GB2540955A

GB2540955A - Patch for person's skin

Info

Publication number: GB2540955A
Application number: GB1513556.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rich Simon
Original assignee: Polarseal Tapes & Conv Ltd
Current assignee: POLARSEAL TAPE & CONVERSIONS LIMITED
Priority date: 2015-07-31
Filing date: 2015-07-31
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Also published as: GB201513556D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patch or plaster 110 that may be adhered to the skin of a person. In particular embodiments the present invention relates to a wound dressing comprising such a patch 110 that may be applied to skin wounds. A patch 110 for application to a person's skin comprises a carrier 112 having a first surface 114 and an opposite second surface 116, at least a portion of the first surface 114 being adhesive for adhesion of the patch 110 to the person's skin; a release liner 118 releasably attached to the first surface 114 of the carrier and extending over and fully covering said adhesive portion; and a connecting part 120 connecting the release liner to the second surface 116 of the carrier 112. This enables the user to apply the plaster without a finger or glove coming into contact and contaminating the adhesive surface.

Description

Patch for a Person’s Skin

BACKGROUND a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a patch that may be adhered to the skin of a person. In particular embodiments the present invention relates to a wound dressing comprising such a patch that may be applied to skin wounds. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a patch for application to a person’s skin and to a method of applying a patch to a person’s skin. b. Related Art

There are a multitude of situations in which an adhesive patch is applied to a person’s skin. This may be in the form, for example, of a plaster or wound dressing, or a patch used to secure a medical device such as a cannula or the electrodes of a heart monitor in the desired position.

In all cases the patch can be difficult to apply to the person or patient due to the adhesive layer. A person’s finger or glove may become stuck to the patch in the process of applying the patch to the skin. This may cause contamination of a sterile part of the patch in the case of a wound dressing or similar, or the patch may simply wrinkle or tear when the finger or glove is pulled away, making the patch unusable.

One particular situation in which this problem is most acute is in the application of film dressings, which may be used to cover and facilitate the healing of wounds such as minor burns, lacerations, ulcers and abrasions. Film dressings typically comprise thin flexible sheets or membranes at least partially coated on a first, skin side with an adhesive to allow adherence to the skin. An absorbent pad may also be provided on the first side of the membrane to provide protection to the wound site. The pad may additionally include antiseptics or other pharmaceutical agents. The dressings also include a release liner that covers the adhesive, and the pad if present, and which is removed just before the dressing is applied to the wound.

The thin membrane is generally made from a suitable polymeric material and will have a thickness of less than 100 pm. Suitable materials are highly elastic and conform to the person’s skin. However, the thin and flexible nature of the membrane means that thin film dressings can be difficult to apply in use. When applying the dressing, it is desirable to achieve a good edge seal with no wrinkles or channels to provide an effective bacterial barrier. Even in situations in which a bacterial barrier is not required, the presence of wrinkles in the dressing may cause discomfort to the patient to which the dressing has been applied.

On removing the release liner, contact between fingers of a user and the adhesive surface is often made to allow the user to lay the dressing over the wound. This, however, may contaminate the film and cause the film to wrinkle and stick to itself. This is a particular problem in situations in which the user is wearing gloves, for example examination gloves made from latex, silicone or similar, as the gloves are prone to stick to the adhesive and thereby wrinkle the film dressing. This can render the dressing unusable. Additionally, by adhering to the finger or glove of the user, it is more likely that the film will be over stretched over the skin contours of the wound. Over-stretching the film causes an expansion of the membrane which can quickly contract once the dressing has been applied to the skin and cause pain and discomfort, particularly to a wound region which is likely to be a highly sensitive area.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an adhesive patch that may be applied to a person’s skin quickly and easily, and which overcomes at least some of the problems with known patches and wound dressings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a patch for application to a person’s skin comprising: a carrier having a first surface and an opposite second surface, at least a portion of the first surface being adhesive for adhesion of the patch to said person’s skin; a release liner releasably attached to the first surface of the carrier and extending over and fully covering said adhesive portion; and a connecting part connecting the release liner to the second surface of the carrier.

