Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for treating hemorrhoids and similar ailments are disclosed in which one or more piece of material are used to separate swollen, inflamed tissue from non-swollen tissue material may be included within an undergarment that may be worn for the treatment of ailments such as hemorrhoids or an episiotomy. The material incorporated into the undergarment has elastic properties that, in the case of hemorrhoids, acts to separate the buttocks. The undergarment may also include one or more pocket enclosures to hold cold compresses, ice packs, pain ointment, etc. directly upon, or in close proximity to, the affected area. Alternately, the material may be one or more single-use strips that include adhesive such that the strips act to separate the affected area from the non-affected area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the treatment of ailments in which there is swelling of a particular area of a person&#39;s body, such as with hemorrhoids or as a result of an episiotomy. More particularly, this invention relates to belts and belt attachments that act to alleviate the discomfort and pain caused from swollen body tissue.  
           [0002]    There are numerous ailments that cause significant discomfort and pain as a result of swollen body tissue. Hemorrhoids, for example, are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum that have been stretched from the pressure of normal bodily functions. These swollen blood vessels, which can bleed, itch and/or cause great pain and discomfort, are classified as either internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids lie within the rectum, but can sometimes grow large enough so that they protrude outside the anal sphincter. External hemorrhoids lie within the anus area and, likewise, are often quite painful. Once swollen, additional discomfort can be caused by such simple tasks as walking, when friction causes rubbing of the swollen area.  
           [0003]    Similar discomfort and pain often occur as a result of an episiotomy—a procedure often used by physicians to attempt to prevent tearing of the vaginal area during childbirth. The incision made during an episiotomy often results in very swollen tissue in and around the area of the episitomy. In addition to the pain and discomfort caused by the incision itself, pain and discomfort may also result from friction when other parts of the body, such as the thighs, rub against the swollen area.  
           [0004]    Both of these, as well as similar ailments, are widespread. Hemorrhoids, for example, is a very common problem that afflicts many men, women and children worldwide. It is estimated that almost half of all people have hemorrhoids by age 50. Hemorrhoids are particularly common among pregnant women because the pressure caused by the fetus during pregnancy, the hormonal changes, and the severe pressures during childbirth often cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to swell.  
           [0005]    There are no proven single or direct causes of hemorrhoids. Studies focus on possible causes such as constipation, diarrhea, genetic predispositions to sitting for too long a time period, but all without conclusive findings. The most consistent demonstrated abnormality is an increased maximum resting anal pressure. Hemorrhoids, like the area affected by an episiotomy, have extremely sensitive tissue that require non-motion and rest in order to advance the healing process. Both ailments, as well as other similar ailments, are sometimes treated by the application of ice packs, for example, to attempt to reduce swelling.  
           [0006]    In particular, both internal and external hemorrhoids have been treated by a variety of methods including surgery, medication, ice packs, diet, increased water intake, chemical injections, lasers or a combination of techniques. A number of surgical methods also can be used to remove or shrink the size of internal hemorrhoids. These methods may include: rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy. Rubber band ligation, for example, involves placing a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid in order to cut off circulation. Sclerotherapy, on the other hand, involves injecting a chemical solution around the blood vessel in order to shrink the hemorrhoid. Alternatively, laser coagulation or infrared light can be used to burn away the hemorrhoid. In addition, a hemorrhoidectomy may be performed on severe hemorrhoids in which the hemorrhoid is permanently surgically removed.  
           [0007]    While these surgical techniques are aimed at total elimination of hemorrhoids, often, less drastic medical treatment may be employed to reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Such measures can include: taking a warm bath several times a day, using ice packs to reduce swelling, taking stool softeners, and/or applying hemorrhoidal cream or a suppository to the affected area. A high fiber and increased non-alcoholic beverages are also recommended in order to prevent pressure on the hemorrhoids caused by straining when emptying the bowels and preventing constipation. However, once a patient has developed a hemorrhoidal condition, it is often difficult for a person to find quick relief.  
           [0008]    Similar measures are often suggested to ease the discomfort of women who were subjected to an episiotomy during childbirth. For example, often, during the first days following the delivery, ice packs or cold compresses are applied to the affected area. One problem is that it is often difficult to keep the ice pack properly aligned with the affected body tissue.  
           [0009]    While trying to ease the discomfort of these ailments, it is important to ease the pressure on the swollen tissue. Gravity forces continuous pressure on these fragile blood vessels, e.g., when a person sits or stands, the abdominal pressure and leg and buttocks friction can aggravate both the hemorrhoidal and episiotomy situations. In the past, patients have often tried to alleviate this pressure by sitting on a donut-shaped cushion or pillow. However, this cushion is only useful when a person sits and does not address the discomfort when a person stands or sleeps.  
