United States Patent (19)
`Martz
`
`54
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`76)
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`(21)
`22)
`
`(63)
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`51)
`52
`58)
`
`VAPOR PERMEABLE DRESSING WITH
`RELEASABLE MEDICATION
`Joel D. Martz, 5 Sealy Dr.,
`Inventor:
`Lawrence, N.Y. 11559
`Appl. No.: 504,111
`Fed:
`Apr. 3, 1990
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 377,269, Jul. 10, 1989,
`which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 83,690,
`Aug. 7, 1987, Pat. No. 4,846,164.
`Int. Cl. .............................................. A61F 13/02
`U.S. Cl. .................................... 604/307; 604/289;
`128/898; 156/290
`Field of Search ................ 128/898; 604/307, 289;
`156/290, 301, 324
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Hodgson .
`Re. 31,886
`5/1985
`Hodgson .
`Re. 31,887
`5/1985
`2,703,083
`Gross .................................. 156/324
`1/1955
`8/1960
`Merrian et al. .
`2,949,443
`6/1968
`Sammons et al. .
`3,387,077
`Pope .
`2/1969
`3,425,412
`8/1969
`Newman .
`3,459,579
`3,616,156
`Scholl .
`10/1971
`Figge .
`3,645,833
`2/1972
`McKnight et al. .
`3,800,792
`4/1974
`10/1974
`Wideman et al. .
`3,842,832
`2/1976
`Naito et al. .
`3,939,237
`8/1976
`3,972,328
`Chen .
`Suzuki.
`8/1978
`4,105,737
`4,285,338
`8/1981
`Lemelson .
`Kelly .
`4,381,326
`4/1983
`6/1983
`Mahn .
`4,390,387
`McCracken et al. .
`4,413,62
`11/1983
`Lloyd et al. .
`4,452,845
`6/1984
`Ohba et al. .
`4,483,965
`1A984
`DeRusha ............................. 156/324
`4,484,574
`11/1984
`Dellas .
`4,485,809
`12/1984
`
`
`
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,061,258
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`4,556,066 12/1985 Semrow .
`4,596,738 6/1986 Metcalfe et al. .
`4,598,004 7/1986 Heinecke .
`4,614, 183 9/1986 McCracken et al. .
`4,614,644 0/1986 Saferstein et al. .
`4,619,253 10/1986 Anhauser et al. .
`4,641,643 2/1987 Greer .
`4,643,180 2/1987 Feld et al. ........................... 604/307
`4,649,909 3/1987 Thompson.
`4,699,792 10/1987 Nick et al............................ 604/307
`4,706,662 10/1987 Thompson .
`Primary Examiner-Randall L. Green
`Assistant Examiner-Paul Prebilic
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David M. Warren
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A water vapor permeable dressing, such as a surgical
`dressing, is constructed of a thin elastomeric transparent
`film which is protected by a layer of non-woven fabric,
`such as a material of elastomeric filaments. The fabric is
`sufficiently thin, elastic and fluffy to absorb stress of
`abrasive objects so as to protect the underlying film.
`Both the film and the protective fabric are sufficiently
`thin and compliant to allow the dressing to conform to
`the contours of the human body. Adhesive used in the
`dressing, for securing the film to a person's skin, as well
`as for securing the fabric to the film, are permeable to
`water vapor. The film and the adhesives are imperme
`able to liquid water, thereby to provide an effective
`shield for a wound against infection by outside bacteria.
`A method of administering a topical reagent to a patient
`is disclosed. The method involves (1) imprinting a topi
`cal reagent upon the surface of a release sheet, (2) ap
`plying adhesive to a conformable elastic film, (3) joining
`the imprinted release sheet surface and the adhesive
`layer surface together, (4) separating the release sheet
`and film and (5) applying the film to a patient so that the
`topical reagent is in direct contact with the patient's
`skin.
`
`2 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`5,061,258
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`Essi, SESs.
`SMS2 g as Asa AYAYYN
`444442 resists S224227
`(Z-7---N-ZYX.
