Apparatus for sealing and coupling material to a body

Abstract

A bandage-type apparatus includes a skin condition compartment that is adhered to cover a skin condition with leak-proof adhesive surrounding the compartment that attaches to skin adjacent the skin condition and with a non-adhesive material of the compartment covering the skin condition. A drain outlet is provided for allowing liquid that may be used in the compartment to treat the skin condition to be drained by a user.

Description

APPARATUS FOR SEALING AND COUPLING MATERIAL TO A BODYRelated Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 519,035, filed August 11 , 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Background of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a bandage-type apparatus for applying liquids, such as saline solution or medicinal fluids, to a wound, skin condition or other target region of the body that would benefit from a bath or soak. For example, nursing mothers often experience nipple rawness, wounds, and soreness injuries for which conventional treatments include holding cups or bowls of saline solutions in an uncomfortable and mobility-limited manner to the irritated nipples for repeated intervals of several minutes throughout a day. During such treatments, the mother is generally unable to provide care to their infant or engage in any other activities since she must remain stationary with the cups or bowls held or supported against the nipples. Additionally, preparation of the saline solution and filling and cleaning of the cups or bowls adds inconvenience and additional time taken away from the busy mother.

[0003] Accordingly, a need exists for an easy and quick-to-apply bath or soak solution, such as saline, to adhere over a body wound, like nipples with nursing injuries and soreness, while the user can remain mobile and carry out daily activities.Summary of the Invention

[0004] T o answer this need, in embodiments of the invention a leak-proof wound or skin condition compartment (adhesive-free region that holds liquid over wound) is provided to receive and / or cover a wound, skin condition, injury or other portion of the body that would benefit from a liquid bath or soak. A seal, such as a liquid-proof or waterproof adhesive surrounding the perimeter of the skin condition compartment to stick to skin around the target skin condition, is provided that holds the liquid bath or soak in the apparatus and allows the bandage-type apparatus to remain in place and hold the treating liquid, such as saline solution or medicinal solution, on the body while the user can remain mobile and carry out normal activities. In some embodiment a liquidproof silicone seal may be provided surround the skin condition compartment and help hold the soak or bath solution in the compartment for treating the wound.

[0005] In embodiments of the invention, the adhesive seal surrounding and adhering the leakproof skin condition compartment may include a removal backing that blocks the adhesive from sticking to objects until desirable for adhering to the body location. This could include “peel away” paper backings such as used on conventional bandages, stickers and body tapes which permit one-step removal of the backing on the adhesive of the adherable skin condition compartment at the time of attachment to the skin and body.

[0006] In some embodiments of the invention one or more liquid-filled pouches are coupled to the skin condition compartment from which the liquid can be released into the compartment after the use has adhered the compartment with the leakproof adhesive seal over the wound (e.g., nipple and areola). The one or more pouches may be connected to the skin condition compartment by any known mechanisms for releasably containing a liquid, such as a press-seal, frangible seal, valve, tear-away lining, and the like. The user would adhere the compartment at and over the desired skin condition / body location and then open the seal(s) in such manner determined by the type of seal or valve so that the liquid solution, like saline solution, is released from the pouch(es) and held as a bath or soak over the wound. In some embodiments, the one or more pouches may be positioned and coupled above the compartment so that gravity helps cause the liquid to flow down into the compartment and soak or bath the wound area, such as nipple and areola of a breastfeeding mother.

[0007] In other embodiments of the invention, a bandage-type apparatus with a leak-proof skin condition compartment may include a sealable opening or valve into which a liquid solution may be dispensed or injected. In some embodiment the liquid solution might be packaged with premeasured amounts of liquid, like saline, antiseptic, soap and water, or medicinal solution, and squeezed or injected from a tube, bottle, packet, or similar containers that preferably couple to opening or liquid insertion location on the skin condition compartment. Once the liquid has been dispensed into the covering compartment, the opening, valve, or similar insertion location is closed to retain the bath or soak solution in the compartment and on the wound site.

[0008] In various embodiments of the invention, a bandage-type apparatus that adheres with a leakproof compartment over a skin condition via adhesive to skin surrounding the condition and holds a liquid solution, such as a saline, antibacterial, body cleaning solution, moisturizer or medicinal solution, may provide a bath or soak for nipples that are sore and injured from injury, locations of surgery on the body, piercing sites on the body, insect bites, diseased tissue (such as cancer), infections, injuries and wounds to the skin, scars, burns, sunburns, tattoos or tattooremovals and like skin conditions where a soak or bath would benefit the skin and tissue. In some embodiments, a device of the present invention may be adhered not only to humans, but also to animals that could benefit from coupling materials to a condition or part of the animal body.

