USRE39896E1

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Info

Publication number: USRE39896E1
Application number: US10/716,246
Authority: US
Inventors: Nancy L. Arnold; Jeffrey M. Stein
Original assignee: GPT Glendale Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell Safety Products USA Inc
Priority date: 2000-09-15
Filing date: 2003-12-23
Publication date: 2007-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-15
Also published as: US6320094B1

Abstract

A disposable eye patch includes a first sheet member, a second sheet member smaller than the first sheet member, and an adhesive layer applied to one side of the first sheet member. One portion of the adhesive layer bonds the first and second sheet members together, and another portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the tissue surrounding an eye when the eye patch is applied to a patient. A release layer may be provided to cover the exposed portion of the adhesive layer, and may be peeled off prior to the use of the eye patch. The release layer and a plurality of eye patches may be provided in the form of a dispenser roll assembly. In a method of manufacturing the disposable eye patch, the first and second sheet members may both be formed from a sheet material having an adhesive layer, and then the first and second sheet members may be adhered together with the adhesive layer on one of the sheet members contacting the adhesive layer on the other one of the sheet members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a disposable eye patch. In particular, this invention relates to a disposable eye patch used during surgical and/or professional facial care procedures.

2. Description of Related Art

Cosmetic surgical procedures (e.g., plastic surgery) and professional facial care procedures are becoming increasingly popular. In some cases, patients request such procedures for facial parts such as the nose bridge, forehead, temples, and areas immediately surrounding the eyes. During surgical or other procedures to such facial parts, since the procedures often require very delicate and detailed work, doctors and other professionals must have access to as much unobstructed area as possible. At the same time, the doctors or other professionals need to avoid damaging the patient's eyes by various surgical, medial and cosmetic items, such as abrasion systems, chemicals, air jets, air streams, liquids, medicines, medicine applicators, surgical tools (e.g., scalpels, hemostats, needles, etc.) and other devices.

Therefore, the patient's eyes are often covered by materials such as a surgical tape and gauze while a surgical or facial care procedure is being performed. However, there is a need for more complete access to areas around the patient's eyes and for more reliable protection methods and devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,371 to Heltman discloses a protective eye patch. This eye patch has several adhesive tabs for securing the eye patch on the patient's eye. However, since the tabs do not entirely adhere the edge of the eye patch, there is a possibility that liquids or medicines may enter a patient's eye covered by this eye patch.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,863 to Bowman discloses another type of protective eye patch. This eye patch is designed to keep the eye closed. However, since this patch is adhered onto the patients eyelid and surrounding eye tissues, this eye patch is not comfortable to wear.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,103 to Mower provides an eye patch that has a cushion material on an edge of the eye patch, and allows a patient's eye to move and/or open underneath the eye patch. Because of its large size, this patch is not suitable for many surgical and facial care procedures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,146 to Krupnick et al. discloses an eye patch for preventing opening of an eye and preventing corneal abrasion. This eye patch has adhesive areas around the patch and part of a center part of the eye patch. However, because of the adhesive areas in the center part, it is uncomfortable for the patient to wear the eye patch for a long time. In fact, it is designed for use on an anesthetized patient.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,360 to Rhame, Jr. discloses an oval shaped eye patch with a thick inner foam patch or adjustable bladder for adjusting pressure against an eyelid. This patch is quite large, being designed to attach to the outside of the eye socket, and covers some areas of the face that may need to be accessed for some surgical or facial care procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a small size disposable eye patch that allows doctors or other professionals full access to areas around the eyes for surgery and facial care procedures and is comfortable for the patient to wear.

A disposable eye patch according to the invention includes a first sheet member, a second sheet member smaller than the first sheet member, and an adhesive layer applied to one side of at least the first sheet member. One portion of the adhesive layer bonds the first and second sheet members together, and another portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the tissue surrounding an eye when the eye patch is applied to a patient. A release layer may be provided to cover the exposed portion of the adhesive layer, and peeled off prior to use of the eye patch.

The first and/or second sheet member may be made of biocompatible foamed plastic material, such as foamed PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or the like. The first adhesive layer is preferably pressure-sensitive, latex-free and hypoallergenic. The first and second sheet members preferably have the same thickness, and are made of the same material.

In a method of manufacturing the disposable eye patch, the first and second sheet members may both be formed from a sheet material having an adhesive layer, and then the first and second sheet members may be adhered together with the adhesive layer on one of the sheet members contacting the adhesive layer on the other one of the sheet members.

