WO2002102273A2 - Adhesive bandage with display - Google Patents

Abstract

An adhesive bandage (10) is provided. The adhesive bandage (10) includes: (a) an absorbent pad (12) having an absorbent surface (14); (b) an adhesive tape (16) attached to the absorbent pad (12), the adhesive tape (16) being configured for attaching to a skin region so as to position the absorbent surface (14) against a portion of the skin region; (c) a display (18) being positioned on an outer surface of the adhesive bandage (10) the display (18) being configured and positioned so as to be viewable by an individual when the adhesive tape (16) is attached to the skin region; and (d) a power source (20) attached to or integrated with the adhesive tape (16) , the power source (20) being for powering the display (18) , the display being for increasing an acceptability of use of the adhesive bandage (10) by the individual when powered.

Description

ADHESIVE BANDAGE WITH DISPLAY

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adhesive bandage which includes a

power source and a display, such as an LED display for encouraging use

thereof by individuals and in particular children.

Bandages, and in particular adhesive bandages such as those sold under

the trademark BAND-AID are widely used by both children and adults.

Adhesive bandages typically include a pad of gauze or similar absorbent

material positioned at a center of a strip of adhesive tape. When applied, the

pad is positioned over a wound and secured to the skin via the adhesive tape.

Adhesive bandages made for children are oftentimes decorated with

patterns, colors or animation characters in order to increase the attractiveness

of such bandages and as a result the likelihood that children will use them.

However, notwithstanding the attempts to increase the attractiveness of

such adhesive bandages, there still exists a problem in encouraging the use of

such bandages for their desired protective function when necessary,

particularly by children. There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly

advantageous to have, a bandage such as an adhesive bandage configured with

an electronic display which serves to increase the acceptability of use of the

adhesive bandage by individuals and in particular children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided

an adhesive bandage comprising: (a) an absorbent pad having an absorbent

surface; (b) an adhesive tape attached to the absorbent pad, the adhesive tape

being configured for attaching to a skin region so as to position the absorbent

surface against a portion of the skin region; (c) a display being positioned on

an outer surface of the adhesive bandage the display being configured and

positioned so as to be viewable by an individual when the adhesive tape is

attached to the skin region; and (c) a power source attached to or integrated

with the adhesive tape, the power source being for powering the display, the

display being for increasing an acceptability of use of the adhesive bandage by

the individual when powered.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention

described below, the display includes at least one light emitting diode (LED). According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the power source is a flexible thin layer liquid state

electrochemical cell.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the flexible thin layer liquid state electrochemical cell includes a

first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of insoluble positive pole

and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, the third layer being disposed between

the first and second layers.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the flexible thin layer liquid state electrochemical cell is an open

cell, and further wherein the third layer includes: (i) a deliquescent material for

keeping the open cell wet at all times; (ii) an electroactive soluble material for

obtaining required ionic conductivity; and (iiϊ) a watersoluble polymer for

obtaining a required viscosity for adhering the first and second layers to the

third layer.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the adhesive bandage further comprising control circuits for

controlling power provision from the power source to the display. The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the

presently known configurations by providing a bandage such as an adhesive

bandage which includes an electronic display capable of encouraging use of

the bandage by children.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the

drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of

example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred

embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of

providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood

description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this

regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more

detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the

description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art

how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a an adhesive bandage constructed in accordance with the

teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a basic configuration of a prior art

flexible thin layer open electrochemical cell utilizable by the adhesive bandage

of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a is a perspective view of another possible configuration of a

prior art flexible thin layer open electrochemical cell;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of a bandage such as an adhesive bandage

which includes a powered display which can be used to increase the

attractiveness of the bandage to a user such as a child thus increasing the

likelihood of use thereby.

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better

understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it

is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the

details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable

of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed

herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Although colorful or patterned adhesive bandages are better accepted by

children as opposed to clear or flesh colored bandages, such decorations are

oftentimes not enough to encourage use of bandages by children.

Thus, the present invention provides an adhesive bandage which is

configured for motivating use by an individual and in particular a child, which

bandage is referred to hereinunder as bandage 10.

As is illustrated in Figure 1, bandage 10 includes an absorbent pad 12

having an absorbent surface 14. Absorbent pad 12 serves for covering a wound

such as a scrape or cut and for absorbing blood or other fluids secreted by the

wound. Absorbent pad 12 typically includes a cotton center surrounded by a

sheath made of woven material. Numerous examples of materials suitable for

use as absorbent pad 12 are known in the art and as such_.no further description

of such materials is given herein.

Bandage 10 further includes an adhesive tape 16 which is attached to

absorbent pad 12. Adhesive tape 16 is constructed from woven or non-woven material coated with adhesive which is covered by a releasable liner which is

peeled prior to application. Preferably, adhesive tape 16 is fabricated from

materials which allow air passage, such as woven cotton or perforated vinyl.

Adhesive tape 16 serves for attaching bandage 10 to a skin region

thereby positioning absorbent surface 14 against a portion of skin region.

Bandage 10 further includes a display 18 which is positioned on an

outer surface of bandage 10. Display 18 is configured and positioned so as to

be viewable by an individual when bandage 10 is applied to a skin region.

