Abstract:
A compression wrap for providing pressure to an injured portion of a joint of a limb is provided. The compression wrap includes a pocket portion for receiving compression insert. The compression wrap further includes a strap connected to the pocket portion and adjustably securing the compression wrap to the limb. A buckle loop connected to the opposite side of the pocket portion as the strap adjustably receives the strap to adjust the size of the strap. Further, the strap portion and the pocket portion are configured such that when the compression wrap is attached to the limb of a person having an injury proximate the joint, the pocket portion is positionable to apply a load to the location of the injury while the strap portion is spaced away from the crease of the joint.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to orthopedic devices, and more particularly to a wrap for applying a pressure to the upper forearm to relieve pain associated with lateral and medial epicondylitis. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A common injury to people who play such sports as baseball or tennis, or to manual laborers such as construction workers is lateral epicondylitis, also known as, “tennis elbow.” Tennis elbow is generally caused by overuse of the extensor tendons located proximate the elbow resulting in tears in the tendons at or near the lateral epicondyle. This is why such injury occurs from activities that require repeated flexure and movement of the elbow, e.g. when throwing a ball, swinging a racket or hammer, or twisting a screwdriver. Another common, related injury, is medial epicondylitis, also known as “Golfer&#39;s Elbow.” Golfer&#39;s elbow is generally caused by overuse of the flexor tendons located just distal to the elbow and results in tears to the tendons near the medial epicondyle. 
     The best way to relieve the pain associated with and cure tennis elbow or golfer&#39;s elbow is to stop performing the activities that irritate the arm and allow the arm to heal. While this may be feasible for the weekend warrior athlete, this is not so easy for the manual laborer or professional athlete. 
     It has been found that pressure applied to the tendons prevents further irritation. The pressure is applied to healthy tissue of the tendon in a location as close to the injured tissue as possible without actually being applied to the injury. In effect, the pressure creates a secondary attachment point between the injury and the wrist flexor or wrist extensor that prevents the muscle from pulling on the injured area of the tendon. This generally relieves and/or eliminates the pain associated with tennis or golfer&#39;s elbow as well as facilitates recovery and healing of the irritated area. 
     Numerous devices have been designed to attempt to provide pressure or support to the injured area to reduce further injury or pain associated with tennis or golfer&#39;s elbow while facilitating continued use of the elbow. Some devices compress the muscle in an attempt to reduce the pull on the epicondyle. While such devices may be effective to relieve much of the pain associated with tennis elbow, they often restrict the contraction of the muscle, thereby limiting the usefulness of the muscle. Other devices are positioned closer to the epicondyle with the intention of placing pressure more on the tendons. These devices often irritate and chafe the user because the strap of the device often is positioned within the crease of the elbow in order to apply the pressure near the site of the pain. This irritation also affects or restricts the range of motion of the arm. Furthermore, many devices, although they are adjustable, either come in an adult size or a child size but are not sufficiently adjustable that only a single device can be sold that accommodates both an adult or a child. 
     There exists, therefore, a need in the art for an improved device for counteracting the effects of tennis and golfer&#39;s elbow. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, an improved compression wrap for applying pressure to combat the effects of tennis elbow, golfer&#39;s elbow, or other injuries proximate joints is provided. The improved compression wrap is simple in design. Further, the improved compression wrap more effectively applies the requisite pressure to counteract the effects of tennis elbow. More particularly, the device includes a strap that encircles the arm without interfering with the crease of the elbow while including a pocket portion that holds an orthopedic device that applies the requisite pressure to the injury without restricting muscle function as prior devices do. 
     In another embodiment, a compression wrap provides multiple attachment strips such that the compression wrap can be adjusted from an adult size to a child size. Alternatively, an embodiment includes a single elongated attachment strip. In either embodiment, a portion of the compression wrap can be removed to shorten the length of the compression wrap. In particular, either at least one of the multiple attachment strips is removed or a portion of the elongated attachment strip is cut and removed when shortening the compression wrap. 
