Abstract:
The device has a protrusion maintaining sustained pressure to an area of the upper abdomen. This mechanical pressure serves to assist in closing the cardiac sphincted, help induce esophageal relaxation and, in the case of a hiatal hernia, to return the stomach to the correct anatomical position. The device is semirigid to allow the device to apply pressure to the user without being pushed outwardly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Gastroesophageal reflux disorder is a reflux, or backward or return flow, of fluid of gastric or intestinal contents into the esophagus. Heartburn is a symptom of this disorder. 
     This condition arises when the lower esophageal sphincter, between the stomach and esophagus, becomes lax or spastic. This allows gastric acid to move from the stomach into the esophagus. The gastric juices irritate the esophagus lining. 
     Possible causes of the disorder include scleroderma, pregnancy, improper diet, autoimmune disorders or a hiatal hernia. Treatment for this disorder typically includes a change in diet and the use of non-prescription antacids or prescription medications. Severe cases may require anti-reflux surgery. Recurrence is common. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide relief for gastroesophageal reflux disorder, in particular gastroesophageal reflux disorder caused by a hiatal hernia. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a low cost treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disorder. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that closes the cardiac sphincter, aids the stomach in lowering away from and out of the esophageal hiatus and aids in esophageal relaxation. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide a device that corrects and possibly prevents a hiatal hernia by applying sustained pressure on the stomach. 
     It is a further object of the invention to treat gastroesophageal reflux disorder in a non-chemical, non-surgical manner. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a cure for GERD that is both simple to use and inexpensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Chiropractors treat hiatal hernias by manually pressing down on the patient&#39;s abdomen. This mechanical pressure serves to return the stomach to its correct position, assist in closing the cardiac sphincter and help induce esophageal relaxation. The invention is a bandage having a protrusion that creates and maintains pressure on the stomach. The bandage maintains the protrusion in a position where it is applying pressure to the user&#39;s abdomen. For the relief of GERD, and hiatal hernias in particular, the device is applied to an area immediately to the right or left of the solar plexus, by the rib cage. This area is by the esophageal/gastric junction where the symptoms of GERD are felt. 
     The bandage has a semirigid portion allowing the protrusion to apply pressure. If the bandage did not have the semirigid portion, it would be pushed outwardly, and no pressure would be maintained. The semi-rigid portion is an endoskeleton of semi-rigid material that is sandwiched between pieces of a gauze-like material. The protrusion is a semidense plastic foam attached to the endoskeleton. Both the protrusion and endoskeleton are placed between layers of the gauge-like material. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the bandage of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the outer layer and endoskeleton of a second embodiment of the bandage; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the outer layer and endoskeleton of a third embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the outer layer and endoskeleton of a fourth embodiment; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the outer layer and endoskeleton of a fifth embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the outer layer and endoskeleton of a sixth embodiment; 
     FIG. 7 is a view of the bandage and protrusion together with part of the protrusion cut away for purposes of clarity; 
     FIGS. 8A-G are side views of variation of the protrusion that is part of the invention; 
     FIGS. 9A-F shows perspective view of cross sections of alternative protrusions. 
     FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the invention having dual protrusions to create bilateral pressure. 
     FIG. 11 is a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG.  9 . 
     FIGS. 12A-B show the invention having a bent middle section; 
     FIG. 13 discloses a one piece protrusion and endoskeleton; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross section of the one piece protrusion and endoskeleton used in a bandage; 
     FIG. 15 shows the blank from which the one piece protrusion and endoskeleton is made; 
     FIG. 16 shows a belt that can be used as part of the invention; 
     FIG. 17 shows the rear view of the belt of FIG. 14 being used; 
     FIG. 18 shows a corset that can be used as part of the invention; 
     FIG. 19 shows a modified corset of FIG. 18 being used; 
     FIG. 20 shows a front view of a corset-belt that can be used as part of the invention; and 
     FIG. 21 shows a back view of the corset belt. 
     FIG. 22 is a belt that secures a dual protrusion device; 
     FIG. 23 is a rear view of the dual protrusion belt on a user; 
     FIG. 24 depicts a dual protrusion harness having a belt around the back and a second belt around the neck; 
     FIG. 25 shows a rear view of the harness of FIG. 24 on a user; 
     FIG. 26 shows a modification of the dual protrusion harness having a pair of shoulder straps; 
     FIG. 27 shows a rear view of the harness of FIG. 26 on a user. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention can be better understood with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the components that make up the invention. The bandage has an outer layer  20  with a middle portion  22  and a pair of upper end pieces  24  and lower end pieces  28 . An endoskeleton  40  provides rigidity to the invention. The endoskeleton, in this embodiment, has a first diagonal strut  41  and a second diagonal strut  42 . The endoskeleton also has an upper strut  43  and a lower strut  44 . The upper and lower struts are slightly arcuate. 