           [0010]    In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus that provide relief for the discomfort caused by swollen body tissue at any time of the day or night.  
           [0011]    It is also desirable to provide methods and apparatus that provide relief for the discomfort caused by swollen body tissue during sleep.  
           [0012]    It is also desirable to provide methods and apparatus that relieve unnecessary pressure due to swollen tissue discomfort by separating other body parts from the swollen area.  
           [0013]    It is also desirable to provide methods and apparatus for alleviating the discomfort caused by swollen tissue that are reusable and cleanable.  
           [0014]    It is also desirable to provide methods and apparatus for maintaining treatment applications in proper alignment with the affected area of the body.  
           [0015]    It is also desirable to provide methods and apparatus for alleviating the discomfort caused by swollen tissue that are inexpensive and may discarded after each use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a methods and apparatus that provide relief for the discomfort caused by swollen body tissue at any time of the day or night.  
           [0017]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus that provide relief for the discomfort caused by swollen body tissue during sleep.  
           [0018]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus that relieve unnecessary pressure due to swollen tissue discomfort by separating other body parts from the swollen area.  
           [0019]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for alleviating the discomfort caused by swollen tissue that are reusable and cleanable.  
           [0020]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for maintaining treatment applications in proper alignment with the affected area of the body.  
           [0021]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for alleviating the discomfort caused by swollen tissue that are inexpensive and may discarded after each use.  
           [0022]    These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the invention by providing methods and apparatus for alleviating pressure and friction due to rubbing from swollen areas of the body. In particular, the present invention provides a wearable device that, when worn, separates the swollen body area from other parts of the body. This reduces the amount of irritating friction that would otherwise occur, and it also tends to expose the inflamed area to the air to aide in the healing process by permitting drying to occur. The wearable device may be in the form of underwear (such as panties for women), or it may be in the form of single-use, partially adhesive, strips that perform the separate function. An additional feature of the underwear form of the present invention is the optional inclusion of a pocket for holding a cold compress or other treatment device in proper alignment with the affected area.  
           [0023]    The present invention may be useful in aiding the treatment of any number of ailments relating to swollen tissue. For example, women who have undergone an episiotomy during childbirth, could wear a panty configured, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, to include a pocket that holds a cold compress or ice pack against the swollen genital area. In addition, the pocket may include, for example, the capacity to absorb or retain an condensation formed as the cold object warms, thereby preventing the wearer&#39;s clothing from getting wet. Alternatively, the same woman might wear a differently configured panty if, for example, she also suffered from hemorrhoids as a result of childbirth. In that instance, the panty may also include one or more panels to separate the buttocks to ease the healing process of the hemorrhoids.  
           [0024]    The present invention may also include a wearable device that is specifically-configured to provide relief for hemorrhoid discomfort during sleep. This device, as well as other embodiments of the present invention, provided relief from discomfort and irritation by reducing friction between the affected area and other body parts. For the treatment of hemorrhoids in particular, the present invention also provides relief by separating the buttocks, thereby removing unnecessary pressure on the hemorrhoids. There is also provided relief due to discomfort from an episiotomy.  
           [0025]    The wearable devices of the present invention may be reusable and launderable, such as panties that can be thrown in the laundry, or they may include single-use devices such as wearable strips that include portions of adhesive to perform the separation function. The single-use strips would preferably be hypo-allergenic and/or waterproof. In addition, any of the wearable devices of the present invention may contain one or more pockets that can hold, for example, a cold compress, an ice pack, a heating pad, a hot compress or medicated ointment.  
           [0026]    One advantage of the present invention is the immediate relief from pain and/or discomfort to the suffering patient because it immediately takes pressure off of the affected area. For example, with regard to hemorrhoids, the present invention takes pressure off of the buttocks cheeks, which in turn, removes pressure from the affected hemorrhoids. Another advantage of the present invention is that users will be able to apply and/or remove cold compresses or healing ointments as needed, and that they will be retained in proper alignment with the affected area without the need for constant readjustment, thereby, allowing for more user control of the healing process with less inconvenience.  
