Auricular hematoma clamp
An auricular hematoma clamp for treatment of a hematoma in a pendant ear of an animal, comprising first and second plates shaped like the pendant ear and formed as mirror images, each first and second plate having a raised rib on an inward surface thereof along edges of the plate; fastening means for securing the first and second plates in a clamping manner on respective first and second sides of the pendant ear, abutting the raised ribs against the pendant ear on opposite sides thereof; the fastening means comprising a plurality of sutures around the edges of the first and second plates.
The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/246,346 filed Sep. 19, 2002 and entitled AURICULAR HEMATOMA CLAMP.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a compression device in the field of veterinary medicine for use in the treatment of hematomas in the pendant ears of animals.
2. Background and Description of the Prior Art
Treatments such as surgery to repair the affected ear can cause infection, pain, and discomfort especially when associated with pressure devices for healing the hematoma including penetrations through the ear and conchal cartilage with sutures or wire securing devices. Surgery to the affected ear often leaves permanent scarring, wilting, shriveling to the ear. The opening of the inner, ear flap and suturing the broken blood vessel allows for possibility of infection, ‘The use of quilting stitches to control the ear flap from expanding are uncomfortable for the animal. In addition, backing members used for the compression are made of heavy materials to retain their rigidity but add unneeded weight to the animals head and allow for discomfort to the animal. Furthermore, compression devices made of metal strips for conformity over the ear remain malleable and allow for expansion in the area of treatment.
As presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,212, issued to Gaskill in Oct. 1997, there are limitations associated with present ear pressure dressings to fill the need for a device and process providing such a dressing that is capable of applying a uniform pressure, with compression forces that are generally perpendicular to all of the relevant surfaces of the injured portion, which is minimally invasive, simple and expeditious to apply, and inexpensive.
There are problems with Gaskill's invention as it relates to auricular hematoma in animals. The use of a heavy material will cause discomfort due to the size of the plates required for performing the intended function. Attachment of Gaskill's invention requires penetration through the ear with a wire implement and securing the implement to retain pressure. The attachment through the ear and subsequent conchal cartilage can cause a tear in the pinna and may cause discomfort along with the possibility of infection.
As presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,950, issued to Godley in Oct. 1992, the ear pressure dressing is comprised of thin ductile material bendable to the desired form as to insure proper alignment with the opposite side of ear. There are limitations with this ear pressure dressing in respect to size and ability to create consistent pressure over a wide area such as the animal's pendant ear. The use of bendable material to perform the function of applying pressure at a point away from the helix can only produce a negative pressure difference at the point furthest from the helix thus exerting less pressure to the affected area.
As presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,176, issued to Chang in Aug. 1998, pressure devices are at present used for the purpose of providing controlled pressure to a selected point on the skin of a patient as per the field of the invention, acupressure.
As presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,961, to Barnes in Nov. 2001, the device for protecting newly cropped ears of animals is intended for post surgery, and to promote the earlier recovery from said surgery. The cause for surgery is elective and an ear portion is removed leaving much recovery to occur from underneath the protective cups.
Barnes improvement over the U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,189, issued to Olvera in Sept. 1980, comprises the perforations for adjustment and the ventilated materials used for creating such cups. Both features would not work well with pendant ears.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe auricular hematoma clamp with a raised rib offers a healing solution for auricular hematoma in a pendant animal's ear without surgical treatments, lessens the chance of infection, and provides a less painful means to heal the hematoma. The auricular hematoma clamp is a simple device consisting of two opposing rigid plates, each said plate containing a raised rib rising from an inward surface, when positioned and attached to and over the ear and the opposing plate, form a clamp to prevent a hematoma from pooling in the pinna (auricle) while the raised ribs control the blood flow to and from the affected area.
The auricular hematoma clamp may be attached to the ear of the animal with athletic tape or a similar adhesive tape. In an alternate embodiment, the auricular hematoma clamp may be attached using sutures. The entire device may then be attached to the head of the animal with a loop of tape over and under the head and neck of the animal. The loop may be secured using a hook and loop fastener or other similarly adjustable fastener. The plates may be either flat or conform similar to the ear's shape. The raised ribs apply pressure to allow the controlled blood flow to and from the area of injured ear making healing recovery time sooner. The auricular hematoma clamp requires no need for surgery, eliminates the danger of rupture, and provides more comfort for the animal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The auricular hematoma clamp 1 illustrated in
Although the device can remain in the pendant position and have healing occur, the chance of accidental removal by the animal may cause the treatment to be interrupted. The pendant position is not recommended for these reasons and the device would need to be properly reattached in the proper location for additional treatment.
