Device for compression of tissue under the eyes

Described is a device useful for applying compression to the eyes and regions under the eyes of a user. In one form, such a compression device includes a relatively elongate compression body combined with a strap for receipt around the head of a user. The relatively elongate compression body includes a central region for receipt over the face of a user, as well as flanking regions for receipt over the side of the face and the ears of the user, substantially encircling the head. Preferred devices include compression bodies having pockets containing compression inserts and positioned to contact the eyes and under-eye tissues of the user, desirably having openings in a location other than at an edge of the pockets, e.g. provided by a central slit. Compression inserts may include foam pads or conformable membrane shells encasing a flowable fluid or other substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to compression devices, and in particular to a device that is useful for applying compression to tissue regions occurring underneath the eyes of a human.

As further background, a number of devices and methods have been suggested for use in applying compression to areas of the face, including areas in and around the eyes. Examples of such devices are found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,700,238, 6,193,740, and 6,537,308. Because the face, and in particular the regions around the eyes, can be quite sensitive to abrasion, scraping, or other sources of injury or discomfort, it is important that devices for compressing these areas be well designed to be both effective for compressing the desired regions while also comfortable to the user. The present invention is addressed to these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a device useful for compression of facial tissues occurring under the eyes of a human. In accordance with the invention, the device includes a compression body having a generally elongate shape. The compression body has a central portion for covering tissues under the eyes of a user, and flanking portions flanking the central portion and configured to cover ears of the user. In preferred forms, the flanking portions generally have a maximum width greater than the maximum width of the central portion and dimensions so as to cover essentially the entire ears of the user. The central portion of the compression body includes first and second pockets for receiving compression inserts. These pockets are located on an interior side of the central portion and positioned to each cover a region under an eye of the user. The device also includes a strapping mechanism connected to the compression body, useful for strapping the body around the head of the user.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a device useful for the compression of facial tissues occurring under the eyes of a human. In accordance with this embodiment, the device includes a conformable compression body having a generally elongate shape. The compression body is configured to cover tissues under the eyes of a user. The compression body further includes first and second pockets for receiving compression inserts. These pockets are located to position a compression insert received therein over a region under an eye of a user without substantial overlap of an overlying brow ridge of the user. The device further includes a strap connected to the compression body useful for strapping the body around the head of the user.

Desirably, pockets included in devices of the invention are relatively narrow and elongate, and generally rectangular in shape. In certain embodiments, the compression inserts received within the pockets are conformable containers containing a flowable substance such as a liquid or gel. In other embodiments, the compression inserts are pads, pillows, or other similar articles made of compressible material. Pockets included in devices of the invention desirably include an opening located generally in the middle of the pocket, as opposed to at an edge thereof. In this fashion, compression inserts received within the pockets are less likely to have edges that contact and scrape or otherwise irritate tissues of the user.

Additional embodiments as well as features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the further descriptions herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As disclosed above, in one aspect, the present invention provides a device that is useful for applying compression to regions under the eyes of a user. Devices of the invention include a relatively elongate compression body that includes first and second pockets for receiving compression inserts. The pockets and inserts are configured to selectively compress areas of the face including the eyes and regions occurring immediately below the eyes, for example to diminish the presence of fluids or other causes of puffiness in these areas, which result in what are commonly referred to “bags” under the eyes.

With reference now toFIG. 1, shown is a perspective view of a compression device11of the invention, along with compression inserts therefore. Device11includes a compression body12that generally includes a central region13for receipt over top the face of a user, and flanking regions14and15bounding the central region13. Flanking regions14and15will be received overtop the ears of a user, and thus compression body12as a whole resembles a hoop or “U” shape that is received substantially around the head of a user, covering the eyes and ears of the user. Device11also includes a strap16connected to the compression body12, for receipt around the back of the head of a user to retain the device11in place. Desirably, strap16is made of separate segments17and18that are connectable at various locations along their length, so that the level of compression applied by the compression body12can be adjusted. In this regard, the connection between strap segments17and18can be achieved in a suitable fashion. Illustratively, a “hook and loop” connection such as provided by Velcro brand fasteners can be used. Alternatively, an adjustable connection can be achieved by a series of apertures located in segment17and one or more corresponding pegs in strap segment18dimensioned for a snug friction fit in the apertures, as is common in baseball or other sporting caps. These and other attachment mechanisms may be used in the present invention without departing from its scope.

