Umbilical Splint

Abstract

A use of an umbilical splint for shaping an umbilicus after an abdominal operation is described. The umbilical splint may comprise an insertion portion extending in a longitudinal direction and terminating at an insertion end for insertion into the umbilicus. Furthermore, the insertion portion may comprise a bulbous section near the insertion end. The bulbous section may be operable to apply pressure to a tissue of the umbilicus after the abdominal operation. The insertion portion may have different cross-sectional shapes including circular and oval. Finally, the insertion portion may be configured to engage the umbilicus such that the umbilical splint is retained within the umbilicus.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An umbilical splint adapted to shape an umbilicus by applying pressure to a tissue of the umbilicus, the umbilical splint comprising:
 an insertion portion extending in a longitudinal direction and terminating at an insertion end for insertion into an umbilicus, and   an external flange having a flange diameter coupled to the insertion portion;   wherein the insertion portion comprises:
 a bulbous section having a bulbous circumference and a bulbous diameter; and 
 a retaining section having a retaining circumference less than the bulbous circumference; 
 wherein the bulbous section is disposed between the retaining section and the insertion end, and 
 wherein the retaining section is configured to engage a lip of the umbilicus such that the insertion portion is retained within the umbilicus; 
   wherein the flange diameter extends beyond the bulbous diameter;   wherein the flange diameter is at least 1.5 times greater than the bulbous diameter;   wherein the external flange comprises:
 an underside surface facing the insertion end of the insertion portion; and 
 an exterior surface, opposite the underside surface, and 
   wherein the external flange is adapted to extend beyond the umbilical opening over the abdominal tissue surrounding the umbilical opening.   
     
     
         25 . The umbilical splint of claim  0  wherein the longitudinal direction of the insertion end is normal to the underside surface of the external flange. 
     
     
         26 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the underside surface of the external flange is substantially planar such that the underside surface is operable to lay against an abdominal surface surrounding the umbilicus. 
     
     
         27 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the exterior surface of the external flange is rounded. 
     
     
         28 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the insertion end is substantially planar. 
     
     
         29 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , further comprising a medicament applied to the insertion portion of the umbilical splint. 
     
     
         30 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , further comprising a silicone gel sheet applied to the insertion portion of the umbilical splint. 
     
     
         31 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein a ratio of the bulbous circumference to the retaining circumference is between 1.0 and 1.4. 
     
     
         32 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the bulbous circumference is substantially ovular in shape. 
     
     
         33 . The umbilical splint of claim  0  wherein the external flange is manufactured from a rigid material. 
     
     
         34 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the insertion portion is manufactured out of a rigid material. 
     
     
         35 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the umbilical splint is formed of a single piece. 
     
     
         36 . The umbilical splint of  claim 35 , wherein the umbilical splint is formed of a hard plastic. 
     
     
         37 . The umbilical splint of claim  0 , wherein the bulbous portion is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of hard plastic, glass, metal, medical ceramic, medical plastic. 
     
     
         38 . The umbilical splint of  claim 24  wherein the flange diameter is at least 1.75 times greater than the bulbous diameter. 
     
     
         39 . The umbilical splint of  claim 24  wherein the flange diameter is at least 2.1 times greater than the bulbous diameter. 
     
     
         40 . The umbilical splint of  claim 24  wherein the flange diameter is at least 2.61 times greater than the bulbous diameter. 
     
     
         41 . The umbilical splint of  claim 24 , wherein the umbilical splint is configured to:
 be inserted into an umbilicus after an abdominal operation,   be retained within the umbilicus using the retaining section,   apply pressure to the umbilicus using the bulbous section to shape the umbilicus, and   be maintained within the umbilicus until the umbilicus has healed from the operation.