U.S. patent number 3,741,203 [Application Number 05/210,984] was granted by the patent office on 1973-06-26 for protective covering.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dryspell Industries Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter C. Liman.
United States Patent |
3,741,203 |
Liman |
June 26, 1973 |
PROTECTIVE COVERING
Abstract
A protective covering is provided for encasing an injured body
limb and preventing water or other harmful contaminants from
contacting a wound, its bandaging, or a cast. The covering includes
a sheet of synthetic limp flexible plastic forming a bag having an
open mouth. The mouth is sealed to the skin of the injured limb at
a point spaced from the wound and remote from the free end of the
limb by a spongelike elastomeric foam layer which is attached to
the interior of the bag near the mouth. Attached adjacent the mouth
of the bag is a flexible tape which is wrapped about the exterior
of the bag to insure a substantially water-tight and air-tight seal
between the bag mouth and the skin. Optionally provided is a valve
between the interior and exterior surfaces of the bag enabling the
bag to be inflated, thus minimizing contact with the wound. The bag
may be inflated with oxygen or any gas prescribed to facilitate
healing. To adjustably accomodate for various lengths of a limb
with either a bandage and/or a cast, an adhesive strip is affixed
to the bag adjacent the closed end. The closed end may be folded
back, shortening the overall length of the bag, until the desired
length is attained whereupon the adhesive strip is secured to a
side of the bag to maintain the closed end in its folded over
position.
Inventors: |
Liman; Peter C. (Scarsdale,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Dryspell Industries Inc. (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22785150 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/210,984 |
Filed: |
December 22, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
15/004 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
15/00 (20060101); A61f 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/82,83.5,165,260,DIG.20 ;36/8.1,7.3,4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Yasko; J.
Claims
Having thus described the present invention, there is claimed as
new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:
1. A protective covering for enclosing injured portions of a limb,
said protective covering comprising: a flexible limp plastic liquid
impermeable sheet material, said sheet material having closed sides
and an open mouth at one end thereof, an annular resilient foam
band secured to the interior of said covering adjacent the open
mouth, and means adjacent the open mouth for compressing the open
mouth and said annular foam band against the skin of the injured
limb to thus seal said open mouth against said limb, precluding the
entrance of water or other contaminants to the interior of the
protective covering between the open mouth and said limb whereby a
patient with an injured or a broken limb may readily bathe the
remaining portions of his body without the danger of contaminating
the injury, said means adjacent the open mouth for compressing the
open mouth and the foam band including a flexible tape, one end of
said tape being secured to the protective covering adjacent the
open mouth, the other end of said tape being free, said tape being
wound in ascending overlapping convolutions about the protective
covering adjacent said open mouth, said tape tightening said open
mouth of said protective covering against the limb and compressing
the annular foam band against the limb to insure a water-tight seal
between the limb and the open mouth.
2. A protective covering for enclosing injured portions of a limb,
said protective covering comprising: a flexible limp plastic fluid
impermeable sheet material, said sheet material having closed sides
and an open mouth at one end thereof, an annular resilient foam
band secured to the interior of said covering adjacent the open
mouth, means adjacent the open mouth for compressing the open mouth
and said annular foam band against the skin of the injured limb to
thus seal said open mouth against said limb, precluding the
entrance of water or other contaminants to the interior of the
protective covering between the open mouth and said limb whereby a
patient with an injured or a broken limb may readily bathe the
remaining portions of his body without the danger of contaminating
the injury, and means forming an elongate slot in the protective
covering, said slot running from the open mouth to enlarge the
opening at said open mouth for facilitating the insertion of an
injured limb into the protective covering, a slide fastener secured
to the protective covering along the edges of said slot, said slide
fastener selectively opening and closing said slot, a backing web
of water impermeable sheet material secured to the interior of said
protective covering adjacent and behind said slot, said web having
an upper edge, said upper edge being secured to said covering at
its ends on opposed sides of said slot, said upper edge being of
greater dimension than the linear distance between the points
connecting said upper edge to said protective covering when said
fastener is closed, and said web being secured to said covering at
the sides and bottom of the web.
3. A protective covering constructed in accordance with claim 2
wherein the compressing means includes an elongate flexible tape,
said tape having one end secured to the protective covering
adjacent the open mouth of said covering, said tape having a free
end, said tape being wound in overlapping ascending convolutions
about the protective covering adjacent said open mouth, said tape
tightening the open mouth of the protective covering against the
limb and compressing the annular foam band against the limb to
insure a water tight seal between the limb and the open end.