In this way, when the release liner is detached from the first surface of the carrier, the release liner remains connected to the second surface to enable application of the patch to a person’s skin.

The release liner will typically be attached to the first surface of the carrier by adhesion to the adhesive portion. To facilitate removal of the release liner from the first surface, the release liner preferably includes a grip tab that is not attached to the first surface of the carrier. A user may, therefore, grip the tab to pull the release liner off the first surface.

In preferred embodiments the release liner comprises a first part and a second part. Each of the first and second parts preferably includes a grip tab that is not attached to the first surface of the carrier. The first and second parts of the release liner are preferably arranged such that when said parts of the release liner are detached from the first surface of the carrier, the first and second parts of the release liner extend away from each other in substantially opposite directions. This allows a user to hold the parts of the release liner and apply a small tensile force to the carrier as the patch is applied to a person’s skin, thereby reducing the possibility of the carrier wrinkling.

In some embodiments the first part of the release liner is connected to the second surface of the carrier by a first connecting part and the second part of the release liner is connected to the second surface of the carrier by a second connecting part, the first and second connecting parts being separate. In other embodiments the first and second parts of the release liner are connected to the second surface of the carrier by a single connecting part.

The connecting part is preferably detachably connected to the second surface of the carrier to allow the connecting part to be removed after the patch has been applied to the person’s skin. The second surface of the carrier is preferably nonadhesive.

The or each connecting part will typically comprise a connecting layer that overlies at least a part of the second surface of the carrier. This allows a suitable force to be applied to the carrier to adhere the patch to the person’s skin. The connecting layer is preferably releasably attached to the second surface of the carrier.

In preferred embodiments the or each connecting part extends along at least a part of a peripheral edge of the carrier. The connecting part may extend over and fully cover the second surface of the carrier.

To simplify manufacture the release liner may be integrally formed with the connecting part. In these embodiments, a fold line will be located between the release liner and the connecting part. In other embodiments the release liner and connecting part may be separate components that are joined together, so that, for example, they can be made from different materials.

In preferred embodiments the carrier comprises a thin sheet. The thin sheet will typically have a thickness of less than 100 pm. In some embodiments the patch further comprises an absorbent pad attached to the first surface of the carrier.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wound dressing comprising a patch according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided method of manufacturing a patch for application to a person’s skin, the method comprising: releasably attaching a release liner to a first surface of a carrier, such that the release liner extends over and fully covers an adhesive portion of the first surface, said adhesive portion allowing adhesion of the patch to said person’s skin; and connecting the release liner to a second surface of the carrier by a connecting part, the second surface being opposite the first surface.

In embodiments in which the release liner comprises a first part and a second part, the method preferably comprises releasably attaching the first part of the release liner to the first surface of the carrier, and releasably attaching the second part of the release liner to the first surface of the carrier, such that end regions of the first and second parts overlap.

In some embodiments the carrier is in the form of a thin film. In these embodiments the carrier is preferably formed by casting a thin film of a polymer material on to a casting film.

In embodiments in which the release liner and connecting part are integrally formed, the method preferably further comprises folding a sheet of material along a fold line, and attaching the sheet of material to the carrier such that a part of the sheet on a first side of the fold line forms the release liner and another part of the sheet on a second side of the fold line forms the connecting part.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided method of applying a patch, according to the first aspect of the present invention, to a person’s skin, the method comprising: pulling the release liner so as to detach the release liner from the first surface of the carrier; holding the release liner and placing the patch on said person’s skin with the adhesive in contact with said skin; and detaching the release liner and connecting part from the second surface of the carrier.

The method preferably further comprises applying a tensile force to the carrier while holding the release liner and placing the patch on said person’s skin, such that the is a lower likelihood of the carrier wrinkling or adhering to itself during application of the patch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a patch according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the patch of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the patch of Figure 1, showing a release liner in an extended configuration;

Figure 4 is an exploded side view of the patch of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wound dressing comprising a patch according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wound dressing of Figure 5 along the line VI -VI;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the wound dressing of Figure 5 in a partially open state before application to a wound;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the wound dressing of Figure 5 after application to a wound;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a wound dressing comprising a patch according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a plan view of a release liner and connecting part only of the wound dressing of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns an adhesive patch that may be applied to a person’s skin. The patch, in the form of a dressing, may be used to help heal or protect minor wounds or, alternatively, the patch may be used to secure an item of medical equipment such as a cannula. In some embodiments the patch forms part of a larger or more complex item of medical equipment or similar, and may, for example, be incorporated into the electrodes of a heart monitor.

