Method For Activating an Electronic Self Adhesive Bandage

Abstract

A method of activating an electronic self adhesive bandage whereby the electronic circuitry in the bandage is activated when the bandage is peeled away from its backing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/426,061 filed 23 Jun. 2006

DRAWINGS

Figures

[0002] FIG. 1 Shows side cutout view of self adhesive bandage and peel away backing.

[0003] FIG. 2 Shows front view of self adhesive bandage.

[0004] FIG. 3 Shows front view of peel away backing.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0005] 10 Peel Away Backing [0006] 11 Self Adhesive Bandage [0007] 12 Trigger Material [0008] 13 Circuit Activation Sensor/Switch [0009] 14 Electronic Circuit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 2 AND 3

[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the self adhesive bandage. It includes the bandage part 11 made from a polymer with physical properties similar to that used in conventional self adhesive bandages. One of the sides of the bandage would have the adhesive on it and would be adhered to the backing shown in FIG. 3.

[0011] The bandage contains an embedded electronic circuit 14 which may be powered by an internal battery integral to this said circuit.

[0012] The electronic circuit 14 may be a sanitizing circuit such as the UV LED circuit in cross referenced related application Ser. No. 11/426,061. Or it may be another type of electronic circuit or device such as a wound monitoring device or a medicine activating device.

[0013] The circuit 14 is intended to be activated by an electronic sensor or switch 13. This can be a reed switch, a capacitive sensor, a contact switch, a photonic sensor, or some other type of sensor or switch capable of detecting the presence of backing 10 which is adhered to the self adhesive bandage 11 or detecting material embedded in said backing.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the peel away backing for the self adhesive bandage. In the preferred embodiment the backing material 10 is made from a coated paper material as found in standard self adhesive bandages or a material of similar physical properties. The backing may include embedded triggering material 12. This triggering material may be metallic for activating a capacitive or contact switch, it may be magnetic for activating a reed switch, or it may be some other material capable of activating the sensor or switch 13 in the bandage. If a photonic sensor or limit switch is used to activate the electronic circuit 14 in the bandage then an embedded material 12 may not be necessary because the sensor or switch 13 would detect the backing 10 directly.

OPERATION

FIG. 1

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the bandage and backing shown together but separated to show detail. The bandage 11 and backing 10 would be adhered to each other while the complete bandage is in its package or wrapper. The sensor or switch 13 would be in close proximity to and facing the embedded material 12 in the backing while the backing is adhered to the self adhesive bandage. In one embodiment the sensor or switch would be a normally closed switch so the proximity of the triggering material or backing would render it open and the electronic circuit 14 de energized. When the user of the bandage peels the backing 10 away from the bandage 11 the sensor or switch 13 would close and energize electronic circuit 14. This invention allows for a virtually unlimited shelf life for electronic bandages and instant activation at the moment of use.

Claims

1. A self adhesive bandage with electronic circuitry comprising: a. A bandage containing the electronic circuitry and a circuitry activation sensor or switch. b. A peel away backing which may contain triggering material. Whereby the circuitry in the bandage is activated when the backing is peeled from the bandage