4. A protective covering for enclosing injured portions of a limb,
said protective covering comprising: a flexible limp plastic liquid
impermeable sheet material, said sheet material having closed sides
and an open mouth at one end thereof, an annular resilient foam
band secured to the interior of said covering adjacent the open
mouth, means adjacent the open mouth for compressing the open mouth
and said annular foam band against the skin of the injured limb to
thus seal said open mouth against said limb, precluding the
entrance of water or other contaminants to the interior of the
protective covering between the open mouth and said limb whereby a
patient with an injured or a broken limb may readily bathe the
remaining portions of his body without the danger of contaminating
the injury, the resilient foam band presenting a gas tight seal
precluding the escape of gas through the open mouth, means forming
an opening in the protective covering for the inflation of the
covering, and a valve mounted to the protective covering, said
valve being positioned in registry with the opening, said valve
being an inflow check valve including means precluding the escape
of gas from the interior of said protective covering through the
opening while permitting the introduction of pressurized gas into
said protective covering through the opening.
5. A protective covering constructed in accordance with claim 4
wherein a pressurized atmosphere including oxygen, is introduced
between the limb and the protective covering.
6. A protective covering for enclosing an injured portion of a
limb, said protective covering comprising: a flexible limp plastic
liquid impermeable sheet material, said sheet material having
closed sides and an open mouth at one end thereof, a seal secured
to the interior of said covering adjacent the open mouth and means
for selectively enlarging the opening at said open mouth and
pressing the seal against the limb, said means including an
elongate slot in the protective covering, said slot running from
the open mouth to permit enlargement of the opening at said mouth
so as to facilitate the insertion of an injured limb, a fastener
secured to the protective covering adjacent the edges of said slot,
said fastener selectively opening and closing said slot, a backing
web of water impermeable sheet material secured to the interior of
said protective covering adjacent and behind said slot, said web
having an upper edge, said upper edge being secured to said
covering at its ends on opposed sides of said slot adjacent the
edges of the slot, said upper edge being of greater dimension than
the linear distance between the points connecting said upper edge
to said protective covering when said fastener is closed, and said
web being hermetically sealed to said covering at the sides and
bottom of the web.
7. A protective covering for enclosing an injured portion of a limb
constructed in accordance with claim 6, wherein the seal is
constructed of an annular resilient foam band, a portion of said
band being secured to the internal surface of the backing web
adjacent the upper edge of said web.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Protective coverings for injured limbs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been heretofore known to provide protective coverings for
injured limbs or portions thereof. These prior devices generally
included a hollow plastic bag into which the injured limb would be
inserted. Among the disadvantages encountered with the use of some
of the devices known heretofore was that in order to keep the wound
dry they were of quite complicated construction which would not
seal the injured portion from contact with bathing water unless
tightly gripped around the limb and consequently inhibited a free
passage of blood. As free blood circulation is necessary for best
healing, the use of protective coverings which were sealed to limbs
by tight bindings did not gain widespread acceptance.
In order to minimize the obstruction to the passage of blood, the
binding was either loosened or modified to reduce the binding
pressure of the covering against the body limb. The result of such
modifications unfortunately permitted the seepage of water and/or
other contaminants to the wound area.
Additionally, the prior protective coverings of the past did not
provide a simple means for the air-tight sealing of the wounded
limb section nor for means permitting selective inflation of the
covering. This disadvantage allowed the covering to frequently
contact and rest on the bandage, the wound, or skin adjacent
thereto, which at times presented additional irritation. The prior
devices additionally lacked a means whereby the gaseous atmosphere
surrounding a wound could be selectively controlled so that an
ambulatory patient might be provided with a proper gaseous
atmosphere prescribed to promote healing of the wound while not
being confined to the hospital.
Another disadvantage of many previous devices of the character
described was that they did not provide a neat fit inasmuch as the
bag had to be oversize to permit easy insertion of a limb yet
subsequently tightened around its mouth. This problem had been
overcome by slitting a side of the bag from the mouth toward the
base of the bag to allow limb to be thrust into the bag freely and
by providing a slide fastener to close the slit after donning of
the bag. However this prevented the formation of a hermetic seal
arond the limb.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective
covering which is so constructed that it is not subject to the
foregoing disadvantages.
