SET INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE DRESSING AND A SUCTION GRIP DEVICE FOR SAID DRESSING, BLOOD COLLECTION MACHINE, DRESSING AND ROLL

Abstract

ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE DRESSING AND A SUCTION GRIPPING DEVICE FOR SAID DRESSING, BLOOD COLLECTION MACHINE, DRESSING AND ROLL. The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one dressing (1) and at least one suction gripping device for said dressing, said dressing comprising: - at least one layer, referred to as the absorbent layer (12), comprising at least one absorbent material selected from the group consisting of non-woven absorbent materials, - at least one backing layer (16) comprising at least one adhesive material, in particular selected from the group consisting of polyacrylics, polysiloxanes, their copolymers and mixtures thereof, said backing layer extending over a surface area greater than the surface area of ​​said absorbent layer. The invention also relates to such a dressing, a roll comprising a plurality of dressings, and an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine comprising such an assembly.Figure for the abbreviation: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE DRESSING AND A DEVICE FOR GRIPPING SAID DRESSING BY SUCTION, BLOOD SAMPLING MACHINE, DRESSING AND ROLLER Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one dressing and at least one device for gripping said dressing by suction, such as a gripping device fitted to an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine. A dressing of such an assembly is adapted to be able to be handled and applied by such a gripping device. The invention also relates to such a dressing and to a roll comprising such dressings. The invention also relates to an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine which allows automatic application of such a dressing to the patient's skin following a blood sample. Technological background

[0002] Healthcare establishments carry out a very large number of blood tests every day. These operations are time-consuming, repetitive and potentially dangerous for the healthcare staff and the patient given the risks of injury they involve, linked for example to trembling on the part of the healthcare staff, their fatigue, their inexperience, an incorrect gesture or a poor reflex on the part of the patient when inserting the needle into their vein.

[0003] In addition, some patients have veins that are not conducive to good blood collection, which may require several puncture attempts by the healthcare staff before being able to reach a vein that allows blood collection. This repeated attempt can be painful for the patient and can cause injuries, which only complicates the collection operation for these patients.

[0004] In addition, the global coronavirus health crisis calls for the development of systems limiting contact between patients and healthcare personnel and / or capable of ensuring mass screening of the population.

[0005] Thus, the applicant has proposed in document WO 2021 / 260035 a blood puncture head and an automatic puncture machine in a vein of a patient's limb comprising a mechatronic assembly, a control unit, a system for capturing and processing images of the patient's limb configured to determine an optimal puncture area.

[0006] Such a device thus makes it possible to automate blood collection operations.

[0007] The puncture head according to WO 2021 / 260035 further comprises a motorized dressing applicator comprising a suction cup plate for holding a dressing carried by a hollow shaft pivoting relative to a chassis between a dressing loading position in which said suction cup can come into contact with a dressing dispenser external to said head in order to be able to suck up a dressing by placing said hollow shaft under vacuum, to a dressing application position, in which said dressing carried by said suction cup comes into pressed contact with the skin of said patient's limb at the puncture zone, when withdrawing said needle from said patient's limb in order to be able to apply said dressing to said patient's limb by placing said hollow shaft under atmospheric pressure, thus releasing said dressing.

[0008] This makes it possible to automatically apply a dressing to the puncture area while creating a compression point to avoid any risk of internal or external bleeding. This dressing holder comprises a suction cup which is configured to be able to suck up a dressing, by placing a vacuum on a hollow tube carrying the suction cup. The suction cup comprises, for example, a plurality of orifices arranged on its upper surface in fluid communication with the hollow tube, so that placing a vacuum on the hollow tube makes it possible, by pressure difference, to suck up a dressing placed in contact with the upper surface of the suction cup, by moving the suction cup into said loading position. The dressing dispenser comprises, for example, a roll comprising said dressings spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The suction cup comes into contact with a dressing, sucks up the dressing, and the dressing holder is ready for use.

[0009] That being said, the dressings known to date do not allow satisfactory gripping conditions to be achieved by such a machine nor reliable and safe dressing application for the patient.

[0010] The applicant therefore sought to provide an assembly comprising a gripping device and a dressing particularly suitable for being able to be handled by such a gripping device such as a device of an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine and for being able to be applied by said gripping device.

[0011] Throughout the text, an automatic or semi-automatic machine is understood to mean a machine which can operate without human intervention, with the exception of possible operations of loading the machine, starting the machine and / or controlling the machine. Objectives of the invention

[0012] The invention aims to provide an assembly comprising at least one dressing and at least one device for gripping said dressing intended to equip a machine for automatic or semi-automatic blood sampling.