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`52
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`F.G. 5
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
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`5,061,258
`
`FIG. 6
`
`FIG. 7
`
`241
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`62
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,061,258
`
`
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
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`5,061,258
`
`FIG. I7
`
`
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`carssex&ay Tyts
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`72 NONWOVEN
`BREATHABLE
`64
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`PRODUCT, 68
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`ADHESIVE u1 -
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`42
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`46
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`FLAMENTS
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
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`5,061,258
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`
`
`
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`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,061,258
`
`FIG. 24
`
`FG. 25
`
`FIG. 26
`
`
`
`98
`
`98
`
`236
`
`236
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 7
`
`

`

`1.
`
`VAPOR PERMEABLE DRESSING WITH
`RELEASABLE MEDICATION
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of a previ
`ous application having Ser. No. 07/377,269 filed July
`10, 1989 which is a continuation-in-part of original ap
`plication having Ser. No. 07/083,690 filed Aug. 7, 1987,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,164.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to moisture vapor permeable
`film dressings for covering wounds on human and ani
`mal skin, and, more particularly, to a structure of a thin
`transparent moisture vapor permeable film dressing
`with a moisture vapor permeable adhesive, there being
`a vapor permeable protective fabric which may be se
`cured to the film on a side opposite the adhesive to
`facilitate manipulation of the dressing, and to provide
`the thin film with protection from abrasion. A drug or
`medicine for topical application may be included within
`the adhesive. The dressing may include optionally a pad
`on the adhesive side of the film for absorption of body
`exudate. The composite structure of the film and the
`protective fabric, such as a nonwoven filamentary fab
`25
`ric, is sufficiently thin and elastic to readily conform to
`the shape of a body being draped by the dressing.
`The use of thin films on the order of one mill thick
`ness, which are impermeable to liquid water but perme
`able to water vapor is finding increased use in the con
`30
`struction of surgical dressings. Such dressings may in
`clude the film with or without a gauze pad or other
`absorptive plus some form of backing layer to facilitate
`emplacement of the dressing on the wound. Occasion
`ally, the dressing is completed by use of gauze or other
`35
`fabric which covers the film so as to protect the fragile
`film from abrasion and/or puncture by foreign objects
`which may contact the patient wearing the dressing.
`The use of the thin film is advantageous for a number
`of reasons. The film is impermeable to liquid water and
`to bacteria so as to form a very effective shield which
`protects a patient from sources of infection external to
`the skin. The film retains body fluids within the body at
`the site of the wound. The vapor permeability of the
`film provides a sufficient rate of water vapor transport
`through the film to allow the skin to breathe normally.
`The film has sufficient elasticity to conform to the shape
`of various parts of the body, even a flexible body part
`such as a knee or elbow. Both the film and the adhesive
`layer may be constructed to be transparent, such trans
`50
`parency permitting the physician to observe the wound
`area without removal of the dressing. The material of
`the dressing is non-allergenic. The foregoing character
`istics of the dressing permit the dressing to be kept in
`place for significantly longer periods of time than with
`55
`other non-film types of dressings, this resulting in a
`great convenience to both the patient and attending
`medical staff, and also providing for better healing in
`some types of breaks in the integument, incisions, or
`wounds and providing better cost effectiveness in medi
`cal practice due to decreased need for dressing changes.
`Such moisture vapor permeable films may be made
`from synthetic polymers and formed by casting, extru
`sion or other known film-making processes. Film thick
`ness is in a range of typically 0.5-10 mils and preferably
`in a range from 0.6-3 mils. The film is continuous in that
`it has no perforations or pores which extend through
`the depth of the film. Films of this type are known and
`
`45
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`65
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`5
`
`O
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`15
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`20
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`5,061,258
`2
`generally are hydrophilic polymeric materials through
`which water vapor is capable of diffusing. The films are
`formed of plastic material such as polyurethane or ary
`late copolymers, see McCracken et al., U.S. Pat. No.
`4,413,621. A suitable adhesive for securing the thin film
`to human skin is disclosed in Hodgson, U.S. Pat. No.
`3,645,835 (now U.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 31,886 and 31,887).
`Generally, these films have moisture vapor transport
`rates between 15 and 80 grams per 100 square inches per
`24 hour interval at 100 Fahrenheit and 90% Relative
`Humidity.
