COMPRESSION WRAP WITH AN ARCHED SHAPE

Abstract

The invention relates to a compression bandage adapted to be wrapped around a body part in a helicoidal manner. The compression bandage has a length (L) and a width (W) and the length (L) is several times greater than the width (W). On a section of the compression bandage, the central longitudinal line (15) of the compression bandage has an arched shape.

Claims

1. A compression bandage adapted to be wrapped around a body part in a helicoidal manner, wherein the compression bandage has a length (L) and a width (W) and the length (L) is several times greater than the width (W), wherein on a section of the compression bandage, the central longitudinal line (15) of the compression bandage has an arched shape.

2. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the section extends over at least one third of, preferably over at least half, preferably over the whole, length (L) of the compression bandage.

3. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the compression bandage comprises, in particular consists of a first part (4) and a second part (5) attached side by side, wherein the first part (4) and the second part (5) extend at least over a part of the length of the compression bandage, the first part (4) extending across a part of the width (W) of the compression bandage and the second part (5) extending across a part of the remaining width of the compression bandage, wherein the arched shape is created by stretching the second part (5) relative to the first part (4), wherein the second part (5) is situated closer to the concave side of the compression bandage than the first part (4).

4. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the section starts at one extremity of the compression bandage.

5. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the arched shape is defined by a constant radius (R) or a varying radius (R.sub.1, R.sub.2), wherein said constant radius (R) or varying radius (R.sub.1, R.sub.2) is less than 4.0 meters, in particular less than 3.5 meters, in particular less than 3.0 meters, on the whole section.

6. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the arched shape is defined by a varying radius (R.sub.1, R.sub.2), wherein the varying radius (R.sub.1, R.sub.2) evolves linearly from a first radius (R.sub.1) to a second radius (R.sub.2), wherein the first radius (R.sub.1) corresponds to the radius at an extremity of the section and the second radius (R.sub.2) corresponds to the other extremity of the section.

7. The compression bandage according to claim 6, wherein the first radius (R.sub.1) corresponds to the extremity of the compression bandage, wherein the second radius (R.sub.2) is larger, in particular 10% larger, in particular 20% larger, in particular 50% larger, than the first radius (R.sub.1).

8. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the length (L) of the compression bandage is at least six times, preferably at least eight times, preferably at least ten times greater than the width (W) of the compression bandage.

9. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the length (L) of the compression bandage is greater than 60 cm, preferably greater than 80 cm, preferably greater than 100 cm.

10. The compression bandage according to claim 1, wherein the compression bandage comprises a starting portion (1) and a central portion (2), wherein the central portion (2) is adjacent to the starting portion (1), the starting portion (1) and the central portion (2) comprise the first part (4) and the second part (5), both extending at least over the entire length of the central portion (2), wherein the first part (4) has a first thickness (T.sub.1) and a first width (W.sub.1) and the second part (5) has a second thickness (T.sub.2) and a second width (W.sub.2), wherein at any point along its length, in the starting portion (1) and in the central portion (2), the second width (W.sub.2) is at least half the first width (W.sub.1) and the first thickness (T.sub.1) is bigger than the second thickness (T.sub.2).

11. The compression bandage according to claim 9, wherein the central portion (2) is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of the length of the compression bandage.

12. The compression bandage according to claim 9, wherein the length of the central portion (2) is at least 50 cm, preferably at least 70 cm, preferably at least 90 cm.

13. The compression bandage according to claim 9, wherein in the starting portion (1) and in the central portion (2), the first part (4) comprises a cushioning material.

14. The compression bandage according to claim 11, wherein in the starting portion (1) and in the central portion (2), the first part (4) consists of the cushioning material, or comprises at least a layer of the cushioning material extending over the whole length of the first part (4), in particular wherein the layer extends over at least half of the thickness (T.sub.1) of the first part (4).

15. The compression bandage according to claim 14, wherein the cushioning material extends over the width of the first part (4).

16. The compression bandage according to claim 11, wherein the cushioning material is open or closed cell foam, laminated open or closed cell foam, non-woven cushioning or woven cushioning, preferably open cell foam or laminated open cell foam, preferably laminated open cell foam.

17. The compression bandage according to claim 9, wherein the starting portion (1) comprises an extension of the first part (4) protruding past the end of the second part (5).

18. The compression bandage according to claim 6, wherein the first radius (R.sub.1) corresponds to the extremity of the compression bandage of the starting portion (1).

19. The compression bandage according to claim 17, wherein the extension of the first part (4) is at least 4%, preferably at least 6%, preferably at least 10% of the length of the compression bandage.