Bandage 10 further includes a power source 20 which is attached to, or

integrated with, adhesive tape 16. Power source 20 serves for powering

display 18 and a such it electrically communicates therewith preferably

through control circuitry. Control circuitry preferably includes switches for

toggling power supply to display 18 on or off and/or for toggling display 18

between several display modes.

Display 18 can be any electronic display which is simple and small

enough to be included in bandage 10. For example, display 18 can include one

or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) which when activated generate a light

pattern, such as for example, a flashing light pattern. It will be appreciated that in order to be incorporated within bandage

10, power source 20 must be a relatively small and thin device.

As such, power source 20 is preferably a liquid or solid state thin layer

electrochemical cell. Numerous examples of thin layer electrochemical cells

exist in the art, and as such no further description is given herein with respect

to such electrochemical cells.

Preferably, power source 20 is a liquid state thin layer electrochemical

cell of an open cell configuration.

A liquid state open cell thin layer electrochemical cell which can used

by bandage 10 of the present invention is described in the Examples section

which follows and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,522 the teachings of which are

incorporated herein by reference.

The use of an open cell liquid state power source of that type is

presently preferred since unlike closed cell liquid state power sources an open

cell power source cannot leak and as such it is safer for use in human

applications, especially with children. In addition, the open cell configuration

enable fabrication of a thinner cell which is easily incorporated into bandage

10 and yet as the same time, the open cell design enables air flow therethrough

and thus ventilation of bandage 10. Bandage 10 is applied by a user in a manner similar to application of

commonly used adhesive bandages. To use bandage 10, a user simply

removes the liners from adhesive bandage 16 and applies bandage 10 to a skin

region. Display 20 can be activated by the user prior to or following

application of bandage 10.

Alternatively, control circuitry of bandage 10 can be configured such

that display 20 is automatically activated upon removal of liner, application of

bandage 10 to the skin region (e.g., skin contact), or application of pressure to

bandage 10.

In any case, once display 20 is activated via power source it displays a

light pattern thus increasing the attractiveness of the bandage to a user, such as

a child, and therefore increasing the likelihood of use thereby.

It will be appreciated that control circuitry can be configured such that

the light pattern emitted by display 20 responds to user movements and the

like, thus leading to an interaction between the user and bandage 10, thereby

further increasing the likelihood of use by a child.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the present

invention will become apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art upon

examination of the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, each of the various embodiments and aspects of the present

invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below

finds experimental support in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following example, which together with

the above descriptions, illustrate the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Figure 2 illustrates a basic configuration of the flexible thin layer open

electrochemical cell utilizable as power source 20 by bandage 10 of the present

invention, and which is referred to hereinunder as open cell 20.

Open cell 20 includes three layers as follows. A first layer of insoluble

negative pole 24, a second layer of insoluble positive pole 26 and a third layer

of aqueous electrolyte 22. As used in this document, a discharged negative

pole is where an oxidation occurs, whereas the positive pole is where reduction

occurs. The aqueous electrolyte layer 22 includes a deliquescent (i.e.,

hygroscopic) material for keeping open cell 20 wet at all times; an

electroactive soluble material for obtaining the required ionic conductivity; and

a watersoluble polymer for obtaining the required viscosity for adhering pole

layers 24 and 26 to aqueous electrolyte layer 22. Following is a more detailed description of each of layers 24, 26 and 22 and their role in the operation of

open cell 20.

Aqueous electrolyte layer 22 typically includes a porous insoluble

substance, such as, but not limited to, filter paper, plastic membrane, cellulose

membrane, cloth, non-woven material (e.g., cotton fibers), etc., the porous

substance is soaked with an aqueous solution including three components: a

deliquescent material; an electroactive soluble material; and a watersoluble

polymer.

The deliquescent material by being hygroscopic maintains open cell 20

moisturized at all times. The level of moisture within open cell 20 may vary

depending on deliquescent material selection, its concentration and ambient

humidity. Suitable deliquescent materials include, but are not limited to,

calcium-chloride, calcium-bromide, potassium-biphosphate, potassium-acetate

and combinations thereof.

The electroactive soluble material is selected in accordance with the

materials of which the negative and positive pole layers are made. A list of

frequently used electroactive soluble materials suitable for use with open cell

20 includes, for example, zinc-chloride, zinc-bromide and zinc-fluoride for

various primary cells and potassium-hydroxide and sulfuric-acid for rechargeable cells. The watersoluble polymer is employed as an adhesive agent

to adhere (i.e., glue) pole layers 24 and 26 to the aqueous electrolyte layer 22.

Many types of polymers are suitable ones, such as, for example,

polyvinylalcohol, poliacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylpyrolidone,

polyethylenoxide, agar, agarose, starch, hydroxyetliylcellulose and

combinations and copolymers thereof.

Each of negative and positive pole layers 24 and 26 includes a mix of a

suitable (negative or positive, respectively) active insoluble powder material

along with an aqueous solution similar to the solution described hereinabove,

which includes a deliquescent material; an electroactive soluble material; and a

watersoluble polymer.

