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 the groin of a patient, comprising: 
 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, the bladder having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and    holding means for holding the bladder against the skin of the patient in a position substantially overlying the wound without circumscribing the leg or torso of the patient.    
   
   
       2 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding means includes a flexible web connected to the end wall of the bladder and projecting outwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       3 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the flexible web extends radially outward in all directions from the bladder.  
   
   
       4 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a layer of adhesive on one surface of the flexible web for adhering the flexible web to the skin of the patient.  
   
   
       5 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bladder in the inflated condition decreases in size in a direction away from the end wall.  
   
   
       6 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the bladder in the inflated condition has a frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal shape.  
   
   
       7 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end wall is formed from a rigid material.  
   
   
       8 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end wall is formed from plastic.  
   
   
       9 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end wall is transparent.  
   
   
       10 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the end wall and the deformable membrane are formed from the same material.  
   
   
       11 . The dressing as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the end wall and the 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;    applying the dressing against the skin of the patient in a position substantially overlying the wound;    inflating the bladder to an inflated condition, whereby the inflated bladder exerts pressure on the wound; and    applying manual pressure to the dressing against the skin of the patient so as to achieve hemostasis of the wound.    
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising 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.