           [0027]    An advantage of the single-use strips embodiment of the present invention is that they can be used to provide immediate pain relief in a convenient form. For example, one or more strips may be easily carried in a purse or bag, while it may be impractical to carry around a treatment panty. In addition, the single-use strips may be more readily available for purchase at drug stores, or similar stores. Moreover, the single-use strips may be used during anal surgery to separate a patient&#39;s buttocks cheeks such that human intervention is not required to maintain the necessary separation. Another advantage of the single-use strips versus a panty-like device is that at person suffering from swollen tissue discomfort can take warm baths while wearing the single-use strips so that the warm water may directly help ease inflammation and pain. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing(s), in which like reference characters refer to like elements throughout, and in which:  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is an illustrative front view of a wearable device that separates swollen tissue from non-swollen tissue in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is an illustrative rear view of the wearable device of FIG. 1; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is an illustrative top view of a single-use strip that may be used to separate swollen tissue from non-swollen tissue in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0032]    It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for the treatment of swollen body tissue. In particular, the present invention includes method and apparatus for easing the discomfort caused by irritation and swelling from ailments related to swollen body tissue, such as hemorrhoids and episiotomies. Discomfort is eased and healing may be accelerated by separating non-swollen tissue from the affected area, thereby relieving pressure from the affected area and permitting the affected area to dry.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 shows an illustrative front view of a panty undergarment  10 , constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Panty undergarment  10  may be constructed of various different materials, each having different properties (such as the amount of flexibility therein), or from a single material, provided that the single material may be manufactured to produce varying properties. For example, there are known materials which can be manufactured to form supporting pockets in one portion and relatively stiff elastic portions elsewhere (such as in the area of brassieres, where a single piece of material forms the cup for the breast, but also forms the resilient side portions, without any break in the fabric). As described herein, the present invention utilizes the different properties to provide a user with a comfortable fit while still acting to separate swollen tissue from non-swollen tissue.  
         [0035]    The front of panty undergarment  10 , for example, may comprise a body portion  12 , a crotch portion  14 , a front panel  16 , belt portions  18  and  20  (which are located on either side of body portion  12 ), and an optional pocket portion  22 . Body portion  12  may be made from any substantially flexible, stretchable, breathable, fabric, such as cotton, neoprene or some combination thereof, or other such material, to provide comfort to the user. It may include an elastic, or semi-elastic belt portion  13  to help keep the undergarment on. Front panel  16  may be made from the same material as body portion  12 , or from a different material, or front panel  16  may be integrated into body portion  12 , so that body portion  12  completely surrounds the waist of the user.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 1., front portion  16  may include one or more attachment mechanisms  17 , that may be used to make it easier for a user to put on and take off garment  10 . For example, attachment mechanisms  17  may be buttons, snaps, a zipper, velcro or any other conventional means for attachment. This provides for front panel  16  to open in two flaps  19  and  21 . It should be noted that belt portion  13  would also separate in such configurations. Such a configuration may be easier for a user to put on and take off due to elastic belt portions  18  and  20  (which act to separate the swollen tissue from non-swollen tissue).  
         [0037]    Crotch portion  14  may also be made from the same material as body portion  12 , but, particularly for female configurations, may include an absorbent inner lining of cotton or similar propertied material. Crotch portion  14  may be designed so that panty undergarment  10  comfortably fits either a male or female person, or it may be designed specifically for each sex. Crotch portion  14  may also contain one or more pocket portions  22 , which each would be capable of holding a swollen tissue treatment device, such as a cold compress or ice pack, in proper alignment against an affected area. Pocket portion  22  allows substantially direct contact between the contents of pocket portion  22  and the affected area so that immediate and extended relief can be obtained by the user, without the need to constantly adjust the treatment item.  
         [0038]    While pocket portion  22  may appear to cover the entire crotch area, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more individual pockets may be included. For example, a single undergarment  10  may include two pocket portions  22 —one for treatment of an episiotomy and the other for treatment of hemorrhoids. Alternately, a single pocket portion  22  may be included that would be aligned with the buttock area for the treatment of hemorrhoids. In any case, it also may be preferred for pocket portion  22  to include both an absorbent material, as well as a material that repels moisture. These materials would, for example, retain condensation that may form while a cold compress warms up, so that the user&#39;s clothes do not become wet.  
         [0039]    Belt portions  18  and  20  are substantially parallel belts that perform the separation of affected tissue from non-swollen tissue in accordance with the present invention. Belt portions  18  and  20  are panels formed from an elastic or semi-elastic material, which may be adjustable in order to fit different shaped users within a given size. Belt portions  18  and  20  may also include frictional members (not shown), such as small rubber knobs that further enhance the separation action of the belts. Additionally, belt portions  18  and  20  may be adjustable to vary the tension with which the body portions are pulled. The adjustability of belt portions  18  and  20  may be varied by adjusting, for example, a belt buckle, a latch, a slide (which is secured on one end and slides up or down the belt to loosen or tighten the belt), or other suitable adjusting material, such as velcro.  