In preferred embodiments, the patch of the present invention comprises a thin film dressing for wounds including a thin carrier or barrier membrane and an adhesive layer which allows the dressing to be adhered to the person’s skin. The wound dressing may be a primary dressing that directly contacts the wound or injury, or a secondary dressing that covers a primary dressing to provide a barrier to contamination. A patch of the present invention may be used to adhere a primary dressing to a person’s skin. A patch 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. The patch 10 comprises a carrier 12 in the form of a thin sheet, having a first side or surface 14 and an opposite second side or surface 16. The patch 10 further comprises a release liner 18 and a connecting part 20 that connects the release liner 18 to the second surface 16 of the carrier 12.

The first surface 14 of the carrier 12 is adhesive and, in this example, includes a layer of adhesive 22 extending over the first surface 14. The release liner 18 extends over the first surface and covers this adhesive layer 22. The release liner 18 is releasably adhered to the first surface 14 of the carrier 12 by the layer of adhesive 22. The release liner 18 protects the adhesive layer 22 and prevents the carrier 12 adhering to another surface during storage. The release liner 18 has substantially the same dimensions as the carrier 12, so that the release liner 18 covers the entire adhesive layer 22 and first surface 14 of the carrier 12.

In preferred embodiments the release liner 18 comprises a first part 24 and a second part 26; each of the first and second parts 24, 26 extending over a portion of the first surface 14 of the carrier 12. End regions 28, 30 of each of the first and second parts 24, 26 overlap, and the end regions 28, 30 each include a tab 32, 34 that is not adhered to the carrier 12. In this embodiment, the tabs 32, 34 are formed by a part of each of the end regions 28, 30 being folded in a direction away from the carrier 12.

In use, when a user wishes to apply the patch 10 to a person’s skin, the user grips the tabs 32, 34 and peels the release liner 18 off the first surface 14 of the carrier 12. Once the release liner 18 has been fully separated from the first surface 14, such that the layer of adhesive 22 is fully exposed, the release liner 18 remains connected to the carrier 12 by means of the connecting part 20. The user is, therefore, able to grip the release liner 18 while applying the patch 10 to the person’s skin. This avoids the user’s fingers coming into contact with the adhesive layer 22 of the patch 10.

In preferred embodiments, the connecting part 20 is detachably connected to the second surface 16 of the carrier 12. In these embodiments, the connecting part 20, together with the release liner 16, can be fully detached from the carrier 12 once the carrier 12 has been adhered to the person’s skin.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the patch 10 and the carrier 12 are substantially square, having opposite first and second edges 36, 38 and opposite third and fourth edges 40, 42. The carrier 12 is in the form of a flexible thin sheet or membrane. In preferred embodiments the membrane has a thickness of less than 100 pm, and more preferably between 15 and 70 pm. The membrane is, therefore, able to conform to a person’s skin when it is applied. The membrane may be made from any suitable polymeric material as is known in the art, such as polyurethane, or any other suitable material.

In some embodiments the carrier 12 may be made of a material such that the first surface is inherently adhesive. In most cases, however, a layer of adhesive 22 will be applied to the first surface 14 of the carrier 12 after the carrier 12 has been formed. The adhesive is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive, such that gentle pressure asserted to the carrier 12 causes the patch 10 to adhere to a person’s skin. The adhesive layer 22 may comprise any suitable adhesive known in the art.

The connecting part 20 is in the form of a frame 44 comprising a thin sheet of material. The frame 44 is releasably attached to the second surface 16 of the carrier 12 and extends around the perimeter of the carrier 12. In this embodiment, the frame 44 is substantially square and includes first and second edges 46, 48 that are aligned with and superpose the first and second edges 36, 38 of the carrier and third and fourth edges 50, 52 that are aligned with and superpose the third and fourth edges 40, 42 of the carrier 12.