     In yet another embodiment, an improved compression wrap includes an elongated strap portion for adjustably securing the compression wrap proximate an injured joint of a limb of a wearer. A pocket portion is connected to a first end of the a strap portion and includes at least one side spaced outward from a corresponding side of the strap portion a substantial distance along an offset axis substantially orthogonal to the length of the strap portion. The pocket portion forms an insert pocket for receiving a compression insert. A buckle loop, sized to receive the strap portion therethrough, connects to the opposite side of the pocket portion as the strap portion and receives the strap portion therethrough. 
     In yet another embodiment an improved compression wrap generally includes a pocket portion and an elongated strap portion. A strap attachment is connected to the strap portion. The strap attachment includes first and second portions that releasably engage the strap portion. The first portion releasably engages the strap portion in a large configuration and the second portion releasably engages the strap portion in a small configuration. A buckle loop is connected proximate an opposite side of the pocket portion as the strap portion receives the strap portion therethrough. The plurality of attachment portions provide for easily adjusting the compression wrap from an adult size to a child size. 
     In another embodiment, the compression wrap is adjustable from the large size to the small size by removing a portion of the strap portion and the strap attachment. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of an compression wrap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 5  having the compression wrap in a position as though it were mounted to an arm; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective illustration of the prosthetic insert of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the prosthetic insert of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 1  having an end portion cut off to illustrate the adaptability of the compression wrap; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 1  mounted to an elbow, showing the exterior of the arm; 
         FIG. 10  is another illustration of the compression wrap of  FIG. 1  mounted to an elbow showing the interior of the arm 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of another embodiment of a compression wrap having a single attachment strip; and 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a compression wrap  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The compression wrap  10  generally includes a flexible body  11  that includes a pocket portion  12  and a strap portion  14 . The pocket portion  12  defines a receiving pocket  18  that removably receives a compression wrap insert  22  for applying pressure to an injured portion of an elbow. The strap portion  14  allows for adjustably securing the compression wrap  10  to the arm of a wearer. 
     The body  11  is generally formed from an elongated strip of padding material  26  stitched to a strip of loop-type fastener material  30 . In an embodiment, the elongated strip of padding material  26  is flexible and elastic. The padding material  26  may be made from and/or include neoprene or foam material. Further, the foam or neoprene material can be bonded to an elastic fabric backing. The flexible and elastic properties of the elongated strip of padding material  26  allow the body  11  to flex and bend to closely fit and conform to the contours of the elbow region of the wearer&#39;s arm. 
     The strip of loop-type fastener material  30 , such as VELCRO, forms a second layer of material of the body  11 . This strip of loop-type fastener material  30  is stitched to the elongated strip of padding material  26 . The stitching is illustrated as dashed lines. In an embodiment, the strip of loop-type fastener material  30  is flexible but substantially inelastic. The inelasticity of the strip of loop-type fastener material  30  in that embodiment provides support for the elongated strip of padding material  26  and allows the compression wrap  10  to be tightened around and relative to the elbow region of the wearer while preventing substantial elongation of the elongated strip of padding material  26 . The strip of loop-type fastener material  30  also function to provide releasable and adjustable securement of the compression wrap  10 . 
     The compression wrap  10  further includes a buckle loop, e.g. in the form of D-ring  34  attached to the body  11  proximate the pocket portion  12 . The D-ring  34  is generally rectangular in shape and is preferably formed from plastic. However, the D-ring  34  need not be generally rectangular and can be formed from other substantially rigid materials such as metal. As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a mounting pocket  36  formed proximate the pocket portion  12  receives and secures one side of the D-ring  34  therein to secure the D-ring  34  to the body  11 . The mounting pocket  36  is formed by folding over a portion of the body  11  at fold  38  and stitching the two over lapping layers of the body  11  to one another at stitch  40  (see  FIG. 1 ). In an embodiment, the portion of material that forms the mounting pocket  36  is tapered inward such that fold  38  and the D-ring  34  are narrower than the width of the pocket portion  12 . 
