Tubular bandage

Abstract

Tubular bandage, in particular a finger or toe bandage which is formed as a tube comprising an outer layer which is connected to an inner layer, and wherein the outer layer has a diameter and an elasticity such that the bandage can be clamped adhesive-free around the body part to be treated, in the particular, said finger or said toe, and wherein the inner layer is made of an elastic wound-protective material, wherein said outer layer is made of an air-permeable and water-repellent material, and wherein, at the open endings, said outer layer extends in the longitudinal direction over the inner layer over a distance of more than 0.5 mm, such that the outer layer touches the body part to be treated, in particular a finger or toe, with its endings when applied.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tubular bandage which extends along a longitudinal axis, and which is open at two endings, wherein said tube comprises a radial outer layer which is connected to a radial inner layer, and wherein the outer layer has a diameter and an elasticity such that the bandage can be clamped adhesive-free around a body part to be treated, and wherein the inner layer is made of an elastic wound-protective material, characterized, in that said outer layer is made of an air-permeable and water-repellent material, and in that, at every point at the open endings, said outer layer extends in the longitudinal direction over the inner layer over a distance of more than 0.5 mm, such that by the combination of distance, diameter and elasticity of the outer layer, the latter touches the body part to be treated with its endings when applied, in order to close off the inner layer from the environment. 
     
     
         2 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein that part of said outer layer of which the endings extend in the longitudinal direction over the inner layer, does not comprise an adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said distance is more than 1 mm, preferably about 2 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer completely closes off the inner layer at least at one radial ending thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular bandage according  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer is made as a compress. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer is made as a visco-elastic gel. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer exhibits a substantial elasticity in both the longitudinal and transversal direction. 
     
     
         9 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer has a thickness between 0.4 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , wherein said tube has a length which is less than 30 mm, preferably less than 25 mm, more preferably less than 20 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A finger bandage or a toe bandage comprising a tubular bandage according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for the manufacture of a tubular bandage according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 manufacturing a tubular outer layer with two open endings;   sliding the outer layer thus manufactured over a rotatable shaft;   rotating the rotatable shaft provided with the outer layer; and   moving from the outward in radial direction towards the rotating axis an inner layer applicator to apply an inner layer to the outer layer, wherein the inner layer applicator is provided to stay clear from the endings of the outer layer for at least 0.5 mm in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said manufacturing is done by first extruding a plastic tube and subsequently cutting off a segment of the tube, which segment forms said tubular outer layer. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein, before applying the inner layer, an adhesive is applied to the outer layer. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising packaging the bandage in a package, and wherein the method is carried out under sterile conditions.