The first part 24 of the release liner 18 is connected to the connecting part 20 along its first edge 46 and the second part 26 of the release liner 18 is connected to the connecting part 20 along its second edge 48. Accordingly, when the release liner 18 is detached from the carrier 12, the first and second parts 24, 26 of the release liner 18 extend from the connecting part 20 in opposite directions, as shown most clearly in Figure 3.

In preferred embodiments the connecting part 20 and the release liner 18 are integrally formed. A fold line is, therefore, formed between the connecting part 20 and the release liner 18 to allow the connecting part 20 to be attached to and overlie the second surface 16 of the carrier 12 and the release liner 18 to be attached to and extend over the first surface 14 of the carrier 12. More particularly, a first fold line 54 is formed along the first edge 46 of the connecting part 20 and a second fold line 56 is formed along the second edge 48 of the connecting part 20. In this way, the join between the connecting part 20 and the first part 24 of the release liner 18 wraps around the first edge 36 of the carrier 12 and the join between the connecting part 20 and the second part 26 of the release liner 18 wraps around the second edge 38 of the carrier 12. The first and second parts of the release liner 18, therefore, extend towards each other when adhered to the first surface 14 of the carrier 12.

To apply the patch to a person’s skin, a user grips the tabs 32, 34 of the release liner 18 and peels the release liner 18 away from the first surface 14 of the carrier 12. The first and second parts 24, 26 of the release liner 18 are rotated with respect to the connecting frame 20 about the fold lines 54, 56 until the release liner 18 and connecting frame 20 are in a substantially planar arrangement. In this position the user may apply a tensile force to the carrier 12, and can apply suitable force to adhere the patch 10 to the person’s skin.

After application, the connecting frame 20 may be detached or peeled from the carrier 12 by pulling on one or both of the parts of the release liner 18. In some embodiments, a gripping element or lobe 58 may be provided on the connecting part 20. The lobe 58 is not directly attached to the second surface 16 of the carrier 12 and can, therefore, be gripped and pulled by a user to allow the connecting part 20 to be detached from the carrier 12. The provision of a lobe 58 is particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the release liner 18 is detached from the carrier 12 independently of the connecting part 20.

In some embodiments, in which the carrier comprises a polymer sheet or membrane, the connecting part or frame 20 may comprise a part of the support or casting film onto which the polymer sheet is cast during manufacture. After the polymer has been cast, a part of the casting film overlying the polymer sheet may be removed so that the connecting part 20 does not cover the whole of the second surface 16 of the polymer sheet. This is particular advantageous in embodiments in which the carrier 12 or polymer sheet is transparent or translucent, because providing a window in the connecting part 20 allows a user to see through the patch 10 once the release liner 18 has been removed, thereby aiding in the correct positioning of the patch 10 during application to a person’s skin.

In these embodiments, therefore, the connecting part 20 is bonded to the carrier 12 due to the casting process. In other embodiments the connecting part 20 may be bonded to the carrier 12 in other ways and the connecting part 20 may be adhered to the carrier 12 with a suitable adhesive. Importantly, the strength of the bond or adhesion between the connecting part 20 and the carrier 12 is greater than the strength of the adhesion between the release liner 18 and the layer of adhesive 22. In this way, the release liner 18 can be separated from the first surface 14 of the carrier 12 without detaching the connecting part 20 from the second surface 16.

Figures 5 to 8 show a patch 110 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Many of the features of the patch 110 are the same as or similar to features of the patch 10 of the first embodiment and like features have been indicated with reference numerals incremented by 100.

The patch 110 is in the form of a wound dressing suitable for application over a wound on a person’s skin. The patch 110 comprises a pad 160 on the first surface 114 of the carrier 112 which may be placed directly over a wound. In preferred embodiments the pad 160 will be absorbent and in some embodiments the pad includes a pharmaceutical agent, for example an antiseptic. The material of the pad 160 is chosen so as to be suitable for contacting the surface of the wound. The pad 160 may be impregnated with a substance to facilitate the healing of the wound, which may involve an antimicrobial agent, an alginate or a hydrogel to help disinfect and provide an optimal moist environment for healing. It is important that the pad 160 does not adhere to the wound, and as such, may be coated with a thin porous polymer. The pad 160 may comprise gauze, foam or a hydrocolloid dressing, and may act as a clotting aid.

