Patent Publication Number: US-2016228298-A1

Title: Compression wrap

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/114,999 filed Feb. 11, 2015. U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/114,999 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     Embodiments relate to injury relief and more specifically to compression and icing or heating for injuries or post-operatively for individuals having undergone surgical procedures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The foot is one of the most complex parts of the body, containing 26 bones with 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and multiple tendons holding the structure together to permit the foot to move in a variety of ways. Due to the intricacy of the foot, 75% of Americans experience foot problems at one time or another in their lives. Immediate first aid treatment may prevent complications and promote recovery for injuries such as a sprain, strain, muscle pull, or tear. Post injury or trauma, most doctors will stress the importance of “RICE”, that is, rest, ice, compression and elevation to alleviate some of the symptoms causing discomfort or pain and limit swelling. What is needed is a compression wrap that can provide either icing or heating and allow mobility. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a compression wrap may be in the form of a sock including a plurality of layers of fabric, the plurality of layers of fabric including an inner layer of fabric and an outer layer of fabric, an upper rib band, a middle rib band, a pocket within the inner layer of fabric and the outer layer of fabric and between the upper rib band and the middle rib band, and an opening in the outer layer of the plurality of layers of fabric, the opening providing access to the pocket, the pocket providing support for one or more cold or hot packs. The one or more cold or hot packs may include one or more ice packs or gel packs. The one or more cold or hot packs may provide icing or heating to a person wearing the sock, and may provide the icing or heating to a calf and a shin of a leg of the person simultaneously. The sock may provide compression to a person wearing the sock. The plurality of layers of fabric may include nylon and/or spandex. The one or more cold or hot packs may be inserted into the pocket through the opening. The plurality of layers of fabric may be elastic and the one or more cold or hot packs may be held in place by the elasticity of plurality of layers of fabric. The inner layer of fabric may prevent the one or more cold or hot packs from directly contacting skin. The sock may be capable of being pulled up to below a knee or folded down and pulled over a foot to form additional layers of fabric with compression and permitting icing or heating to a bottom of a foot, a top of the foot, a side of the foot, or an ankle. 
     In another embodiment, a method may be provided for mobile compression and heat or icing, the method may include wearing a compression sock; the sock may include a plurality of layers of fabric, the plurality of layers of fabric including an inner layer of fabric and an outer layer of fabric, an upper rib band, a middle rib band, a pocket within the inner layer of fabric and the outer layer of fabric and between the upper rib band and the middle rib band, and an opening in the outer layer of the plurality of layers of fabric, the opening providing access to the pocket, the pocket providing support for one or more cold or hot packs; and placing the one or more cold or hot packs into the pocket of the sock through the opening. The method may also include folding down a top portion of the sock including the upper rib band over a foot to provide an additional layer, with compression, to hold the one or more cold or hot packs on a top of a foot, a bottom of the foot, or a side of the foot, or an ankle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The first digits in the reference number indicate the drawing in which an element first appears. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example sock providing a compression wrap being worn by a person up to the knee; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of an example sock providing a compression wrap and heat or cold therapy being worn by a person up to the knee; 
         FIG. 3  depicts another embodiment of an example sock providing a compression wrap and heat or cold therapy being worn by a person up to the knee; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an example sock providing a compression wrap and heat or cold therapy being worn by a person over the foot; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of an example sock providing a compression wrap and heat or cold therapy being worn by a person over the foot; 
         FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment of an example sock providing a compression wrap and heat or cold therapy being worn by a person over the foot; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side of an example sock showing an upper rib band, middle rib band, and an opening; 
         FIG. 8  depicts another side of an example sock showing upper rib band and middle rib band; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a close up of an example upper rib band; 
         FIG. 10  depicts an example middle rib band; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a close up of an example middle rib band; 
         FIG. 12  depicts an example toe end of example sock; 
         FIG. 13  depicts an example opening; and 
         FIG. 14  depicts another depiction of an example opening. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments are discussed in detail below. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. In describing and illustrating the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. It is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The examples and embodiments described herein are non-limiting examples. 