         [0040]    Belt portions  18  and  20  may also be made from a highly flexible fabric that automatically adjusts itself for each person and does not require further adjustments. As belt portions  18  and  20  are adjusted more tightly, the buttocks cheeks further separate thereby allowing for instant relief due to hemorrhoid discomfort. Similarly, belt portions  18  and  20  may be located in a different and/or lower position, and garment  10  may include leg portions (not shown), in an effort to pull non-swollen tissue and clothing away from the genital area for women who have recently had an episiotomy. Alternately, belt portions  18  and  20  may be formed of a single piece of material which, for the treatment of hemorrhoids, would stretch from the rear of one side, across the front (behind front panel  16 ) to the rear of the other side.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 shows an illustrative rear view of panty undergarment  10 . The rear portion of panty undergarment  10  may comprise rear panels  24  and  26 , and rear enclosure  28 . Rear panels  24  and  26  may be made from the same material as body portion  12 , or they may be made from different material. Additionally, they may be a single panel that is integrated with body portion  12 , such that body portion  12  is essentially a complete garment. Such a configuration may be useful for treatment of episiotomies, where only the features of pocket portion  22  are desired. In that case, it would be easier and less costly to manufacture body portion  12  as a single unit, that includes front panel  16  and rear panels  24  and  26 .  
         [0042]    For treatment of hemorrhoids, garment  10  may include rear enclosure  28 , which can hold an item such as a small triangularly shaped cold compress or ice pack. Rear enclosure  28 , like previously described pocket portion  22 , allows direct access between the contents of rear enclosure  28  the inflamed area to further provide immediate relief to the user.  
         [0043]    Garment  10 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is likely to be a reusable, washable garment that can: simply be thrown in the laundry. Such a garment might be available in, for example maternity wards, to new mothers. In addition, other configurations of the present invention include single-use strips that also separate swollen tissue from non-swollen tissue to relive the user of pain and discomfort.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 3 shows one form of the single-use strips of the present invention in tape  30 . Tape  30  may be made in any shape, such as the crescent-like shape shown in FIG. 3, or other suitable shapes. The shape of tape  30 , may also depend on the application. In some instances, tape  30  may be formed into pre-formed or pre-cut strips that a user simply removes a protective barrier from the adhesive area and applies it to his or her body. In such a configuration, a user might be able to purchase a box of pre-formed, single-use strips, to be used intermittently, as the need arises (for example, where a persons experiences intermittent episodes of hemorrhoids). In a less expensive version, a user might purchase a roll of strips which can be torn off and applied to the body, in accordance with the present invention, to separate swollen tissue from non-swollen tissue.  
         [0045]    In any case, tape  30  needs to have at least some portions that are coated with an adhesive which would be applied to the body to form the pulling action necessary to separate tissue and relieve pressure from the affected area. However, to ease removal, not all of tape  30  need be coated, as shown in FIG. 3. For instance, portions  32  and  34  may be coated with adhesive, while portion  36  is not. This will make removal of tape  30  much less painful than it otherwise might be. Alternately, it may be less expensive and easier to manufacture by providing adhesive on the entire surface that would be applied to the user&#39;s body. Thus, there may be at least two different versions of tape  30  available for use. In either case, tape  30  may also include a series of attachment members (not shown) at the end (for example, at end portion  32 ), such as the rubber knobs described above with respect to garment  10 .  
         [0046]    In the pre-formed version, portion  32  may be adhered to the buttock, while portion  34  is adhered to the hip. To accomplish the necessary separation, portion  32  may be attached first, then tape  30  is pulled—pulling the buttock as well—and portion  34  is attached. The adhesive for attachment to the skin, is preferably a hypo-allergenic adhesive that is resistant to moisture, such as the adhesive found on nasal strips (nasal strips, which are often used for athletic activities, include a flexible stiffener that pulls the nasal passages apart and a relatively strong adhesive that keeps the strip in place, even after profuse sweating). This will insure that the required pulling affect is maintained to alleviate pressure from the affected areas.  
         [0047]    The single-use strips may be formed from a roll of adhesive (which, while likely being more uncomfortable during removal, may be less expensive), or they may be specific, individually packaged items similar to that shown in FIG. 3. Alternately, the strip may be a single strip that is intended to stretch from one hip, across the buttocks, to the other hip (in which case, each buttock would be attached), or a single strip that attaches to each buttock and wraps around the front of the affected individual.  
         [0048]    It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The described embodiments are presented for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.