It is clear to one having ordinary skills in the art that while the

electroactive soluble material should not change, the deliquescent material and

the watersoluble polymer may be selected otherwise in the later solution, in

other words, the electroactive soluble material should be kept the same in all

three layers 22, 24 and 26, whereas the deliquescent material and the

watersoluble polymer may vary among the layers, according to the specific

application.

Appropriate selection of active insoluble powder materials for the negative 24 and positive 26 pole layers with a matching electroactive soluble

material, as exemplified hereinbelow in the Examples section, provides a

flexible thin layer cell which can be used as a power supply (i.e., a battery),

which cell is open and therefore does not accumulate gases upon storage, yet

the hygroscopicity of the deliquescent material ensures that the cell is kept wet

at all times although open. Suitable pairs of materials to be used in negative 24

and positive 26 poles include, but are not limited to, manganese-dioxide/zinc;

silver-oxide/zinc; cadmium/nickel-oxide; and iron/nickel-oxide (the

manganese-dioxide and the silver-oxide are optionally mixed with a

conductive carbon powder, as known in the art).

It is clear to one having ordinary skills in the art that a single material

may function both as a deliquescent material and as the electroactive soluble

material. Such a material should however acquire suitable electroactive and

hygroscopic characteristics. Suitable materials of this type include, but are not

limited to, zinc-chloride and zinc-bromide.

It is further clear to one having ordinary skills in the art that a single

material may function as a deliquescent material and as a watersoluble

polymer. Such a material should however acquire suitable hygroscopic and

adhesive characteristics. Suitable materials of this type include, but are not limited to, dextrane, dextranesulfate and combinations and copolymers thereof.

The three layers 22, 24 and 26, presented in Figure 2 and described

hereinabove may be manufactured thin and are flexible, therefore cell 20 is

flexible and as thin as 0.3 or less to 1.5 mm making it especially suitable for

use with bandage 10.

Open cell 20 can be manufactured by a suitable printing including, but

are not limited to, silk print, offset print, jet printing, lamination, materials

evaporation and powder dispersion.

Another possible configuration of an open cell is shown in Figure 3

illustrating a cell, generally assigned 30. As cell 20, cell 30 also includes layers

22, 24 and 26 (stripped region) forming a basic cell. Cell 30 further includes

additional one or two conductive layers 32 and 34, to improve the electronic

conductivity of negative 24 and/or positive 26 pole layers. Suitable conductive

layers are graphite paper, carbon cloth, etc. Cell 30 also includes negative 36

and positive 38 terminals, which terminals 36 and 38 are in electrical contact

with either the corresponding pole layer 24 and 26, respectively, or with the

corresponding conductive layer 32 and 34, respectively, or both. Terminals 36

and 38 are made of any suitable materials such as, but not limited to, graphite

or metals such as iron, nickel, titanium, copper, stainless steel and mixtures thereof, and are preferably applied to cell 30 by a suitable printing technology

such as those listed above.

Terminals 36 and 38 are used to electrically connect cell 30 to display

18 of bandage 10. Terminals 36 and 38 may be located in any desired location

of cell 30, may acquire any suitable shape and size and, depending on the

specific configuration of bandage 10; terminals 36 and 38 may protrude from

the surface and dimensions of cell 30. Cell 30 may further include at least one

externally located adhesive backing 39, to enable attaching cell 30 to bandage

10, and/or at least one externally located lamina protective layer 40 to

physically protect all other layers.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific

embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and

variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is

intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall

within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications,

patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein

incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same

extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall

not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to

the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An adhesive bandage comprising:

(a) an absorbent pad having an absorbent surface;

(b) an adhesive tape attached to said absorbent pad, said adhesive

tape being configured for attaching to a skin region so as to

position said absorbent surface against a portion of said skin

region;

(c) a display being positioned on an outer surface of the adhesive

bandage said display being configured and positioned so as to be

viewable by an individual when said adhesive tape is attached to

said skin region; and

(c) a power source attached to or integrated with said adhesive tape,

said power source being for powering said display, said display

being for increasing an acceptability of use of the adhesive

bandage by the individual when powered.

2. The adhesive bandage of claim 1, wherein said display includes

at least one light emitting diode (LED).

3. The adhesive bandage of claim 1, wherein said power source is a

thin layer electrochemical cell.

4. The adhesive bandage of claim 3, wherein said thin layer

electrochemical cell is a flexible thin layer liquid state electrochemical cell

which includes a first layer of insoluble negative pole, a second layer of

insoluble positive pole and a third layer of aqueous electrolyte, said third layer

being disposed between said first and second layers.

5. The adhesive bandage of claim 4, wherein said flexible thin

layer liquid state electrochemical cell is an open cell, and further wherein said

third layer includes:

(i) a deliquescent material for keeping the open cell wet at all times;

(ii) an electroactive soluble material for obtaining required ionic

conductivity; and

(iii) a watersoluble polymer for obtaining a required viscosity for

adhering said first and second layers to said third layer.

6. The adhesive bandage of claim 1, further comprising control

circuits for controlling power provision from said power source to said display.