Skin protective device and method

Claim 2

A thin, flexible foil strip for use on a body member able to follow all skin contours used in connection with pressure gradient type bandages, said strip being not so rigid as to interfere with the function of the bandage, to act as a barrier when said bandage is cut away with a cutting tool upon removal, said device comprising: a flat, thin, bendable cut resistant foil strip, said strip having substantially parallel side edges that are smooth & non-cutting, a pair of flat main surfaces and a first and a second end; a wrap fixedly secured to at least one of said strip main surfaces, said wrap having a pair of main surfaces and having wrap edges which extend beyond said strip side edges to provide a compatible contact with the skin; said device being adapted to be severed by cutting so that a length, longer than a bandage length when in position on the body member, may be positioned under a bandage with said first and second ends extending from beneath said bandage protectively overlying the skin of a wearer.

Claim 3

The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising centrally located indicia extending longitudinally along said device, said indicia marked on a main surface of said wrap to indicate the center of said strip when cutting away said bandage.

Claim 4

The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip is of metallic foil material.

Claim 5

The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wrap is secured to the strip surfaces by adhesive means.

Claim 6

The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wrap is of adhesive tape material.

Claim 7

The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said strip is of a foil material of a gauge of about 38.

Claim 8

The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said strip is of a metallic foil material.

Claim 9

The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said wrap is secured to the strip main surfaces by adhesive means.

Claim 12

The method according to claim 9 further including applying said strip with a longitudinally marked center line indicia so that said indicia faces outwardly and provides an indication of said proposed cutting line to ensure that said foil will underlie said cutting tool during said cutting and protect said skin.

Claim 13

A barrier strip for applying beneath a compression type bandage on a body member to shield the skin from a cutting tool when cutting away said bandage, said strip comprising: (a) an elongate, thin, flat, flexible, cut-resistant foil means, said foil means having substantially parallel smooth and non-cutting side edges and a pair of flat main surfaces; (b) covering means affixed to at least one of said flat main surfaces and extending beyond said side edges to provide a compatible skin contacting surface on said strip; (c) said strip having a length greater than the length of said bandage when in position on said body member and adapted for severing to a length such that it may be positioned beneath said bandage with first and second ends extending beyond the ends of said bandage when in place on said body member; wherein said strip is sufficiently flexible to conform to the contours of said body member and said strip is sufficiently thin and flat and compatible with said skin to be forced against said skin by said bandage for prolonged periods without injury to said skin.

Claim 14

A barrier strip for applying beneath a compression type bandage on a body member to shield the skin from a cutting tool when cutting away said bandage, said strip comprising: (a) an elongate, thin, flat, flexible, cut-resistant foil means, said foil means having substantially parallel smooth and non-cutting side edges and a pair of flat main surfaces; (b) covering means affixed to at least one of said flat main surfaces and extending beyond said side edges to provide a compatible skin contacting surface on said strip; (c) said strip having a length greater than the length of said bandage when in position on said body member and adapted for severing to a length such that it may be positioned beneath said bandage with first and second ends extending beyond the ends of said bandage when in place on said body member; wherein said strip is sufficiently flexible to conform to the contours of said body member and said strip is sufficiently thin and flat and compatible with said skin to be forced against said skin by said bandage for prolonged periods without injury to said skin.

Claim 15

The barrier strip according to claim 11, in which said covering means completely envelopes said foil means.

Claim 16

The barrier strip according to claim 12 including indicia located on one of said main surfaces and extending axially substantially along a center line of said strip for indicating the center of said strip to aid in cutting through said bandage directly above said strip to ensure protection from said cutting tool.

Claim 17

The barrier strip according to claim 11 in roll form in dispenser means for pulling out and cutting a strip to length as required.

Claim 18

The barrier strip according to claim 12 in roll form in dispenser means for pulling out and cutting a strip to length as required.

Claim 19

The barrier strip according to claim 13 in roll form in dispenser means for pulling out and cutting a strip to length as required.