     The D-ring  34  is sized to receive the strap portion  14  therethrough. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the D-ring  34  functions to allow the strap portion  14  to be folded back on itself. Particularly, the free end  44  of the strap portion  14  is fed through the aperture of the D-ring  34  and then fold back on itself and secured using an attachment strip  48  formed from a strip of hook-type fastener material, such as VELCRO, that is configured to releasably engage the loop-type fastener material  30 . This configuration allows the size of the compression strap  10  to be easily adjusted by passing more or less of the strap portion  14  through the D-ring  34  and then back on itself to engage the loop-type fastener material  30  with the attachment strip  48 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the attachment strip  48  defines a free end  44  of the compression wrap  10 , opposite D-ring  34 . The attachment strip  48  is stitched between the strip of loop-type fastener material  30  and the elongated strip of padding material  26  at stitch  50 . 
     An arm guard  52  positioned proximate and below the D-ring  34  prevents contact between the wearer&#39;s arm and the D-ring  34  to protect the wearer&#39;s arm from irritation. The arm guard  52  can be formed from foam, neoprene or other padding materials. Preferably, the arm guard  52  is stitched to the body  11  with stitch  40  that forms the mounting pocket  36 . 
     As identified previously, the pocket portion  12  of the compression wrap  10  forms the receiving pocket  18  for receiving the compression wrap insert  22 . The receiving pocket  18  is formed between the overlapping layers of the body  11 . More particularly, the overlapping layers of the body  11  are secured together at stitches  56  and stitch  40  forming the receiving pocket  18  therebetween. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the pocket extends inward toward the center of the loop formed by the compression wrap  10  when in a secured position. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two layers of the body  11  that form the receiving pocket  18  are only stitched together at the ends of the receiving pocket  18  at stitches  40  and  56 , but are not stitched at the sides of the receiving pocket  18  to provide access to the receiving pocket  18  for adjusting the position of the compression wrap insert  22  from either side of the compression wrap  10 . As such, the compression wrap insert  22  may be removed from the compression wrap  10  and flipped over or rotated to adjust the pressure application of the compression wrap  10 . This also allows the compression wrap to be applied to either the left or right arm of the wearer while orienting the arm guard  52  and the D-ring  34  in a similar position on either arm by simply rotating the compression wrap insert  22  180 degrees. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the compression wrap insert  22  includes a base portion  62  and a raised portion  64  and is substantially moon shaped. In an embodiment, the compression wrap insert  22  is semi-compressible. In a further embodiment, the compression wrap insert  22  is formed from a silicone rubber or similar material. As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the compression wrap insert  22  can be positioned within the receiving pocket  18  with either the raised portion  64  downward and positioned toward the short folded over portion of the body  11  (see  FIG. 7 ) or with the base portion  62  downward and positioned toward the short folded over portion of the body  11  (see  FIG. 8 ). When it is preferred to have a more localized loading on the injured portion of the elbow, the compression wrap insert  22  is positioned as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In this configuration, the raised portion  64  provides more of a point load to the wearer&#39;s elbow region. When it is preferred to provide less localized and more distributed pressure on the injured portion of the elbow, the compression wrap insert  22  is positioned as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this configuration, the larger surface area of the base portion  62  distributes the pressure more evenly. 
     As is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the illustrated embodiment includes a second attachment strip  70 . This second attachment strip  70  is positioned between the strip of loop-type fastener material  30  and the elongated strip of padding material  26  within pocket  71 . Stitch  72  secures one end of the second attachment strip  70  between the other two layers of material. The other three sides of the second attachment strip  70  are free and unstitched. The second attachment strip  70  functions as an alternative attachment mechanism and allows the compression wrap  10  to be altered to fit smaller wearers such as from an adult size (large size) to a child size (small size). This configuration is highly beneficial because only a single size compression wrap need be manufactured and sold, but yet it can be initially configured to fit substantially any size wearer. 
