Dressings

Abstract

A dressing 2 comprising an absorbent core 12 infused with at least one substance, and a first outer coating 16 extending across at least a portion of the core, with the core and coating configured to

Description

dressing which Is suitable for use as a comfort following a medical procedure in any of those areas of the body, or simply as a comfort following vigorous exercise. At present, there is no readily available dressing that can solve these problems easily, reliably and in comfort to the person affected. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dressing comprising: an absorbent core infused with at least one substance; a first outer coating extending across at least a portion of the absorbent core, in which the first outer coating and absorbent core are configured in use to provide a cooling effect to an adjacent portion of a user’s skin. Hie first outer coating is preferably configured in use to regulate the rate of cooling provided by die dressing when placed adjacent the skin of a user. In one embodiment, die absorbent core is configured in use to enable the at least one substance io evaporate therefrom when the dressing is positioned adjacent a skin of a user. The at least one substance preferably has a low heat of vaporisation such that when the dressing is placed adjacent a portion of a user’s skin, the body temperature causes the at least one substance to evaporate to provide a cooling effect to the adjacent portion of user’s skin. The at least one substance may comprise a solvent, preferably an alcohol, for example ethanol. The solvent is preferably non-aqueous. The al least one substance preferably has a heat of vaporisation which is less than the heat of vaporisation of water. Preferably, the heat of vaporisation of the at least one substance is less than 20()0 kJZkg, preferable less than 1500 kJ / kg; preferably less than lOOu kl / kg. The first outer coating is preferably permeable to enable the at least one substance, once evaporated, to pass therethrough. 'foe presence of the first outer coating preferably helps to regulate the rate of release of the evaporated substancefs ; from the core to the skin of a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a dressing comprising: infusing an absorbent core with at least one substance; The dressing may be housed within a protective outer covering, such as for example a wrapper or box. prior to use in ofoer te prevent or reduce loss of the substance!s) prior to use, and to maintain hygiene. I lie protective outer covering, for example wrapper or box, may be made of foil and / or plastics. The dressing may further comprise a second outer coating. The second outer coating is preferably a non-permeable layer, for example a liquid and / or vapour Impermeable layer. The second outer coating may be located at or adjacent the lower surface of the absorbent core. The second outer coating may extend across at least a portion of the lower surface of the absorbent core. The second outer coating may extend in a directed from or adjacent the first end towards or adjacent the second end of the absorbent core. The second outer coating may extend across at least a portion of the core between the first and second side portions thereof. . In one embodiment, the first outer coating and second outer coating extend beyond at least one side portion and / or at least one end of the absorbent com and are joined together. For example, the first outer coating and second outer coatings each extend beyond the first end, second end, first side portion and second side portions and join together to form a fiange extending around the periphery of the absorbent core. The first and second outer coatings may be formed by adhesive or welding. The at least one substance may be any suitable substance for promoting one or move of: pain relief and / or cooling and / or healing of the skin or wound area of a user’s body. Preferably, the at least one substance comprises a pharmaceutical composition.. In one embodiment, the at least one substance comprises one or more of: an antiseptic, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, an antifungal, a lubricant or any combination thereof. The at least one substance may comprise one or more of: petroleum jelly. Witch Hazel, Canesien, Sa vlom arnica, or water, or any combination thereof, The dressing may be used as a preventative against skin damage to an num of the skin through irritation and / or trauma. The dressing may be used for treatment of conditions associated with post partem, hemorrhoids or inflammation (chafing} to areas of the body, such as for example chaffing, for example, as might happen to a cyclist. Description of the Preferred Embodiments body, as here, or can be amorphous so as to serve a variety of genend uses in much (he same way that slicking plasters vary in size and shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the dressing 2 comprises an absorbent core 12 which is generally oval in shape, The dressing 2 has a first end 4. an opposed second end 6, an upper surface 8. a lower surface 10 and side portions 14a, 1.4b extending therebetween. The dressing 2 comprises a. first outer coating 16 positioned adjacent and extending across the upper surface 8 of the cere 12. The first enter coating 16 is at least partially permeable, in particular, the first outer coating i 6 is preferably at least partially permeable to vapour. The dressing 2 further comprises a second outer coating 18 positioned adjacent and extending across the lower surface 8 of the core 12. The second outer coating 18 is impermeable to fluid. i he first outer coating 16 and second outer coating 18 extend beyond the side portions 14a. 14b of the com 12 and are joined together, In the illustrated embodiment, the first outer coating 16 and second outer coating 18 each extend beyond the first end 4, second end 6. first side portion 14a and second side portions 14b and join together to form a flange 20 extending around the periphery of the absorbent core 12. The width of the dressing 2, as measured between the upper surface 8 and lower surface 10, is greater adjacent the side portions 14a, 14b than in the central region 22 (located between the first end 4, second end 6 and opposed side portions 10a, 10b). The dressing 2 comprises a core 12 of absorbent material which conforms to the shape of the dressing 2. The core is infused, impregnated or soaked in at least one substance {preferably at leastone pharmaceutical composition) which, in use, evaporates through the first outer coating 16 when placed adjacent to or in contact with the skin of the user when in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the dressing 2 provides an aperture 24 located at the central region 22 dressing to permit body fluids emanating from the vagina to pass through the dressing 2 whilst allowing the remainder of the dressing 2 to contact the surface of the surrounding genital area. In this way, the at least one substance impregnated mto the core 12 is free to contact the skin of the user In the desired area of the body whilst allowing blood and other body fluids to pass freely through the aperture 24 and away from contact with the affected area. In use, the dressing 1.2 may be positioned such that the first outer coating 16 is adjacent the user’s skin, A secondary, absorbent pad may be placed against the second

