DE29518881U1 - Self-cooling, adhesive compression bandage - Google Patents

Description

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Self-cooling, self-adhering water-gel based compression bandage

The invention relates to a gel-like bandage suitable for application to or wrapping around body parts, which cools the body part(s) on which it has been applied or wrapped without chemical processes and without pre-cooling in a refrigerator or freezer, as well as its composition and use.

-Up to now, ice packs have been used for pre- or post-operative as well as conservative cooling in cases of swelling, strains, bruises, bone, muscle and tendon injuries.

Other options are cooling ointment dressings (usually enriched with essential oils, heparin, alcohol, etc.) or so-called hot-cold packs (e.g. from 3M), which must be pre-cooled and are used as a dressing. In addition to these products, there are multi-component systems that work chemically without pre-cooling as cooling dressings, the cooling effect of which starts chemically after the components in separate chambers have been mixed together. Another commercially available variant is so-called ice or cold sprays.

Apart from the multi-component systems and cold sprays, the above-mentioned products must be pre-cooled - in the refrigerator or freezer - in order to be able to be used when necessary.

Although these known systems are successful in terms of their cooling effect, the inventive self-cooling bandage offers clear advantages, as listed below, compared to the previous state of the art:

1. With the above-mentioned commercially available products, the cooling effect is only a superficial contact cooling, only of a relatively short duration (<1 to 2 hours) and decreases exponentially over time. The self-cooling bandage according to the invention cools independently - without having been pre-cooled in the refrigerator or freezer - for many hours at a constant, permanently tissue-compatible temperature, which extracts energy from the tissue through evaporative cooling and thus causes a therapeutically very effective deep cooling (not to be confused with deep freezing!)! After prolonged use, the cooled tissue remains cooled not only superficially, but also in depth for several hours in the sense of therapeutically useful after-cooling.

2. Commercially available cooling products very quickly lead to tissue hypothermia with all the secondary damage that this entails due to their pre-cooling in the refrigerator or freezer or their chemical cold reactions. With cold sprays, the cooling effect often leads to the loss of the warning pain perception in the sprayed area, which leads the user to believe that the injured or otherwise affected body part can be used normally again by removing the warning signal of "pain". This is a phenomenon that can often be observed in football, for example, where injured players, out of ambition or solidarity with their team, believe that they absolutely have to play the last half despite their injury, and in doing so they incur considerable secondary damage - because the extreme cold treatment ("freezing") temporarily eliminates the pain. With cold packs (ice bags, hot-cold packs), excessive use (> 30-60 minutes) leads to tissue hypothermia with all the resulting secondary damage that delays healing. The bandage according to the invention, on the other hand, is self-cooling and keeps the cold for hours at a temperature range of around 10° C below the tissue level, which is absolutely compatible and gentle on the tissue.

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■* Body temperature. Hypothermia or so-called cold burns are excluded, although a deep effect is achieved!

3. The cold packs known to date, including normal ice packs , slip very easily from the place of application (e.g. knee, elbow, head...). This means that effective cooling and - if medically permissible - mobility are reduced or impossible. For this reason, cold packs are usually replaced by

" Wrapping with a bandage fixes it in place. The self- adhesive, self-cooling, "gelatinous" bandage "sticks" to the body and to itself in a way that is virtually non-shifting and non-slip - but without any remains of the bandage sticking to the body after removal! It can be removed and rolled up as easily as any normal bandage. The self-adhesive nature eliminates the need for additional wrapping with an adhesive bandage and also the need to then hold it together with clips, needles, adhesive strips or similar accessories. The flexible, self-adhesive, all-round cooling bandage ensures that the parts of the body that are to be cooled can be moved without the cooling bandage slipping!

4. Due to their shape, cold pads usually do not fit the part of the body to be cooled in an anatomically correct manner over the entire surface to be cooled. All-round cooling, e.g. on the extremities, is therefore generally not possible. However, due to its flexible properties and shape, the bandage according to the invention is not used as a pad, but preferably as a bandage . This ensures optimal contact with the skin through direct "all-round skin contact" , as well as all-round cooling of the extremities, torso, neck and head.

5. When swelling begins, a compression bandage is indicated in addition to elevating, immobilizing and cooling the injured part of the body (e.g. ankle). However, this compression cannot be achieved with any commercially available cold pack. The self-cooling bandage according to the invention offers four solutions in one: a compression bandage is applied by wrapping it a little tighter. This is self-cooling and self-adhering. In this way, in addition to the cooling effect, the need for compression and free mobility (if medically desired or permitted) is also taken into account.