[0013] The invention also aims to provide such a dressing and a roll comprising such dressings.

[0014] The invention aims in particular to provide an assembly comprising at least one dressing adapted to be able to be handled and applied by a gripping device such as a suction device of an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine.

[0015] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine equipped with such an assembly which allows automatic application of such a dressing to the patient's skin following a blood sample. Statement of the invention

[0016] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one dressing and at least one device for gripping said dressing by suction, said dressing comprising: - at least one layer, called an absorbent layer, comprising at least one absorbent material chosen from the group formed of non-woven absorbent materials, - at least one support layer comprising at least one adhesive material, said support layer extending over a surface greater than the surface of said absorbent layer.

[0017] The invention therefore also relates to such a dressing comprising:

[0018] - at least one layer, called absorbent layer, comprising at least one material absorbent selected from the group consisting of non-woven absorbent materials,

[0019] - at least one support layer comprising at least one adhesive material, in particular an adhesive material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylics, polysiloxanes, their copolymers and their mixtures, said support layer extending over a surface area greater than the surface area of ​​said absorbent layer.

[0020] A dressing according to the invention is suitable for use by an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine and for allowing easy and automated detachment of the dressing, without requiring the intervention of an operator and without causing deformation of said dressing likely to hinder the application of the dressing to the skin of a patient by said suction gripping device.

[0021] Advantageously and according to the invention, said dressing comprises at least one border portion, called the detachment border, within which said support layer does not extend beyond said absorbent layer.

[0022] In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, said portion of the edge for detaching said dressing has an arcuate outline. The inventors have observed that such a curved shape constitutes a particularly effective starting point for detachment of the dressing (from the peelable protector or any other surface on which it is placed) from the dressing and facilitates the latter by the gripping device.

[0023] Said support layer may have any geometric shape, for example chosen from polygons or closed curves. In particular, the general shape of the support layer is considered when it is arranged on a flat support. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer has a peripheral contour extending along a simple closed curve (for example an ellipse, a circle, etc.), in particular a substantially circular (or oblong) peripheral contour.

[0024] Advantageously and according to the invention, said adhesive material is chosen from the group consisting of polyacrylics, polysiloxanes, their copolymers and their mixtures. Each polyacrylic material of said support layer is in particular chosen from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyacrylics, elastomeric polyacrylics, elastomeric thermoplastic polyacrylics, their copolymers and their mixtures. Furthermore, said polyacrylics are chosen from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polymethyl methacrylates, ethylene / butyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene / methyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene / methacrylic acid copolymers, their copolymers and their mixtures.

[0025] As regards the polysiloxanes (silicones or polymerized siloxanes) of said support layer, they may for example be silicone elastomers.

[0026] Advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer of said dressing comprises at least one substrate comprising at least one material chosen from the group formed of polyethylenes, their copolymers and their mixtures. Advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer comprises at least one substrate formed of polyethylene, said adhesive material being distributed over at least a surface portion of said substrate.

[0027] Advantageously and according to the invention, said absorbent material of the absorbent layer of said dressing comprises absorbent fibers chosen from the group formed by rayon, viscose, cellulosic materials (for example cotton) and their mixtures.

[0028] The absorbent layer of the dressing used may have different weights depending on the nature of the materials, the thickness and the dimensions and shapes of each layer of the dressing. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, said absorbent layer of said dressing has a weight at least equal to 100 g / m2, in particular at least equal to 200 g / m2.

[0029] Likewise, advantageously and according to the invention, said absorbent layer of said dressing has a thickness between 0.80 mm and 2.50 mm.

[0030] Such a thickness and such a weight contribute to obtaining a dressing having a sufficiently high fluid absorption capacity to allow the containment, without risk of leakage, of all the blood likely to result after the withdrawal of a blood collection needle from a puncture area of ​​a patient.

[0031] The dressing comprises at least one layer making it substantially impermeable to fluids, in particular to air, and to water vapor in order to facilitate its gripping by a suction cup or suction system. Advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer has substantially zero water vapor permeability (non-breathable dressing). Advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer of said dressing has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 1000 g / m2 / 24 hours (for example measured in accordance with standard NF EN 13726-2 dated September 2002), and in particular a substantially zero water vapor transmission rate.