Proper attachment of the auricular hematoma clamp plates to the ear proceeds as follows: aspirate the blood pool from the ear with a hypodermic needle; prepare the affected ear with tape for attachment of the first opposing plate 3A; secure the first plate 3A to the ear 4 with tape by folding the tape over the first plate 3A and the ear edges (helix), making sure the ear 4 is centered inside all edges of the first plate 3A and that the raised rib 2 is towards the ear 4; carefully position the second plate 3B over the ear 4 and the first plate 3A, maintaining the proper position of the second plate 3B over the first plate 3A in parallel, which will correctly align the two opposing raised ribs 2 and allow the auricular hematoma clamp 1 to perform properly; tape the auricular hematoma clamp 1, with the ear 4 inside and the tab 5C exposed, to the top of the animal's head with a loop of tape over and under the animal's head, making sure the loop of tape does not prohibit the animal from normal breathing; and, the animal must wear the auricular hematoma clamp 1 for several consecutive days for healing to occur.
The auricular hematoma clamp 1 can be worn with the ear 4 in the pendant position, but the chance of the animal shaking the hematoma clamp 1 (also called “device”) free, or dislodging the device from the ear is greater. Take care of the exposed under side of ear 4 to prevent chaffing and or debris accumulation. After five or more consecutive days, remove the auricular hematoma clamp 1 and let ear 4 rest for at least two days before attaching the auricular hematoma clamp 1 for an additional treatment. More than one treatment may be required to fully heal the hematoma.
The auricular hematoma clamp 1 fills the needs described, and with the use of the raised rib 2, sufficiently makes improvements to the treatments here associated.
The rigid material used for the auricular hematoma clamp 1 allows for even pressure to be applied across the surfaces of both plates 3A, 3B and insures consistency with respect to the plates 3A, 3B remaining parallel. Also, the rigid plates 3A, 3B perform the function of holding constant the raised ribs 2 with regard to the distance between the raised ribs 2 as set during initial attachment over the affected area.
Chang's invention is not intended to control blood flow as are the raised ribs 2 of the auricular hematoma clamp.
The raised rib 2 on the plate 3A or 3B of the auricular hematoma clamp 1 is used in conjunction with the opposing raised rib 2 on the opposing plate 3B or 3A to enable the process to control the blood flow to and from the area being treated and is not intended to apply pressure to a specific acupressure point, but rather to apply pressure in a linear fashion to the specific area between the two raised ribs 2.
The auricular hematoma clamp 1 is a device used as an alternative to surgery on an affected ear having a hematoma. The raised rib 2 might act as an improvement to Barnes' device for assistance in healing surgery performed for ear alteration. Although the perforations in Barnes' device for adjustment to ear size are an important feature, a better fit is accomplished by trimming the auricular hematoma clamp 1 to fit slightly larger than ear being treated. Pendant ears require flat plates and a rigid material for the said plates 3A, 3B construction.
The raised rib 2 performs the function of maintaining a slight pressure on either side of the ear flap thus controlling the amount of blood flow to and from the area affected. The pressure, which depends on a constant distance between the two said ribs to apply the selected amount of pressure need not be enough to stop the flow of blood as per a tourniquet, but only to apply light pressure to inhibit the flow of blood. As the process of healing continues with the auricular hematoma clamp in place, the swelling will decrease, thus decreasing the pressure applied at said raised ribs, allowing for more normal flow of blood to and from the affected area, and for natural healing to take place.
In regard to claim 17: The post attachment of the raised rib to a desired location on said plates offers variability in treatment without deviating from the original purpose.
In regard to claim 18: The larger the surface of the raised rib at the point of pressure may offer increased restriction of blood flow to and from the affected area.
In regard to claim 19: Preparing the ear with a base application of tape allows the auricular hematoma clamp to have a positive attachment to the ear.
In regard to claim 20: The tab formed when extending the tape beyond the ear tip gives surface area beyond the ear surface to provide for attaching the clamp to the head of the animal.
