Absorbent pad and related methods
View Patent ↗An absorbent pad. A first side of the absorbent pad is configured to abut a patient at a fluid discharging area or other location. Discharging fluid passes through a fluid-permeable liner of the absorbent pad into absorbent material. Liquid may be placed in the absorbent material prior to placing it on a patient and heated or cooled. An overwrap may be wrapped around the patient to hold the hot or cold compress in place while absorbing discharging fluid from the patient. A fluid barrier at a second side of the absorbent pad, parallel with the first side, prevents liquid from passing out of the absorbent pad at the second side. A coupler having hooks is disposed on the second side of the absorbent pad and is configured to engage with fibers of the overwrap in order to secure the absorbent pad in place with respect to the patient and overwrap.
1. An absorbent pad, comprising:
a first side and a second side substantially parallel with the first side, the first side comprising a fluid-permeable liner and the second side comprising a fluid barrier configured to disallow passage of fluid through the second side; the first side and the second side at least partially forming a cavity and the first side configured to abut a fluid discharge area of a patient;
an absorbent material disposed at least partially within the cavity, the absorbent material including a predetermined quantity of liquid and configured to absorb a maximum quantity of liquid greater than the predetermined quantity of liquid; and
a coupler coupled to the second side, wherein the coupler is disposed over the absorbent material such that at least a portion of the absorbent material is disposed between the coupler and the first side, the coupler comprising hooks extending from the second side in a direction substantially away from the first side, wherein the hooks are configured to releasably engage with fibers comprised in an overwrap used to releasably secure the absorbent pad to the fluid discharge area of the patient at a desired location on the overwrap.
2. The absorbent pad of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material comprises an absorbent polymer.
3. The absorbent pad of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive on the fluid-permeable liner of the first side configured to adhere the fluid-permeable liner to the fluid discharge area of the patient.
4. The absorbent pad of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent pad is flexible and configured to conform to a contour of the fluid discharge area of the patient.
5. The absorbent pad of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent pad further comprises an antimicrobial agent.
6. The absorbent pad of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is configured to assist in the conversion of biofluids from a liquid state to a solid state.
7. An absorbent pad and overwrap system, comprising:
an absorbent pad comprising:
a first side and a second side substantially parallel with the first side, the first side comprising a fluid-permeable liner and the second side comprising a fluid barrier configured to disallow passage of fluid through the second side; the first side and the second side at least partially forming a cavity and the first side configured to abut a fluid discharge area of a patient;
an absorbent material disposed at least partially within the cavity, the absorbent material including a predetermined quantity of liquid and configured to absorb a maximum quantity of liquid greater than the predetermined quantity of liquid; and
a coupler coupled to the second side, wherein the coupler is disposed over the absorbent material such that the coupler overlaps at least a portion of the absorbent material in a direction extending through the thickness of the absorbent pad, and wherein the coupler comprises hooks extending from the second side in a direction substantially away from the first side; and
an overwrap comprising fibers configured to releasably engage the hooks of the absorbent pad, wherein the hooks and fibers, when engaged together, form a hook-and-loop fastener adapted to hold the absorbent pad to the fluid discharge area of the patient at a desired location on the overwrap;
wherein the absorbent material of the absorbent pad can absorb up to about 15 times its weight of 0.9% normal saline solution and up to about 30 times its weight of water.
8. The absorbent pad and overwrap system of claim 7 , further comprising an adhesive on the fluid-permeable liner configured to adhere the fluid-permeable liner to the fluid discharge area of the patient.
9. The absorbent pad and overwrap system of claim 7 , wherein the absorbent pad is flexible and configured to conform to a contour of the fluid discharge area of the patient.
10. The absorbent pad and overwrap system of claim 7 , wherein the absorbent pad further comprises an antimicrobial agent.
11. The absorbent pad and overwrap system of claim 7 , wherein the absorbent material is configured to assist in the conversion of biofluids from a liquid state to a solid state.
12. The absorbent pad of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined quantity of liquid is heated or cooled to a desired temperature.
13. The absorbent pad and overwrap system of claim 7 , wherein the absorbent material comprises an absorbent polymer.
14. The absorbent pad and overwrap system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined quantity of liquid is heated or cooled to a desired temperature.