Devices, systems, and methods for use in connection with umbilical hernias

Abstract

A device for treatment of an umbilical hernia includes a first section of flexible, elastic material including an adhesive layer on rearward side thereof. The first section includes an opening therein dimensioned to encompass the umbilical. The device further includes a plurality of extending sections of flexible, elastic material attached to and extending from the first section. Each of the extending sections includes an adhesive layer on a rearward side thereof. The first section is less elastic than each of the plurality of extending sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for treatment of an umbilical hernia, comprising:
 a first section of flexible, elastic material comprising an adhesive layer on rearward side thereof, the first section comprising an opening therein dimensioned to encompass the umbilical, and   a plurality of extending sections of flexible, elastic material attached to and extending from the first section, each of the plurality of extending sections comprising an adhesive layer on a rearward side thereof, wherein the first section is less elastic than each of the plurality of extending sections.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more removable backing sections over the adhesive layer of the first section and the adhesive layer of each of the plurality of extending sections. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a first plurality of the extending sections extend from a first side of the first section and a second plurality of the extending sections extend from a second side of the first section. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the first plurality of extending sections and the second plurality of extending sections have a maximum elongation in the range of 25 to 150%. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the first plurality of extending sections and the second plurality of extending sections have a maximum elongation in the range of 25 to 100%. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the first plurality of extending sections and the second plurality of extending sections have a maximum elongation in the range of 50 to 100%. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the maximum elongation of the first section is in the range of 15 to 85% less than the maximum elongation of the plurality of extending sections. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first section has a thickness greater than each of the plurality of extending sections. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating an umbilical hernia, comprising:
 providing a preassembled device comprising a first section of flexible, elastic material comprising an adhesive layer on rearward side thereof, the first section comprising an opening therein dimensioned to encompass the umbilical, and a plurality of extending sections of flexible, elastic material attached to and extending from the first section, each of the plurality of extending sections comprising an adhesive layer on a rearward side thereof, wherein the first section is less elastic than each of the plurality of extending sections, wherein the first section of the preassembled device is applicable to the abdomen of an individual having the umbilical hernia via the adhesive layer and each of the plurality of extending sections is applicable to the abdomen via the adhesive layer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the preassembled device includes one or more removable backing sections over the adhesive layer of the first section and the adhesive layer of each of the plurality of extending sections, and the method further comprises removing the one or more removable backing sections over the adhesive layer of the first section and over the plurality of extending sections before application of the first section and the plurality of extending sections. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a first plurality of the extending sections extend from a first side of the first section and a second plurality of the extending sections extend from a second side of the first section. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first plurality of extending sections and the second plurality of extending sections have a maximum elongation in the range of 25 to 150%. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first plurality of extending sections and the second plurality of extending sections have a maximum elongation in the range of 25 to 150%. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first plurality of extending sections and the second plurality of extending sections have a maximum elongation in the range of 50 to 100%. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the maximum elongation of the first section is in the range of 15 to 85% less than the maximum elongation of the extending sections. 
     
     
         16 . A kit, comprising: a plurality of devices for treatment of an umbilical hernia which are prefabricated for application, each of the devices comprising a first section of flexible, elastic material comprising an adhesive layer on rearward side thereof, the first section comprising an opening therein dimensioned to encompass the umbilical, and a plurality of extending sections of flexible, elastic material attached to and extending from the first section, each of the plurality of extending sections comprising an adhesive layer on a rearward side thereof, wherein the first section is less elastic than each of the plurality of extending sections. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 17  wherein a first plurality of extending sections extend from a first side of the first section and a second plurality of the extending sections extend from a second side of the first section. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17  wherein each of the first plurality of extending sections and each of the second plurality of extending sections of each device has a maximum elongation in the range of 25 to 150%. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the maximum elongation of the first section is in the range of 15 to 85% less than the maximum elongation of the plurality of extending sections. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the first section of each device has a thickness greater than each of the plurality of extending sections.