These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a disposable eye patch;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the disposable eye patch ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable eye patch ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the disposable eye patch ofFIG. 1 mounted on a release layer;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable eye patch and the release layer ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the eye patch ofFIG. 1 provided on a dispenser roll; and

FIG. 7 shows the disposable eye patch ofFIG. 1 being used during a facial care procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, adisposable eye patch10 includes afirst sheet member11 and asecond sheet member12. These first and second sheet members are preferably oval in shape, although other shapes, such as a teardrop shape or the like, are also possible. “Oval” in the context of this application includes elliptical, oblong, and egg shapes. Thefirst sheet member11 is preferably made of biocompatible foamed plastic material. Thesecond sheet member12 is also preferably made of biocompatible foamed plastic material.

Theeye patch10 includes a firstadhesive layer13 on one side of thefirst sheet member11 for adhering theeye patch10 onto the tissue surrounding the patient's eye and for adhering thefirst sheet member11 to thesecond sheet member12. This firstadhesive layer13 may have a plan view size approximately equal to the plan view size of thefirst sheet member11 and is preferably made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (i.e., it may acquire greater adhesion with an adjacent surface as pressure between that surface and the adhesive is increased), preferably a latex-free and hypoallergenic material. The adhesion of theadhesive layer13 should be strong enough to adhere reliably to the skin but weak enough to be easily removed from the skin after use.

As shown inFIG. 3, theeye patch10 may also include a secondadhesive layer14 between thesecond sheet member12 and the firstadhesive layer13. The secondadhesive layer14 is not essential, but improves adhesion of thesecond sheet member12 to thefirst sheet member11. The secondadhesive layer14 may have a plan view size equal to the plan view size of thesecond sheet member12. The secondadhesive layer14 may be made of the same material as the firstadhesive layer13.

Thefirst sheet member11 has a size that sufficiently covers the patient's eye and eyelid when applied. For instance, for an adult patient, thefirst sheet member11 preferably has a length of from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, more preferably about 50 mm, and a width from about 20 mm to about 35 mm, more preferably about 28 mm. Thesecond sheet member12 preferably joins thefirst sheet member11 at a central portion of the firstadhesive layer13 as shown in FIG.2.

Having the above-described length and width allows theeye patch10 to fit within the eye socket of a patient, and thus maximizes the facial area accessible to a doctor or other professional. The part of theeye patch10 that contacts most of the patient's eyelid is free of exposed adhesive. This is more comfortable to the wearer, and allows the eye and eyelid to slightly move underneath theeye patch10. Specifically, the side of thesheet member12 facing the eye and eyelid is free of adhesive. This also prevents needless pain or discomfort when the eye patch is removed after use.

Aperipheral portion13A of the firstadhesive layer13, which is not overlapped by thesecond sheet member12, should be large enough to provide sufficient adhesion of theeye patch10 to the area of the face surrounding the eye. For example, theperipheral portion13A may have a width of approximately 5 mm.

Thefirst sheet member11 and thesecond sheet member12 each preferably have a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, more preferably from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm, and even more preferably from 0.5 mm. The appropriate thickness may vary depending upon the type of procedure for which the eye patch is intended to be used, but in general, a thinner eye patch is desired to reduce the bulkiness of theeye patch10 and increase the comfort of the patient. For example, for a so-called microdermabrasion process, in which aluminum-oxide crystals or the like are discharged from a wand onto a patient's face, aneye patch10 with afirst sheet member12 with a thickness of about 0.5 mm and asecond sheet member12 with a thickness of about 0.5 mm and effectively protects the eyes.

The color of theeye patch10 may be the natural color of the foamed plastic material, such as off-white, cream, or the like, or any other desired color such as beige, gray, black, fluorescent green, etc.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, to prevent theperipheral portion13A of theadhesive layer13 and the eye-contacting side of thesecond sheet member12 of theeye patch10 from being contaminated, theperipheral portion13A of theadhesive layer13 may be attached to arelease layer15, which is removed prior to use of theeye patch10. Therelease layer15 may, for example, be a waxed paper, plastic film or the like.

Therelease layer15 may be a continuous strip provided in the form of adispenser roll16, as shown inFIG. 6, witheye patches10 provided at a predetermined spacing. Thisdispenser roll16 may be provided in a dispenser box (not shown) and fed through a slot or the like provided in the box. Therelease layer15 may haveserrations15A in between theeye patches10 to facilitate separation into discrete units. Providing therelease layer15 and eye patches in the form of thedispenser roll16 allows convenient dispensing and helps keep theeye patches10 clean, since theeye patches10 are not exposed until use.

When theeye patch10 is to be applied to a patient, therelease layer15 is first peeled off from thedisposable eye patch10. When therelease layer15 has been removed, theperipheral portion13A of the firstadhesive layer13 is exposed. Theeye patch10 is then positioned over the patient's closed eye and eyelid, and the edge of theeye patch10 is gently pressed to seal theperipheral portion13A of theadhesive layer13 to the facial tissue surrounding the patient's eye and eyelid. After use, theeye patch10 is gently peeled away from the eye and eyelid.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a patient17 wearing thedisposable eye patch10 and tissues around the patient's eye. During this treatment, the tissue areas directly around the patient's eye are exposed and accessible to the doctor ortherapist19 using atool18, while the eye is protected by theeye patch10.

