Abstract:
A device for providing support, compression, and warmth to the patellar tendon of a knee, the device including an elastic sleeve, a compressible tubular member secured along the circumferential length of the sleeve; first and second straps secured adjacent the exterior of the sleeve and generally diametrically across the sleeve from the tubular member; and first and second strap closure members for securing the straps in a tensioned state.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to devices for treating knee pain. More particularly, the invention relates to devices for providing compression, support, and warmth to the patellar tendon, and for changing the distribution of tensile forces on a musculotendinous junction at or near its bony insertion. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The patellar tendon connects the patella (the kneecap) to the shin bone. Patellar tendinitis is a painful condition associated with inflammation or irritation of the patellar tendon and surrounding tissue. Devices for changing the distribution of tensile forces on the patellar tendon and which provide compression, support, and warmth to the patellar tendon are often used to treat patellar tendonitis. The present invention is directed to a device of improved application and design for re-distributing tensile forces along the patellar tendon, in addition to providing support, compression, and warmth to the patellar tendon. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the device includes an elastic sleeve, a compressible tubular member secured along a circumferential length of the sleeve, first and second straps secured adjacent the exterior of the sleeve and generally diametrically across the sleeve from the tubular member, and first and second strap closure members for securing the straps in a tensioned state. 
   In another embodiment, the device includes an elastic sleeve having a circumferential length and opposite interior and exterior surfaces; a compressible tubular member having first and second opposite ends and secured along the circumferential length of the sleeve; and first and second straps secured adjacent the exterior of the sleeve and generally diametrically across the sleeve from the tubular member. 
   The first strap includes a hook surface and an adjacent loop surface and is secured adjacent the exterior surface of the sleeve at a first attachment point. The second strap includes a hook surface and an adjacent loop surface and is secured adjacent the exterior surface of the sleeve at a second attachment point located generally adjacent to the first attachment point so that the first and second straps may be positioned to extend in generally opposite directions around the exterior circumference of the sleeve. 
   A first strap closure member is secured adjacent the exterior surface of the sleeve and positioned between the first attachment point and the first end of the tubular member. A second strap closure member is secured adjacent the exterior surface of the sleeve and positioned between the second attachment point and the second end of the tubular member. 
   The device is positionable on the knee so that the tubular member is generally oriented across a front portion of the knee adjacent the patellar tendon and the device may be tensioned to provide compression and support to the patellar tendon by (1) exerting a first force on the first strap and passing the first strap through the first strap closure member and folding the first strap back to secure the hook material and the loop material of the first strap together to maintain application of the first force and (2) exerting a second force on the second strap and passing the second strap through the second strap closure member and folding the second strap back to secure the hook material and the loop material of the second strap together to maintain application of the second force. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features of preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale, wherein like reference numbers, indicate like elements through the several views, and wherein, 
       FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of a patellar tendon support device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG.  1 . 
       FIGS. 3-6  show preferred steps in the installation of the device of  FIG. 1  on a user to re-distribute tensile forces along the patellar tendon, while providing support, compression, and warmth to the patellar tendon. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the invention relates to a device  10  for providing support, compression, and warmth to the patellar tendon. The device  10  is shown for reference positioned on leg  12  of a user below patella or kneecap  14  (all shown in phantom), it being understood that the patellar tendon connects the inferior aspect of the kneecap to the tibia. 
   The device  10  includes an elastic sleeve  16 , a pair of straps  18  and  20 , and a pair of strap closure members  22  and  24 . The sleeve  16  is a continuous closed loop made of an elastic fabric material, such as nylon, spandex or the like, and having an interior surface  26  and an exterior surface  28 . The sleeve  16  may be made from a length of fabric material having the ends sewn together as by stitches to form seam  30 , with the portion adjacent the seam  30  preferably contoured to fit comfortably below the popliteal region (back of the knee). 
   Upper cuff  32  and lower cuff  34  are preferably provided at the edges of the sleeve  16  for comfort and aesthetics. The cuffs  32  and  34  are preferably made of an elastic fabric material and each have a circumference slightly smaller than the circumference of the sleeve  16 . In this regard, the sleeve  16  is preferably provided in a number of sizes for use by persons having various leg dimensions corresponding to the following knee circumferences as measured just below the kneecap, with the sleeve circumference being obtained with the sleeve in a relaxed or unstretched state: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               sleeve circumference (in) 
               knee circumference (in) 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               8 
               11-12 
             