     A protrusion  50  is positioned on top of the endoskeleton  40 . This protrusion provide the pressure to the user&#39;s upper abdomen to achieve the desired results. The protrusion  50  is preferably made from semi-dense foam, however, any rigid material will serve the purpose. The protrusion and endoskeleton are covered by an inner layer  30 . The inner layer is covered with adhesive to secure the bandage to the user. The inner layer has a shape identical to the outer layer  20 . As shown in FIG. 1, the inner layer has a middle portion  32  and a pair of upper end pieces  34  and a pair of lower and pieces  38 . The upper end pieces and lower end pieces of the bandage diverge from each other as they extend from the middle portion of the bandage. 
     FIGS. 2 through 6 disclose other embodiments of the bandage. The Figures show only the outer covering and endoskeleton for purposes of clarity. The inner layer has an identical shape to the outer cover. In FIG. 2, the outer cover has only two end pieces  26 , one on each side. The endoskeleton has a first diagonal piece  41  and second diagonal piece  42 . There is an oval shaped strut  45  and an extension  46  for each end section of the outer cover. As can be seen, the diagonal struts  41 ,  42  do not extend out of the oval struts  45 . 
     FIG. 3 discloses another embodiment of the outer cover and endoskeleton. The outer cover has a general X shape. The endoskeleton is made up of a first diagonal piece  41  and a second diagonal piece  42 . There are two vertical strut  47  running between the diagonal struts  41  and  42 . 
     FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. The outer layer has a general diamond shaped middle portion  22  and a pair of upper end pieces  24  and lower end pieces  28 . The endoskeleton is made up of an oval strut  45  with two end sections  46  extending from the oval towards the end pieces. A single vertical strut  47  is located in approximately the middle of the oval. 
     FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention that has a generally rectangular middle portion and a pair of upper end pieces  24  and lower end pieces  28 . The end pieces  24  and  28  are parallel to each other as they extend from the middle portion. The endoskeleton has an upper strut  48  and lower strut  49 . These two struts also remain parallel to each other. They are connected by a series of vertical struts  47 . 
     FIG. 6 discloses another embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIG.  5 . Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the end pieces of the bandage  24 ,  28  remain parallel to each other as they extend from the middle portion. This embodiment has a middle portion with a upper and lower edge that is formed by three curves that intersect each other to create a somewhat sinusoidal profile. The upper strut  48  and lower strut  49  of the endoskeleton also have a slightly arcuate direction generally mirroring the edges of the outer layer  20 . The upper and lower struts are joined by a series of vertical struts  47 . 
     FIG. 7 depicts a bandage with its outer layer  20  removed and half of the protrusion removed to show detail. This bandage has a first diagonal strut  41 , a second diagonal strut  42  and an oval strut  45 . The figure shows half of the protrusion  50  and it can be seen how the protrusion is situated relative to the endoskeleton. Also, in this embodiment, the ends of the end pieces  24  and  28  are made of a material which has more elasticity than the gauze-like material of the outer layer  20 . 
     FIGS. 8A-G shows side views of various protrusions that can be used with the invention. FIGS. 8A through 8C disclose protrusions which have a flat top and curved sides.  8 D and  8 E disclose protrusions which have curved tops which extend down to the outer cover. FIGS. 8F and G disclose protrusions which have three separate peaks. FIGS. 9A-E disclose prospective views of cross-sections of alternate protrusions that can be used with the invention. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the invention having dual protrusions. The bandage has first and second middle portions  22 ′and  22 ″. Each middle portion has a upper end piece  24 ′,  24 ″ and a lower end piece  28 ′,  28 ″. The endoskeleton of each half is made of a first diagonal strut  41 ′,  41 ″ and a second diagonal strut  42 ′,  42 ″. There is also upper struts  43 ′ and  43 ″ and lower struts  44 ′and  44 ″. 