A method of manufacturing theeye patch10 will now be described. First, a sheet material is provided having an adhesive layer coated on one side thereof. Thefirst sheet member11 and thesecond sheet member12 are formed from the sheet material, e.g., by stamping, cutting or the like. Then thefirst sheet member11 and thesecond sheet member12 are positioned properly with respect to each other and pressed together, with their adhesive-coated surfaces facing each other and coming into contact. Finally, theeye patch10 is attached to releaselayer15, with the exposedperipheral portion13A of the adhesive on thefirst sheet member11 contacting therelease layer15.

This method for manufacturing is not limited to the above-described order of steps. For example, thesecond sheet member12 can be cut first, and then adhered to the sheet material. Thefirst sheet member11 can then be cut in the predetermined shape, thus forming theeye patch10.

The above-mentioned method of manufacturing an eye patch is relatively fast and easy, since it basically involves only one or two cutting steps and a press-together step, and economical since the only materials needed are a single type of adhesive-coated sheet and a release layer material.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments described above, many equivalent alternatives, modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although the illustrated embodiment has two

adhesive layers

13 and14, it is also possible to have only one adhesive layer. As another example, although the eye patch preferably has a generally oval shape, a tab (not shown) may be provided on an edge of theeye patch10 to allow easy gripping and peeling of theeye patch10 from the eye and eyelid after use. Such a tab should be large enough for fingers to grip, but otherwise as small as possible to leave as much facial area exposed as possible.

Claims

1. A disposable eye patch for covering a human eye, comprising:

a first sheet member sized to fit entirely inside an eye socket;

a second sheet member smaller than the first sheet member; and

a first adhesive layer applied over substantially an entire surface of one side of the first sheet member, the first sheet member being attached to the second sheet member by a central portion of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member not overlapping a peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer.

2. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, further comprising a release layer attached to the peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer.

3. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first sheet member and the second sheet member is made of biocompatible foamed plastic material.

4. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, wherein the first sheet member and the second sheet member are made of a same material.

5. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

6. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, further comprising a second adhesive layer between the first adhesive layer and the second sheet member.

7. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, wherein a width of the first sheet member is in a range of from about 20 mm to about 35 mm, and a length of the first sheet member is in a range of from about 40 mm to about 60 mm.

8. A method of protecting a patients eye during treatment of an adjacent portion of the patient's face, comprising adhering a disposable eye patch according toclaim 1 over said eye and entirely within a corresponding eye socket of said patient.

9. A dispenser roll assembly, comprising:

an elongate release layer coiled into a roll;

a plurality of disposable eye patches according toclaim 1 arranged along the release layer and releasably attached to the release layer by the first adhesive layer.

10. A disposable eye patch comprising:

a first sheet member having a first thickness;

a second sheet member smaller than the first sheet member having a second thickness substantially equal to the first thickness;

11. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the first and second thicknesses are each in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm.

12. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the first and second thicknesses are each in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm.

13. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the first and second thicknesses are each about 0.5 mm.

14. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, further comprising a release layer attached to the peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer.

15. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein at least one of the first sheet member and the second sheet member is made of biocompatible foamed plastic material.

16. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the first sheet member and the second sheet member are made of a same material.

17. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

18. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, further comprising a second adhesive layer between the first adhesive layer and the second sheet member.

19. A method of manufacturing the disposable eye patch ofclaim 8, comprising:

providing sheet material having an adhesive layer applied to one side of the sheet material;

forming the first sheet member from the sheet material;

forming the second sheet member from the sheet material; and

adhering the first sheet member to the second sheet member with the adhesive layer on the first sheet member contacting the adhesive layer on the second sheet member.

20. A method of protecting a patient's eye during treatment of an adjacent portion of the patient's face, comprising adhering a disposable eye patch according toclaim 8 over said eye and entirely within a corresponding eye socket of said patient.

21. A dispenser roll assembly, comprising:

an elongate release layer coiled into a roll;

a plurality of disposable eye patches according toclaim 10 arranged along the release layer and releasably attached to the release layer by the first adhesive layer.

22. A disposable eye patch comprising:

a first sheet member made of foamed plastic material having a first thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm,

a second sheet member made of foamed plastic material having a second thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm;

23. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 22, wherein the first and second thicknesses are each in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm.

24. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 22, wherein the first and second thicknesses are each about 0.5 mm.

25. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 22, further comprising a release layer attached to the peripheral portion of the first adhesive layer.

26. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 22, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

27. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 22, further comprising a second adhesive layer between the first adhesive layer and the second sheet member.

28. A method of protecting a patient's eye during treatment of an adjacent portion of the patient's face, comprising adhering a disposable eye patch according toclaim 18 over said eye and entirely within a corresponding eye socket of said patient.