Central portion13of compression body12includes a first pocket19and a second pocket20(shown in phantom) that are configured for receipt of a compression insert. In alternative forms of the invention, compression members may be provided integral with or attached to compression body12generally in the location of pockets19and20. In the preferred device, however, pockets19and20are provided and include respective openings21and26for enabling insertion of compression elements within the pockets19and20. With reference particularly now to pocket19, opening21is provided as an elongate slit located in an internal region of the pocket rather than at an edge thereof. Thus, slit21is bounded by upper and lower material regions22and24, as well as lateral material regions23and25. Pocket20is provided similarly with upper and lower material regions27and29and lateral material regions28and30. Such configurations are particularly advantageous for pockets19and20. In this manner, a user will be relatively protected from contact with edges of compression inserts received within pockets19and20. Rather, contact, if any, with a compression insert will generally occur in a central, non-edge region of the insert which will in many cases be less irritating than contact with an edge of the insert.

The preferred compression body12of device11includes flanking regions14and15having a maximum width that is greater than a maximum width of the central region13. In the illustrative device11, flanking region14includes segments32and34with diverging outer walls thus varying in width, bounding a widest portion36. Flanking region15is similarly configured with diverging regions or segments31and33located on either side of a widest region35. As shown in the illustrated device, this diverging thickness in the flanking portions may be provided in a configuration wherein the lower edges of flanking portions14and15are generally coplanar with the lower edge of central region13, whereas upper edges of flanking regions14and15diverge from a coplanar relationship with upper edge of central region13generally reaching an apex at the widest portions35and36. The wider flanking regions14and15are preferably dimensioned to cover at least substantially the entire ears of a user which results in increased comfort and also some sound dampening for a user wearing device11. Also, central region13of device11may include a nose piece37adapted for receipt over the bridge of the nose of a user. Portion37may be deflectable relative to the remainder of central region13to facilitate a close fit of adjacent regions to the eyes and under-eye regions of the user.

Also shown inFIG. 1are compression inserts that may be used with device11. A first pair of compression inserts38A and38B may be formed from a solid material such as cloth or a polymer foam. Also shown is a second style of compression insert, including inserts39A and39B which include a conformable, sealed membrane bag containing a liquid or other flowable substance. The enclosed fluid may, for example, include a gel or other material designed to retain heat or coolness imparted thereto, for application of a temperature treatment to the facial tissues of the user.

The elements of device11and compression inserts therefore may be constructed of any suitable material. Typically, compression body12will be formed from a relatively soft, non-irritating material. Suitable materials for these purposes include but are not limited to cotton, silk, nylon, stain, wool, or other natural or synthetic, woven or non-woven materials that form a flexible, translucent or opaque barrier.

Referring now also toFIG. 2, provided is an illustration of the device11(partially cutaway) positioned upon the face of a user100. Device11is shown with its pocket regions19and20positioned generally over the eyes of the user, covering and compressing both ocular regions101and102as well as tissue regions103and104occurring immediately thereunder. The preferred device11has a relatively narrow profile as it traverses the eye regions of a user, and thus does not substantially overlap the brows105and106and associated brow ridge of the user. This facilitates an improved ability to compress tissues in and around the eyes of the user, particularly areas immediately above the eyes that might be shielded from all or a part of the desired compression if the device11had portions overlapping and supported by the brow ridge and was not otherwise sufficiently conformable to effectively contact and compress these areas. In addition to the device11position shown inFIG. 2, device11can be worn so as to only cover the tissue regions103and104below the eyes of the user, and to leave the eyes of the user unobstructed so that the user's vision is intact. A relatively narrow profile of the central portion13of the device11and of the compression inserts38A,38B or39A,39B facilitates this mode of use.

Now referencingFIG. 1A, shown is a perspective view of another compression device of the present invention. Device11as illustrated inFIG. 1Ais similar in construction to that depicted inFIG. 1, except in the pocket areas. In particular, pockets19and20ofFIG. 1Ainclude slit openings21aand26athat are located at the outer edge of the pockets19and20, respectively. In this manner, the compression inserts38A and38B or39A and39B can be pushed into and removed from the openings21aand26aat the outer edges of the pockets.

While the invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood that modifications and alterations in the embodiments disclosed may be made by those practiced in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and alterations are intended to be covered. In addition, all publications cited herein are indicative of the abilities of those of ordinary skill in the art and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each had been individually incorporated by reference and fully set forth.