Shape and Pressure Adjustable Dressing For Blisters and Puncture Wounds

Abstract

A dressing for application over a wound on a surface of the skin of a patient. The dressing including: a pressure applying portion positioned over the wound; an adhesive portion positioned proximate to the pressure applying portion for fixing the pressure applying portion to the skin; and a potential energy storage mechanism for storing potential energy that would tend to apply pressure to the wound formed by the pressure applying portion.

1 . A dressing for application over a blistered area on a surface of the skin of a patient, the dressing comprising:
 a volume forming portion positioned over the blistered area;   an adhesive portion positioned proximate to the volume forming portion for fixing the volume forming portion to the skin;   a potential energy storage means for storing potential energy that would tend to increase a volume adjacent to the blistered area formed by the volume forming portion to create a cavity adjacent the blistered area;   an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity; and   a one-way valve in communication with the outlet configured to only permit a fluid flow from the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the volume forming portion is formed of an elastically deformable material, wherein deformation of the volume forming portion causes air in the cavity to be vented through the outlet to create a vacuum in the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve is provided in a tubing having one end connected to the volume forming portion at the outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The dressing of  claim 3 , wherein a pump is attached to another end of the tubing. 
     
     
         5 . A dressing for application over a wound on a surface of the skin of a patient, the dressing comprising:
 a pressure applying portion positioned over the wound;   an adhesive portion positioned proximate to the pressure applying portion for fixing the pressure applying portion to the skin; and   a potential energy storage mechanism for storing potential energy that would tend to apply pressure to the wound formed by the pressure applying portion.