`In spite of the many advantages of the thin film, there
`are problems associated with its use. The film is too thin
`to be handled without some form of backing sheet or
`release sheet because the extreme flexibility and limp
`ness allow the film to curl over upon itself. Further
`more, in the presence of an adhesive layer on one sur
`face of the film, the film may stick to itself, this present
`ing great difficulty in applying the film to a patient.
`While the feature of transparency is most beneficial in
`allowing a physician to observe the wound, this feature
`is distressing to a patient who would prefer not to look
`at an ugly wound. The film, because of its extreme
`thinness, is fragile, and can readily catch on a sharp or
`rough object resulting in a tearing of a dressing con
`structed of the film.
`If an attempt be made to overcome the foregoing
`difficulties by use of a permanent backing layer of
`greater stiffness and resistance to abrasion, then a fur
`ther problem is introduced, namely, such backing layer
`would materially alter the vapor transport rate of the
`dressing and might not allow any vapor transport. If an
`opaque covering, such as a cloth bandage, be placed
`over the film to occlude the distressing view of the
`wound from the patient, then the disadvantage is intro
`duced in that an attending physician must remove the
`cloth covering in order to view the wound. Also, such
`dressings have not taken advantage of an opportunity
`for topical administration of medicine to a patient.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The aforementioned problems are overcome and
`other advantages are provided by a thin dressing which,
`in accordance with the invention, is fabricated of a thin
`film of polyurethane or other similar elastomeric poly
`mer or copolymer having an adhesive layer on one
`surface and a nonwoven fabric secured to the opposite
`surface. The composite structure of adhesive layer, film
`and nonwoven fabric is permeable to water vapor and
`has a sufficiently high transport rate of the vapor to
`permit the skin of a patient receiving the dressing to
`aspirate water vapor normally through the dressing.
`The film and the adhesive layer are transparent. The
`nonwoven fabric is opaque, and is constructed as a
`spun-bonded elastic material. Alternatively, the nonwo
`ven fabric may also be constructed as a highly perfo
`rated elastic film of material similar to the foregoing
`thin film, the large amount of perforation permitting the
`transport of water vapor without adding any significant
`resistance to the vapor flow. The nonwoven elastic
`fabric has an extensive amount of voids passing com
`pletely through the fabric which allows passage of both
`liquid water and water vapor. However, the thin film is
`impervious to the liquid water so that the presence of
`spun-bonded material in no way reduces the protective
`barrier of the thin film to infection. The nonwoven
`fabric has recoverable elastic strain at least double the
`unstrained length, the elasticity and recoverability
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 8
`
`

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`5
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`O
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`4.
`w
`Additional advantageous features of the invention are
`being multidimensional so as to be conformable to body
`contours and provides unhindered full range of motion
`attained by the use of a release.sheet formed in two
`on joints of a patient wearing the dressing.
`Sections which cover an adhesive side of a dressing, at
`It is an object of the invention to facilitate use of the
`least one of the sections of release sheet having a reverse
`dressing by an attending physician. It is a further object
`fold to allow a nurse or other person employing the
`dressing to apply the dressing more readily to a patient's
`of the invention to reduce distress and introduce a mea
`sure of comfort to a patient wearing the dressing.
`skin. The reverse fold is operative to signal the nurse, by
`Use by an attending physician is facilitated by virtue
`cessation of force between sheet and adhesive, that the
`section of sheet has cleared the adhesive in the central
`of an inherent stiffness to the nonwoven fabric, which
`portion of the dressing. In this way, the sheet serves to
`stiffness overcomes the tendency of the thin film to curl
`stiffen the dressing prior to application of the dressing,
`upon itself, the nonwoven fabric enabling the physician
`to readily manipulate the dressing for emplacement
`thereby to facilitate manipulation of the dressing. As the
`dressing is held in both hands of the nurse, one hand
`upon a wound. An elastic nonwoven fabric stretches
`along with the elastic film during positioning on the
`holding the folded section of fabric and the other hand
`holding the partially unfolded section of fabric, the film
`patient. A release sheet covers the adhesive layer until
`of the dressing can be applied directly to the patient's
`emplacement of the dressing upon the wound, at which
`skin without buckling or twisting the film. This arrange
`time the release sheet is removed to expose the adhesive
`layer to the patient's skin. If desired, a gauze pad, foam
`ment of the release sheet can be employed both with a
`simple film dressing as well as with a laminated dressing
`or other absorptive device may be included within the
`dressing, the absorptive pad being positioned on the
`of film and nonwoven material.
