Modifiable Occlusive Skin Dressing

Abstract

Occlusive tissue dressings and methods including an elastomeric drape and a liquid component, at least partially cross-linked at least after one of drying and curing, suitable for application at a dressing-to-skin interface in order to create a substantially air-tight seal. The same or a different liquid component may be applied by a user at a tube-to-dressing interface in order to create a similar air-tight seal around the tube, if not occlusively sealed during its manufacture.

1 . A kit suitable for occlusively sealing a wound penetrating the skin of a patient, comprising:
 a drape formed as a thin sheet of an organic material substantially impervious to fluid transfer and having first and second surfaces;   an interface including at least one of (i) a flexible tube having a first end extendable through the drape and having a second end connectable to a source of negative pressure, (ii) at least two pieces of drape capable of forming a joint through which a first end of a tube is insertable, and (iii) a flange attachable to a tube;   a biocompatible adhesive that is at least one of (1) disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the drape and (2) capable of contacting at least a portion of at least the first surface of the drape;   when the kit includes the biocompatible adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the drape, the kit further includes at least a first removable liner sheet covering the first surface of the drape; and   at least one container of at least one sealant component that is capable of being delivered as a sealant in a liquid state at pre-selected ambient conditions, the sealant as delivered being at least partially cross-linked at least after one of drying and curing, and which is capable of at least one of drying and curing within thirty minutes after application of the sealant as a layer to the edges of the drape after the drape is applied to the skin surrounding the wound.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the organic material and the sealant after one of drying and curing are elastomeric. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the drape and the sealant are derived from substantially the same material. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein at least a majority of the drape and the sealant are derived from a type of a latex compound. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein at least a majority of the drape and the sealant are derived from a type of a silicone compound. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive is a silicone-based adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive is disposed on at least a majority of each of the first and second surfaces of the drape. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1  further including a flexible tube having a first end and having a second end connectable to a source of negative pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8  wherein the interface includes at least one of (1) a flange having a central passage through which the first end of the tube is insertable and (2) a flange having a central passage communicating with a connector capable of mating with the first end of the tube. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 8  wherein the first end of the tube includes a feature to resist blockage of the tube. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 8  further including a mechanical pump capable of serving as the source of negative pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11  wherein the mechanical pump is a bellows-type pump capable of being rolled upon itself and then unrolling to exert negative pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the at least one container of at least one sealant component is a cartridge removably insertable into a dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the at least one container of at least one sealant component is squeezable to deliver the sealant. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 1  further including at least one wound packing material. 
     
     
         16 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A kit suitable for occlusively sealing a wound penetrating the skin of a patient, comprising:
 a drape formed as a thin sheet of an organic material substantially impervious to fluid transfer and having first and second surfaces;   a biocompatible adhesive that is at least one of (1) disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the drape and (2) capable of contacting at least a portion of at least the first surface of the drape;   when the kit includes the biocompatible adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the drape, the kit further includes at least a first removable liner sheet covering the first surface of the drape; and   at least one container of at least one sealant component that is capable of being delivered as a sealant in a liquid state at pre-selected ambient conditions, the sealant as delivered being at least partially cross-linked at least after one of drying and curing, and which is capable of at least one of drying and curing within thirty minutes after application of the sealant as a layer to the edges of the drape after the drape is applied to the skin surrounding the wound, wherein the at least one container of at least one sealant component is a cartridge removably insertable into a dispensing apparatus.   
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive is an acrylic-based adhesive.