[0009] In various embodiments, devices of the invention can attach over body locations other than skin conditions or wounds, such as an eye or eyes where materials are sealed against the eye area. In some embodiments, a device of the invention may be adhered to a larger body part or appendage of a human or animal to couple materials to that body part. For example, a baby or person may cut a finger or hand and a device of the present invention may be shaped and sized to contain the whole finger or hand and materials may be coupled to treat the body part or the condition of the body part by providing a compartment as a “sealed” bubble over that part.

[0010] In embodiments of the invention, the liquid to be provided in the skin condition covering compartment may also be adjusted to a preferred temperature, such as with heating or cooling as desirable for administering the skin condition soak.

[0011] In other embodiments of the invention, a dressing or gauze might also be pre-soaked or soaked with liquid before application to a wound and held in a place by an adhesive skin condition compartment with a surrounding leak-proof adhesive adhering to surrounding skin as disclosed by the present invention. A user could, for instance, place a saline-soaked dressing into a leakproof skin condition compartment and then the compartment could be adhered over the wound location and hold the “wet” dressing in place (via leak-proof adhesive attaching to skin around the wound) while the user is able to remain mobile.

[0012] In some embodiments, a compartment or enclosure device of the present invention may adhere cosmetic, moisturizing, or other non-medicinal materials against desire desired parts of the body.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a nipple covering apparatus with releasable saline in pouches coupled to a nipple covering compartment having a leak-proof adhesive seal around the compartment and in the shape of a bear in an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a nipple covering apparatus with releasable saline in a pouch with a releasable valve coupled to a nipple covering compartment having a leak-proofadhesive seal around the compartment and in the shape of a pear in an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a nipple covering apparatus with releasable saline in a pouch with a releasable valve (opened by pulling on string to leaf) coupled to a nipple covering compartment having a leak-proof adhesive seal with peel-away backing paper and in the shape of a pear in an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a reusable silicone apparatus with a domed substance holding compartment having a surrounding seal perimeter, such as for receiving adhesive, that includes a substance delivery tube and a syringe for providing substance into the apparatus for treatment of wound, injury and / or skin and body tissue beneath the aperture of the dome surrounded by the adhesive that adheres to the body in an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a transfer adhesive ring that may be to adhere the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 to a body in an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a breast cup including a liquid delivery port and drain outlet with removable tab in an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 5A is a front view of a breast cup including a liquid delivery port and drain outlet with removable tab in an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 6A-6D are schematic diagrams illustrating use of the breast cup of FIG. 5, including in an embodiment, adhering and sealing the cup to the breast with adhesive around the perimeter of the cup, providing liquid (such as saline) into the delivery port of the cup for treating a nipple of the breast, removing a tab to open the drain outlet of cup and allow the liquid in the cup to drain where desired and removing the emptied cup from the breast.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0021] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate and are described with respect to specific embodiments of the invention. In the broadest sense, the invention is directed to a treatment device 10 attachable for applying and retaining a treatment substance at a location on a human or animal body. The treatment device 10 includes substance holding compartment 20 that has a leak-proof seal 40 around the perimeter of compartment 20. The compartment 20 receives a treating substance (not shown), such as a from a substance storage component 30 (e.g., pouch in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B)or a delivery tube 310 (see FIG. 3). The substance holding compartment 20 is coupled to a bodycompatible adhesive or attachment component 50 that secures the substance holding compartment 20 over the body target area and the desirable substance is delivered into the compartment 20 and held in place to on the body target area. In embodiments, the preferred body target area is a nipple (such as needing treatment due to breast-feeding injury), and the preferred substance is saline solution.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of a nipple covering apparatus 10 with releasable saline in pouches 30 (near bear eyes) coupled to a nipple and areola covering compartment 20 (bear belly) having a leak-proof seal 40 around the compartment and in the shape of a bear or similar animal, object, character, flower, food, plant, and the like. The pouches 30 may include press seal, frangible seal, “burst” seal, valves, or similar-type of liquid-releasing mechanism 35 so that liquid enters the skin condition compartment 20 after the user attaches the adhesive / attachment region 50 and compartment 20 (itself adhesive-free) at the wound location when a bath / soak is desired for application.