29. A dispenser roll assembly, comprising:

an elongate release layer coiled into a roll;

a plurality of disposable eye patches according toclaim 22 arranged along the release layer and releasably attached to the release layer by the first adhesive layer.

30. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 22, wherein the peripheral portion extends along an entire periphery of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member does not overlap any part of the peripheral portion.

31. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the peripheral portion extends along an entire periphery of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member does not overlap any part of the peripheral portion.

32. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 10, wherein the second sheet member is smaller than the first sheet member in both vertical and lateral directions.

33. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, wherein the peripheral portion extends along an entire periphery of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member does not overlap any part of the peripheral portion.

34. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 1, wherein the second sheet member is smaller than the first sheet member in both vertical and lateral directions.

35. A disposable eye patch for covering a human eye, comprising:

a first sheet member sized to fit entirely inside an eye socket in a vertical dimension of the eye socket;

a second sheet member smaller than the first sheet member; and

36. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 35, wherein the peripheral portion extends along an entire periphery of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member does not overlap any part of the peripheral portion.

37. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 35, wherein the second sheet member is smaller than the first sheet member in both vertical and lateral directions.

38. A disposable eye patch for covering a human eye, comprising:

a first sheet member sized to fit entirely inside an eye socket in a lateral dimension of the eye socket;

a second sheet member smaller than the first sheet member; and

39. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 38, wherein the peripheral portion extends along an entire periphery of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member does not overlap any part of the peripheral portion.

40. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 38, wherein the second sheet member is smaller than the first sheet member in both vertical and lateral directions.

41. A disposable eye patch comprising:

a first sheet member having a first thickness in a range of from about0.1 mm to about5 mm,

a second sheet member having a second thickness in a range of from about0.1 mm to about5 mm; and

42. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 41, wherein the first thickness is in a range of from about0.1 mm to about2 mm, and the second thickness is in a range of from about0.1 mm to about2 mm.

43. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 41, wherein one of the first sheet member and the second sheet member is made of foamed plastic material.

44. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 41, wherein the peripheral portion extends along an entire periphery of the first adhesive layer, and the second sheet member does not overlap any part of the peripheral portion.

45. A disposable eye patch for covering a human eye, comprising:

a sheet member sized to fit entirely inside an eye socket in a lateral dimension of the eye socket and/or in a vertical dimension of the eye socket; and

an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a periphery of a surface of the sheet member,

a part of the eye patch that contacts most of the eyelid being free of exposed adhesive.

46. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 45, wherein the sheet member is sized to fit entirely inside the eye socket in both the lateral dimension of the eye socket and the vertical dimension of the eye socket.

47. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 45, wherein the sheet member comprises biocompatible foamed plastic material.

48. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 45, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

49. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 45, wherein a width of the sheet member is in a range of from about20 mm to about35 mm, and a length of the sheet member is in a range of from about40 mm to about60 mm.

50. A method of protecting a patient's eye during treatment of an adjacent portion of the patient's face, comprising adhering a disposable eye patch according toclaim 45 over said eye and within a corresponding eye socket of said patient.

51. A disposable eye patch for covering a human eye, comprising:

a sheet member comprising an eye-covering portion sized to fit entirely inside an eye socket in a lateral dimension of the eye socket and/or in a vertical dimension of the eye socket; and

52. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 51, wherein the eye-covering portion is sized to fit entirely inside the eye socket in both the lateral dimension of the eye socket and the vertical dimension of the eye socket.

53. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 51, wherein a width of the eye-covering portion is in a range of from about20 mm to about35 mm, and a length of the eye-covering portion is in a range of from about40 mm to about60 mm.

54. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 51, further comprising a tab provided at an edge of the sheet member, the tab facilitating gripping of the disposable eye patch.

55. A method of protecting a patient's eye during treatment of an adjacent portion of the patient's face, comprising adhering a disposable eye patch according toclaim 51 over said eye and within a corresponding eye socket of said patient.

56. A disposable eye patch for covering a human eye, comprising:

a sheet member sized to fit entirely inside an eye socket in at least one dimension of the eye socket; and

57. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 56, wherein the sheet member is sized to fit entirely inside the eye socket in both a lateral dimension of the eye socket and a vertical dimension of the eye socket.

58. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 56, wherein a width of the sheet member is in a range of from about20 mm to about35 mm, and a length of the sheet member is in a range of from about40 mm to about60 mm.

59. The disposable eye patch according toclaim 56, further comprising a tab provided at an edge of the sheet member, the tab facilitating gripping of the disposable eye patch.

60. A method of protecting a patient's eye during treatment of an adjacent portion of the patient's face, comprising adhering a disposable eye patch according toclaim 56 over said eye and within a corresponding eye socket of said patient.