Abstract: A dressing with a pad to be applied to a wound and consisting of a flexible, capillary-active material and stiffening elements. The stiffening elements extend at right angles to the flat side of the pad to be applied to the wound and are arranged to stabilize the volume of the pad such that it can absorb a predeterminable amount of fluid, and to counteract and distribute forces acting on the pad. To form an occlusive dressing, the pad can be enclosed in a cover of vapor-permeable, plastic film having a perforated portion on the flat side of the pad facing the wound.

Abstract: A topical hyperbaric apparatus and method is disclosed for treating wounds and lesions on a patient's body. The hyperbaric apparatus includes a shell constructed of flexible plastic material which enables the shell which provides a substantially closed internal chamber to be arrangable between an expanded and collapsed configuration having a substantially reduced volume. As a result, the hyperbaric apparatus can be economically shipped to distant locations while minimizing storage requirements. The hyperbaric apparatus is expanded for use during normal application of therapeutic gases for treatment of the patient's wounds or lesions after being adhered to the patient's body using an adhesive material. The construction of the shell form plastic-like material allows the shell to be washable during patient use which is particularly pertinent when treating incontinent patients.

Abstract: A treatment system according to the invention comprises a chamber, treatment fluid, treatment additives, control over treatment variables and monitoring capabilities. The chamber encloses a predetermined surface area about the wound. The chamber provides protection from the wound from the surrounding non-sterile environment, control of treatment variables, containment for continuous fluid treatment, an effective delivery system, an effective interface between the wound and the environment, direct monitoring of wound physiology and wound diagnosis. The treatment system provides monitoring of the wound which is essential to enhancing the healing process. Monitoring constitutes extraction and analysis of the system fluid and clinical wound diagnosis. The system provides visual monitoring of the wound itself as well as the fluid within the system. The monitoring features of the system, in addition to the precise control over treatment variables, facilitates research.

Abstract: A fluidic connection system includes a membrane with an inner contact surface, an outer surface, and a pair of cover panels with perimeters, interior portions and edge strips. The panels are joined together at a seam extending transversely along their edge strips. A tube opening extends between the edge strips and is open at the membrane inner and outer surfaces. A tube or sheath includes a proximate end extending through the tube opening and terminating at the membrane inner surface and a distal end terminating in spaced relation from the membrane outer surface. Adhesive is applied to the membrane inner contact surface for releasably fastening the membrane on a patient's skin. The system can be utilized as a wound dressing for draining wound exudate and for introducing liquid, e.g. growth factors and antibiotics, to the wound site. The membrane can comprise a semi-permeable material.

Abstract: A conformable, gas and vapor permeable, moisture-absorbing adhesive dressing particularly suitable for use as a skin-protecting covering over and about an intravenous injection site. The dressing includes a thin, stretchable, and conformable base layer of moisture-absorbing skin barrier material having both dry and wet tack and having a generally central site-inspection opening therethrough, and a thin, transparent, and conformable cover layer formed of a gas and vapor permeable polymeric film having an underside coated with a gas and vapor permeable layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive that secures the film to the upper surface of the base layer and to a patient's skin in the area defined by the opening in the base layer. An arrangement of release sheets covers the underside of the dressing, such sheets being formed and folded to facilitate application of the dressing to a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for the production of controlled quantities of chlorine dioxide at concentrations which are effective to function as a deodorant or a germicide. Aqueous chlorite compositions such as aqueous sodium chlorite are brought into contact at a controlled rate through capillary means, e.g. a wick with an absorbent pad containing acid or other reactant which will react with the chlorite and form chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: A dermally applicable patch adapted for application to the skin of the user to enable a transdermal administration to the bloodstream of a user. The patch comprises an outer layer which is impermeable to the passage of nicotine and an inner layer which may operate as a rate controlling membrane to allow the passage of nicotine into the bloodstream of a user. An outer layer and an inner layer form a nicotine receiving area for receiving the nicotine to thereby allow the same to pass through the inner layer. In a preferred embodiment, the patch is highly effective in reducing the incidence of tobacco smoking by allowing transdermal nicotine migration into the bloodstream of a user at a rate sufficient to correspond to the nicotine level in the blood achieved by smoking.

Abstract: Disposable hyperbaric oxygen dressing adapted to treatment of a body sore on the skin of a patient. A thin flexible oxygen impermeable plastic film has upper and lower surfaces. A rigid flat open cell plastic member is oxygen permeable. The member has a central opening, a flat upper surface and a flat lower surface. The upper member surface is sealed to the lower surface of the film, the film-member seal being oxygen impermeable. A first self-adhesive layer is secured to the lower surface of the member. A second layer of release paper is removably secured to the first layer. The first layer, after the second layer has been removed, is adapted to be removably sealed in an oxygen impermeable manner to the skin of the patient with the sore being disposed in the opening. An oxygen feed tube extending through the member into the central opening, said tube being oxygen impermeable and sealed to the member, the tube-member seal being oxygen impermeable.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes a cover membrane comprising a semi-permeable material with an adhesive-coated skin contact surface. An opening is formed in an interior portion of the membrane. An intermediate layer of material may be placed between the wound and the membrane contact surface for either absorbing fluids from the wound, e.g. with a hydrocolloid or hydrophilic material, or for passing such fluids to the opening with a synthetic material, e.g. rayon. A tube includes a proximate end fluidically communicating with the wound through the membrane opening. A distal end of the tube is adapted for connection to a suction source for draining the wound or fluid source for introducing liquid medication to the wound. Both evacuation and introduction can be either active or passive. A wound treatment method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endermic application kit for external medicines comprises a container for retaining liquid containing drug, a device for supplying the liquid containing drug into the container, a drug permeable layer attached to the container to cover a bottom opening of the container, and an ultrasonic oscillator situated inside the container. When the ultrasonic oscillator and supplying device are actuated, the liquid containing drug is continuously supplied to the container, and the drug contained in the liquid is applied to a skin of a patient through the drug permeable layer by means of the ultrasonic oscillator.

