Enclosing bandage for providing comfortable wound care and limiting fluid leakage

Abstract

A bandage for improved wound care is disclosed. The bandage comprises a non-adherent, deformable inner layer, a leak-proof outer layer that is substantially coextensive with the inner layer, and an absorbent middle layer contacting both the inner and outer layers. An adhesive strip and adhesive tabs along the bandage's side attach and adjust the fit of the bandage to securely hold the absorbent layer in contact with the wound, without any adhesive touching the skin, thereby eliminating pain and discomfort upon removal or replacement. The bandage allows substantial freedom of motion without slipping. The adhesive strip and tabs secure the bandage in place without any adhesive touching the skin, thereby providing convenience and causing no pain or discomfort upon removal or replacement of the bandage. The bandage may use a non-stick netting material layer to improve patient comfort, and elastic cuffs to improve fit and leakage.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An enclosing bandage for providing comfortable wound care and limiting fluid leakage, comprising:
 an inner layer, a middle layer, an outer layer, a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge and a left edge;   said inner layer being deformable and non-adherent;   said outer layer being substantially impermeable to liquid, and being substantially coextensive with said inner layer;   said middle layer being disposed between and contacting both said inner and outer layers, said middle layer being absorbent;   at least one attachment strip connected to at least one of said inner or outer layers along substantially the entire length of at least one of said right edge and said left edge;   at least one adjustable tab connected to at least one of said right edge and said left edge; and   at least one cuff connected to said outer layer and disposed at a selected distance from at least one of said top edge and said bottom edge,   wherein said enclosing bandage is configured to be secured around a wound by wrapping said enclosing bandage and attaching said at least one attachment strip to a portion of said enclosing bandage and attaching said at least one adjustable tab to a portion of said enclosing bandage.   
     
     
         2 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer includes a woven material. 
     
     
         3 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer includes a netting material. 
     
     
         4 . The bandage of  claim 3 , wherein said inner layer is attached along at least one edge to the outer layer by a netting edge seal. 
     
     
         5 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer includes an elastic leak-proof material. 
     
     
         6 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said middle layer is connected to at least one of said inner layer and said outer layer. 
     
     
         7 . The bandage of  claim 6 , wherein said middle layer adheres to at least one of said inner layer and said outer layer. 
     
     
         8 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment strip includes at least one of an adhesive and a hook and loop system. 
     
     
         9 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable tab includes at least one of an adhesive and a hook and loop system. 
     
     
         10 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cuff includes a band of elastic material having a selected width. 
     
     
         11 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer is a flat rectangular sheet having a selected width and a selected length. 
     
     
         12 . The bandage of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said right edge and said left edge, includes a plurality of attachment points on the outer side for connection with at least one of said at least one attachment strip and said at least one tab. 
     
     
         13 . An enclosing bandage for providing comfortable wound care and limiting fluid leakage, comprising:
 an inner layer, a middle layer, an outer layer, a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge and a left edge;   said inner layer being deformable and non-adherent;   said outer layer being substantially impermeable to liquid, and being substantially coextensive with said inner layer;   said middle layer being disposed between and contacting both said inner and outer layers, said middle layer being absorbent;   an adhesive attached to least one of said inner layer and said outer layer, along substantially the entire length of at least one of said right edge and said left edge;   at least one adjustable tab connected to at least one of said right edge and said left edge; and   two elastic cuffs connected to said outer layer and disposed at a selected distance from at least one of said top edge and at said bottom edge,   wherein said enclosing bandage is configured to be secured around a wound by wrapping said enclosing bandage and attaching said adhesive to a portion of said enclosing bandage and attaching said at least one adjustable tab to a portion of said enclosing bandage.   
     
     
         14 . The bandage of  claim 13 , wherein said inner layer includes at least one of a woven material, a non stick material, and a netting material. 
     
     
         15 . The bandage of  claim 13 , wherein said deformable material is attached along at least one edge to the outer side by a netting edge seal. 
     
     
         16 . The bandage of  claim 13 , wherein said middle layer includes an elastic leak-proof material. 
     
     
         17 . The bandage of  claim 13 , wherein said middle layer is connected to at least one of said inner layer and said outer layer. 
     
     
         18 . The bandage of  claim 17 , wherein said middle layer adheres to at least one of said inner layer and said outer layer. 
     
     
         19 . The bandage of  claim 13 , wherein the inner side includes a flat rectangular sheet having a selected width and a selected length.