permits the caregiver to inspect and treat the wound without having to disrupt the analgesia provided by the patch the wound or the incision may be cleaned sutures removed and or antiseptics and dressing applied these procedures can be done without interfering with the delivery of the analgesia provided by this invention this invention is particularly useful for postoperative wound care in children the patch reduces the amount of systemic painkillers such as morphine demerol aspirin or tylenol which a patient might need reduction in pain and a reduction in systemic pain medication permit the patient to be out of bed sooner the present invention may also be used to control pain originating from skin and or mucus membrane due to a variety of causes this includes traumatic injuries abrasions lacerations punctures burns and infections this invention permits observation and treatment of the painful lesion through the removable transparent membrane without interfering with the delivery of the analgesia applicants also believe that electrical potential applied to the skin surrounding an incision or wound may per se hasten wound healing and alleviate pain this effect may be unrelated to medications contained in the patch unlike some prior art devices where opposite electrodes are placed on either sides of a wound.