Protective dressing with reusable phase-change material cooling insert

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016374847-A1
Application number	US-201615189459-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 22, 2016
Priority date	Jun 25, 2015
Publication date	Dec 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

First claim

1 . An apparatus for modifying the temperature of a person's skin in a localized region, the apparatus comprising:
a skin contacting surface; a heat sink having a first temperature different from the temperature of the skin being contacted by the skin contacting surface to create a temperature gradient between the skin and the heat sink; and a flow path configured to allow heat to flow between the skin and the heat sink.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a protective dressing including:
a lower adhesive layer having (i) an adhesive lower surface capable of adhering to the person's skin surrounding an anatomic site and (ii) an upper surface having an opening; an upper adhesive layer configured to be removably coupled to the upper surface of the lower adhesive layer; wherein the heat sink is coupled to the upper adhesive layer and is configured to be positioned within the opening of the upper surface of the lower adhesive layer and to vary temperature of the skin at the anatomic site when the upper adhesive layer is removably coupled to the upper surface of the lower adhesive layer.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a protective dressing including
a cushion layer adapted to be in contact with the skin at an anatomic site; wherein the heat sink is coupled to the cushion layer, and an outer adhesive layer coupled to the insert and the cushion layer, the outer adhesive layer capable of adhering to the person's skin surrounding an anatomic site.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises
a conductive pad configured to underlie a person's body region subject to pressure ulcers and adapted to be in contact with the person's skin; and wherein the flow path includes at least one conductive conduit laterally extending from the conductive pad, the conductive conduit having a free end; and wherein the heat sink is coupled to the free end to transfer heat between the heat sink and the conductive pad through the conductive conduit.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the free end includes at least one compartment having an opening and a cavity, the cavity sized to receive a replaceable heat sink through the opening.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes:
a thermally conductive pad configured to include the skin contacting surface; wherein the heat sink comprises a thermally conductive patch configured to be mounted on a patient support apparatus; and wherein the flow path facilitates the flow of heat between the thermally conductive pad and the heat sink.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises:
a thermoelectric device that includes a first surface that is the skin contacting surface and a second surface, positioned away from the skin contacting surface; an adhesive layer configured to overlie the thermoelectric device to secure the thermoelectric device to the skin; and a power source operable to cause the thermoelectric device to transfer heat between the first surface of the thermoelectric device and the second surface of the thermoelectric device; wherein the flow path facilitates the transfer of heat between the heat sink and the second surface of thermoelectric device.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the surface of the skin.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor for determining the pressure applied to the surface of the skin.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a moisture sensor for determining the moisture at the surface of the skin.

11 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a blood perfusion sensor for determining the perfusion rate.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the power source is configured to vary the operation of the thermoelectric device in response to a condition at the surface of the skin detected by one or more sensors.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the power source wirelessly transfers power to the thermoelectric device.

14 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the heat sink comprises a phase-change material.

15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the protective dressing is configured to distribute external pressure applied to the dressing away from an anatomical point protected by the protective dressing.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the heat sink comprises a phase-change material.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the heat sink comprises a foam carrier that comprises a phase-change material.

18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a phase change material.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus comprises a protective dressing including:
a lower adhesive layer having (i) an adhesive lower surface capable of adhering to a person's skin surrounding an anatomic site and (ii) an upper surface having an opening; an upper adhesive layer configured to be removably coupled to the upper surface of the lower adhesive layer; wherein the heat sink is coupled to the upper adhesive layer and is configured to be positioned within the opening of the upper surface of the lower adhesive layer and to vary temperature of the skin at the anatomic site when the upper adhesive layer is removably coupled to the upper surface of the lower adhesive layer.

20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus comprises a protective dressing including
a cushion layer adapted to be in contact with the skin at an anatomic site; wherein the heat sink is coupled to the cushion layer, and an outer adhesive layer coupled to the insert and the cushion layer, the outer adhesive layer capable of adhering to the person's skin surrounding an anatomic site.

21 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the apparatus further comprises
a conductive pad configured to underlie a person's body region subject to pressure ulcers and adapted to be in contact with the person's skin; and wherein the flow path includes at least one conductive conduit laterally extending from the conductive pad, the conductive conduit having a free end; and wherein the heat sink is coupled to the free end to transfer heat between the heat sink and the conductive pad through the conductive conduit.

22 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a garment having at least one conductive region having a conductive material, the conductive material configured to be positioned around a torso region of a person, wherein the heat sink comprises portions of the conductive material that are not covered by the person, and the portions of conductive material that are not covered by the person discharge heat convectively using ambient air.

Assignees

• Hill Rom Services Inc

Inventors

• Lachenbruch Charles A
• Agdeppa Eric D
• Ribble David L
• Williamson Rachel L
• Li Yongfeng
• Hill Chris
• Vangilder Catherine A
• Marrion Jeffrey C
• Newkirk David C
• Lawrence Robert J
• Meyerson Craig M
• Bonenfant Roger P
• Harmeyer John V
• Baker Steven D
• O'Neal Todd P
• Hertz Ben
• Swoish Murray M
• Srivastava Varad N
• Bedel David L

Classifications

• A61F2007/0292

  using latent heat produced or absorbed during phase change of materials, e.g. of super-cooled solutions · CPC title

• A61F7/10

  Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags · CPC title

• A61F2013/0057

  with openable cover · CPC title

• A61F2013/15024

  for protecting the body against ulcers · CPC title

• A61F2007/0052

  for treatment of skin or hair · CPC title