Claims

of the body of a user, and In which the upper surface of the first outer coaling is hydrophobic.

12. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, m which the first outer coating is a plastic film.13, A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second outer coaling located at or adjacent the lower surface of the absorbent core.

14. A dressing as claimed in claim 13, in which the second outer coating is a non-permeable layer, for example a liquid impermeable layer.

15. A dressing as claimed in claim 14, further comprising one or more adhesive portions adjacent the second outer coating, the adhesive ptniioms) configured m use to contact a garment of a user.

16. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the at least one substance comprises one or more of: an antiseptic, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, an antifimgah a lubricant or any combination thereof.

17. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dressing defines at least one aperture extending therethrough, the aperturets) being configured in use to permit the passage of body fluids from the target area through the dressing without absorption into the dressing itself.

18. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an absorbent layer positioned between an upper surface of the core and the first outer layer.

19. A method for manufacturing a dressing comprising:infusing an absorbent core with at least one substance; andpositioning a first outer coaling across at least a portion of the absorbent core, in which the first outer coating is configured in use to provide a cooling effect to an adjacent portion of a user’s skin.

20. An apparatus for manufacturing a dressing comprising:a source of at least one substance in fluid communication with an owlet;a support structure configured to receive an absorbent core thereon, and to align the absorbent core with the outlet to receive at least one substance therefrom;a source of first outer coating positioned downstream from the source of at least one substance and the outlet; and13AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-CLAIMS1009 12 24152025101525of the body of a user, and In which the upper surface of the first outer coaling is hydrophobic.ILA dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, m which the first outer coating is a plastic film.

12. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second outer coaling located at or adjacent the lower surface of the absorbent core.

13. A dressing as claimed m claim 12, in which the second outer coating is a non-permeable layer, for example a liquid impermeable layer.14, A dressing as claimed in claim 13. further comprising one or more adhesive portions adjacent the second outer coating, the adhesive portion's) configured m use to contact a garment of a user.

15. A dressing as claimed m any preceding claim, in which the at least one substance comprises one or more of: an antiseptic, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, an antifungaL a lubricant or any combination thereof.

16. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dressing defines at least one aperture extending therethrough. the aperturefs) being configured in use to permit the passage of body fields from the target area through the dressing without absorption into the dressing itself.

17. A dressing as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an absorbent layer positioned between an upper surface of the core and the first outer layer.

18. A method for manufacturing a dressing comprising:Infusing an absorbent core with at least one substance comprising nonaqueous solvent; andpositioning a. first outer coating across al least a portion of the absorbent com, in which the first outer coating comprises a water resistant or waterproof upper surface, m which the first outer coating is configured m use to provide a cooling effect to an adjacent portion of a user’s skin.

19. An apparatus for manumotunng a dressing comprising:a source of at least one substance comprising non-aqueous solvent in fluid communication with an outlet;a support structure configured to receive an absorbent core thereon, and to align the absorbent core with the outlet to receive at least one substance therefrom;09 12 24

Images