[0023] The adhesive region 50 around the skin condition compartment 20 and leak-proof seal 40 of the apparatus 10 may include a waterproof adhesive tape or bandage, like what is shown at the website: https: / / spidertech.com / us / cateqory-pre-cuts (incorporated herein by reference). Similar leak-proof adhesive that couples to the skin condition compartment 20 and can attach to surrounding skin around the skin condition that is covered may also include adhesive material like the “Seal-Tight Shield and Shower Patch” disclosed at https: / / www.amazon.com / Shield-Dressing- Protector-Watertight-Protection / dp / B001G0N6HW (incorporated herein by reference).

[0024] In some embodiments, the leak-proof seal 40 of the apparatus 10 can include layers of adhesive tape or bandage material that adheres to the body location and provides a liquid proof seal. In such embodiments, the apparatus 10 can be re-usable and the most recently used outer layer of adhesive / bandage material can be removed and discarded thereby exposing the next adhesive / bandage material layer for adhering the apparatus 10 to the body. A predetermined plurality of adhesive / bandage material layers stacked upon each around the seal 40 perimeter shape and thereby provides a predetermined number of re-uses of the apparatus. It will be appreciated that such layers is similar to sheets of a lint roller that may be peeled to reveal a clean adhesive material as a next layer. In some embodiments, a separator material, such as a nonadhesive material or backing, may be included between each adhesive layer to avoidcontamination, such as with dust or other contaminants, of the next adhesive outer layer during storage for the next use.

[0025] In other embodiments, other mechanisms as an alternative to adhesive connection may be used to provide a sealed connection of the apparatus 10 with the skin compartment 20 or aperture having a leak-proof seal 40 perimeter to the desired body target area. For example, a sealed connection of devices of the invention could be provided by a harness or similar attachment or coupling device using magnets, Velcro (hook and loop material), and click-in or lock-in compartments or cups. In other embodiments, skin glue or similar adhering chemicals that provides a leakproof seal 40 may couple between the skin and apparatus to hold the treatment device in sealed position with the compartment 20 over the body condition being treated.

[0026] A bandage-type apparatus in embodiments of the invention may be provided in different shapes and sizes with an aesthetic design like a bear (or other animals, characters, objects (see FIGS. 2A and 2B showing a pear)), with a donut-like hole cut in the center to allow the nipple (or other affected areas) to be placed in the compartment 20. A liquid (or gel, medicament, ointment, or other substance desired for application to the body) can be provided in a pre-measured / filled container or an integrated liquid-filled bag / pouch 30 (such as saline in the case of nipple care) that is coupled to the compartment 20 (adhesive-free in region covering the skin condition) that has the adhering tape / bandage adhesive material 50, so as to provide a "bath" to care for the skin condition, wound, muscle condition or other body target area benefitting from a retained substance sealed over that body area. When the liquid or substance enters the compartment 20 it is held in place by the waterproof / leak-proof seal 40 coupled to adhering tape 50 or bandage to the skin surrounding the compartment 50. In some embodiments, the tape / bandage's inner- circle / lining of the compartment includes a silicone-based ring attached to it, to act as a leak-proof seal 40 exhibiting an impermeable barrier to prevent the liquid / substance from seeping through the adhesive attachment mechanism 50. The compartment 20 could be made of a soft material in some embodiments and coupled to a bag / cup in a press-seal manner similar to a Ziploc storage bag. In other embodiments, the compartment 20 intended to retain a substance for treating the body can be provided as a harder disc that could allow for the bag as the substance storage component 30 to "attach" or "click" into it, with a twist. The substance would then be delivered from the bag storage component 30 to the disc compartment 20.