The pad 160 is, in this embodiment, centrally located on the first surface 114 of the carrier 112. A layer of adhesive 122 surrounds the pad around a border region 161 of the carrier 112. The central location of the pad 160 with respect to the first surface 114 of the carrier 112 means that the adhesive border region 161 extends fully around the perimeter of the pad 160. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments an adhesive border region 161 may only extend partially around the pad 160.

The release liner 118 is releasably adhered to the first surface 114 of the carrier 112 by the layer of adhesive 122. The release liner 118 has substantially the same dimensions as the carrier 112, such that the release liner 118 extends over and covers the entire first surface 114 of the carrier 112, including the adhesive border region 122 and central pad 160.

In this embodiment the release liner 118 comprises a first part 124 and a second part 126; each of the first and second parts 124, 126 extending over a portion of the adhesive border region 122 and the central pad 160. End regions 128, 130 of each of the first and second parts 124, 126 overlap, and the end regions 128, 130 each include a tab 132, 134 that is not adhered to the carrier 112.

As in the first embodiment, the connecting part 120 is in the form of a frame 144 comprising a thin sheet of material. The frame 144 is releasably attached to the second surface 116 of the carrier 112 and extends around the perimeter of the carrier 112. The connecting part 120 and the release liner 118 are integrally formed and a first fold line 154 is located at the first edge 136 of the carrier 112 and a second fold line 156 is located at the second edge 138 of the carrier 112.

Figures 7 and 8 show two stages in the application of the patch 110 to the skin 162 of a person to cover a wound 164.

Before use the release liner 118 extends over and is at least partially adhered to the first surface 114 of the carrier 112. To apply the patch 110 or wound dressing to the skin 162, the adhesive layer 122 and pad 160 are first exposed by peeling the first and second parts 124, 126 of the release liner 118 off the adhesive layer 122, as illustrated in Figure 7. The carrier 112 is then supported by the connecting part 120. The user may then hold the first and second parts 124, 126 of the release liner 118 and apply a tensile force to the carrier 112, via the connecting part 120, as the patch 110 is lowered onto the skin 162. In embodiments in which the carrier 112 is in the form of a flexible thin sheet, a small tensile force applied to the carrier 112 prevents wrinkles forming in the carrier 112 once the adhesive layer 122 is exposed.

The patch 110 can then be applied to the skin 162 without a user needing to contact the carrier 112 or the adhesive layer 122 directly. Because, in this embodiment, the first and second parts 124, 126 of the release liner 118 extend from opposite edges 146, 148 of the connecting part 120, a force applied to the parts 124, 126 of the release liner 118 maintain the carrier 112 in a flat or planar configuration without overstretching the thin sheet. The patch 110 may, therefore, be adhered over the wound region 164 smoothly and uniformly. A good adhesion of the carrier 112 to the skin 162 is ensured by subsequent pressure applied either directly to the second surface 116 of the carrier 112 or via the release layer 118 and connecting part 120.

Once the carrier 112 is firmly adhered to the skin 162, the release liner 118 and connecting part 120 can be detached from the carrier 112, as illustrated in Figure 8. In this embodiment the release liner 118 is integrally formed with the connecting part 120 and, accordingly, the connecting part 120 may be detached from the second surface 116 of the carrier 112 by pulling the first and second parts 124, 126 of the release liner 118. In other embodiments the release liner 118 and the connecting part 120 may be removed from the carrier 112 separately. As explained above, a gripping element may be provided on the connecting part 120 to allow a user to grip and pull the connecting part 120 off the carrier 112 independently of the release liner 118. A third preferred embodiment of a patch 210, in the form of a wound dressing, is shown in Figures 9 and 10.