20. The compression bandage according to claim 17, wherein the extension of the first part (4) is longer than 9 cm, preferably longer than 12 cm, preferably longer than 15 cm.

21.-24. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become ap-parent from the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a compression bandage according to the invention;

[0056] FIG. 2a shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of the compression bandage;

[0057] FIG. 2b shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of the compression bandage;

[0058] FIG. 2c shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of the compression bandage;

[0059] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d show the wrapping of the compression bandage around the calf;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a compression bandage around the calf;

[0061] FIG. 5a shows a truncated cone for explaining the geometry of the compression bandage;

[0062] FIG. 5b shows the unrolled truncated cone according to FIG. 5a; and

[0063] FIGS. 6a and 6b show the arch of two different compression bandages, dimensioned for different body parts.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a compression bandage according to the invention. The compression bandage is adapted to be wrapped around a body part, in particular a calf, a foot, a thigh or an arm. The compression bandage has a length L and a width W.

[0065] The compression bandage consists of a starting portion 1, a central portion 2 and a terminal portion 3. For illustration purposes, these three portions are separated by dashed lines, drawn perpendicular to the central longitudinal line 15. The central portion 2 is arranged between the starting portion 1 and the terminal portion 3. I.e., the central portion 2 is adjacent to the starting portion 1 and the central portion 2 is adjacent to the terminal portion 3.

[0066] The compression bandage consists of two parts. The first part 4 is depicted with a striped pattern. The second part 5 is depicted without any pattern. The starting portion 1, the central portion 2 and the terminal portion 3 comprise a first part 4 and a second part 5. The first part 4 comprises an extension 6 protruding past the end of the second part 5. I.e., the first part 4 extends over the whole length L of the compression bandage while the second part 5 is shorter. The extension 6 is arranged in the starting portion 1. The central longitudinal line 15 corresponds to the boundary between the first part 4 and the second part 5.

[0067] In the exemplary embodiment, the length of the extension 6 is 35 cm. The extension 6 is longer than the circumference of the body part to be wrapped such that it can be trimmed to the right size.

[0068] The first part 4 has the same width as the second part 5.

[0069] Both, the first part 4 and the second part 5 of the compression bandage, as sold, have square ends. It is recommended for the therapist to trim the ends of the first part 4 and of the second part 5 with scissors as illustrated by the dashed lines. The cutting lines are referenced with numbers, 7a, 7b, 7c. Advantageously, the strips of the first part 4 and of the second part 5 consist of materials that do not fray after being cut.

[0070] FIG. 2a shows a sectional view of the compression bandage at the position 8 in FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c show the same sectional view as FIG. 2a, but illustrating alternative embodiments. In all three embodiments, shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c, the first part 4 has a thickness T1, a width W1, and the second part 5 has a thickness T2 and a width W2. The width W1 of the first part 4 and the width W2 of the second part 5 are identical, i.e., both, the first part 4 and the second part 5 each extend over 50% of the width W of the compression bandage, collectively encompassing the whole width W. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness T1 is 5 mm, the thickness T2 is 2.5 mm, both the widths W1 and W2 are each 4 cm, i.e., the total width W is 8 cm. The length L of the compression bandage can be 5 meters.

[0071] The compression bandage has a lower surface 10 facing the skin when wrapped around the body part and an opposite upper surface 9, not facing the body part. The upper surface 9 is flat. The lower surface 10 is not flat, since the thickness of the compression bandage decreases from T1 to T2 in the middle of the total width W of the compression bandage.

[0072] The embodiment according to FIG. 2a consists of only one single continuous piece P1. The first part 4 and the second part 5 are made from the same single continuous piece P1.

[0073] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2b. the compression bandage consists of two single continuous pieces that have been layered. The second single continuous piece P2 extends over the width W of the compression bandage and has a constant thickness corresponding to the second thickness T2. The first single continuous piece P1 extends over half of the width W of the compression bandage and is placed on the lower surface of the second single continuous piece P2 in such a way that a side of the first single continuous piece P1 aligns with a side of the second single continuous piece P2. The first single continuous piece P1 has a thickness corresponding to the difference between the first thickness T1 and the second thickness T2. As such, the first part 4 consists of a layer of the first single continuous piece P1 and of a layer of the second continuous piece P2 whilst the second part 5 consists only of the second continuous piece P2.

[0074] Regarding the third embodiment shown in FIG. 2c, the first single continuous piece P1 extends over half of the width W of the compression bandage and has a constant thickness corresponding to the first thickness T1. The second single continuous piece P2 extends over the other half of the width W of the compression bandage and has a constant thickness corresponding to the second thickness T2. As such, the first part 4 consists only of the first single continuous piece P1 and the second part 5 consists only of the second single continuous piece P2. Preferentially, the first single continuous piece P1 and the second single continuous piece P2 are attached side by side by sewing.