     All publications and references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     As used herein, the term “a” refers to one or more. The terms “including,” “for example,” “such as,” “e.g.,” “may be” and the like, are meant to include, but not be limited to, the listed examples. The term gel pack (e.g., ice pack, cold pack, hot pack, etc.) may include material that may provide either cooling (e.g., icing) or heat, gel pack may include other material besides gel such as water or refrigerant or material designed to heat up or cool down a body part. The gel pack may be reusable or disposable and may be “heated” (e.g., via microwave or boiling water) to provide warmth in the event a person is instructed to apply heat the area, or “cooled” (e.g., via refrigerator or freezer) in the event the person is instructed to ice the area. 
     Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (“RICE”) is often recommended for physical injuries and post-operatively for patients having undergone surgical procedures. In an embodiment of the invention described herein, techniques may be provided to supply compression and cooling or heating, to injuries caused, for example, by day-to-day activities, post-operatively for patients having undergone surgical procedures, or to post workouts to alleviate the “wear and tear” caused by endurance sports. As described below, a sock may be worn that may provide compression and cooling or hearing, while allowing the wearer to have mobility and to elevate. 
     In one embodiment, a compression wrap may be in the form of a sock (e.g., ICE-SOX). In one embodiment, the sock may be made out of, for example, 86% nylon and 14% spandex to provide elasticity for compression to the wearer. Other embodiments may have varying degrees of nylon and spandex, or other fabrics, to provide elasticity for compression to the wearer. Some embodiments may be made out of synthetic materials, natural materials, or a combination of both. The redesigned sock (e.g., ICE-SOX) may cater to both the athletic community and those individuals suffering from day to day foot and/or ankle injuries, individuals having undergone surgical procedures, or in need of foot or leg compression. The sock (e.g., ICE-SOX) may provide a person with compression from below the knee to the toes of the foot, while also providing the ability to ice or heat the shin, calf, ankle, and/or entire foot, while also providing the person with the ability to elevate the leg or foot or to be mobile. The sock (e.g., ICE-SOX) may be used with one or more reusable packs or pads such as an ice pack or gel pack to provide cooling to an injured area of, for example, the lower leg, foot, or ankle. 
       FIG. 1  depicts example sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) providing a compression wrap being worn by wearer  100  (e.g., a person) up to the bottom of the knee of person  100 . Sock  110  may include one or more rib bands  120  and  125  in sock  110  providing additional compression. Rib band  120  may be placed at the top of sock  110 . Rib band  125  may be placed at a location in sock  110  to match with an ankle of person  100 , for example. Rib bands may contain the same material as the rest of sock  110 , or may contain different material. Rib bands  120  and  125  may be of different construction and knitted differently from the rest of the sock  110 . Rib bands  120  and  125  may provide even greater elasticity than the rest of sock  110 . In one embodiment, rib band  120  may be, for example, 1×1 inches and ½ inch wide; and rib band  125  may be, for example, 1×1 inches and 1 inch wide. Other embodiments may have different sizes of rib bands. 
     Sock  110  may include a plurality of elastic layers providing compression pressure to the wearer  100  of the sock. Sock  110  may include an inner layer and an outer layer of the plurality of elastic layers. The plurality of layers may be made out of a fabric. An opening  140  or incision in the outer layer may provide access to a pocket  150  between the inner layer and the outer layer. In one embodiment, the opening  140  or incision in the outer layer providing access to pocket  150  may be horizontal, for example as depicted in  FIG. 2 , or, in another embodiment, opening  140  may be vertical. Opening  140  may be located on the front of sock  110 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , or the back or side of sock  110 . 
     Pocket  150  may provide support for gel pack  130  (or multiple gel packs) to provide icing or heating to wearer  100 . When sock  110  is worn up to the knee, icing or heating may be provided to the shin, calves, or both simultaneously through, for example, the insertion of two or more gel packs  130  into pocket  150  via opening  140 . The inner layer of fabric may provide a shield for the skin of wearer  100  to avoid direct contact with the gel pack. Additionally, rib bands  120  and  125 , along with the compression component of sock  110 , may keep gel pack  130  in the desired location. 