6. Injuries that require cooling often occur outside the home, e.g. when jogging, playing tennis, football, hiking, skiing, etc. Cold packs, apart from the chemically reacting multi-component systems or cold sprays that only cool for a very short time (approx. 30 minutes), are not available here because they cannot be pre-cooled. In this respect, these cold packs are not suitable for emergency first aid. At home , however, it is often the case that cold packs are not kept in the fridge or freezer because space is needed for other things. This means that they are not ready for use when needed. The self-cooling bandage according to the invention provides a solution here because it immediately provides long-lasting and constant cooling at any time and in all temperature conditions (midsummer, tropical climate, etc.) after being taken out of the pack. Pre-cooling or storing in cold places is completely unnecessary . Even in midsummer temperatures, pre-cooling is absolutely unnecessary. This property allows the bandage to be used almost ubiquitously under all conditions. It is therefore also ideal for the initial treatment of closed injuries that require cooling, such as broken bones, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries, bruises, contusions, joint injuries, etc.

7. Commercially available cold pads must be stored (again) in the refrigerator or freezer before and after each use in order to be usable (again). Cooling that takes several hours therefore requires the presence of several cold pads in order to bridge the time required to pre-cool the last pad used.

This problem does not arise with the self-cooling bandage according to the invention.

After the self-cooling bandage loses its cooling effect after 4-6 hours, it is removed, briefly dipped in water and can then be used again for another few hours within seconds . This process can be repeated as often as required. This regeneration in seconds means that long-term cold treatment for hours and days is easily possible with just one self-cooling bandage.

8. While commercially available cold compresses or sprays start with a very strong cold and then their cooling effect wears off very quickly, the cooling effect of the self-cooling bandage according to the invention increases with the degree of hyperemia (increased blood flow, calor) of the injured or inflamed body region. By taking advantage of the physiological evaporative cooling, the cooling effect increases with increasing skin temperature, which means that the body part to be treated is cooled even better without reaching critical, tissue-incompatible temperature ranges.

9. Cold sprays and multi-component systems lose their effect after a short period of time and cannot be regenerated. The self-cooling bandage according to the invention, on the other hand, is regenerated in seconds by simply soaking it in water and can be used again immediately. If the bandage is briefly dipped in water again after treatment and stored in an airtight container, it will last for years and can be used quickly and reliably at any time - in summer and winter, in the car or backpack, etc.

All of the above-mentioned disadvantageous problems of conventional systems used for cooling are solved by the self-cooling and self-adhesive, flexible bandage according to the invention, as the following list of advantages in conjunction with application examples explains:

The self-cooling bandage according to the invention cools quickly and reliably in the case of soft tissue and joint swelling, pain (e.g. headaches and neck pain, tension, hangover symptoms), insect bites, burns (up to 2nd degree), phlebitis, thrombosis, erysipelas, tennis elbow (also for prevention), tendonitis, fever.

It is ideally suited for the initial or long-term treatment of closed injuries requiring cooling, such as broken bones, muscle and tendon injuries, (skull) bruises ("bumps"), strains, contusions, ligament overstretching, tears, joint injuries [meniscus, ligament, cartilage damage], after tonsil surgery (tonsillectomy), for conservative, pre- and post-operative cooling, etc.

Due to its small size and low weight, it can be taken anywhere and stored almost anywhere. For example, it can be conveniently carried in your luggage, sports bag or emergency kit at all sports and fitness events (football, handball and volleyball, jogging, hiking, mountain climbing, tennis, squash, weightlifting, skiing, wrestling, martial arts, cycling, biking, motorcycling, etc.).

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The self-cooling bandage according to the invention also ensures first-class care for animals. For example, for cooling ankle injuries in horses or for wrapping the fetlocks before and after horse races to protect joints, muscles and ligaments [NO doping!].

The self-cooling bandage according to the invention guarantees optimal, long-lasting and consistent (constant) cooling. Energy is extracted from the tissue through evaporation of the water content (evaporative cooling). This ensures tissue-friendly, physiological cooling and at the same time offers protection against hypothermia.

Since there is no need for any pre-cooling, it can be used immediately and anywhere.

The self-cooling bandage according to the invention is self-adhesive. To do this, the binding ends are pressed together approximately 5 seconds after bandaging.

The elastic winding ensures that it fits perfectly to the skin

By binding tightly, a compression bandage can be applied to counteract swelling.

Extremities wrapped with the self-cooling bandage according to the invention can be moved (if medically permissible and possible). The gelatinous, reversible bonding of the bandage to the body part to be cooled and to itself (the individual wraps) makes it self-adhesive. This prevents the bandage from slipping when at rest and also when moving without additional fixation.

The possibility of different shapes means that different length and width combinations are possible depending on the application, allowing for professional, anatomically adapted bindings. In addition, cold protection jackets for wearing under fire protection suits can also be made from the same material.

The following should be observed when using the bandage: if the bandage is worn for a longer period of time, it must be briefly dipped in water or moistened with water every 4-6 hours . This is absolutely necessary to prevent the self-cooling, highly water-containing bandage from drying out (irreversible after a maximum of 40 hours in the dry) and to maintain the cooling effect through the therapeutic, deep-acting evaporative cooling. After the self-cooling bandage has soaked up water in a matter of seconds, it can be used again for further cooling treatments. When the cooling treatment is finished, the self-cooling bandage according to the invention must also be briefly soaked in water and then stored in a plastic bag, a sealed can or other airtight storage container. If necessary, it can then be used immediately at any time and without any pre-treatment/preparation. If handled correctly, the self-cooling bandage according to the invention can be kept for years .