[0075] The third embodiment is preferred as in this embodiment, the arched shape can be created by stretching the second single continuous piece P2 relative to the first single continuous piece P1 preferably during the sewing process. The arch is created when the second single continuous piece P2 that was stretched, contracts and forms the concave side of the arch.

[0076] In this third embodiment, the first single continuous piece P1 and the second single continuous piece P2 are attached side by side by sewing, in particular by zig-zag stitches bar tacked in at least one location to prevent the stitches from unravelling so that the length of the compression bandage may be cut to length in at least one location. Alternatively, the two pieces can be ultrasonically welded or otherwise secured by tape, adhesives, or any other suitable means.

[0077] In all three embodiments, the first single continuous piece P1 can be made of open cell foam or laminated open cell foam. The second single continuous piece P2 can be made of compressed open cell foam or laminated compressed open cell foam.

[0078] FIGS. 3a to 3d show how the compression bandage is wrapped around a calf. The ends of the compression bandage have already been trimmed with scissors to the desired length and shape. In a first step, as shown in FIG. 3a, the starting portion 1, is wrapped around the ankle. The length of the extension 6 after trimming matches the circumference of the ankle.

[0079] After having wrapped the extension 6 of the first part 4 around the calf, the second part 5 starts and the width of the compression bandage doubles. In the following wraps, the second part 5 of the compression bandage covers the first part 4.

[0080] The wraps are continued until the calf is covered to the knee. The tab of hook-material 11 is arranged on the end of the terminal portion 3 for securing the end of the compression bandage. The upper layer of the first part 4 and the upper layer of the second part 5 are both loop-material. Half of the tab of hook-material 11 can be attached on the upper surface of the terminal portion 3, whilst the other half is attached to the upper surface of the first part 4 of the previous wrap.

[0081] Furthermore, other tabs of hook-material 12 are arranged on the lower surface 10 of the second part 5. When wrapping the compression bandage around the body part, the loop-material of the upper surface of the first part 4 connects with the tabs of hook-material 12 of the lower surface of the second part 5. The tabs of hook-material 12 are shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c and in FIG. 4. The tabs of hook-material 12 are not visible in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3a to 3c (as they are present on the non-visible surface of the compression bandage) but symbolized by dashed circles.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the compression bandage wrapped around the calf. The position of the sectional view is shown by reference number 14 in FIG. 3d. The surface of the calf is referenced by number 13. The starting portion 1 is arranged at the ankle. Five more wraps of the central portion 2 follow and at the end of the compression bandage. Tabs of hook-material 12 are arranged at the lower surface of the compression bandage for progressively securing the compression bandage as it is being wrapped around the calf.

[0083] The punctual increase in thickness from the second thickness T2 to the first thickness T1 creates a ridge that enables. The compression bandage disclosed provides both a ridge to guide and support each subsequent wrap of the compression bandage. In the embodiment of FIG. 2c, in which the first single continuous piece P1 and the second single continuous piece P2 are attached side by side by sewing, the sewn line that further provides visual guidance. In this way, it is easy to apply the helicoidal wraps with consistent overlap for both a trained therapist and the patient or home care provider.

[0084] The ridge allows each succeeding helicoidal wrap is mechanically supported by the preceding layer, supporting the compression bandage in place as the body part reduces in size in response to the therapeutic compression applied. Periodically located tabs of hook-material provided on the lower surface of the second part attach to the upper surface of the first part of the preceding layer. In this way, the hook and loop fasteners provide a second means to hold the compression bandage in place even if the body part reduces in circumference.

[0085] The tabs of hook-material 12 provide periodic anchoring points to maintain the compression bandage in place whilst, increasing the ease of application for the therapist, the home care provider, or the patient himself.

[0086] Due to the ease of application and guidance provided by the ridge of the first part and sewn line to properly locate each compression bandage spiral layer, the compression bandage can easily and reliably be reapplied by the patient or home care provider as the body part circumference reduces in response to the therapeutic compression applied. In this way, proper therapeutic compression can be maintained between clinical sessions.

[0087] Thus, the present solution provides a one-piece solution that provides an alternative to the multi-layer bandaging that can be quickly and easily applied by trained professionals, home care providers, and patients.

[0088] As already mentioned, the compression bandage illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises an arched shape, or more specifically, the central longitudinal line 15 has an arched shape. The arch is defined by its constant or varying radius. The constant or the varying radius can be derived by unrolling a truncated cone, because a truncated cone approximates the shape of a body part, such as a calf.

