Abstract:
A therapeutic pressure strap having an elongated flexible band. The band includes a first end and a second end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the band is adapted for contacting a human limb having a tendon. The stage may include a fastener attached to the band capable of securing the band in a closed loop. At least two pads are disposed on the interior surface of the band in a spaced apart relationship. The pads are adapted to be positioned against the human limb on adjacent sides of the tendon.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates in general to flexible straps which are easy to apply, comfortable to wear and are useful for alleviating discomfort associated with tendons, specifically those arising from the medial and lateral epicondyle and patellar tendon.  
         [0002]     Support bands are currently produced in a variety of designs. Generally, a support band is designed to supply compression to the forearm or knee joint to alleviate symptoms associated with lateral epicondylitis, medical epicondylitis, patellar tendinitis or the like.  
         [0003]     Patellar tendinitis is the inflammation of the patellar tendon at the point at which it attaches to either the inferior pole of the patella or the tibial tuberosity. Patellar tendinitis may also be caused by inflammation of the body of the tendon, quadriceps tendon at the point at which it attaches to the superior pole of the patella. Patellar tendinitis is primarily caused by continuous stress on the patellar or quadriceps tendons. Although repetitive jumping, such as that which occurs while playing soccer or basketball, is an activity commonly associated with aggravating the onset of patellar tendinitis, there are several other activities that can cause rapid growth of the condition, such as running, walking, bicycling or trauma.  
         [0004]     Tennis elbow is the inflammation of a tendon, muscle or tendon sheath located at the lateral epicondyle. Tennis elbow is primarily caused by repetitive stress on the extensor and supinator muscles of the forearm. There are several other activities responsible for this condition such as continuous use of hand tools, turning knobs/handles, trauma, painting with a brush and maintaining static posture for prolonged periods of time. Each of these activities requires repetitive use of the same muscle groups, which may lead to overuse and inflammation and micro-tearing associated with medial and lateral epicondylitis, patellar and various other forms of tendinitis.  
         [0005]     Although some severe or chronic cases of tendinitis may require the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or surgical intervention, the vast majority of cases are resolved using simpler methods. Standard treatment for a typical case of tendinitis involves applying ice to and resting the affected area and alleviating any associated pain. In many cases, an external device will also be used to support the affected tissue, thereby reducing the risk of further injury while allowing time for the damaged area to heal.  
         [0006]     While prompt diagnosis and treatment of tendinitis can minimize the pain associated with the condition and reduce the extent of treatment needed, prior art methods available for treatment often fail to provide adequate relief. A typical external elbow wrap used to treat lateral epicondyle tennis elbow consists of nothing more than an elastic strap which extends around the forearm with possibly a means to apply force directly to the involved muscles. This type of prior art strap does not provide concentrated support directly over the injured area. Those devices which do attempt to direct support specifically to the injured region generally apply direct pressure against a part of a bone or tendon. In fact, various straps and bands have been configured either by applying circumferential pressure against the affected area or direct pressure against the tendon. Although the straps generally have had limited success in alleviating discomfort associated with tendonitis, a new method and device for treatment is still required.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention discloses a therapeutic pressure strap. The pressure strap includes an elongated flexible band having a first end, a second end, an interior surface and an exterior surface.  
         [0008]     The interior surface of the band is adapted for contacting a human limb having a tendon. The therapeutic pressure strap preferably also includes a fastener attached to the band capable of securing the band in a closed loop. At least two pads are preferably disposed on the interior surface of the band in a spaced-apart relationship. The pads are adapted to be positioned against a human limb on adjacent sides of a tendon.  
         [0009]     In one preferred embodiment, the pads are removably disposed on the interior surface of the band. The strap may include hooks or loops, such as Velcro®, disposed on the interior surface of the band and corresponding hoops or loops disposed on the removable pads.  
         [0010]     The band is preferably placed about the circumference of a human limb, with the second end being received in the fastener and pulled through the fastener, causing the band to tighten about the limb. As the strap is tightened, the pads apply a lateral force against the tendon. The fastener is adapted for releasably securing the first and second ends together. The band is preferably adapted for applying compressive force to a human limb having a tendon with the pads adapted for applying the compressive force to the tendon when a tendon is received between the pads.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the first and second ends of the band are joinable to form a closed loop.  
