Umbilical forming device to aid in post-surgical umbilical formation and healing

Abstract

An Umbilical Forming Device is provided for enhancing healing of an umbilical wound in a subject following a surgery involving the umbilicus, including but not limited to an abdominoplasty. The Umbilical Forming Device comprises a flexible body comprising a wall, wherein the wall defines a hollow cavity and comprises one or more holes configured to facilitate drainage of secretions and/or ventilation of the umbilical wound. In some embodiments, the flexible body comprises proximal and distal openings configured to facilitate observation of the healing of the umbilical wound, removal of any secretions from the umbilical wound, and/or administration of one or more therapeutic agents to the umbilical wound. In some embodiments, the flexible body has a substantially rectangular shape and/or has a shape configured to facilitate contouring a scar from the umbilical wound to facilitate healing into an anesthetically pleasing umbilical structure. Packaged kits and methods of use are also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An Umbilical Forming Device for enhancing healing of an umbilical wound in a subject following a surgery involving the umbilicus, wherein the Umbilical Forming Device comprises a flexible body comprising a wall, and wherein the wall defines a hollow cavity and comprises one or more holes configured to facilitate drainage of secretions and/or ventilation of the umbilical wound. 
     
     
         2 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 1 , wherein the surgery involving the umbilicus comprises an abdominoplasty. 
     
     
         3 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible body comprises a proximal opening configured to facilitate observation of the healing of the umbilical wound, removal of any secretions from the umbilical wound, and/or administration of one or more therapeutic agents to the umbilical wound. 
     
     
         4 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible body has a substantially rectangular shape having a curved profile superiorly and a generally a flat shape inferiorly. 
     
     
         5 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible body has a symmetrical profile. 
     
     
         6 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible body has a shape configured to facilitate contouring a scar from the umbilical wound to facilitate healing into an anesthetically pleasing umbilical structure. 
     
     
         7 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible body is configured to allow dynamic movement synchronous with motion of the umbilical wound, thereby minimizing pressure points within the umbilical wound. 
     
     
         8 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible body further comprises a distal opening configured to facilitate observation of the healing of the umbilical wound, removal of any secretions from the umbilical wound, and/or administration of one or more therapeutic agents to the umbilical wound. 
     
     
         9 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible body further comprises protrusions positioned proximal to the distal opening and configured to facilitate anchoring the Umbilical Forming Device within the umbilical wound, and wherein the flexible body comprises at least one groove or a portion thereof configured to contain at least one therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         10 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible body comprises a soft rubber-like bio-compatible material. 
     
     
         11 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 10 , wherein the soft rubber-like material is silicone, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or Polyurethane. 
     
     
         12 . A packaged kit comprising the Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 1 , wherein the packaged kit is configured to provide the Umbilical Forming Device in a sterile condition to a user. 
     
     
         13 . A method of enhancing healing of an umbilical wound in a subject following a surgery involving the umbilicus, comprising the steps of:
 a) anchoring the Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 1  within the umbilical wound of the subject; and   b) observing the healing of the umbilical wound, removing any secretions from the umbilical wound, and/or administering one or more therapeutic agents to the umbilical wound.   
     
     
         14 . An Umbilical Forming Device for enhancing healing of an umbilical wound in a subject following a surgery involving the umbilicus, wherein the Umbilical Forming Device comprises a flexible body comprising:
 i) a wall, wherein the wall defines a hollow cavity and comprises one or more holes configured to facilitate drainage of secretions and/or ventilation of the umbilical wound;   ii) a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein both the proximal opening and the distal opening are configured to facilitate observation of the healing of the umbilical wound, removal of any secretions from the umbilical wound, and/or administration of one or more therapeutic agents to the umbilical wound;   iii) protrusions positioned proximal to the distal opening and configured to facilitate anchoring the Umbilical Forming Device within the umbilical wound; and   iv) at least one groove or a portion thereof configured to contain at least one therapeutic agent; 
 wherein the flexible body further comprises a soft rubber-like bio-compatible material and is configured to allow dynamic movement synchronous with motion of the umbilical wound, thereby minimizing pressure points within the umbilical wound. 
     
     
         15 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 14 , wherein the surgery involving the umbilicus comprises an abdominoplasty. 
     
     
         16 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible body has a substantially rectangular shape having a curved profile superiorly and a generally a flat shape inferiorly. 
     
     
         17 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible body has a symmetrical profile. 
     
     
         18 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible body has a shape configured to facilitate contouring a scar from the umbilical wound to facilitate healing into an anesthetically pleasing umbilical structure. 
     
     
         19 . The Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 15 , wherein the soft rubber-like material is silicone, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or Polyurethane. 
     
     
         20 . A packaged kit comprising the Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 14 , wherein the packaged kit is configured to provide the Umbilical Forming Device in a sterile condition to a user. 
     
     
         21 . A method of enhancing healing of an umbilical wound in a subject following a surgery involving the umbilicus, comprising the steps of:
 a) anchoring the Umbilical Forming Device of  claim 14  within the umbilical wound of the subject; and   b) observing the healing of the umbilical wound, removing any secretions from the umbilical wound, and/or administering one or more therapeutic agents to the umbilical wound.