An example:

An allergy sufferer is suddenly stung by a wasp in the right arm. A swelling occurs in the area of the sting site that requires cooling. In order to achieve cooling with the self-cooling bandage according to the invention, it must be removed from the hermetically sealed foil. It is then placed over the sting site like a normal bandage and wrapped around the arm in several turns.

. The end of the bandage is pressed onto the underlying layer of wrapping for around 5 seconds. This results in permanent adhesion between the two bandage parts. A compression bandage can be applied if desired by wrapping tightly. After a cooling period of around 2-4 hours, the bandage is removed and briefly held under running water. It absorbs water in a matter of seconds and can be applied again. Once the swelling has been sufficiently treated and has gone down, the bandage can be removed, briefly soaked in water as described above and stored in an airtight container until the next use.
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This results in energy being removed from the tissue through what is known as evaporative cooling. This ensures that physiological, therapeutic cooling is permanently achieved, reaching into the deeper layers of tissue. The cooling effect itself increases with the degree of hyperemia and the resulting increase in temperature in the injured, inflamed, swollen or otherwise affected area in need of cooling.

The self-cooling bandage according to the invention can be used at any time without pre-cooling and must be stored in an airtight bag, an airtight can or another airtight container. If the cooling effect wears off after a few hours (> 4 hours), the bandage is briefly unwound, dipped in water or poured with water and put back on. The water is absorbed very quickly by the bandage and does not run down again. A new cooling process can be started. This procedure can be repeated as often as desired. After the cold treatment has ended, the bandage is removed, briefly soaked in water and then sealed airtight. Treated in this way, this bandage will last for years and can be used conveniently for cooling at any time and anywhere, even in midsummer if it has been stored in a hot car, for example.

The matrix of the bandage according to the invention is a mixture of an alcohol that has a slightly astringent effect, a water-adhesive/water-storing gel based on silicone (2-12%) and/or polyvinyl alcohol (2-12%) and/or ethanol (2-7%) and/or another alcohol in the same amount and/or polyvinyl alcohol (2-15%) and/or a borate (e.g.

Na-tetraborate) (0.5-7%) and/or an acrylic polymer (2-15%) and/or a

Acetic acid ester (0.5-7%), dye (<2%) and water ad 100.
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The bandage according to the invention can be manufactured in any shape, length and width. It can be used, for example, in the form of shoulder pads, cooling suits to be worn under life jackets or fire protection suits.

The unique combination of compression and simultaneous cooling is worth highlighting. Cooling is possible in two ways. Either under the normal cooling conditions of the bandage (i.e. not pre-cooled) or - if very strong cooling is desired - pre-cooled in the refrigerator. Pre-cooling the bandage in the refrigerator increases the cold effect and produces cooling temperatures of 2-5 ⁰ C. The bandage can therefore also be used as a heat reducer for feverish symptoms, e.g. in the form of so-called calf wraps. In conjunction with other conservative treatment measures for swelling and other injuries mentioned above, the cold bandage is an excellent addition to rest, compression and elevating the affected extremities/body parts.

The self-cooling bandage according to the invention can be used as a replacement for ice packs or in conjunction with them and, in addition to being used on humans, can also be used for

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Suitable for use on animals (horses, dogs, etc.) to cool injuries, protect the fetlocks before and after competition rides, etc.

The cooling bandage according to the invention can be used for neck and back problems that require cooling, for example for headaches or for post-operative cooling after tonsil operations, etc. Due to its design, this bandage can be taken anywhere by anyone. It is hermetically sealed and can therefore be stored in the vehicle's first aid kit, as well as in the emergency kits of, for example, doctors or sports associations. It can be carried in the hiking bag of mountaineers or hikers, for example, or as part of the initial equipment of cross-country and downhill skiers, tennis players, handball players, volleyball players, etc.

Claims (4)

t · Patent claims: 1. A self-cooling, flexible, water-binding bandage, characterized in that it consists of a water-adhesive/-storing silicone-based gel (2-12%) and/or polyvinyl alcohol (2-12%) and/or ethanol (2-7%) and/or another alcohol in the same amount and/or polyvinyl alcohol (2-15%) and/or a borate (e.g. sodium tetraborate) (0.5-7%) and/or an acrylic polymer (2-15%) and/or an acetic acid ester (0.5-7%), dye (<2%) and water ad 100. 2. Bandage according to claim 1, characterized in that it is regenerable. 3. Bandage according to claim 1, which is self-adhesive. 4. Bandage according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of other raw materials used as a substitute or supplement, which are not mentioned under point 1, or is produced as a substitute or in combination with the ingredients mentioned under 1.