Device and method for compressing wounds

Abstract

A dressing for applying compression to a wound in a patient includes a bladder having a non-deformable end wall and a deformable membrane. The dressing may include a flexible web having an adhesive layer on one side thereof for securing the dressing to the patient so as to hold the bladder against the patient's skin. Upon inflation, the deformable membrane projects towards the patient's skin and exerts pressure on the wound to reduce the flow of blood from the wound.

1 . A dressing for applying compression to a wound in a patient, comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder having a non-deformable end wall and a deformable membrane connected to said end wall so as to define an enclosed space therebetween, said bladder having a deflated condition in which said membrane is adjacent said end wall and an inflated condition in which said membrane is spaced from said end wall; and    holding means for holding said bladder against the skin of the patient in a position substantially overlying the wound.    
     
     
         2 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said holding means includes a flexible web connected to said end wall of said bladder and projecting outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         3 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said flexible web extends radially outward in all directions from said bladder.  
     
     
         4 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a layer of adhesive on one surface of said flexible web for adhering said flexible web to the skin of the patient.  
     
     
         5 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said bladder in said inflated condition decreases in size in a direction away from said end wall.  
     
     
         6 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said bladder in said inflated condition has a frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal shape.  
     
     
         7 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said end wall is formed from a rigid material.  
     
     
         8 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said end wall is formed from plastic.  
     
     
         9 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said end wall is transparent.  
     
     
         10 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said end wall and said deformable membrane are formed from the same material.  
     
     
         11 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said end wall and said deformable membrane are molded integrally with one another.  
     
     
         12 . A method of applying compression to a wound in a patient, the method comprising: 
 providing a dressing including an inflatable bladder having a non-deformable end wall and a deformable membrane connected to the end wall so as to define an enclosed space therebetween;    holding the dressing against the skin of the patient in a position substantially overlying the wound; and    inflating the bladder to an inflated condition, whereby the inflated bladder exerts pressure on the wound to reduce the flow of blood from the wound.    
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the holding step includes providing a flexible web connected to the end wall of the bladder, the flexible web having a layer of adhesive on one surface thereof, and adhering the flexible web to the skin of the patient.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bladder in the inflated condition decreases in size in a direction away from the end wall.  
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the bladder in the inflated condition has a frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal shape.  
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the providing step includes providing the dressing so that the end wall and the deformable membrane are formed from the same material.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the providing step includes providing the dressing so that the end wall and the deformable membrane are molded integrally with one another.