[0027] In different embodiments of the invention, liquid may be provided to the skin condition compartment in a variety of ways, such as, for example: 1) an injection or substance entry port 315 (preferably that is closable) into the substance holding compartment 20 of the bandage, allowing for self-filling to the desired volume (see e.g. FIG. 3), such as with a substance delivery tube 310 and syringe 350 -- and in some embodiments may include transfer adhesive rings 410 (including product nos. 1522 and 1524 from 3M Company (St. Paul, MN)) (see FIG. 4) that adhere to the seal area 40 of the device of FIG. 3; 2) saline or liquid-filled pouches 30 already attached to the compartment 20 of the tape / bandage (like near the "eyes" of the this bear-shaped form of FIG. 1 , with ready-made substance release mechanism 35 (e.g. perforations, press seal, valves and the like) for after the bandage is attached and the person is ready to fill compartment 20), 3) a "tear-away" lining or a valve 205 that opens a pre-filled saline bag 30 in or coupled to the compartment 20 that would allow the compartment 20 to be adhered over the skin condition, and then the individual can pull a tab 220 attached by a string 210 or similar mechanism to the lining or valve 205 that allows for the inner lining to get stripped away or a valve 205 to open (such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) where the stem could act as the tab 220 connected to the string 210 that is connected for removing the lining or opening of the valve 205 to release the liquid / substance and create a soak or bath on the skin condition in the compartment 20. With respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and in other similar embodiments, the adhesive / attachment mechanism 50 may include a backing 55 that is peeled off to allow for adhering the substance compartment 20 coupled to the attachment mechanism 50 to the body similar to adhesive bandages in which a backing paper is first removed to adhere the bandage over a wound.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6A-6D, a breast cup 500 with a drain outlet 530 that includes a removable tab 520 to open the outlet for draining liquid such as saline 600, when soaking treatment of a nipple is completed, is shown. The breast cup 500 includes an adhesive seal 504 around the perimeter of the cup 500. Backing 506 is removed from the adhesive seal 504 when the breast cup is adhered to a breast to prepare for soaking treatment a nipple with the cup 500. Cup 500 includes a liquid delivery port 510 for receiving saline 600 in cup 500. The liquid delivery port 510 can be a slit or cross-slit valve or similar opening in which a syringe, tube, vial or similar liquid conveyance can provide saline into the delivery port 510 to partially fill the cup 500 with liquid above the nipple so as to provide treatment / soaking of the nipple. When a user has completed treatment, a tab 520 covering and sealing the drain outlet 530 (such as a tab with adhesive that is configured to keep liquid in the cup 500 until the tab is removed) is removed bythe user at a desired location (such as sink) to permit saline 600 to drain out of the drain outlet 530. By draining the cup 500 before removal, the user avoids unwanted spilling and dripping of saline on the user, user’s clothes or in an undesired location. In some embodiments, the user can lean forward to assist liquid in draining from the drain outlet 530 of the cup 500. When sufficient saline 600 or liquid has drained from the cup 500, the user can pull and remove the up that was adhered with the adhesive seal 504 to the skin of the user’s breast.

[0029] With continuing reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, in other embodiments the drain outlet 530 may be closed / opened by other leak-preventing devices (not only a tab 520), such as snap and screw caps, plugs, valves, and the like. Similarly in other embodiments the liquid delivery port 510 can include other opening mechanisms permitting the introduction of fluid into the liquid compartment beyond slit valves, including openings that mate with snap and screw caps, pluggable openings, other valve mechanisms, tubing connected or integrated with the port, and the like.

[0030] In embodiments of the invention, the substance to be provided in the skin condition covering compartment 20 may also be adjusted to a preferred temperature, such as with heating or cooling as desirable for administering the skin condition soak. For example, it is often desirable when applying an apparatus of the invention for soaking a nipple and areola of breastfeeding mother to use warm saline as the liquid. Accordingly, in various embodiments of the invention the liquid in a container or pouch before providing to the skin condition compartment might be heated to a desired temperature in a microwave, steamer, in hot or warm water, in running hot or warm water, and the like. In other embodiments of the invention, it may be desirable to cool the liquid in a container or pouch before providing to the skin condition compartment such as by refrigeration, in a freezer, in cold water, in running cold water, and the like.

[0031] In other embodiments of the invention, alternatives to liquids may be introduced into compartment or enclosure treatment devices of the present invention and sealed against the treatment target of the body for desired treatments, including solids (including ice and frozen materials and / or materials melting with body temperature), gases, gels, emulsions, colloids, medicaments, ointments, creams and super-fluids. In some embodiments combinations of different types of materials - e.g., liquid and solid together - may be provided in the “open” compartment 20 adjacent the body. Depending on the treatment material(s) desired to be introduced in devices of the invention, different sizes and shapes of compartments and material introduction openings with different retaining mechanisms for enclosing the material(s) againstthe body may be used (e.g., a closing cap or press-seal for ice, larger solids or other materials may be provided at the material introduction opening of the compartment or enclosure). It will be appreciated that such devices having a leak-proof seal will help contain water from melting ice within the compartment and over the treatment area without spreading water over other parts of the body or on to clothing.

[0032] In some embodiments, a flexible and cushioned exterior is advantageous for the user of the apparatus. The exterior of the apparatus could include wet suit type of material that would allow the full form of the user to move with activity and be able to be knocked or bumped or poked and still come away intact. In further embodiments, the skin / body condition compartment would have a relatively solid inner form and material, such as silicone and the like, which would keep, in the case of a woman's breast, the nipple (and areola) from coming in contact (and being irritated) with a pad material and / or bandage material of the apparatus.

