Cover and applicator for a portion of a mammalian body

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a covering member for a protruding portion of a patient's body. This cover is flexible and collapsible so that it conforms to the shape of the encased portion of the body. This prevents the cover from being noticed while it is worn under clothing. The cover can contain a medicament or agent for pretreating a portion of the body before an examination or procedure. When the cover is used to apply a topical anesthetic to a portion of the body for a recommended period of time prior to the procedure or examination commencing, the amount of discomfort experienced by the patient can be significantly reduced compared to the amount experienced by the patient who has the anesthetic applied for just a few moments before the procedure begins. Alternatively, the cover can be used to hold a medicament or agent on the intended portion of the body in order to heal a wound or cure a condition such as a skin rash or the like.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A cover for a protruding portion of a mammalian body, said cover comprising: first and second flexible members, said first member including a securing portion, at least one sidewall and at least one end wall, said at least one sidewall and end wall forming a continuous, uninterrupted well for receiving and covering the protruding body portion, and said second flexible member having a first surface for attaching to said securing portion of said first member and a second surface for securing to the body so that said second surface does not move relative to said body.  
     
     
         2 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one sidewall and end wall are collapsible so that said cover can conform to the shape of the protruding body portion.  
     
     
         3 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the second surface includes an adhesive for securing it to the body portion.  
     
     
         4 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the well includes a medical agent for applying to the protruding body portion.  
     
     
         5 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the securing portion and said second flexible member are secured together by an adhesive  
     
     
         6 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the securing portion and said second flexible member are secured together by a cohesive.  
     
     
         7 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the well has a height of less than 2 inches.  
     
     
         8 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein said first flexible member is formed of a transparent material and said second flexible member is formed of a flexible foam.  
     
     
         9 . The cover according to  claim 1  wherein the protruding body portion includes a nipple and the well includes an anesthetic agent for applying to the nipple when said cover is placed on the body.  
     
     
         10 . The cover according to  claim 9  wherein the second surface of the second flexible member forms a seal around the nipple when secured to the body.  
     
     
         11 . The cover according to  claim 10  wherein said second surface includes an adhesive layer for securing the second flexible member to the body after the cover has been positioned about the nipple.  
     
     
         12 . A flexible nipple covering apparatus for enclosing a mammalian nipple, said covering apparatus comprising: an anchoring member for being secured to a portion of a body carrying the nipple, and an uninterrupted nipple receiving well including at least one sidewall and at least one end wall, said well being secured to said anchoring member for forming a sealed enclosure about the nipple when the anchoring member is fixed to the body so that the anchoring member and body are free of relative movement.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  further including a securing portion attached to said nipple receiving well, said securing portion being fixed to an upper surface of said anchoring member.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said securing portion is fixed to said anchoring member by an adhesive before the apparatus is applied to the body.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said securing portion is fixed to said anchoring member by a cohesive after the anchoring member is fixed to the body around the nipple.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the nipple receiving well includes a plurality of sidewalls.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the anchoring member is more rigid than the nipple receiving well.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the anchoring member has an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface including an adhesive for securing the apparatus to the body and around the nipple.  
     
     
         19 . A flexible apparatus for covering and isolating a nipple of a mammalian body, said apparatus comprising: a base for positioning proximate an areola, an internal well for receiving the nipple, said well including at least one sidewall and at least one end wall at an opposite end of the apparatus from the base, said well, base and end wall forming a continuous, uninterrupted nipple enclosure for holding an agent on the nipple.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19  further including an adhesive on a lower surface of the base.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein said well includes a plurality of sidewalls.  
     
     
         22 . A method of preparing a portion of a body for a medical procedure, said method including the steps of: 
 a. positioning a covering apparatus including a well and an anchoring member over the body portion;    b. locating the body portion so that it extends within the well;    c. fixing the covering apparatus to the body around the covered body portion so that a seal is formed between the anchoring member and the body; and    d. applying an agent to the body portion.    
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the step of applying the agent includes covering the body portion with the agent before the covering apparatus is positioned on the body.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the step of applying the agent includes the steps of introducing the agent into the well and collapsing the well around the body portion.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22  wherein the step of applying the agent further includes the steps of providing the agent within the well of the covering apparatus and applying the agent directly to the body portion before the covering apparatus is positioned on the body.