[0089] The truncated cone shown in FIG. 5a is defined by a smaller radius r1, a bigger radius r2 and a length I. If this geometry approximates a calf, the double of the radius r1 would correspond to the diameter of the ankle and the double of the radius r2 would correspond to the diameter of the calf below the knee, at its widest point.

[0090] When unrolled, the truncated cone shown in FIG. 5b is defined by a first radius R1 and a second radius R2.

[0091] The radius R1 corresponds to

[00003]$R_1=r_1\sqrt{\frac{l^2}{{\left(r_2-r_1\right)}^2}+1}$

[0092] In case of a compression bandage with a constant radius, we use the inner radius R1 as the radius R of the central longitudinal line 15 of the compression bandage.

[0093] The compression bandage would fit even better to a body part approximated by the truncated cone, if the central longitudinal line 15 of the compression bandage had a radius R evolving from smaller radius R1 to a bigger radius R2. In case the body part is a calf, the one end of the compression bandage with the smaller radius R1 would be wrapped around the ankle and the other end of the bandage with the bigger radius R2 would be wrapped around the calf below the knee.

[0094] A compression bandage with a varying radius fits best a body part if the varying radius evolves linearly from a first radius R1 to a second radius R2 which is defined as follows:

[00004]$S_{\mathrm{plate}}\left(\right)=\{\begin{array}{c}x\left(\right)=\frac{\text{?}}{\text{?}}\cos \left(\frac{r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}}{\sqrt{{\text{?}}^2+{\left(r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}\right)}^2}}\right)\\ y\left(\right)=\frac{\text{?}}{\text{?}}\sin \left(\frac{r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}}{\sqrt{{\text{?}}^2+{\left(r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}\right)}^2}}\right)\\ z\left(\right)=0\end{array}$$\{\begin{array}{c}{}_0=\frac{\text{?}}{\text{?}}\text{?}{r}_1\text{?}\frac{\sqrt{\text{?}+{\left(r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}\right)}^2}}{r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}}\\ {}_{\text{?}}=\frac{\text{?}}{\text{?}}\text{?}{r}_2\text{?}\frac{\sqrt{\text{?}+{\left(r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}\right)}^2}}{r_{\text{?}}-r_{\text{?}}}\end{array}$$\text{?}\text{indicates text missing or illegible when filed}$

[0095] The resulting shape is an Archimedean spiral.

[0096] FIGS. 6a and 6b show two different Archimedean spirals. The radius of arch of the Archimedean spirals evolves linearly from a smaller radius R1 to a bigger radius R2. The arches are illustrated by solid lines. They correspond to the central longitudinal line 15 of the compression bandage. For illustration purposes, FIG. 6a additionally shows outer sides of the first part 4 and the second part 5 by dashed lines.

[0097] The different bandages can be designed for different body parts and for people of different sizes. The dimensions could be as follows: [0098] for a calf, the width of the bandage can vary from 6 to 12 cm; preferably the bandage has a width of 8 to 10 cm; preferably 8 cm; the length of the bandage can vary from 1.20 to 7.00 m depending on width; For a narrow bandage width of 8 cm, its length can be 1.80 to 5.30 m; for a wide bandage width of 10 cm, its length can be 1.40 to 4.30 m. [0099] for a foot, the width of the bandage can vary from 4 to 10 cm; preferably the bandage has a width of 6 to 8 cm; preferably 6 cm, the length of the bandage can vary from 0.70 to 5.20 m depending on width; For a narrow bandage width of 6 cm, its length can be 1.20 to 3.50 m; for a wide bandage width of 8 cm, its length can be 0.90 to 2.70 m. [0100] for a thigh, the width of the bandage can vary from 8 to 14 cm; preferably the bandage has a width of 10 to 12 cm; preferably 12 cm, the length of the bandage can vary from 1.20 to 7.50 m depending on width; For a narrow bandage width of 10 cm its length can be 1.70 to 6.30 m; For a wide bandage width of 12 cm, its length can be 1.50 to 5.30 m. [0101] for an arm, the width of the bandage can vary from 4 to 10 cm; preferably, the bandage has a width of 6 to 8 cm; preferably 6 cm, the length of the bandage can vary from 1.50 to 10.00 m depending on width; For a narrow bandage width of 6 cm, its length can be 2.40 to 6.70 m; For a wide bandage width of 8 cm, its length can be 1.80 to 5.10 m. [0102] the bandage may be trimmed at multiple locations to best match the circumference and the length of the limb being wrapped.