Transparent, span-over-the-wound bandage

Abstract

A special bandaging device is provided which includes a canopy, of various shapes and sizes, which has a bottom edge for affixing to the patient's healthy skin surrounding the wound. Once affixed the canopy spans the entire wound without contacting the wound. Adhesive on the bottom edge is exposed after the removal of an adhesive backing, which prior to removal, encloses and hermetically seals the interior chamber of the canopy. The canopy can be formed in blister pack fashion from materials with varying degrees of malleability, with transparency being an available feature, such that the wound healing process can be monitored. An embodiment is provided which includes a fixed base portion that remains attached to the patient's skin, while the canopy is detachable for temporary access to the wound before the canopy is reattached. A locking ring on the canopy mates with a locking groove on the base for this purpose. Other embodiments include an elongated canopy for wounds having significant length. The elongated canopies can be open ended for trimming to precise length, or can be closed ended. Decorative overlays are provided which attach to the exterior of the canopy such that all or part of the wound is concealed. These overlays can be gummed for repeated attachment and removal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.