`20
`adhesive side of the film. The foregoing multiple lami
`A further feature of the invention is the use of two
`adhesive layers employing a pattern or perforations or
`nate structure of the dressing is readily packaged, dis
`pensed, and manipulated in a hospital situation.
`windows and a pattern of islands of adhesive. The layer
`of adhesive employed in securing film to the patient's
`The nonwoven fabric is bonded to the film by a fus
`ing or by use of an adhesive. Such bonding retains the
`skin is provided with perforations or windows in the
`25
`vapor transport characteristic of the dressing. The
`adhesive for increased capacity to breath. The adhesive
`dressing may be constructed in a manner which allows
`layer employed between the film and the nonwoven
`the physician to view the wound without removal of
`material is formed of spaced-apart islands of adhesive
`the dressing. This is accomplished in one embodiment
`which serve the dual functions of improved breathing
`of the invention by the construction of a window in the
`capacity and reduction of adhesive strength in those
`30
`fabric, and by adhesively securing a further layer of
`situations where it is desirable to temporarily separate
`fabric over the window to act as a shade for opening
`the nonwoven material from the film, as for viewing a
`and closing the window, thereby to show or hide the
`wound. This technique of spaced-apart islands of adhe
`sive can also be employed in a dressing having multiple
`wound. Alternatively, the surface of the film facing the
`fabric may be provided with a release coat permitting
`layers of film and nonwoven material to enable selective
`an adhesively secured fabric to be retracted away from
`reduction or enlargement in the number of layers of
`the film for viewing the wound, after which the fabric
`material so as to select a desired capacity to breathe.
`is restored to its original position upon the film. In the
`In yet a further aspect of the invention, the film can
`be dispensed with, and replaced with a barrier to liquid
`window-shade construction, a release coat may be
`water formed directly upon and within interstices of the
`placed on the outer surface of the fabric to facilitate
`40
`lifting and replacement of the window shade.
`woven material. The barrier is permeable to water
`In the use of the dressing on young children, children
`vapor and is formed of the same material as is employed
`can be comforted in the distressing situation of a bodily
`in the construction of the film. However, the barrier,
`which is formed by deposition of polymer material
`wound by imprinting a colored likeness of a cartoon,
`directly on the nonwoven material and is drawn into
`animal, or other character upon the fabric. The shape of
`45
`the final dressing may follow the contour of the imprint.
`interstices by forces of rheology, can be substantially
`It is also noted that the nonwoven elastic fabric itself,
`thinner than that which can be obtained in the use of a
`due to its elasticity, its elastic recoverability, and its
`film, thereby to allow for a much greater capacity to
`capacity for allowing skin to breathe, can be used as an
`breathe. If desired, a further layer of nonwoven mate
`elastic bandage, as for binding a sprained joint. The
`rial can be applied alongside a surface of the first-men
`50
`fabric can be much thinner than currently employed
`tioned layer of nonwoven material, alongside the bar
`woven or knitted fabrics for this purpose and still retain
`rier, to locate the barrier centrally within a mass of
`adequate strength for use in binding sprained joints.
`nonwoven material which can act as an absorber of
`This is particularly advantageous in the case of a bind
`water, while the barrier acts to retain the water within
`ing of a sprained ankle because the fabric is thin enough
`the nonwoven material. A single layer of nonwoven
`55
`to be worn within a shoe.
`material with the barrier therein is suitable for use as a
`dressing, and can also be employed in other situations
`The elastic properties of the nonwoven material can
`also be employed for fabricating an elastic bandage.
`requiring a covering, such as for the entrapment of
`liquid exudate. The breathability of the barrier allows
`Since the nonwoven material is in the nature of a plastic
`such as polyurethane which, while being transmissive to
`the covering to be used for purposes other than a dress
`ing, such as in industry for various industrial processes.