In regard to claim 21: Provides for a means of attachment, other than adhesive tape, such as a hook and loop or other harness.
In regard to claim 22: Having a hinge at one edge of said plates may offer ease in the attachment and positioning of the clamp.
In regard to claim 23: Having a spring in the hinge may provide supplemental pressure to the ear.
In regard to claim 24: The intended function of the auricular hematoma clamp will not be compromised while worn in the pendant position. The benefits of having the device secured over the head is to take advantage of the small force of gravity imparted upon the ear.
Also shown in
In addition to the aforementioned examples, it is made clear that any deviation by those skilled in the art, in materials, attachment procedures, locations of one or all of the features associated are not to be construed as limiting the invention set forth in the appended claims that are to be interpreted as encompassing the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An auricular hematoma clamp for treatment of a hematoma in a pendant ear of an animal, comprising:
- first and second plates having an outline substantially similar to the pendant ear and formed as mirror images of each other, each first and second plate having a raised rib on an inward surface of the plate substantially along and proximate a defined one of a plurality of edges of the plate; and
- fastening means for securing the first and second plates in a clamping manner on respective first and second sides of the pendant ear, the raised rib on each first and second plate being disposed in an abutting relationship against the pendant ear on opposite sides thereof.
2. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises first and second strips of an adhesive tape material wrapped lengthwise over adjacent edges of the first and second plates and the pendant ear wherein an adhesive side of the first and second strips of adhesive tape is secured to outermost surfaces of the respective first and second plates.
3. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises:
- a plurality of sutures disposed at intervals around corresponding edges of the first and second plates, the sutures being secured in predetermined holes disposed at the corresponding intervals around the corresponding edges of the first and second plates.
4. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 3, wherein the sutures further pass through tissue of the pendant ear positioned between the first and second plates.
5. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 3, wherein the sutures are selected from the group consisting of synthetic sutures, natural sutures, wire sutures, and natural fiber sutures.
6. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 5, wherein the sutures are retained with a keeper.
7. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 5, wherein the sutures are retained with a knot tied in the suture.
8. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 3, wherein the sutures are elastic.
9. the auricular hematoma clamp of claim 8, wherein the sutures are retained by a keeper.
10. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 3, wherein the sutures are non-elastic.
11. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 10, wherein the sutures are retained by a keeper
12. The auricular hematoma clamp of claim 1, wherein the sutures are molded of plastic material having integral keepers.
13. A method of attaching an auricular hematoma clamp to a pendant ear of an animal patient wherein the auricular hematoma clamp includes first and second opposing plates each having a shape corresponding substantially to the pendant ear and at least one raised rib disposed on an inward surface thereof along and proximate a defined edge of each respective plate, and suture means for securing the first and second plates in a clamping manner on respective first and second sides of the pendant ear, comprising the steps of:
- preparing the pendant ear to be treated, having a hematoma at a hematoma location within the pendant ear, to receive the first and second plates of the auricular hematoma clamp;
- holding the first plate against the first side of the pendant ear, the raised rib of the first plate in contact therewith;
- positioning the second plate against the second side of the pendant ear such that the respective raised ribs of the first and second plates are opposingly aligned; and
- clamping with slight pressure the second plate against the second side of the pendant ear, the raised rib in contact therewith, securing the combination of the pendant ear disposed between the first and second plates using a plurality of sutures disposed at intervals along the corresponding edges of the first and second plates.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:
- supporting the clamped pendant ear in an upward-extending orientation.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of preparing further comprises the steps of:
- aspirating blood pooled at the hematoma location in the auricle of the ear; and
- temporarily affixing the first and second plates to the opposite sides of the pendant ear.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of positioning further comprises the step of:
- aligning suture holes in the first and second plates to receive sutures to be inserted therethrough.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of securing comprises the step of: positioning the raised rib across a path between the source of blood entering the auricle and the hematoma location.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of clamping comprises the step of.
- adjusting the amount of pressure exerted on the auricle by the clamped first and second plates to limit blood flow into the hematoma location without causing cessation of blood flow thereto.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 22, 2006
Publication Date: Jul 20, 2006
Inventor: Daniel Whitton (Justin, TX)
Application Number: 11/386,609
International Classification: A61B 17/08 (20060101);