[0032] Advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer has a substantially zero permeability to fluids in the liquid state. Likewise, advantageously and according to the invention, said support layer has a substantially zero permeability to air.

[0033] Advantageously and according to the invention, each dressing further comprises a peelable protector. The peelable protector is in the form of a film placed in contact with the adhesive face of each dressing and is intended to be removed before the dressing is placed on the skin of a patient. Advantageously and according to the invention, said dressing further comprises a peelable protector extending in the form of a strip on which a plurality of dressings are distributed, said absorbent layer being arranged between said support layer and said peelable protector. Such a strip on which a plurality of dressings are distributed can be stored flat, cut according to the desired length or number of dressings or even be rolled up on itself. The assembly formed by the strip of peelable protector on which such dressings are prearranged thus forms a roll of dressings.There is also nothing to prevent the dressings used in a set according to the invention from being presented individually from one another (unit dressings), the dressings being for example stored stacked on top of one another or placed side by side on their edge (thickness) in a dressing dispenser.

[0034] The invention therefore also relates to a roll comprising at least one strip extending mainly along a longitudinal axis and on which a plurality of dressings according to the invention are distributed. Advantageously and according to the invention, all of the dressings of a roll are arranged on the same main face of said strip.

[0035] The absorbent layer may have any shape and be arranged in various ways relative to said support layer. In particular, advantageously and according to the invention, said dressings are configured such that each absorbent layer of a dressing extends longitudinally in a direction substantially identical to or parallel to said longitudinal axis along which said strip extends. Nothing also prevents providing that each absorbent layer of a dressing extends transversely to said longitudinal axis along which said strip extends.

[0036] Advantageously and according to the invention, said strip has, on either side of each dressing of said strip, a plurality of holes substantially aligned in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis. Such holes can serve as markers when the strip is handled by an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine.

[0037] Said adhesive material and / or said absorbent layer may further comprise at least one active substance intended to promote healing or treatment of the skin or a wound. Such an active substance may for example be chosen from healing-promoting agents such as retinol, vitamin A, vitamin E, antibacterial agents, antiseptics such as chlorhexidine, painkillers such as paracetamol, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatories.

[0038] The suction gripping device may have any shape allowing said dressing to be handled by suction. Advantageously and according to the invention, said suction gripping device comprises a suction plate having at least one suction hole connected to a suction source. Such a suction plate makes it possible to apply a pressure strictly lower than atmospheric pressure, in particular a pressure of between 40 MPa and 60 MPa, for example within a hollow tube in fluid communication with each suction hole of the suction plate. Said suction plate comprises a predetermined number of holes, said holes having a predetermined diameter, adapted to allow the gripping of a dressing according to the invention.

[0039] The invention also relates to an automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine from a patient's limb comprising at least one assembly according to the invention.

[0040] Such a blood collection machine may for example comprise a mechatronic assembly, a control unit for said mechatronic assembly, a system for capturing and processing images of the patient's limb configured to determine an optimal puncture area, characterized in that it further comprises a puncture head mounted on said mechatronic assembly. Such a machine is for example described in application WO 2015 / 158978 in the name of the applicant.

[0041] The invention also relates to an assembly, a machine, a dressing, and a roller characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0042] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely for non-limiting purposes and which refers to the appended figures in which:

[0043] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective view of a dressing according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0044] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dressing according to the embodiment of [Fig.l],

[0045] [Fig.3] is a schematic top view of a portion of a strip according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0046] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a roll comprising a strip according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0047] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of an automatic blood collection machine according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0049] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0050] Furthermore, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

[0051] An assembly according to the invention comprises at least one dressing 1 and at least one device 8 for gripping by suction (or vacuum suction) such a dressing.

[0052] [Fig. 1] represents a dressing 1 having a circular peripheral contour comprising an absorbent layer 12 and a support layer 16 juxtaposed and superimposed on each other. [Fig. 2] represents the dressing 1 shown in [Fig. 1] in cross-section.

[0053] The absorbent layer 12 comprises at least one absorbent material and is in the form of a strip having two straight lateral edges parallel to each other and two longitudinal ends each forming a curved edge.

[0054] The absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of non-woven absorbent materials and comprises absorbent fibers such as rayon, viscose, cellulosic materials (e.g. cotton) or a mixture of such fibers. The absorbent layer has a grammage of at least 100 g / m2, in particular at least 200 g / m2, for example a grammage of between 300 g / m2 and 600 g / m2. The absorbent layer preferably has a thickness of between 0.80 mm and 2.50 mm, in particular a thickness of between 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm.