`sweat does not absorb Sweat, increased comfort to a
`wearer of the bandage is attained by flocking the non
`Also, the covering can be employed in the nature of a
`garment, such as a diaper, for absorbing liquid and for
`woven material with particles of a material such as
`storing the liquid.
`cotton or rayon which absorbs sweat. The permeability
`A particularly useful aspect of the invention relates to
`of the nonwoven material to moisture absorbed by the
`the administering of a reagent such as a drug, medicine
`cotton or rayon prevents excessive buildup of moisture
`in the flocking so as to maintain the confortably dry
`or other active ingredient to a patient via the skin of the
`patient, a reagent suitable for such form of administra
`feeling to the wearer.
`
`35
`
`15
`
`65
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 9
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`tion being referred to as a topical reagent. This is ac
`FIG. 12 shows a side view of a dressing formed of
`complished by imprinting the topical reagent upon a
`nonwoven material secured to a breathable film with an
`release sheet, and then employing the release sheet to
`adhesive side of the film secured to two sections of
`cover an adhesive layer upon the vapor-permeable film.
`flexible release sheet which are employed to cover the
`The adhesive layer is made available for securing the
`adhesive, one of the pieces of sheet having a reverse
`film to the patient by removal of the release sheet. How
`fold, the view showing a piece of release sheet partially
`ever, upon removal of the release sheet, the adhesive
`lifted away from the film;
`forces of the adhesive layer retain the reagent upon the
`FIG. 13 shows the dressing of FIG. 12 with the re
`adhesive layer by separating the reagent from the re
`lease sheet fully secured to the adhesive side of the film;
`lease sheet. Then, upon a securing of the film to the
`FIG. 14 shows a plan view of the dressing of FIG. 13;
`patient by the adhesive layer, the reagent is placed in
`FIG. 15 shows an alternative embodiment of the
`contact with the patient's skin, and held upon the skin
`dressing of FIG. 12 wherein both pieces of release sheet
`for a sufficient length of time to allow the reagent to be
`are provided with a reverse fold;
`absorbed by the skin. The reagent can be imprinted as a
`FIG. 16 shows a dressing formed of a layer of nonwo
`continuous coating, or in patterns of various shapes
`ven material secured to a film, edges of the dressing
`including, a random distribution of dots, a repeating
`being shown curled up and retracted from a patient's
`pattern of various contours, and a non-repeating pat
`skin to show an adhesive layer with perforations
`therein, the nonwoven material and the film being
`tern.
`shown separated at an opposite end of the dressing to
`disclose an adhesive layer formed of spaced-apart dots
`or islands of adhesive;
`FIG. 17 shows a laminated dressing having plural
`layers of nonwoven material and plural layers of film
`wherein adhesives of differing strength are employed
`between various sections of the laminated dressing to
`allow removal of sections or addition of more sections
`to adjust a rate of vapor transport through the dressing:
`FIG. 18 shows a manufacture of a covering, suitable
`for use as a medicinal or surgical dressing as well as for
`other purposes including manufacturing processes, the
`covering being formed of a layer of nonwoven material
`with a vapor-permeable barrier to liquid water being
`formed by deposition of a liquid polymer within the
`layer of nonwoven material, the figure showing also the
`adhesion of a second layer of nonwoven material to the
`first layer adjacent the barrier;
`FIG. 19 is an enlarged, stylized, fragmentary view of
`a section of the nonwoven material incorporating the
`barrier of FIG. 18;
`FIG. 20 is a stylized sectional view of a dressing
`adapted for aseptic topical delivery of medication;
`FIG. 21 is a stylized view of a dressing, similar to that
`of FIG. 2 demonstrating the replacement of a plain
`release sheet with a second release sheet which has been
`imprinted with a topical reagent, a portion of the release
`sheet being twisted to show a periodic pattern of con
`tours of the topical reagent;
`FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for im
`printing a pattern of topical reagent on a release sheet,
`and combining the release sheet with a vapor permeable
`film by means of an adhesive layer disposed between the
`sheet and the film;
`FIG. 23 shows a vapor permeable film secured by an
