An item of clothing is adapted to be worn against the skin, and comprises at least one panel adapted to provide targeted compression of at least 20% of the total length of a specific surface vein in the body, or adapted to provide targeted compression of at least 20% of a specific plexus of veins, a specific lymphatic plexus, drainage plexus or a collection of lymphatic vessels. The clothing is useful in a method of reducing recovery time in a human or other mammal, after a period of activity and in a method of enhancing performance, in particular sports performance, in a human or other mammal. It may also improve the conditioning of the skin and aid lymphatic drainage, and can be used in the treatment of certain medical conditions.

The described easy access apparel provides ever day wear that is effective to reduce the stigma of a chronic illness, improve the experience of receiving treatment for a chronic illness, and facilitates access to and utilization of a percutaneous access site.

A garment having a molded expanded area, such as proximate to an articulable area such as a knee, elbow, shoulder, heel, or other joint area, comprising at least one panel of a woven fabric having elasticity in both the warp and weft directions, and an expanded area in the fabric material formed by heating a portion of the fabric material in a mold such that the fabric is stretched and maintained after removal from the mold in the stretched state. The garment may also comprise at least one opening in a panel proximate to the expanded area for permitting access to the wearer's skin while wearing the garment. The at least one opening may be formed by a first and second flap, with a portion of the first flap overlapping the second flap.

Certain embodiments according to the invention provide compression articles suitable for a wide variety of uses (e.g., compression socks, athletic garments, etc.). In accordance with certain embodiments, the compression article includes at least two uniform compression regions, including a first uniform compression region having a first compression pressure and a second uniform compression region having a second compression pressure, and at least one transitioning compression region, including a first transitioning compression region positioned between the first and second uniform compression regions. The first transitioning compression region comprises a first end adjacent or proximate to the first uniform compression region and a second end adjacent or proximate to the second uniform compression region. The first transitioning compression region comprises a compression pressure gradient extending from the first end to the second end of the first transitioning compression region.

A disposable medical gown (100) includes a body covering portion (101) and optionally one or more sleeves (107,108). The body covering portion (101) defines a head insertion aperture (104) between a frontal body covering portion (103) configured to cover a frontal body portion of a wearer and a rear portion (203) configured to cover at least parts of shoulder blades of the wearer. A torso opening (201) is disposed on a side of the rear portion (203) opposite the head insertion aperture (104), and extends distally from the rear portion (203). One or more perforations (202) extend across the rear portion (203) at least partially between the torso opening (202) and the head insertion aperture (104), and facilitate easy removal of the gown (100). A user removes the gown (100) by pulling the front portion (103), thereby tearing the perforations. Elastic gatherings can be included to snug the gown about the torso or limbs of the user.

A disposable medical gown (100) includes a body covering portion (101) and optionally one or more sleeves (107,108). The body covering portion (101) defines a head insertion aperture (104) between a frontal body covering portion (103) configured to cover a frontal body portion of a wearer and a rear portion (203) configured to cover at least parts of shoulder blades of the wearer. A torso opening (201) is disposed on a side of the rear portion (203) opposite the head insertion aperture (104), and extends distally from the rear portion (203). One or more perforations (202) extend across the rear portion (203) at least partially between the torso opening (202) and the head insertion aperture (104), and facilitate easy removal of the gown (100). A user removes the gown (100) by pulling the front portion (103), thereby tearing the perforations. Elastic gatherings can be included to snug the gown about the torso or limbs of the user.

The present invention relates to a weighted garment which allows a user to incrementally add weights to such garment, the weighted garment comprising (a) a support structure with an outer surface and an inner surface; and (b) a plurality of weight cells disposed in a plurality of weight cell pockets which are disposed on the support structure and aligned with specific muscle groups. Such a weighted garment may also comprise at least one physical treatment modality selected from the group consisting of heat, cooling, and electrical current. The weight cells are strategically placed on the support structure to align the body and gradually develop and safely increase strength while preventing injury; maximizing balance, strength, and development of the muscles and connective tissue in the body; and allowing the user to move, without movement impedance.

A wearable device comprises a tourniquet configured to occlude blood flow in an artery of a wearer. The tourniquet comprises at least one base plate; two anchor points connected to one of the at least one base plate and configured to anchor a first end of one of two laces; a tunnel strap comprising two lace guides connected to a first end of the tunnel strap, each configured to guide one of the two laces; and a tightening mechanism connected to one of the at least one base plate and comprising a spool configured to accept a second end of each of the two laces, and a knob configured for manually winding a portion of at least one of the two laces onto the spool. The wearable device comprises a wearable item quick release connector connected to the tourniquet, and configured to removably connect to a wearable item.

A garment includes a front and a back. The garment also includes an openable seam separating the front and the back and a releasable closure to secure the openable seam together. The garment also includes a closing feature to draw the front and the back together and engage the releasable closure to enclose the openable seam.

A garment or accessory is provided having an elasticized portion, said elasticized portion being free of stitches or holes. The elasticized portion comprises a fabric portion of the accessory or garment to be elasticized; and a length of elastic element. The length of elastic element is applied to the fabric by a means selected from the group consisting of direct welding and indirect welding. A method is provided for elasticizing a fabric, said elasticized fabric being free of stitches or holes. The method involves providing a stack of fabric to be elasticized; stretching and positioning a length of elastic element against a first of the fabric in the stack; applying one or more ends of the elastic element to the fabric by a means selected from directly welding and indirectly welding; moving the first fabric to expose the next fabric in the stack to be elasticized; and repeating the steps for the next fabric.