The patch 210 comprises a carrier 212 having a pad 260 on its first surface. A release liner 218, which is substantially identical to the release liner 118 of the second embodiment, covers the first surface of the carrier 212, and includes a first part 224 and a second part 226.

In this embodiment the patch comprises two connecting parts 220a, 220b. Each of the connecting parts 220a, 220b is joined to or is integral with a respective one of the parts 224, 226 of the release liner 218. As shown most clearly in Figure 10, the first part 224 of the release liner is integral with a first one of the connecting parts 220a, and the second part 226 of the release liner is integral with a second one of the connecting parts 220b. The first and second connecting parts 220a, 220b are not directly connected to each other and, accordingly, this embodiment does not include a single, unitary connecting part as in previous embodiments.

The connecting parts 220a, 220b are releasably attached to the second surface 216 of the carrier 212 and extend along opposite first and second edges 236, 238 of the carrier 212. A first fold line 254 allows the integral first connecting part 220a and first part 224 of the release liner 218 to wrap around the first edge 236 of the carrier 212, such that the first part 224 of the release liner 218 is adhered to the first surface of the carrier 212. Similarly, a first fold line 256 allows the integral second connecting part 220b and second part 226 of the release liner 218 to wrap around the second edge 238 of the carrier 212, such that the second part 226 of the release liner 218 is also adhered to the first surface of the carrier 212.

The patch 210 is used and applied to a person’s skin in substantially the same way as described above in relation to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, however, once the carrier 212 has been adhered to the person’s skin, the first part 224 of the release liner 218 and the first connecting part 220a must be removed from the carrier 212 separately from the second part 226 of the release liner 118 and the second connecting part 220b.

Providing separate first and second connecting parts 220a, 220b may have a number of advantages. Firstly, the connecting part comprises less material as the connecting part does not have to extend across the carrier 212 between opposite edges. Secondly, it may not always be practicable or easy to remove a single annular connecting part, due to the presence of other parts of the patch or due to parts of medical equipment, such as leads connected to electrodes of a heart monitor.

In the embodiments described above the connecting part and release liner have been described as integral components. It will be appreciated, however, that the connecting part and release liner may be individual components that are joined together, for example by heat welding. This may be advantageous in patches in which it is desirable to make the release liner and the connecting part from different materials. Furthermore, the release liner and connecting part may be joined or connected in any suitable way such that a hinged or flexible connection is formed between the connecting part and the release liner.

Other methods may be used to form permanent and non-permanent bonds between the different components of the dressing, where applicable. A range of adhesives having strong or weak adhesion properties, or permanent and nonpermanent heat sealing means may be used to connect the different components, as described in the above embodiments. For example, the connecting part may be removeably heat sealed to the second surface of the carrier or, alternatively, the connection between the connecting part and the second surface of the carrier may be formed by an adhesive having low adhesion properties to provide a temporary and detachable bond.

In the above embodiments, the patch has been described as substantially square shaped, however, it will be appreciated that the dressing may be suitable shape and size, as required by the specific application. Examples include circular, other quadrilateral shapes such as rectangular, or an irregular shape. In embodiments in which the carrier is circular, the associated connecting part is preferably in the form of an annular member extending around the perimeter of the carrier and defining a central window. The connecting part may, however, be tab-like, or in the form of a discontinuous border such that the connecting part is substantially C-shaped.

In some embodiments the connecting part may not be directly attached to the carrier. For example, there may be additional layers or structures present between the carrier and the connecting part. It is important, however, that the connection between the connecting part and the carrier is such that release liner is connected to the carrier by the connecting part such that the carrier is supported by the connecting part when the release liner is detached from the first surface of the carrier.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the carrier may not be in the form of a flexible film, as described above, but may be in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid member. In embodiments in which the carrier is in the form of a flexible, thin film, the film may be self-supporting or not self-supporting.

It will also be appreciated that, in embodiments in which the patch is a wound dressing including a pad, the carrier may not fully overlay the pad. A patch may comprise a carrier including a window or aperture for receiving an absorbent pad or other component, such that the pad or other component is visible from both sides of the carrier. Accordingly, the carrier may include an aperture, slit or other hole or notch, depending on its use.