More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide a
protective covering of the character described which is simple and
rugged in construction, yet can be fabricated by mass production
methods at an appreciably lower cost than prior devices designed to
serve the same function.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective
covering wherein the atmosphere surrounding the wounded limb may be
readily controlled to promote healing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective
covering of the character described wherein a seal between the limb
and the mouth of the bag is attained with minimum constriction of
the flow of blood to the wound.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
protective covering of the character described wherein the length
of the bag may be readily adjusted to accomodate wounds and/or
limbs of various lengths.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
protective covering of the character described wherein the
atmosphere surrounding a wounded limb may be pressurized to
maintain the bag in spaced relation from the wound.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a
protective covering of the character discribed wherein a soft
flexible resilient cellular material is positioned adjacent the end
of the covering, the same forming a substantially air-tight and
water-tight barrier between the covered portion of the limb and
ambient surroundings.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a
protective covering of the character described wherein a top
opening slit in the bag permits ready insertion of a limb and yet
wherein the slit is so protected that when closed the side of the
bag forms a hermetic sheath.
Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part
will be pointed out hereinafter.
The invention accordingly constitues the features of construction,
combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be
exemplified in the protective covering devices hereinafter
described and of which the scope of application will be indicated
in the appended claims .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings in which are shown various possible
embodiments of the invention,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective covering embodying
this invention secured over and sealing an injured leg in a cast,
with the covering portion of the leg and cast shown in dashed
lines;
FIG. 2 is a front view of an arm type protective covering
constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing
the expandable open top which facilitates insertion of an injured
limb into the covering;
FIG. 3 is a highly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
substantiall along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating a
cellular peripheral band affixed to the internal surface of the
covering adjacent the mouth of the bag in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 4 is a highly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
substantially along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2 and illustrating an
adhesive strip which is used to adjust the length of the covering
to accommodate limbs and/or casts and/or bandages of various
lengths;
FIG. 5 is a highly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the
use of the adhesive strip to shorten the effective length of the
protective covering;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the protective covering for an
injured foot, the same being constructed in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the protective covering shown in FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the arm type covering shown in FIG.
2 , the same illustrated in use and with the adjustable end of the
protective covering in a folded over, shortened, position;
FIG. 9 is a front view of a protective covering constructed in
accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a highly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
substantially along the line 10--10 of FIG. 9 and illustrating a
foam seal structure of closed cells, the foam layer being
positioned adjacent the open end of the protective covering;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
inflation valve, the same being taken substantially along the line
11--11 of FIG. 9 and;
FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view of the inflation valve, the
same being taken substantially along the line 12--12 of FIG.
11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The protective covering of the present invention is suitable for
maintaining a wounded area in a sealed environment, protecting the
same from water as an injured person bathes. Additionally, the
covering serves to seal the wound from any other contaminants which
might be harmful. It will be seen that not only is the device
designed to serve the needs of ambulatory patients, but it is quite
useful for bedridden patients.
An air and water tight seal between the open end of the covering
and the injured limb is constructed of a resilient peripheral layer
of foamed spongelike material on the interior of the covering near
the open mouth thereof. The foam material abuttingly contacts the
skin of the limb and is bound thereto by a flexible elongate tape
wrapped around the outer surface of the protective covering
adjacent the open end. A seal to preclude the passage of the air
and water between the interior of the covering and the exterior is
formed when the foam layer is compressed. The foam material may be
either of an open (interconnected) or closed cellular
structure.
Included with the covering in one embodiment is a valve which
permits the covering to be inflated after it is placed around the
limb and sealed thereagainst. As the covering is inflated, the
increased gas pressure between the limb and the covering will space
the covering from the wound preventing the covering from contacting
the wound and causing further discomfort. This is particularly
advantageous with burn wounds wherein healing is promoted with the
wound unbandaged and in the absence of external contact with the
injury. Any desired atmosphere may be introduced between the
protective covering and the wound such as oxygen, for instance, or
an inert gas such as nitrogen.
Additionally provided on the protective covering is a means whereby
the closed end of the covering may be adjustably shortened so that
the covering can accommodate different lengths of limbs. The means
for shortening the covering includes an adhesive strip mounted on a
surface of the covering adjacent the bottom end. The exposed
adhesive face may be secured to a portion of the protective
covering distant from the bottom end with the surplus length of the
covering folded over and thus the effective length of the covering
is shortened.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 10
denotes a protective covering constructed in accordance with and
embodying the present invention. The covering 10 is formed of a
fluid impervious synthetic limp flexible plastic sheet material in
the shape of an elongate bag having a closed end 12 and an open end
(mouth) 14 through which a portion of an injured limb is
inserted.