     If the compression wrap  10  needs to be shortened for a smaller wearer, the wearer removes the unnecessary additional length of material beyond stitch  72 . Specifically, the user would merely cut the strip of loop-type fastener material  30  as well as the elongated strip of padding material  26  within pocket  71 . In doing so, the first attachment strip  48  and a portion of the strap portion  14  to which attachment strip  48  is secured are severed from the rest of the body  11  and removed. It is preferred that the user trim the strap portion  14  so that as much of the surface area of the second attachment strip  70  is exposed for securing the compression wrap  10  in a secured position. While the previous embodiment was described as having two attachment strips, more than two attachment strips may be incorporated. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the compression wrap  110  includes only a single long attachment strip  171  that includes an exposed portion  148  and a hidden portion  170  instead of the two separate attachment strips  48  and  70  of the previous embodiment. The long attachment strip  171  is secured at stitch  172  as well as the side stitches that run the length of the strap portion  114 . The compression wrap  110  is shorted from a large configuration to a small configuration by cutting all the way through the strap portion  114 , i.e. through the loop-type fastener material  130  and the elongated strip of padding material  126 , and the long attachment strip  171 . The cut is made somewhere between the free end of the strap portion  114  (i.e. the portion proximate to exposed portion  148 ) and stitch  172 . After the excess length is removed, the layer of loop-type fastener material  130  could be removed or folded to expose the remaining portion of the long attachment strip  171 . Preferably, between about ¾ inch and about 2 inches of the hidden portion  170  of the long attachment strip  171  remains after cutting the strap portion  114 . After cutting, the long attachment strip  171  is primarily secured to the strap portion  114  via stitch  172 . 
     In an embodiment, backtacking may be incorporated instead of the transverse stitching, i.e. stitches such as stitch  172 . Backtacking occurs where a single stitch is passed over multiple times to lock the stitch. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the stitching that runs generally parallel with the length of the strap portion  114  may be backtacked proximate stitch  172  to prevent that stitching from coming undone when the excess portion of strap portion  114  is removed. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the width of the pocket portion  12  is wider than the width of the strap portion  14 . The width of the pocket portion  12  can be sized such that each side of the pocket portion  12  extends approximately between about ⅛ inch to about ½ inch beyond the sides of the strap portion  14 . As such the sides of the pocket portion  12  are positioned a substantial distance outward from the sides of the strap portion  14 . More particularly, the sides of the pocket portion  12  are displaced outward from the sides of the strap portion  14  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the compression wrap  10 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when attached to the wearer&#39;s arm, the pocket portion  12  is positioned proximate the outside  78  of the elbow region of the arm while the strap portion  14  is positioned proximate the inside  80  of the elbow region. The configuration of the compression wrap  10 , i.e. having the pocket portion  12  substantially wider than the strap portion  14 , is highly beneficial because the compression wrap insert  22  within the receiving pocket  22  can be more easily and more closely positioned relative to the injury of the tendons, i.e. over the tendons and not substantially on or restricting the forearm muscles, without requiring the strap portion  14  to be positioned within the crease  76  of the elbow region of the wearer. By not interfering with the crease  76  of the elbow, the compression wrap  10  does not restrict movement of the elbow or cause irritation of the elbow by repeatedly rubbing against the skin of the crease of the elbow. 
     While the illustrated embodiment provides this feature of allowing the pocket portion  12  to be positioned proximate the injury while preventing the strap portion  14  from interfering with the crease  76  of the elbow region by having both sides of the pocket portion  12  offset from the sides of the strap portion  12 , the pocket portion could be otherwise configured to generate this effect. For example, only one side of the pocket portion  14  could be offset from the side of the strap portion  12  or the strap portion  14  and pocket portion  12  could be substantially uniform in width but the pocket portion could be offset from the strap portion. However, such configurations would limit the ability to apply the same compression wrap  10  to either arm. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.