Gel-based seals and fixation devices and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Gel and non-gel structures for interfacing with various portions of an organism's body are disclosed. A gel structure such as a web-like structure is configured to encircle a portion of the human body. The gel structure can be adapted to encircle virtually any exterior or interior portion of the human body. The gel structure can interface with an external medical device for delivery of medicine or for extracting substances and fluids from the human body.

1 . An air-tight and water-tight sealing pad for use with a portion of a user's body, the sealing pad comprising:
 a sealing pad cushion made of a gelatinous elastomeric material having a first side facing toward the user's body and a second side opposite the first side facing away from the user's body, wherein the first side of the sealing pad cushion is configured to contact the user's body;   a flange extending from the second side of the sealing pad cushion; and   a skin covering coupled to the sealing pad cushion and configured to cover a portion of the user's body, wherein the sealing pad forms an air-tight and water-tight seal with a portion of the user's body.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing pad of  claim 1  wherein the skin covering is connected to the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing pad of  claim 1  wherein the flange is a first flange, the sealing pad comprising a second flange extending from the sealing pad cushion generally parallel with the first flange. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing pad of  claim 3  wherein the first and second flanges are shaped to receive and hold the skin covering between them. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing pad of  claim 4  wherein the skin covering has a rim that is engaged by the first and second flanges to removably hold the skin covering relative to the sealing pad cushion. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing pad of  claim 1  wherein the flange is integral with the sealing pad cushion and is made of a gelatinous elastomeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing pad of  claim 1  wherein the skin covering is a face mask configured to cover at least one of the nose and mouth of a user, and wherein the flange is configured to inhibit passage of exhaled gasses from the user. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing pad of  claim 1  wherein the flange is made of a non-gelatinous material. 
     
     
         9 . A device for affixing to a portion of a user's body, the device comprising:
 a sheet of gelatinous elastomeric material; and   a sealing pad made of a gelatinous elastomeric material coupled to the sheet of gelatinous elastomeric material, wherein the gelatinous elastomeric material has a high coefficient of friction with the user's body, wherein the sheet of gelatinous elastomeric material exerts a compressive force upon the portion of the user's body when elongated by pulling.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a portion of the gelatinous elastomeric material further comprises a microfiber material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the sheet of material comprises a series of strands that partially cover the portion of the user's body. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the strands are woven together in a web-like structure. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the sheet of material comprises a solid sheet of material. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the portion of the user's body comprises at least one of a head, an ear, a nose, a lip, a limb, a penis, a finger, or toe, a hand, or a foot. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a skin covering coupled to the device and configured to cover a portion of the user's body. 
     
     
         16 . A sealing pad for use with a skin covering, the sealing pad comprising a ring of gelatinous elastomeric material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, wherein:
 the ring is configured to be positioned around an appendage of a user's body and to frictionally engage the skin of the user's body to resist movement of the ring relative to the skin;   at the distal end, the first surface of the ring is configured to be positioned nearest the skin;   the second surface is configured to engage a skin covering; and wherein   the proximal end is configured to be folded over the skin covering and at least a portion of the distal end of the ring to frictionally engage opposing sides of the skin covering to maintain the skin covering in place relative to the ring.   
     
     
         17 . The sealing pad of  claim 16 , further comprising an annular bulbous protrusion at at least one of the proximal end of the ring and the distal end of the ring that is configured to engage the skin covering. 
     
     
         18 . The sealing pad of  claim 16 , further comprising a recess on the first surface of the ring on at least one of the proximal and distal ends of the ring configured to engage the skin covering. 
     
     
         19 . A method of donning a gelatinous elastomeric ring for use with a skin covering, the ring having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a proximal end and a distal end, the method comprising:
 positioning the ring over an appendage of a user's body with the first surface of the ring contacting the appendage and frictionally engaging the appendage;   positioning a skin covering over the appendage;   superimposing an end of the skin covering over the distal portion of the ring and contacting the second surface of the ring; and   folding the proximal portion of the ring over the end of the skin covering with the proximal end of the second surface contacting the skin covering.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein at least a portion the ring comprises microfiber materials. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the ring has a flat cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the ring has a U-shaped cross sectional shape with the proximal end and distal ends forming opposing arms of the U-shape.