Suitable for application as the sheet material is polyethylene, a
polyester or polyvinyl chloride, which are essentially liquid
impermeable. The bag may be either unitarily formed as a tube, e.
g., if the bag is straight (see FIGS. 2, 8 and 9), or may be
constructed of a folded or two opposed registered sheets
appropriately joined at their edges and seamed with a seal such as
at the seam 16 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, this form being
convenient where the closed end has a lateral appendage, i. e., the
bag is boot shaped (see FIGS. 1, 6 and 7). To use the protective
covering, the wounded limb is inserted through the open end 14 and
the end is then sealed against the skin of the limb at the bag
mouth to preclude the passage of contaminants into the area of the
wound. The seal between the open end of the bag and the skin is
effected by a foam spongelike band 18 which surrounds the internal
periphery of the protective covering adjacent the open end 14. The
foam band 18 is preferably heat sealed to the interior of the
protective covering. The heat seal forms peripheral indented
annular grooves 20 (FIG. 3) along the exposed surface of the band.
The foam band grips the exposed skin of the limb and prevents the
covering from slipping or moving with respect to the limb without
the necessity of tightly binding the open end of the covering to
the limb.
It has been found that the use of foam spongelike material presents
a quite effective seal between the skin and the open end of the bag
as the foam band easily compresses, conforming to any
irregularities in the skin and presenting a barrier or seal to the
passage of liquids and gases without the necessity of being
compressed against the skin to an excessive degree.
In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the foam band is
constructed of a cellular structure in which each cellular pocket
or bubble 19 is interconnected to adjacent pockets all of which aid
in precluding the passage of fluid and effecting the seal between
the end of the protective covering and the limb. It is observed
that the foam will act as a sponge and absorb any water before the
same can pass completely through the foam band. The material of the
foam band is resilient, i. e., elastomeric, typical useful
materials being polyvinyl chloride and natural and synthetic
rubbers. The band can be adhesively secured to the bag if the
material of the band is not thermoplastic.
To compress the foam band against the skin an elongate flexible
tape 22 is provided. The tape is anchored at one of its ends to the
protective covering adjacent the open mouth 14. It is wound about
the exterior of the covering adjacent the open mouth and will thus
force the foam band against the skin, compressing the band to
produce a tight seal. It is not necessary to wind the tape to an
excessive tightness such that it will constrict the flow of blood
to the wound. In fact, as the foam material will compress more
readily than the flesh of the limb about which it is being bound,
very little actual constricting pressure is necessary. The tape is
wrapped about the protective covering and thence wound upwardly
forming several overlapping ascending convolutions until it
overlies the skin. The free end of the tape is then secured by
conventional adhesive or by merely tucking the same under an
overlying preceding convolution.
The injured limb, once inserted in the protective covering, is
ideally positioned with the open end 14 below a joint such as an
elbow or knee if the injury is likewise below the joint. This
facilitates bending of the limb at the joint and secures maximum
mobility. Of course, in some instances, as when the wound is
higher, it is impossible to have the open end 14 below the joint.
In order to provide a protective covering of a single size which
may accommodate limbs of various sizes and additionally injuries of
various sizes so that the upper end may be positioned above a joint
or below a joint, the protective covering 10 is designed with a
maximum length, with the lower end thereof adjustably
shortenable.
To adjustably accommodate a single protective covering for a
variety of limb sizes, the closed end 12 is folded upwardly and
doubled over the upper length of the covering. A double faced
adhesive strip 24 is secured to the outer surface of the protective
covering adjacent the closed end 12. The adhesive strip 24 is
affixed to the rear face 26 of the bag as illustrated in FIG. 2.
The strip 24 has on each of its faces a thin layer of tacky
adhesive 28a and 28b respectively and a strippable tape 30 covering
the tacky outer layer 28b.
To shorten the effective length of the bag which would be required
if a child were using the covering (as illustrated in FIG. 1 ) the
injured limb is inserted into the open end 14; the bottom of the
child's foot will indicate the desired effective length of the bag.
Any excess length which extends beyond the bottom of the foot is
folded back over the face 26. To secure the end of the covering in
its folded over position, the strippable tape 30 is pulled off,
exposing the outer layer 28b of tacky adhesive. The strip 24 is
then pressed against the surface of the bag at this folded over
position and the tacky adhesive holds the end of the bag to the
surface of the covering.
The embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 includes
provision for enlarging the opening 14 at the mouth of the covering
to permit easy access for the entrance of a limb, particularly a
limb with a locally enlarged part such as a cast or a foot. For the
aforesaid purpose a slot runs partially down the length of the bag
from the open end 14. The slot is actually a slender U shaped
channel with side edges 31 and a flat bottom edge 31a. A slide
fastener 32 is provided to selectively open and close the slot. The
fastener is preferably of plastic and includes interengagable
U-shaped sealing beads and a slider to effect the engagement and
disengagement of the beads. Adjacent and in one piece with the
beads the fastener includes sheet plastic webs that are heat sealed
to the edges 31 and 31a of the slot.
When the fastener is in closed position the interengaged beads,
since they are each continuous (uninterrupted) and prehensibly
engaged with one another, present an effective barrier precluding
the entrance of liquid into the bag through the slot.
Nevertheless the seal thus provided may develop defects and, in any
event, is not hermetic. Hence to additionally insure effective
preclusion of the entrance of water or other contaminants and to
make the side of the covering gas tight, a flexible limp impervious
sheet web 34 is secured and sealed to the interior of the covering
in a position completely underlying the slot. The web is preferably
constructed of the same sheet material as the bag. To accommodate
the increase in the size of the opening 14 when the beads are
disengaged and the fastener is open, the top edge of the web is
considerably longer, e. g., 3 inches longer, than the distance
between the points at which its ends are mounted to the covering
when the fastener is closed. The bottom edges of the web 34 are
parallel with the bottom edge being shorter than the top edge and
sealed to the bottom 31a of the slot. The top edge of the web is
approximately level with the open mouth of the bag.
The side edges of the web uniformly taper downwardly toward the
bottom edge forming a trapazoidal shape. The side and bottom edges
of the web are joined to the bag at seams 35 which are preferably
heat sealed. The dimensions of the web are such that when the
fastener is opened and the slot spread apart for entrance of the
limb, the web is taut, while when the slide fastener is closed, the
web and its upper edge are loose.
To insert a limb into the protective covering, the slide fastener
is opened, enlarging the opening at the open end 14 and the injured
limb is then inserted. With the limb fully inserted into the
covering the fastener is closed, reducing the size of the opening
14 and forcing the web 34 between the closed fastener and the
limb.
To insure a proper seal between the open mouth of the bag and the
limb and to preclude the passage of fluids between the skin and the
top of the web 34 the surface of the web which faces the skin of
the limb adjacent the top edge of the web is covered with the
annular resilient foam seal 18.
An alternative protective covering 40 suitable for a foot is
illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7. This covering is
preferably shaped in the manner of a boot and formed of synthetic
plastic sheet material similar to that of the embodiment previously
described. The boot is sufficiently large to encase an injured foot
with either bandages and/or a cast. To prevent the boot from
slipping on a wet surface, such as a tub, the bottom of the foot
includes transverse synthetic plastic ridges 41 heat laminated to
the sheet material, alternatively the sheet material of which the
boot is constructed may be roughened, embossed or molded to present
a gripping surface at the bottom of the boot. The upper open end 42
of the boot includes an interior annular peripheral resilient foam
band 44 which is constructed and secured to the interior of the
covering in the same manner as the band illustrated in FIG. 3.
To bind the upper end of the boot against the limb and insure a
water-tight and gas-tight seal, a closure tape 46 is anchored to
the exterior of the boot adjacent the open end 42. The opposite end
of the closure tape is free and the tape is wrapped several times
around the outside of the bag adjacent the open end and upwardly
against the skin with the free end suitably secured as discussed
with regard to the tape 22 of the previous embodiment.
Thus an individual with an injured or broken foot is permitted to
shower without aggravation of the injury caused by the entrance of
water or other contaminants.
The protective covering shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 8, 9, and
10 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. It includes a bag
50 formed of a flexible sheet of synthetic plastic which may be
seamed or of one piece construction. The bag 50 includes an open
end 52 and a closed end 54. A slide fastener closure 56 similiar in
operation and construction to the fastener 32 of the previous
embodiment is also provided.
Additionally included is a web 58 secured in a manner similiar to
that of the web 34.
The seal between the open end 52 and the limb is effected by an
annular resilient foam band 60 in a manner analogous to that of the
band 18 of the previous embodiment. The band 60 can be secured to
the interior of the protective covering by any conventional means,
e. g., a heat seal. In this embodiment, however, the use of an
adhesive layer 62 between the foam band and the interior of the
covering is employed as the securing means.
