Systems and methods are described for monitoring compression applied by a compression bandage to a body portion of an individual. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a textile configured to conform to a body portion of an individual subject; one or more strain gauges integrated with the textile, the one or more strain gauges configured to generate one or more sense signals associated with a strain of the textile; circuitry operably coupled to the one or more strain gauges and configured to receive the one or more sense signals associated with the strain of the textile; and a reporter operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with the strain of the textile responsive to instruction by the circuitry when the strain of the textile is less than or greater than a threshold strain value.

Systems and methods are described for monitoring compression applied by a compression bandage to a body portion of an individual. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate integrated with a textile configured to conform to a body portion; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including one or more strain gauges configured to generate one or more sense signals associated with a strain of the textile; circuitry operably coupled to the sensor assembly and configured to receive the one or more sense signals associated with the strain of the textile; and a reporter operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to generate one or more communication signals responsive to instruction by the circuitry, the one or more communication signals associated with the strain of the textile.

The invention provides an adhesive support article for supporting a body part of a user. A single-sided stretchable adhesive tape blank is precut into a sheet having a central anchoring portion and a plurality of outwardly extending fingers. The sheet is marked with visual indicators to guide the user of the support article for applying the central anchoring portion onto a first exterior surface of the body part and for stretching the fingers before adhering them at a predetermined distance away from the central anchoring portion. The adhesive support article can also be provided in a support system with at least one corresponding body landmark article, providing further guidance for applying the support article to the desired body part.

Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

The invention relates to a bandage for use on the human or animal body, the bandage comprising a fiber-containing material. At least one longitudinal end of said material is provided with a neatened edge and additionally has a zone that contains an information element. The invention further relates to a method for producing a bandage of the above type.

A method and apparatus for treating edema is disclosed. The method may include obtaining a compression garment comprising material having an end stretch. At least one gauge may be applied to the material. The compression garment may be applied to a patient. During the applying, the material may be stretched until the at least one gauge indicates that a proper amount of stretch has been reached. The at least one gauge may be tuned so that the material arrives at or near end stretch at substantially the same time that the at least one gauge indicates that the proper amount of stretch has been reached.

Measurement device (4, 17, 24, 45, 52, 78) for measuring a tension and/or a displacement of a compression material (37, 54, 79) of a compression device (42, 63) or a force and/or a displacement associated with the compression device (42, 63) applied to a patient, characterized in that the measurement device (4, 17, 24, 45, 52, 78) comprises at least one first and at least one second magnetic element (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30a, 30b, 35, 36, 58, 59, 60, 61, 82. 83), wherein the first and the second magnetic elements (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30a, 30b, 35, 36, 58, 59, 60, 61, 82. 83) are relatively displaceable such that the tension and/or force is measurable depending on a relative displacement of the first and second magnetic elements (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30a, 30b, 35, 36, 58, 59, 60, 61, 82. 83) based on a tension and/or force overcoming a magnetic interaction force between the first and second magnetic elements (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30a, 30b, 35, 36, 58, 59, 60, 61, 82. 83).

The invention provides an adhesive support article for supporting a body part of a user. A single-sided stretchable adhesive tape blank is precut into a sheet having a central anchoring portion and a plurality of outwardly extending fingers. The sheet is marked with visual indicators to guide the user of the support article for applying the central anchoring portion onto a first exterior surface of the body part and for stretching the fingers before adhering them at a predetermined distance away from the central anchoring portion. The adhesive support article can also be provided in a support system with at least one corresponding body landmark article, providing further guidance for applying the support article to the desired body part.

Systems and methods are described for monitoring compression applied by a compression bandage to a body portion of an individual. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate integrated with a textile configured to conform to a body portion; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including one or more strain gauges configured to generate one or more sense signals associated with a strain of the textile; circuitry operably coupled to the sensor assembly and configured to receive the one or more sense signals associated with the strain of the textile; and a reporter operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to generate one or more communication signals responsive to instruction by the circuitry, the one or more communication signals associated with the strain of the textile.

A method and apparatus for treating edema is disclosed. The method may include obtaining a compression garment comprising material having an end stretch. At least one gauge may be applied to the material. The compression garment may be applied to a patient. During the applying, the material may be stretched until the at least one gauge indicates that a proper amount of stretch has been reached. The at least one gauge may be tuned so that the material arrives at or near end stretch at substantially the same time that the at least one gauge indicates that the proper amount of stretch has been reached.