     FIG. 11 discloses a modification of the embodiment having the dual protrusions. In this embodiment, the second diagonal strut  42 ′ and  42 ″ extend until they intersect. A vertical strut  47  extends from the point of intersection of the second diagonal struts  42 ′,  42 ″ to the point of intersection of the first diagonal struts  41 ′,  41 ″. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, a slight modification of the bandage is shown. In this embodiment, the bandage has a middle section  22  with its left and right end pieces  24 ,  28  bent upwards or downwards at an angle. This is achieved by forming the endoskeleton  40  of rigid material having the bends in it. The endoskeleton  40  will then maintain the bandage in that position. When the middle section  22  beyond the protrusion are bent downward, the device pushes into the skin. The attachment of the end portions  24 ,  28  of the bandage to the skin maintains the device in its depressed position. This depression, in turn, causes pressure on the cardiac sphincter and the stomach. 
     FIG. 13 discloses a one piece protrusion and endoskeleton  60 . The one piece protrusion and endoskeleton has two base portions  68  separated from each other by a middle portion  69 . Where the middle portion joins the base portion, there are cuts  61  extending into the base portion. The cut  61  allow the base portion in the proximity of the middle portion to rise out of the plane of the base portion. The middle portion  69  is split into four different panels  62 ,  64 . The transition panel  62  are separated from the base portions  68  by a fold line  63  and from the peak panels  64  by a fold line  65 . The peak panels are separated by a fold line  67  separating the two peak panels  64  from one another. When in the assembled form, the base portion  68  are co-planner and the transition panel  62  are folded back over the base portions  68 . The peak panels extend from the transitional panels and converge towards each other at the fold line  67  to form a peak. It is the middle portion  69 , with its transitional panels and peak panels, that forms the protrusion of the unit. FIG. 14 discloses the one piece protrusion and endoskeleton in a cross section of a bandage. As can be seen, the one piece protrusion and endoskeleton is enveloped between an outer cover  20  and inner cover  30 . 
     FIG. 15 discloses the blank from which the one piece protrusion and endoskeleton is formed. The one piece protrusion and endoskeleton is cut from a piece of plastic or similar material such as cardboard and the cuts  61  and fold line  63 ,  65 ,  67  are formed. Once the blank is formed, it can be assembled, by machine or hand, to form an endoskeleton and protrusion. This assembled one piece protrusion endoskeleton can then be used in a bandage in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 16 discloses a belt that can be used as part of the invention. The belt has a middle portion  70  having a protrusion. Pressure on the middle portions  70  is sustained by the tensioning of the belt  80 . FIG. 17 discloses the rear view of a belt as it us used on a user. 
     FIG. 18 discloses a corset  71  used in accordance with the invention. On the interior surface of the corset is a protrusion (not shown). The protrusion maintains pressure by tightening of the corset  71 . 
     FIG. 19 discloses a modified corset which connects in the middle. The middle portion two protrusions  75 ,  76 . This applies pressure to both sides of the abdomen. 
     FIG. 20 discloses a corset-belt used in accordance with the invention. Similar to the other embodiments, the corset/belt has a middle section  70  having a protrusion. A corset portion  72  combined with a belt portion  82  serves to maintain pressure on the middle portion. FIG. 21 discloses a rear view of the corset/belt device. 
     FIG. 22 depicts a modified belt used with the invention. The belt has a middle portion  76  having dual protrusions. FIG. 23 shows a rear view of the modified belt including the connectors  75  used to secure the two ends of the belt to one another. Any releasable connector can be used to attach the two ends of the belt together. 
     FIG. 24 shows a further modification of the embodiment of FIG.  22 . In this embodiment, the middle portion having the dual protrusion  76  is connected to an adjustable strap that goes around the user&#39;s neck. The neck strap  83  has a means to adjust the length of the strap. FIG. 25 shows a rear view of this embodiment on a user. 
     FIG. 26 discloses another embodiment of the modified belt of FIG.  22 . In this instance, the middle portion having dual protrusions  76  is connected to pair of straps which secure around the shoulders of the user. Each of the shoulder straps  88 ,  89  has its own means to adjust the length of the strap. FIG. 27 depicts the rear view of this belt on a user. 
     As can be seen by the disclosure, the invention uses a protrusion attached to a bandage or other device allowing the protrusion to sustain pressure on the stomach or cardiosphincter between the esophagus and stomach. The device therefore achieves relief of gastroesophical reflux disorder. This relief comes in the form of a non-chemical/non-surgical device. As such, it represents an alternative to those people who suffer from this disorder and desire an alternative to the currently available methods of treatment. 
     Although the invention has been described according to the preferred embodiments, the foregoing description is not meant to be limiting in any way, and is meant to be protected by the appended claims. Certain modifications would be inherent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.