`adhesive layer to the skin of a patient, the adhesive layer
`including pockets of topical reagent along an interface
`of the adhesive layer with the skin;
`FIG. 24 is a plan view of a release sheet with a central
`region covered continuously with topical reagent, indi
`cated diagrammatically, the central region being sur
`rounded by a margin void of the reagent;
`FIG. 25 is a release sheet having topical reagent dis
`posed along the entire sheet in a random pattern of small
`dots; and
`FIG. 26 is a plan view of a release sheet having topi
`cal reagent imprinted thereon, the topical reagent being
`indicated diagrammatically and being arranged in a
`non-repeating pattern of varying width.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`The aforementioned aspects and other features of the
`invention are explained in the following description,
`taken in connection with the accompanying drawing
`wherein:
`25
`FIG. 1 shows a stylized view of a portion of a per
`son's arm having a dressing thereon, the dressing being
`constructed in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the dressing
`taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the
`dressing wherein nonwoven fabric extends beyond the
`perimeter of the film;
`FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention
`wherein a part of the film protrudes as a tab from under
`35
`neath the nonwoven fabric;
`FIG. 5 shows a dressing in the form of a bandage
`with a cartoon sketched thereon, the cartoon showing a
`face wherein a mouth is placed at a point of flexure on
`a knee of a patient's leg to show an opening of the
`mouth when the leg is flexed; and wherein nonwoven
`fabric extends beyond the perimeter of the film;
`FIG. 6 shows a dressing formed as bandage which
`can be dispensed by a child, a periphery of the nonwo
`ven fabric extending beyond the periphery of the film
`45
`and being shaped in the form of a cartoon wherein
`nonwoven fabric extends beyond the perimeter of the
`film;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
`showing an edge of the dressing in an embodiment
`50
`wherein the nonwoven fabric is fused to the film;
`FIG. 8 shows the view of FIG. 7 under conditions
`wherein the nonwoven fabric is being abraded by a
`pointed object such as a hairpin, FIG. 8 including a
`diagrammatic representation of lines of stress to demon
`55
`strate the distribution of stress about a large surface
`region of the film;
`FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a dressing
`employing a multiply perforated plastic sheet as the
`nonwoven fabric;
`FIG. 10 shows a construction of an electrode suitable
`for adhesion to a human body for measurement of body
`functions, the electrode being formed of electrolyte
`absorbing material in combination with a layer of non
`woven material;
`65
`FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a bandage struc
`ture in which nonwoven fabric secures a gauze pad to
`skin;
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1056
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 10
`
`

`

`15
`
`7
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dressing 20 is
`applied to an arm 22 of a patient. The dressing 20 is
`constructed in accordance with the invention, and in
`cludes a film 24 having a first adhesive layer 26 for
`securing the dressing 20 to skin 28 of the patient. The
`dressing 20 is provided with a release sheet 30 such as
`siliconized paper which covers the adhesive layer 26
`prior to use of the dressing 20. The release sheet 30 is
`shown partially removed in FIG. 2, such removal being
`accomplished to expose the adhesive layer 26 during
`emplacement of the dressing 20 upon the patient's arm
`22.
`The dressing 20 further comprises a layer 32 of fabric
`which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is
`formed of a sheet of nonwoven elastic material such as
`a spun-bonded material or a multiply perforated sheet of
`plastic. The fabric layer 32 is bonded to a second surface
`of the film 24 opposite the first adhesive layer 26 by
`20
`fusing or, as shown in FIG. 2, by a second layer 34 of
`adhesive. The second surface of the film may be pro
`vided with a release coat 36 which cooperates with the
`second adhesive layer 34 to facilitate partial or com
`plete removal of the fabric to enable a physician attend
`25
`ing the patient to view the portion of the skin 28 cov
`ered by the dressing 20. After such viewing, the fabric
`is returned to its position on the film 24 and held in that
`position by the second adhesive layer 34.
