.2when the injury cover portion1000is pressed by the body weight of the patient wearing the injury contact prevention band100. Therefore, even when the injury cover portion1000is pressed by the patient wearing it, the patient may feel little or unnoticeable foreign body sensation. The protrusion length of the side wall4200from the cover wall4100may be set through simulation or experiment and/or may depend on the type of injury or wound.

The fastening protrusion4300protrudes from the outer perimeter surface of the side wall4200in the direction in which the outer perimeter surface is facing. In one embodiment, the fastening protrusion4300may have a single closed curve shape along the outer circumferential direction of the side wall4200. For example, when the injury opening hole1100is provided in a circular shape, the fastening protrusion4300may have a ring shape. In another embodiment, so that the hard cap portion4000may be more easily inserted into the injury opening hole1100, the fastening protrusion4300may be inclined so that the protrusion length from the outer perimeter of the side wall4200gradually becomes longer toward the outside from the end facing inward to a predetermined position. With the fastening protrusion4300, the hard cap portion4000may more firmly maintain the state of being inserted into the injury opening hole1100.

The fringe portion4400extends from the outer perimeter of the cover wall4100along the direction in which the outer perimeter surface of the side wall4200is facing. In one embodiment, the fringe portion4400has an extended length longer than the protruding length of the fastening protrusion4300. When the hard cap portion4000inserted into the injury opening hole1100, the thickness from the outer surface of the injury cover portion1000of the fringe portion4400may gradually becomes thicker toward the outside from the outer perimeter thereof to the cover wall4100. Additionally, the outer surface of the fringe portion4400may have a curved shape that extends in the curved direction of the outer surface of the cover wall4100. Therefore, when the injury cover portion1000is pressed by the patient, the patient may move more flexibly and the patient feels less of a foreign body sensation. Accordingly, the fringe portion4400may prevent the hard cap portion4000from being pushed into the injury opening hole1100.

The hard cap portion4000may more firmly prevent contact of the injury surrounded by the inner perimeter surface of the injury opening hole1100and reduce penetration of external foreign substances into the injury.

When the hole cover portion3000ahas a multiple structure such as the first open hole3110described above, the hard cap portion4000may have various sizes corresponding to each hole.

FIG.10is a partial front view illustrating an injury contact prevention band100caccording to an example embodiment. The injury contact prevention band100cmay further include a hard cover portion5000.

The hard cover portion5000covers the outer surface of the injury cover portion1000. The hard cover portion5000has hardness and ductility. The hard cover portion5000may be made of a metal material that has hardness and ductility. For example, the hard cover portion5000may be made of low carbon steel, copper, aluminum, or an alloy material containing these metal materials. the aluminum or the aluminum alloy may be the same material used for finger sprints.

An injury opening hole opening5100is located in the hard cover portion5000. The injury opening hole opening5100cuts through the thickness of the injury cover portion1000, or penetrates between the inner surface and outer surface of the injury cover portion1000to expose, reveal, show, or display the injury opening hole1100to the outside. In one embodiment, the injury opening hole opening5100has an inner circumference that surrounds the injury opening hole1100.

The hard cover portion5000may be deformed according to the curvature of the body10, so that the injury cover portion1000may be in close contact with the body as a whole to reduce areas of the inner surface of the injury cover portion1000lifted from the body10. Therefore, the area of the injury cover portion1000where weight is distributed may expand, and chafing due to lifting of the injury cover portion1000may be prevented.

In one embodiment, a cut groove5200is located in the hard cover portion5000. The cut groove5200is indented from the outer perimeter of the hard cover portion5000toward the center of the hard cover portion5000in a shape accommodating the cut portion1200at a position opposite the cut portion1200to expose the cut portion1200to the outside. When the end area1300is deformed according to the curvature of the body10the cut groove5200may help preventing the area opposite to the end area1300of the hard cover portion5000from bending outward or inward so that foreign body sensation may be prevented when the injury contact prevention band is worn.

When the hard cap portion4000is inserted, pushed, or pressed into the injury opening hole1100, the injury opening hole opening5100may have an inner perimeter fittingly engaged with the outer perimeter of the fringe portion4400, or have a size in which the inner perimeter of the injury opening hole opening5100is spaced apart from the fringe portion4400and surrounds an area adjacent to the fringe portion4400.

The injury opening hole openings5100may be located at a position opposite to injury opening holes1100respectively, corresponding to the plurality of injury opening holes1100.

The injury contact prevention band100,100a,100band100caccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may prevent contact with the injury11as the inner perimeter surface of the injury opening hole1100surrounds the injury11. In addition, the injury contact prevention band100according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is lighter and has a smaller volume than bedding such as a mattress for preventing injury contact, so the injury contact prevention band100may be easily carried. In addition, the injury contact prevention band100according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be fastened to various parts of the body10, and may selectively open some of the plurality of injury opening holes1100, so that the contact with the injury at the various parts of the body10may be prevented. In addition, the injury opening holes1100corresponding to the uninjured area are not opened unnecessarily, thereby lowering the penetration rate of foreign substances, and the hole cover portion3000supports the body weight so that the force that the uninjured area receives may be distributed.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.