This is a continuation of pending application Ser. No. 12/931,694 filed on Feb. 8, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,694 issued Jul. 1, 2014. In addition to the priority of that application, the following domestic priorities are also claimed:

application Ser. No. 10/330,732 filed Dec. 28, 2002 which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,912 issued Jun. 25, 2013 and which claims priorities of provisional Application No. 60/345,551, filing date Jan. 7, 2002 and provisional Application No. 60/355,550, filing date Feb. 7, 2002.

application Ser. No. 10/356,040, filing date Jan. 31, 2003, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,372 issued Mar. 8, 2011 and which claims priorities of provisional Application No. 60/345,551, filing date Jan. 7, 2002 and provisional Application No. 60/355,550, filing date Feb. 7, 2002.

application Ser. No. 11/704,635, filed Feb. 9, 2007 which claims priority of provisional Application No. 60/771,819 filed Feb. 10, 2006.

application Ser. No. 11/648,944, filing date Jan. 3, 2007 which is now U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,841 issued Oct. 15, 2013 and which claims priority of provisional Application No. 60/755,269 filed Jan. 3, 2006.

These priorities are also included in the Application data sheet.

THE BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION

This invention is related to wound dressings and supports in humans and animals. Commonly, adhesives and wraps are used for this purpose. However, the use of adhesives has multiple problems: they are difficult to use with elastic gloves since adhesive tapes adhere to the gloves, they cause skin irritations and discomfort on removal, and do not adhere to hair-covered skin. Many times the hair has to be shaved, which is a separate process of its own. Wound inspections or the exchange of dressing multiplies their problems and prohibits this process. Furthermore, wound wrapping cannot be done through use of adhesive tapes in an effective and convenient method. Then, there is the major issue of dressing a wound with one hand, which is crucial in certain circumstances. It thus becomes very important for a wound dressing system to allow a person to dress a wound with one hand only, since the other one could be wounded or dysfunctional. Lastly, at times wound dressing should be done as quickly as possible, and speed makes a big difference in manmade or natural disasters. The methods and means introduced in this application solve many of these problems. Wound protection and prevention of limb damages are also important issues and need new approaches. In some cases the wound site needs to be protected from objects touching the skin or the wound site, to prevent ulceration, avoid discomfort or mere protection of the wounds. Healing complicated wounds such as swollen areas due to a compromised circulation, which leaves tissues filled with extravasated fluids, is complicated and many times unsuccessful. Therefore, this applicant had introduced new approaches and methods to avoid those problems and now he is claiming some specific models which were not included in previous claims or were subject to elections.

THE BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

This application introduces new methods and means of dressings that make the process of wound dressing faster and easier and applicable with one hand. It practically eliminates the use of adhesives tapes on skin and/or decreases their use substantially. In the prototype model, a combination of a strap and a support unit is used combined with bands to facilitate the placement of the unit. The support unit is made from a non-stretchable material, commonly in rectangular- or trapezoid-shape, and it is used to cover the wound and hold the gauze pad or wound dressing in place. This unit also uses at least one strap made of a particular stretchable material that allows the strap to attach to the support on a detachable, re-attachable basis. Very importantly, the attachment of the strap to a hook-fastener can be done in any part of the surface of this strap. Importantly also, this support system uses one or two narrow bands made from the same material as the strap, which facilitate the placement of the unit and provide many benefit such as placement of the supports with one hand. In one model these bands wrap around the limb from the opposite side of the strap to attach to the support on a detachable, re-attachable basis. Then the main strap will attach to the support on detachable, re-attachable basis. In some models the support unit will function as the stabilizer of the system or to make the functions simpler and easier. This main idea, then, is used to make multiple models for use in different areas. These include a unit to control bleeding by strangulation of the limbs, as well as introducing units that guard the wound site and prevent objects from touching the skin or the wound site to avoid discomfort or mere protection of the wounds. Also, means are introduced that help in preventing ulcerations in areas such as the heels. In patients with vascular problems the models shown here allow the wound in the heels to be squeezed to prevent and reduce tissue swelling. In other cases, the applicant shows means that allow a limb to be elevated for a better drainage. All in all, the applicant tries to introduce units for improving the human's and animal's life. Please note that in this application the hook- and loop-fastener attachment means are utilized very frequently, and in general:

a. The loop-fastener attachment means is referred to as ATM1

b. The hook-fastener attachment means is referred to as ATM2Please note that any other types of attachment means may be also used in these units if possible. Also please note that each wound support unit in this application uses a support means which are basically of two types:

A. Type I support means are made from a non-stretchable layer such as vinyl whose body has zones of attachment means on it.

B. Type II support means is made from a non-stretchable layer with a laminated body; an outer layer made from a layer of loop-fastener attachment means, ATM I, an inner layer which is a soft, fabric lining upon skin contact and a layer of foam in between.

Please note that the Type II support means may also have zones of hook-fastener attachment means, ATM2, on them. This makes a very particular unit that allows the attachment of a strap made from a loop-fastener attachment means, ATM1, with end pieces or zones of hook-fastener attachment means, ATM2, to occur on a double-function as follows:

1. The zones of the hook-fastener attachment means, ATM2, from the ends of the strap will attach to the outer surface of the Type II support on a detachable, re-attachable basis.

2. The body of the strap, made from a loop-fastener attachment means, ATM1, will also attach to the zones of the hook-fastener attachment means, ATM2, located on the support on a detachable, re-attachable basis as well. This is the reason why a double-attachment occurs that is very useful in many models of these units.

With regard to the figures: Please notice that different parts of this invention are shown in different figures. This is to prevent a crowded picture. Importantly, all of the options are designed to be used in one model if applicable.