[0055] The support layer 16 covers the absorbent layer 12 and extends beyond the edges lateral sides of the absorbent layer strip by forming two wings of the dressing. The support layer 16 therefore has a surface greater than the surface of the absorbent layer 12. The support layer 16 comprises at least one adhesive material making it possible to make said absorbent layer 12 adhere thereto and to hold the dressing on the patient's skin in contact with which it will be applied. The adhesive material is in particular chosen from the group formed by polyacrylics, polysiloxanes, their copolymers and their mixtures.

[0056] The dressing has two edge portions 13, 14 within which the support layer 16 does not extend beyond the absorbent layer 12, each edge portion 13, 14 having a non-zero curvature of constant direction, i.e., in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, an arc of a circle.

[0057] The dressing and the support layer may also have a peripheral contour extending along a simple closed curve such as a circle, for example an ellipse.

[0058] Each polyacrylic material of the support layer is in particular chosen from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyacrylics, elastomeric polyacrylics, elastomeric thermoplastic polyacrylics, their copolymers and their mixtures. Furthermore, said polyacrylics are chosen from the group consisting of polyacrylates, polymethyl methacrylates, ethylene / butyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene / methyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene / methacrylic acid copolymers, their copolymers and their mixtures.

[0059] As regards polysiloxanes (polymerized silicones or siloxanes), these may for example be silicone elastomers.

[0060] According to a first option, said support layer 16 may be formed from a single material (which may itself be formed from a mixture of materials). According to this first option, the adhesive material is in the form of a thin film having two main faces, one having adhesive properties and oriented towards the absorbent layer and intended to be positioned in contact with the skin of a patient, the other capable of forming the external surface of the dressing (and therefore non-adhesive but protective).

[0061] According to a second option, the support layer 16 may comprise, in addition to the adhesive material, at least one substrate formed at least in part from polyethylene. Thus, the adhesive material may be distributed at least partially on the surface of the substrate.

[0062] In the case of these two options, the support layer via the nature of the adhesive material and / or the nature of the substrate makes the dressing sufficiently impermeable to fluids (liquid or gaseous) and to water vapor in order to facilitate its gripping by a suction gripping device 8. The support layer therefore has a substantially zero permeability to water vapor (such that the dressing is said to be non-breathable) as well as a substantially zero permeability to fluids in the liquid state.

[0063] The support layer is free of perforations in its thickness, that is to say it is continuous and does not have through holes. This makes it possible to limit the permeability to fluids including water vapor of said dressing in order to promote its ability to be handled by the suction gripping device.

[0064] The support layer preferably has a thickness of between 0.05 mm and 1.00 mm, in particular a thickness of between 0.10 mm and 0.50 mm, for example a thickness of the order of 0.20 mm.

[0065] The dressing may comprise a peelable protector 20 protecting the adhesive face of the support layer.

[0066] This peelable protector 20 can be used to prepare a strip 10, shown in [Fig. 3], extending mainly along a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of dressings according to the invention. The dressings are in particular arranged aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the strip 10. The peelable protector 20 is intended to be removed just before the dressing 1 is placed on the patient's skin. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the strip 10 also has, on either side of each dressing, a plurality of holes 22 substantially aligned in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis along which the strip 10 extends. Note that the longitudinal axis of the strip 10 is designated by considering the strip 10 extended or unrolled for example on a flat object. However, the strip can be wound in the form of a roll 30 ([Fig.4]) in order to store a predetermined number of dressings while limiting its size, such a roll 30 being able to equip an automatic blood collection machine.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, and as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the absorbent material of the absorbent layer of each dressing of a roll is configured so as to extend mainly in the same longitudinal direction. Thus, each strip of absorbent material of a dressing is aligned with the strip of absorbent material of the next (or previous) dressing. The dressings are positioned on a strip so that each absorbent layer of a dressing extends longitudinally in a direction substantially identical or parallel to the longitudinal axis along which said strip extends (when it is arranged on a flat support and not when it is rolled up on itself).

[0068] Said adhesive material and / or said absorbent layer may further comprise at least one active substance intended to promote healing or treatment of the skin or a wound. Such an active substance may, for example, be chosen from healing-promoting agents such as retinol, vitamin A, vitamin E, antibacterial agents, antiseptics such as chlorhexidine, painkillers such as paracetamol, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatories.