[0033] The outer exterior layer of the skin condition compartment might include a wet suit-type material that would perform like sports tape (in the “first layer”) previously described as advantageous for adhering to the skin for attaching the skin condition compartment. The attachment of the exterior layer to the underlying first layer would require a strong adhesive but could also be secured secondarily with snaps at the top (perhaps visually appearing as the bear's eyes). The information at the incorporated Spider Tech information link shows tape with the strength to support a pregnant woman's belly and the incorporated Seal-Tight Shield information link shows adhesive patch that holds up and remains leaf-proof in a shower.

[0034] In embodiments of the invention, a bandage-type apparatus with a liquid-fillable and leakproof compartment is applied to a woman's breast, such as in the case of soreness due to breastfeeding, or after breast surgery, or for use while bathing or showering to avoid sensitivity / pain. In other embodiments of the invention, the bandage-type apparatus may be modified in shape to permit bathing or soaking of other areas of the body but perform similarly in function. This could include many types of skin conditions, such as treating wounds, injuries, cuts, scrapes, burns, sunburn, dry skin, infections, sensitive skin, bruises, ulcers, sores, insect bites, diseased tissue, piercings, tattoos, scars, and surgical sites on the body. Depending on the desired bath or soak, a variety of liquid and fluid solutions might be adapted for use with embodiment of the invention, including saline, soap, and water (in the case of a bath), medicinal solutions, antibiotics, scar treatments, moisturizers, cosmetics, aloe and / or other healing / cooling agents or chemicals to treat burns or damaged skin. In other embodiments, a dressing or gauzemight also be pre-soaked or soaked with liquid before application to a wound and held in a place by an adhesive skin condition compartment with a surrounding adhesive layer coupled to the compartment (that retains the pre-soaked material over the skin condition) as disclosed by the present invention. A user could, for instance, place a saline-soaked dressing into a leak-proof skin condition compartment with an adhesive tape / seal around the periphery and then the compartment could be adhered the wound location and hold the “wet” dressing in place while the user is able to remain mobile.

[0035] In embodiments, components of the invention may be packaged and provided as an all- in-one product or as a kit. In all-in one product, such as shown in embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 2A and 2B, may be a bandage-type apparatus that incorporates the liquid solution within pouches or similar liquid storage regions of the apparatus and a paper backing is removed by the user from the adhesive portion that surrounds the skin condition covering compartment, the apparatus is adhered with the adhesive portion to the skin of desired part of the body with the wound covered by the skin condition compartment (preferably adhesive-free) and then the user releases the liquids from the integral liquid storage region or pouch into the leak-proof compartment. In a kit, the bandage-type apparatus with skin condition compartment and adhesive portion surrounding the compartment (and paper backing before use provided over the adhesive portion) may be packaged separately with a container or multiple containers of liquid, such as a medicinal solution or saline. The liquid can then be provided into the skin condition compartment (preferably after a leak-proof adhering of the skin condition compartment (adhesive-free) over the wound and adhesive region to the skin adjacent the skin condition to be covered) through a sealable and liquid-proof opening, such as a cap, valve, injectable opening, press seal, and the like, to provide a bath or soak in the skin condition compartment over the wound or other skin condition.

[0036] An apparatus 10 of the invention may also be provided in both re-usable and disposable one-time use embodiments.

[0037] Various embodiments of the invention have been described. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth by the claims. This specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An apparatus comprising: a liquid compartment having an outer surface and opposite inner surface with a nonadhesive region on the inner surface; a body attachment mechanism including skin-compatible adhesive coupled to the leakproof compartment; and a drain outlet out of the liquid compartment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid compartment is coupled to at least one of a removable tab, plug, cap and leak-sealing device at the drain outlet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid compartment includes saline.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the liquid compartment is dome-shaped to accommodate a breast.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid compartment is dome-shaped to accommodate a breast.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid compartment is dome-shaped to accommodate a breast.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a liquid delivery inlet.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a liquid delivery inlet.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid delivery inlet.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the liquid compartment is reusable.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid compartment is reusable.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the liquid compartment is reusable.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body attachment mechanism includes a plurality of removable adhesive layers.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the body attachment mechanism includes a plurality of removable adhesive layers.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the body attachment mechanism includes a plurality of removable adhesive layers.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the liquid compartment is disposable.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid compartment is disposable.

18. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the liquid compartment is disposable.

19. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the liquid compartment is disposable.

20. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the liquid compartment is disposable.

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