The annular resilient foam band 60 is additionally modified in that
it is constructed of closed cell (non-interconnected) material.
Thus, the interior of each cellular pocket or bubble 64 is isolated
from the interiors of adjacent pockets or bubbles and individually
entraps a quantity of gas within the pocket. The individual pockets
cooperate to form a resilient deformable band which effects the
seal between the open end of the bag and the limb. As the open end
is bound against the limb the individual cells of the band deform,
compressing the gas contained therein. The deformation is readily
accomplished with minimal pressure and the band quickly conforms to
the shape of the limb, yet the layer elastically resumes its
original thickness when released.
The foam band 60 is pressed against the face of the web 58 which
abuts the limb by a wrap around tape 53 and thus insures an
effective seal between the open end 52 and the limb regardless of
whether or not the protective covering is utilized with the slide
fastener.
Because the structure of the resilient foam band 60 is of closed
cellular nature, the seal effected between the open end of the
covering and the limb is gas tight, to an even greater degree than
with an interconnected cell structure (which itself is essentially
hermetic since the interconnected cells are compressed by the wrap
around tape forming a seal that for practical purposes, considering
the minimum pressure differential involved, is hermetic) precluding
the passage of both water and/or gases.
Also included in the embodiment of FIG. 9 is a means for
selectively inflating or deflating the protective covering which,
in view of the gas-tight seal at the upper end 52, will not
accidentally deflate once it is inflated. This is a desirable
feature as it permits the injured limb to be encased within the
covering while minimizing actual physical contact between the
covering and the limb. If between the limb and the covering a
pressurized atmosphere exists, the covering is inflated and will
maintain a spaced relationship from the limb.
The covering may be inflated with any gas which would be prescribed
to facilitate healing. For example, sterile air or oxygen might be
desirable gas, or under other conditions an inert gas such as
nitrogen.
An inflow check (one-way) valve 70 illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11, and
12 is provided to permit the covering to be easily inflated or
deflated. The valve 70 is preferably in the form of a tube with a
hollow bore 80, the tube projects inwardly from an opening 72 in
the outer surface of the limp flat covering. The base 74 of the
valve is flared outwardly and completely surrounds the opening 72.
An air-tight seal is provided between the base 74 and the
protective covering. This may be effected by any common means such
as a heat seal such as has been employed to join the seams of the
sheet which form the protective covering.
Towards the end of the valve 70 the upper 76 and lower 78 walls of
the valve are biased together either by the natural formation of
the tube, i. e., this being the configuration the tube assumes when
idle, or by the existence of gas pressure inside the covering that
is in excess of atmospheric pressure and thus collapses the tube.
When these walls touch one another they close the bore 80
precluding the exit of gas through the bore.
The gas may be introduced into or released from the interior of the
protective covering through the valve. The introduction of
pressurized gas into the valve base from the outside of the
covering will open the passage way 80 to permit the entrance of the
gas. As soon as the pressure of the incoming gas is reduced, the
top and bottom walls 76 and 78 close and the bore 80 is blocked so
that gases can not escape.
To use the inflatable embodiment, the slide fastener 56 is opened
and the injured limb is inserted into the covering 50. The fastener
is then closed and the tape 53 is wrapped around the protective
covering adjacent the upper end in successively overlapping
adjacent layers and finally overlapping the skin of the limb above
the open end and then the free end of the band is anchored by
suitable means or in a suitable manner as described
hereinabove.
As the elongated tape 53 wraps about the covering adjacent the open
end, the foam layer 60 is pressed against the skin of the limb and
effects a gas and water tight seal to preclude both the entrance of
water and the exit of gas entrapped within the covering.
At this point the desired atmosphere may be introduced into the
protective covering. The patient may introduce either ordinary air
as by blowing through a straw, inserted into the opening 72 and
through the tube, with his mouth or a controlled atmosphere of
oxygen, sterile air or nitrogen for instance, may be introduced
through the straw. The pressurized gas inflates the protective
covering.
To remove the pressurized gas from the protective covering the
patient need only reinsert the straw allowing the gas to escape, or
loosen the tape 53 and/or the slide fastener 56 which will permit
the exit of the gas through the open top 52.
Additionally, the closed end 54 of he covering may be secured in a
folded over position by means of a double faced adhesive strip 55
in a manner described with regard to the embodiment shown in FIG.
2.
It thus will be seen that there are provided protective covering
devices which achieve the various objects of the invention and
which are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.
As various possible embodiments might be made of the present
invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiments
above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein
described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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