[0069] According to an exemplary embodiment such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2, a dressing is prepared from a support layer formed from polyethylene in the form of a disc having a diameter of 30 mm and coated over its entire surface (on one main face only) with an acrylic adhesive. This support layer has a substantially constant thickness of the order of 0.2 mm. A strip of absorbent material with a width of 14 mm is cut out, formed from a mixture of viscose and polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. The absorbent strip has a thickness of 1.5 mm and a weight of 100 g / m2. The strip of absorbent material is placed in the center of said adhesive support layer and in contact with the adhesive face thereof. The dressing can then optionally be covered by placing a peelable protective film on the absorbent material side and so as to protect the adhesive surface portions of the dressing.

[0070] The suction gripping device 8 comprises, for example, a suction plate having at least one suction hole connected to a suction source configured to enable a pressure strictly lower than atmospheric pressure to be reached within, for example, a hollow tube in fluid communication with each suction hole of the suction plate. In particular, it is sufficient to achieve a suction pressure of between 40 MPa and 60 MPa to enable the gripping and handling of such dressings.

[0071] The invention also relates to an automatic blood collection machine 50 illustrated very schematically in [Fig. 5]. This machine comprises, according to the embodiment shown, a device 8 for gripping a dressing 7, a control unit 51 for the gripping device 8, an image capture and processing system 52 of the patient's limb configured to determine an optimal puncture zone where the dressing 7 should also be placed, and a puncture head (not shown). The image capture and processing system 52 comprises, for example, a camera, not shown in the figures, adapted to acquire the patient's limb 9 to be punctured. The images are then transmitted to an image processing module configured to detect an optimal puncture vein. The method for identifying the optimal vein is, for example, that described in application WO2015158978 in the name of the applicant.Once the optimal vein has been detected, the control unit 51 transmits to the actuators of the gripping device 8 and to the actuators of the puncture head, the information on the movement of the needle holder so as to allow the insertion of a needle into the limb of the patient 9 to be sampled.

[0072] Prior to the blood collection operation, the puncture head according to the invention is loaded with the collection tubes necessary for the specific analysis of the patient. The tubes are inserted into the rotating barrel, which preferably comprises a number of tube receiving housings, greater than or equal to the number of tubes ne- necessary for the examination carried out on the patient.

[0073] The suction gripping device 8 then takes a dressing 7 from a roll of dressings equipping the sampling machine and the dressing 7 can be placed on the skin of the patient 9 where the blood sample was taken.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly comprising a peelable protector (20) extending in the form of a strip (10) on which a plurality of dressings (1) are distributed, and at least one device (8) for gripping by suction at least one of said dressings, each dressing comprising: - at least one layer, called absorbent layer (12), comprising at least one absorbent material chosen from the group formed by non-woven absorbent materials, - at least one support layer (16) comprising at least one adhesive material, said support layer extending along a surface greater than the surface of said absorbent layer.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that each dressing comprises at least one border portion (13, 14), called a detachment border, within which said support layer (16) does not extend beyond said absorbent layer (12).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that each edge portion (13, 14) for detaching each dressing has an arcuate outline.

4. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said adhesive material is chosen from the group formed by polyacrylics, polysiloxanes, their copolymers and their mixtures.

5. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said support layer (16) of each dressing comprises at least one substrate comprising at least one material chosen from the group formed by polyethylenes, their copolymers and their mixtures.

6. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said absorbent material of each dressing comprises absorbent fibers chosen from the group formed by rayon, viscose, cellulosic materials and their mixtures.

7. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said absorbent layer of said dressing has a weight at least equal to 100 g / m2, in particular at least equal to 200 g / m2.

8. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said absorbent layer (12) of each dressing has a thickness of between 0.80 mm and 2.50 mm.

9. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said support layer of each dressing has a peripheral contour extending along a simple closed curve.

10. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said absorbent layer (12) is arranged between said support layer (16) and said peelable protector (20).

11. Automatic or semi-automatic blood collection machine (50) characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Roll (30) characterized in that it comprises at least one strip (10) extending mainly along a longitudinal axis and on which a plurality of dressings (1) are distributed, each dressing (1) comprising: - at least one layer, called absorbent layer (12), comprising at least one absorbent material chosen from the group formed of non-woven absorbent materials, - at least one support layer (16) comprising at least one adhesive material, said support layer extending along a surface greater than the surface of said absorbent layer.

Images