`The dressing 20, as described so far, constitutes a first
`30
`embodiment of the invention which is capable of pro
`tecting an area of the skin from infection, and which
`permits a viewing of the region of the skin beneath the
`dressing 20 by releasably securing the fabric to the film
`24 by an attending physician. The fabric layer 32 is
`opaque so as to hide the wound, skin and any discolor
`ation or exudate which may be produced by the patient.
`By way of further embodiment of the dressing 20, a
`window 38 can be formed within the fabric layer 32 by
`cutting away a portion of the fabric layer 32 having the
`desired shape, typically round or square, of the window
`38. The window 38 permits a viewing of the skin with
`out removal of the layer of fabric layer 32. In order to
`protect the portion of the film 24 bounded by the win
`dow 38, and to close off the window 38 from a viewing
`45
`by the patient, a window shade 40 is renovably secured
`about the window 38. The shade 40 comprises a flap 42
`of the fabric and a third adhesive layer 44 which secures
`the shade 40 to the top surface of the fabric layer 32.
`The top surface of the fabric layer 32 may be provided
`with a release coat 46 to facilitate removal of the shade
`40, and to permit the shade 40 to be replaced and se
`cured by the adhesive layer 44 to the fabric layer 32.
`By way of further embodiment, a gauze pad 48 of
`cotton or other absorbent material may be secured to
`55
`the first side of the film 24 for absorbing exudate from a
`wound 50 in the skin 28. The window 38 permits a
`viewing of the pad 48 so as to determine how much
`oozing of body fluids may have occurred at the site of
`the wound 50.
`60
`FIGS. 3 and 4 show further configurations of the
`dressing 20. In FIG. 3, the fabric 32 extends beyond the
`periphery of the film 24 to provide a border 52 which
`completely surrounds the film 24. This configuration is
`useful as a bandage which can be applied by a child to
`65
`cover a wound. In the dressing 20 of FIG. 4, the film 24
`is provided with a tab 54 which extends beyond an edge
`of the fabric 32. This facilitates a separation of the fabric
`
`5,061,258
`w
`8
`32 from the film 24 when it is desired to lift a portion of
`the fabric 32 for viewing the wound 50 or gauze pad 48.
`With reference to FIG. 5, a feature of the invention is
`demonstrated by placing the dressing on a knee 56 of
`the patient. Therein, the dressing 20 is provided with a
`cartoon character printed directly on the surface of the
`fabric layer 32. Such a character is an aid to cheering
`children who may have undergone a surgical procedure
`and, by reducing mental stress associated with the re
`covery process, aids a return to good health. A particu
`lar feature of the cartoon embodiment of the dressing 20
`is the emplacement of a mouth of the cartoon face at a
`point of flexure of the knee 56 so that, upon a bending of
`the knee 56, the mouth is stretched so as to appear to
`open. When the knee is brought to a straight position,
`the mouth appears to close. This is a useful feature,
`particularly in the case of young children, for enabling
`some measure of happiness to be introduced into their
`lives.
`If desired, a pocket 58 can be created on the front
`surface of the fabric 32 by use of an additional layer of
`the fabric which is adhesively secured at edges thereof
`to the layer of fabric 32. A miniaturized music or sound
`producing device 60 in the form of a button is placed
`within the pocket 58. Alternatively, in lieu of the music
`device 60, a sponge (not shown) of similar button shape
`may be placed within the pocket 58, the sponge, or
`other pad of liquid absorbent material, being saturated
`with a gel of a medicine which can be administered by
`contact with the skin of a patient. Liquid containing the
`medicine slowly passes from the sponge via the mois
`ture permeable dressing 20 to the skin of the patient. If
`desired, the rate of passage of the medicine can be in
`creased by cutting away a portion of the dressing 20
`within the pocket 58. The dressing with the sponge-like
`material in the pocket 58 may be regarded as a trans
`dermal medication patch useful for the slow administra
`tion of a drug such as nitroglycerin.
`In FIG. 6, the cartoon aspect of the dressing 20 is
`embellished still further by extending the fabric of the
`layer 32 well beyond the perimeter of the film 24, and
`by cutting the outer edge of the fabric to have the physi
`cal shape of a cartoon character. As used herein and in
`the claims, the term "cartoon' is not limited to only the
`facial configuration, but is intended to include shapes of
`other objects