             
                 
               9 
               12-13 
             
             
                 
               10 
               13-14 
             
             
                 
               11 
               14-15 
             
             
                 
               12 
               15-16 
             
             
                 
               13 
               16-17 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   A compressible tubular member  36  having opposite ends  38  and  40  is secured to the sleeve  16  adjacent the interior surface  26 . The tubular member  36  may preferably be a rubber latex tube having a length of from about 3 to about 6 inches. A preferred tube preferably has an inner diameter of about {fraction (3/16)} inch and an outer diameter of about ⅜ inch. The tubular member  36  is secured adjacent the interior surface  26  as by having a section of the fabric material used to provide the sleeve  16  secured, as by sewing, to the surface  26  to provide a pocket for receiving the tubular member  36 . The tubular member  36  may be secured adjacent the surface  26  in other ways, as by stitches, fasteners, adhesives and the like. The midpoint of the tubular member  36  is preferably opposite the seam  30 . As described in more detail below, the device  10  is positioned on the leg of the user so that the tubular member  36  is below the front of the kneecap and positioned at a location to lay across the location of the patellar tendon. 
   The strap closure members  22  and  24  are preferably secured to the exterior surface  28  of the sleeve  16  at locations proximate the locations of the ends  38  and  40  of the tubular member  36 . The closure member  22  preferably includes a length of fabric material having the ends thereof attached, as by stitches, to the surface  28  to form a loop  42  of fabric material, with a D-ring  44  secured thereto as by the loop  42  passing through an aperture  43  in the D-ring  44 . Likewise, the closure member  24  includes a loop  46  and a D-ring  48  secured thereto. 
   The strap  18  includes opposite ends  50  and  52 , preferably with an overall length of from about 5 to about 7 inches and a width of from about ½ to about ¾ inch. The end  50  is preferably attached closely adjacent the seam  30  to the exterior surface  28 , as by sewing. The strap  18  may preferably be made of a nylon fabric material and includes a loop material  54  and hook material  56  secured to the surface thereof disposed as seen in  FIG. 2  to face away from the surface  28 . The loop material  54  and the hook material  56  each have a length of about half of the length of the strap  18 . The strap  20  is preferably substantially identical to the strap  18  and is attached closely adjacent the opposite side of the seam  30 . The strap  20  preferably includes opposite ends  60  and  62 , and loop material  64  and hook material  66 . 
   The device  10  is preferably positioned on the leg  12  of a user so that the tubular member  36  is located at the front of the leg and centered below the kneecap. The straps  18  and  20  are then manipulated to supply a desired degree of compression of the sleeve  16  around the leg  12  of the user. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , the foot and leg  12  of the user is passed through the sleeve  16  and the sleeve pulled upwardly to a location just below the kneecap  14 . The seam  30  is generally oriented at the back center of the leg and the midpoint of the tubular member  36  at the front center of the leg  12 , which is generally across the patellar tendon. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the contoured portion of the device  10  adjacent the seam  30  is preferably positioned to fit comfortably just below the back of the knee  14  and the ends  52  and  62  of the straps  18  and  20  are passed through the apertures in the D-rings  44  and  48  of the strap closure members  22  and  24 , respectively. 
   Next, with reference to  FIG. 4 , the user grasps the ends  52  and  62  of the straps  18  and  20  and pulls the straps  18  and  20  by applying a desired amount of force. Then, as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the straps  18  and  20  are folded back to secure the hook material  56  to the loop material  54 , and the hook material  66  to the loop material  64 . This maintains the straps  18  and  20  in the desired tensioned states, with the tubular member  36  applying force to the patellar tendon. 
   It is believed that use of the device  10  as described herein provides support, compression, and warmth to the patellar tendon and thus may be useful to provide a treatment for pain associated with patellar tendonitis and/or other musculotendinous conditions of the knee. 
   The foregoing description of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications or alterations may be made in and to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.