Wound shield

Abstract

A wound shield may include a conformable frame to circumscribe a wound. Any suitable dressing may be secured over the conformable frame providing separation between the wound and the dressing. The wound frame may provide pressure relief around a wound or pressure sore to permit healing, allow compression for venous ulcers, retain moisture within the wound environment, absorb exudate, relieve pain and trauma associated with dressing removal, allow debridement and application of topical medications and or other compounds or chemicals, accelerate healing and facilitate monitoring of wounds. A conformable frame may be composed of one or more layers of any suitable material and may include adhesive on one or more surfaces to secure the frame to the wound site, to secure the frame to itself and or any suitable closure element and or to secure the dressing to the conformable frame. A wound shield may be used for humans or any suitable animal.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A shield for protecting and healing a patient's wound comprising:
 a conformable frame having a first end and a second end and one or more internal layers, the first end engaging the second end to circumscribe the wound;   a generally planer dressing to cover the wound, the dressing securing the conformable frame between the dressing and the wound; and   adhesive securing the dressing to the patient.   
     
     
         2 . A shield for protecting and healing a wound having a generally planar surface comprising:
 a conformable frame having a first end and a second end and one or more internal, layers, the conformable frame superficially circumscribing the wound;   a moisture retaining lid engaging the conformable frame to enclose a space about the wound;   first adhesive layer securing the conformable frame around the wound;   second adhesive layer securing the lid to the conformable frame; and   one or more access ports through the conformable frame for insertion and removal of material from the enclosed space.   
     
     
         3 . The shield of  claim 2  wherein the conformable frame further comprises:
 an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudates. 
 
     
     
         4 . The shield of  claim 2  wherein the conformable frame further comprises:
 one or more layers oriented perpendicular to the wound surface. 
 
     
     
         5 . The shield of  claim 2  wherein the conformable frame further comprises:
 one or more layers oriented parallel to the wound surface. 
 
     
     
         6 . The shield of  claim 2  wherein the conformable frame further comprises:
 one or more absorbent extremities extending into the enclosed space. 
 
     
     
         7 . The shield of  claim 5  where the one of more absorbent extremities are cotton. 
     
     
         8 . The shield of  claim 6  where the one or more absorbent extremities are formed integral to the conformable frame. 
     
     
         9 . A method of shielding a wound on a patient comprising the steps:
 separating a portion of conformable frame to form a first end and a second end, the conformable frame having a cutaneous side and a superficial side;   engaging the first end to the second end to circumscribe the wound;   adhesively engaging the cutaneous side of the conformable frame to the patient to circumscribe the wound;   separating a dressing from a scored sheet of dressings; and   adhesively engaging the separated dressing to the superficial side of the conformable frame.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the separating step further comprises:
 separating a portion of conformable frame to form a first end and a second end, the conformable frame having a cutaneous side opposite a Superficial side, and an interior side opposite an exterior side, the first end forming an acute angle with exterior side. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the separating step further comprises:
 separating a portion of conformable frame to form a first end and a second end, the conformable frame having a cutaneous side opposite a superficial side, and an interior side opposite an exterior side, the first end and the second end forming an complementary angles with respect to the exterior side.