         [0012]     The therapeutic strap may further include a means for applying a compressive force to a human limb having a tendon and a means for applying the compressive force to the tendon. The therapeutic strap may further include a means for adjusting the compressive force applied to the tendon. Additionally, the present invention is directed towards a method of treating discomfort associated with a tendon. The method includes applying lateral pressure to the lateral sides of a tendon. The tendon may originate from the medial or lateral epicondyle tendon or, in an alternate embodiment, the tendon may be a patella tendon.  
         [0013]     The step of applying lateral pressure may include an elongated strap being placed around the limb and bearing against a tendon. At least two pads are disposed on the strap and the limb so the strap holds the pads against the lateral sides of the tendon. The pad may be positioned against the limb on adjacent sides of the tendon and the band tightened to close the pads to apply lateral pressure to the tendon.  
         [0014]     The step of applying lateral pressure may include pinching a portion of the skin overlying the tendon in order that the tendon is drawn within a gap formed by the positioning of the pads. Additionally, the step of applying lateral pressure may include providing an elongated flexible band adapted for applying a compressive force to a human limb having a tendon and a pair of spaced-apart pads supported on the band and positioning said pads on the lateral sides of a tendon for applying the compressive force to the tendon when received between the pads. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanied drawings a strap assembly in accordance with one embodiment form of the present invention in various applications.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of one embodiment of a strap assembly;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a pad;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bones and joints of the right elbow of a human during flexion of the elbow;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a cut-away perspective view of the right elbow and forearm of a human showing the muscles and tendons connected thereto and infected by lateral epicondylitis;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3B  is a cut-away perspective view of the elbow shown in  FIG. 3A  illustrating the inflamed tendons and muscles affected by lateral epicondylitis;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of the right elbow and forearm illustrating placement of the strap assembly about the forearm adjacent a tendon for lateral epicondylitis;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a strap assembly in use according to one embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cut-away perspective view of a knee illustrating various muscles and tendons as well as the strap assembly positioned about an injured tendon.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7A ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0028]      FIGS. 10A, 10B  and  10 C illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]     Referring now to the drawings, a strap assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  generally designated by reference  10 . The strap  10  preferably includes an elongate flexible band  12 , a fastener  14 , first pad  16  and second pad  18 . Although the band  12  may be formed from any suitable flexible material, the band  12  is preferably formed of a narrow band of elasticized woven or knitted material.  
         [0030]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , pads  16  and  18  preferably include a base  7 . The base  7  may be formed using foam, gel, an air bladder, cloth or the like. A cloth covering  9  may be placed about the base. Pads  16  and  18 , more specifically cloth covering  9 , may be integrally woven with band  12  or attached to band  12  using various other techniques. In a preferred embodiment, pads  16  and  18  are removably attached to band  12 . The pads are disposed along an interior surface  20  of band  12 . In one such embodiment, pads  16  and  18  may either include a plurality of hooks or loops  22 , i.e., Velcro®, disposed on their entire surface or at least a portion thereof. Band  12  may correspondingly include Velcro® disposed along its interior surface  20 . This configuration enables first pad  16  and second pad  18  to be releasably attached along the interior surface of band  12 .  
         [0031]     Fastener  14  preferably includes four bars,  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  43  forming a substantially rectangular shape. Bars  40  and  42  are remote from one another and extend perpendicular to longitudinal axis  28 . Bars  41  and  43  extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis  28  and connect bars  40  and  42  creating a gap  44  therebetween. Fastener  14  preferably also includes bar  45  and loop  46 . Both bar  45  and loop  46  extend between bars  41  and  43  and are remote from bars  40  and  42 . Fastener  14  may be disposed along longitudinal axis  28  of band  12 , tightly grasping the band therein. This is accomplished by placing second end  32  of band  12  through fastener  14 . Second end  32  may be intertwined below bar  42  through loop  46 , above bar  45  and then below bar  40 . Second end  32  may then be pulled past fastener  14  until the fastener is correctly positioned around band  12 . In order to retain a human limb within the strap assembly  10 , second end  32  of band  12  may be brought into proximity of first end  30  of band  12 . This creates a closed loop structure for receiving human limbs and the like. Second end  32  may now be partially placed within fastener  14 . Specifically, the second end is placed above or below bar  42  and through loop  46 . However, once exiting the loop, second end  32  may be folded back on itself to tighten the strap assembly.  