In preferred embodiments the connecting part is releasably attached to the carrier so that the connecting part can be detached from the carrier once the patch has been applied to a person’s skin. In some embodiments, however, it may be preferable if the connecting part remains attached to the carrier. In these embodiments the connecting part and release liner are arranged so that the release liner can be separated from the connecting part. In embodiments in which the connecting part and release liner are integrally formed, a line or weakness or a line of perforations may be provided between the connecting part and the release liner to allow these to be separated.

The present invention, therefore, provides an adhesive patch that may be applied to a person’s skin quickly and easily.

Claims

1. A patch for application to a person’s skin comprising: a carrier having a first surface and an opposite second surface, at least a portion of the first surface being adhesive for adhesion of the patch to said person’s skin; a release liner releasably attached to the first surface of the carrier and extending over and fully covering said adhesive portion; and a connecting part connecting the release liner to the second surface of the carrier.

2. A patch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the release liner is attached to the first surface of the carrier by adhesion to the adhesive portion.

3. A patch as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the release liner includes a grip tab that is not attached to the first surface of the carrier.

4. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the release liner comprises a first part and a second part, each of the first and second parts including a grip tab that is not attached to the first surface of the carrier.

5. A patch as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first and second parts of the release liner are arranged such that when said parts of the release liner are detached from the first surface of the carrier, the first and second parts of the release liner extend away from each other in substantially opposite directions.

6. A patch as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the first part of the release liner is connected to the second surface of the carrier by a first connecting part and the second part of the release liner is connected to the second surface of the carrier by a second connecting part, the first and second connecting parts being separate.

7. A patch as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the first and second parts of the release liner are connected to the second surface of the carrier by a single connecting part.

8. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting part is detachably connected to the second surface of the carrier.

9. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each connecting part comprises a connecting layer that overlies at least a part of the second surface of the carrier.

10. A patch as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the connecting layer is releasably attached to the second surface of the carrier.

11. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each connecting part extends along at least a part of a peripheral edge of the carrier.

12. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the release liner is integrally formed with the connecting part.

13. A patch as claimed in Claim 12, further comprising a fold line between the release liner and the connecting part.

14. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carrier comprises a thin sheet.

15. A patch as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the thin sheet has a thickness of less than 100 pm.

16. A patch as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an absorbent pad attached to the first surface of the carrier.

17. A wound dressing comprising a patch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16.

18. A method of manufacturing a patch for application to a person’s skin, the method comprising: releasably attaching a release liner to a first surface of a carrier, such that the release liner extends over and fully covers an adhesive portion of the first surface, said adhesive portion allowing adhesion of the patch to said person’s skin; and connecting the release liner to a second surface of the carrier by a connecting part, the second surface being opposite the first surface.

19. A method of manufacturing a patch as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the release liner comprises a first part and a second part, and the method comprises: releasably attaching the first part of the release liner to the first surface of the carrier; and releasably attaching the second part of the release liner to the first surface of the carrier, such that end regions of the first and second parts overlap.

20. A method of manufacturing a patch as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, comprising forming a carrier by casting a thin film of a polymer material on to a casting film.

21. A method of manufacturing a patch as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 20, further comprising: folding a sheet of material along a fold line; and attaching the sheet of material to the carrier such that a part of the sheet on a first side of the fold line forms the release liner and another part of the sheet on a second side of the fold line forms the connecting part.

22. A method of applying a patch as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16 to a person’s skin, the method comprising: pulling the release liner so as to detach the release liner from the first surface of the carrier; holding the release liner and placing the patch on said person’s skin with the adhesive in contact with said skin; and detaching the release liner and connecting part from the second surface of the carrier.

23. A method of applying a patch as claimed in Claim 22, further comprising applying a tensile force to the carrier while holding the release liner and placing the patch on said person’s skin.

24. A patch for application to a person’s skin substantially as herein described with reference to or as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

25. A patch for application to a person’s skin substantially as herein described with reference to or as shown in Figures 5 to 8.

26. A patch for application to a person’s skin substantially as herein described with reference to or as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

27. A method of applying a patch to a person’s skin substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.