Abstract: A dressing for retaining a cannula on the skin is described. The dressing comprises a backing film coated on one face with an adhesive layer and with first and second release sheets covering the adhesive layer. A hole and a dividing line are cut through the dressing and second release sheet so that the dividing line extends from the hole to one edge of the dressing and the edge of the second release sheet. In use when the second release sheet is removed the hole in the dressing fits around the indwelling cannula. In a preferred form a portion of the dressing comprises an adhesive coated handle which is stiffer than the remainder of the dressing and which carries the hole and dividing line.

Abstract: A clear cover to be placed on the skin of the human body to surrond a wound on the skin (14), and to hold fluid (21) in contact with the wound. The cover has a flat, thin, flexible ring (1); the underside of which has an adhesive coating (7) to hold the ring on the body (14). A raised chamber (2) is formed by a thin flexible wall extending up from the ring (1), which has nipples (3) for being pierced by hypodermic needles (16); for filling the chamber (2) with fluid (21), and for venting air out of the chamber when the chamber is receiving fluid.The above fluid containing cover having means to create free ions and an electrical field to enhance healing and regeneration of tissue; including a voltage source (10), a series resistance (11), and a metallic anode (12).

Abstract: An applicator and/or scrub saturated with a desired fluid is packaged in a sealed, liquid-impervious pouch. The liquid-carrying applicator or scrub is made from open-cell, polyurethane foam. A cylinder of the foam is mounted on a stick. The tip end of the foam applicator is fastened to the tip of the stick in a manner that creates a rounded smooth tip. The tip end of the foam applicator may be formed into a smaller brush-like shape.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for administering known quantities of medicaments by iontophoresis, while avoiding burns caused by extremes in the pH of the medicament medium during passage of an electric current, are disclosed. It is known that as iontophoresis progresses in conventional iontophoresis systems, the electrolysis of water occurs to produce hydrogen or hydroxyl ions at the interface of the electrode and medicament medium. Since these ions are highly mobile, they are transported directly into the skin of a patient in preference to the larger medicament ions. Thus, extreme changes in pH are experienced which result in burns due to the acidification or alkalinization of the medicament medium and passage of electric current through the skin. In addition, the efficiency of iontophoresis decreases over time. The present invention avoids extremes in pH by removing the hydrogen or hydroxyl ions which are created during iontophoresis and creates conditions for constant delivery over prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: An applicator which is designed to fit over a fingernail or toenail to apply a liquid solution to the nail region is provided. The applicator is mounted on a removable backing which has a hole therein to permit application of a liquid nail and cuticle nutrient to the applicator prior to removing it and affixing it on a finger or toe.The applicator is generally in the shape of a triangle with a base, two sloping sides, and an apex opposite the base. The applicator inner side is adhesively coated and contains an absorbent pad section which is designed to receive the liquid nutrient solution and to apply that solution to the nail and cuticle of the finger or toe on which the applicator is attached.

Abstract: A sterilized cassette and a transparent cover for the cassette are stored in sterile packaging. A sterilizing gas flows through the cassette to maintain the operating field sterile while the cassette is in place on the patient.

Abstract: Device for treatment of wounds in body tissue of patients by means of jets of gas. A nozzle unit is designed to be placed over the area of the wound in order to cover it and is provided with inlets (6,10) for admission of oxygen gas to the area of the wound and outlets (9) for discharge of oxygen gas from the area of the wound. The inlets are designed to be connected by a hose (7) to a source of pressure containing air or oxygen gas. The nozzle unit is made of at least two layers of plastic foil (1,2) which are joined along the major part of their edges (3) enclosing an inner space, maintained mainly by the gas pressure, into which space the inlet (6) directs the flow. The nozzle unit is provided with a plurality of inlet openings (10) giving admission from the inner space (11) which openings are disposed in the layer of plastic foil (2) which is nearest to the area of the wound when the device is in use. These are designed to direct a plurality of gas jets at the area of the wound.

Abstract: Device for introducing drugs and the like into the human body by infusion through the skin, consisting of a fluid delivery tube leading to a storage and distribution chamber means that is attached to a porous sheet which is in contact with the skin.

Abstract: A device for patient therapy in the use of wet dressings comprising, a device for generating heated moist air, and a sheet of substantially air impervious material to cover the wet dressing. Spaced portions of the sheet are secured to the patient. The generating device is coupled to the inside of the sheet intermediate the sheet and the patient to permit passage of the heated moist air onto the wet dressing.

Abstract: A cushion for pressing an element of grafted skin against the body surface, wherein the portion (2) to be applied to the body has a window or opening (4) the dimensions of which approximately equal that of the graft. The edges (6) of the window (4) are attached to the skin so as to be impervious to air or liquids. The filling medium of the cushion (air or a liquid) is maintained under pressure.

Abstract: The device comprises a dressing made from a porous material (11) intended for placing against tissues, for example skin, the material being synthetic or organic and being distinguished by communicating cavities in the form of open pores, interdigitating gaps in particle material or communicating cavities in capillary structures. The dressing (11) can, by layers, have different cavity qualities and is provided with a dense, sealing shell (10) or layer in which is disposed at least one fluid supply connection (12) and at least one fluid removal connection (13) in spaced apart relationship. Conduits are coupled to the connections (12, 13) and permit the establishment of treatment fluid flow from the supply connection (12), through the cell material dressing (11) in contact with the tissue, to the removal connection (13). Fluid supply can be effected under pressure and/or fluid removal under suction.