         [0032]     Second end  32  may additionally have a plurality of hooks or loops  33 , i.e., Velcro®, disposed along its surface for communicating with Velcro® on exterior surface  21  of band  12  to prevent second end  32  from becoming loose. Thus, if the second end is going to be folded back onto itself, after being placed through fastener  14 , the Velcro® may be placed on the exterior surface  21  of second end  32 . When second end  32  is placed through fastener  14  and then looped back upon itself, it may be secured in place by the interaction between the Velcro®. There are a variety of fasteners  14  that can be used for this purpose such as, for example, a common belt buckle at the first end and holes in the tongue at the second end which are engageable with a prong or wire in a conventional belt buckle; two parts snap connections, with one part being disposed on the tongue of the second end and the second part being disposed along the surface of the strap, although Velcro® fasteners are preferred. Additionally, fastener  14  may also be comprised of simple D-rings as well as more complicated structures.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 3A  and  3 B, the anatomy affected by lateral epicondylitis is shown.  FIG. 2  shows the underlying bone and joint structure of a right elbow of a human during flexion. The elbow is formed by the junction of the capitulum  100 , medial epicondyle (not shown) and lateral epicondyle  102  of the humerus  104  with the head  106  and olecranon  108  of the radius  110 , ulna  112 , respectively. The points of which the radius  110 , ulna  112  and humerus  104  meet form three joints: the radio-humeral joint  114 , the humero-ulna joint  116  and the radio-ulna joint  118 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , lateral epicondylitis arises from the degeneration and tearing of the superficial muscles along the common tendon attachment  120  where the muscles originate at the lateral epicondyle  102 . These muscles include the extensor carpi radialis longus  122 , the extensor digitorium  124 , the extensor carpi radialis brevis  126 , the extensor digitorium  128  and the extensor carpi ulnaris  130 . The supinator longus and brevis (not shown) which also originate at the lateral epicondyle, are likewise vulnerable to the degeneration and tearing associated with lateral epicondylitis.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3B  shows a detailed view of the tearing which occurs when the common tendon attachment  120  results in lateral epicondylitis. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, the pain initially felt by the stressed and torn tendons may be exacerbated. Such complications may be avoided by early diagnosis and treatment which incorporates strap assembly  10  of the present invention.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the manner in which strap assembly  10  is attached to the right elbow of a human is disclosed.  FIG. 4  highlights an irritated tendon  120  subjected to micro-trauma/inflammation tearing caused by overuse. In order to alleviate the discomfort associated with this affliction, pads  16  and  18  may be disposed against the skin of the arm on adjacent sides of tendon  120 . The pads create gap  134  positioned between the two. The skin overlying the tendon and more importantly the tendon, must be sufficiently placed within gap  134 . In other words, the tendon is preferably placed deep within gap  134  so that edges  136  and  138  of pads  16  and  18 , respectively, are positioned adjacent and both lateral and medial to the tendon. The rest of strap assembly  10  is then configured about the forearm with the band  12  circumferentially surrounding the forearm.  
         [0036]     Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , band  12  may be tightened using fastener  14  in order to increase the pressure applied against the arm. While the strap assembly  10  is tightened, edges  136  and  138  overlying the skin apply a lateral force against the tendon in a direction indicated by arrows A and B illustrated in the drawing. The lateral force pinches by compression the tendon and absorbs pressure exerted by the arm on the tendon. The resultant lateral forces differ from prior art assemblies which place direct pressure against a tendon, forcing the tendon to be compressed against underlying tissue or a bone such as the lateral epicondyle  102 .  
         [0037]     Band  12  may be tightened or loosened about the forearm to increase or decrease the pressure exerted by pads  16  and  18  against the tendon. In order to tighten band  12 , second end  32  is placed within a loop of fastener  14 . The second end  32  is pulled through the loop causing the band  12  to further be drawn through the loop. This movement reduces the closed loop created by second end  32  being brought into proximity of first end  30 . As the closed loop is reduced, a restrictive force is exerted against the arm placed within the opening. Continued reduction of the opening, increases the circumferential force exerted by band  12  about the arm, as well as the lateral forces exerted by the pads  16 ,  18  on the tendon. As previously mentioned, once the correct pressure, i.e., loop size, has been determined, the second end  32  may be attached to the exterior surface  21  of band  12  to secure the strap assembly in place. A correctly positioned and placed strap assembly is illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0038]     The ease and application of the present invention enables not only physicians and therapists to correctly place the strap assembly but users of all types and ages as well. Strap assembly  10  may be employed while conducting physical activity to decrease the risk of further injury by absorbing some of the forces exerted on a tendon. Additionally, strap assembly  10  may also be utilized to alleviate some of the pain felt and realized after prolonged activity.  
         [0039]     The present invention may also be adapted to treat other forms of tendonitis such as, but not limited to “Golfer&#39;s Elbow”, and the like.  
         [0040]     The present invention may also be employed to treat pain associated with tendinitis of the knee. One common form of pain which occurs in the knee is patellar tendinitis also known as “jumper&#39;s knee”. Jumper&#39;s knee is a result of knee degeneration and micro-tearing/inflammation of the patellar tendon  230  along its point of attachment to the inferior pole of the patella  232  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Although many forms of tendinitis may occur in the knee, the present invention will be detailed with reference to “jumper&#39;s knee” although strap assembly  10  may be utilized to alleviate pain associated with many forms of tendinitis.  
         [0041]     Similar to the application of strap assembly  10  with regard to the forearm, strap assembly  210  may be positioned about the circumference of the knee. First and second pads  216  and  218  are first placed against the skin of the knee adjacent to the tear in the tendon. As with the previous embodiment, pads  216  and  218  are separated by a distance to form a gap  234 . The tendon must be placed within gap  234  to allow edges  236  and  238  of pads  216 ,  218 , respectively, to abut the sides of the tendon. The strap assembly  210  may then be tightened so that pads  216  and  218  exert a lateral compressive force against the tendon as indicated by arrows A′ and B′ in the figure. The skin underlying the pads should be slightly pinched in order that the patellar tendon may be placed correctly within the gap  234  between the pads  216  and  218 .  
         [0042]     In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the strap assembly may include a cutout. In such an embodiment, the cut out is positioned posteriorly. This is particularly advantageous when the strap assembly is used on the knee, and helps to prevent occlusion of the popliteal artery or compression in the popliteal space. This may also eliminate compression of the fibular head.  
         [0043]     Strap assembly  210  may be placed against the inflamed area during activity to relieve pressure exerted on a tendon. Additionally, the strap may be utilized to alleviate pain and discomfort experienced due to the tearing in a tendon.  
         [0044]     In an alternate embodiment, a band or simply a piece of tape  250  maybe utilized to carryout the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the skin overlying tendon  252 , and tendon  252  is pinched with a lateral pressure possibly by hand. This results in a slight bump  254  created on the limb. The tape  250  is than positioned on the down slopes of the bump, carefully maintaining the lateral pressure. Two pieces of the tape mare anchored about the tissue adjacent to the irritated tendon. The anchored tape is pulled in an approaching fashion creating lateral pressure. The free ends of the two-piece tape are attached to one another then fastened to the limb. The tape may then be wrapped around the limb and secured in place. With the tendon slightly positioned higher than the surrounding tissue, the restrictiveness of the taping can maintain the lateral pressure against the tendon.  
         [0045]     In an alternate embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , strap assembly  310  may include band  312  and pads  316 ,  318 . Band  312  differs from band  12  in that band  312  does not include an end and essentially has a closed loop construction. Band  312  may be slid up a human limb and be positioned, for example, about the forearm. Once pads  316  and  318  have been placed correctly adjacent a tendon, band  312  may be slid over the pads to apply a circumferential force against the forearm. The circumferential force causes pads  316 ,  318  to apply a lateral force against the tendon. Band  312  may come in different sizes so as to apply the correct pressure and force for an individual user.  
         [0046]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  and  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate two additional embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , strap assembly  410  may include band  460  attached to band  412 . Band  460  is adapted for looping through fastener  414  in order to help the assembly form a closed loop as shown in  FIG. 9B . Similarly  FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate an alternate locking system with fastener  514  being disposed at one end of strap assembly  510 .  
         [0047]     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.