       FIG. 2  depicts another example of sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) providing a compression wrap being worn by wearer  100  (e.g., a person) up to the bottom of the knee of person  100 . In  FIG. 2 , gel pack  130  is being inserted through opening  140  into pocket  150 . Rib bands  120  and  125 , along with the compression component of sock  110 , may keep gel pack  130  in the desired location. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example of two socks  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) providing compression being worn by wearer  100  (e.g., a person) on both legs up to the bottom of the knees of person  100 . One or more gel packs  130  may be placed in an opening on, for example, the front of sock  110 , although the opening may be on the back of sock  110 , for example, and can be moved around the entire leg, shin or calf. Opening  140  may contain additional elasticity, for example, to keep the opening  140  closed and to prevent ice pack  130  from accidentally leaving pocket  150 . In some embodiments a fastener, for example, buttons or VELCRO, may be used with opening  140  keep gel pack  130  from accidentally leaving pocket  150 . Opening  140  may be kneaded tighter with more ends of yarn, for example, to create additional elasticity. Sock  110  may have multiple layers allowing for gel packs  130  to be inserted into the opening and nestled between the layers preventing direct contact with the skin. One or more gel packs  130  may be moved to desired locations on the leg. The compression and tightness of sock  110  prevents gel pack  130  from inadvertent movement when person  100  is in motion, for example. Additionally, rib bands  120  and  125  prevent further movement of gel pack  130 . Person  100  may be mobile while wearing sock  110 . For example, person  100  may wear shoes with sock  110  and can be, for example, walking around while compression and hot or cold is being applied.  FIGS. 1-3 , for example, show sample placement of gel pack  130 . In one example, gel pack  130  may be 5 inches by 7 inches in size or smaller or larger. In one embodiment, sock  110  may be provided in men&#39;s and women&#39;s sizes. In other embodiments, gel pack  130  may be smaller or larger. The men&#39;s size may be, for example, 1.5 inches from toe to heel and 11 inches from the ankle to the knee. The women&#39;s size may be, for example, 6 inches from toe to heel and 9.5 inches from ankle to knee. In an embodiment, the men&#39;s and women&#39;s sizes may, for example, “stretch to fit” and may be different sizes from the toe to heel and ankle to knee. 
     The size of pocket  150  may span the entire circumference of the leg from band  120  to band  125 , for example. Gel pack  130  may be placed any location within pocket and held in place, for example, through the compression feature of sock  110  and rib bands  120  and  125 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts example sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) providing a compression wrap being worn by person  100  over the foot of person  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , sock  110  may be folded down and brought over the foot of person  100 . Rib band  120  (near the knee in  FIG. 1 ) may be placed near the toes of person  100 . One or more gel packs  130  may be placed in an opening below the toes and gel packs  130  may be moved around the entire foot (top, bottom, sides, back) and ankle. The compression, along with the rib band  125  around the ankle and rib band  120  (now near the toes) holds gel packs  130  in place. The construction of sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) may permit person  100  to either be elevating a foot or to be walking around while icing or heating. However, person  100  should not be mobile if they are icing or heating the bottom of the foot as to not apply pressure to gel pack  130 , for example. In this example, gel pack  130  may be, for example, 5 inches by 5 inches or 5 inches by 7 inches, although gel packs on other embodiments may be smaller or larger. Additionally, the fabric layer of the sock covering the foot may provide a shield to avoid direct contact of the gel packs  130  with the skin. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  depict sock  110  pulled onto the foot and gel pack  130  inserted. The upper layer of the sock that previously was pulled up below the knee may be folded down and pulled over the foot of person  100  to provide an additional layer of material (e.g., fabric), with compression, to hold one or more gel packs on the top, bottom or side of the foot and ankle, permitting icing (or heating) capabilities to those areas. The rib bands at  120  and  125  of sock  110 , for example, keep the gel packs in the desired locations on the foot and ankle. The fabric layer of the sock covering the foot may provide a shield to avoid direct contact of the gel packs  130  with the skin. 
     Sock  110  whether pulled up to below the knee or folded down around the foot may hold one or more gel packs  130 . For example, the size of the pocket  150  may fit two gel packs  130 , thus permitting the shin and calves to be iced or heated simultaneously, and same with the foot (top and bottom). 
       FIG. 7  depicts a side of sock  110  with upper rib band  120 , middle rib band  125 , and opening  140 . Sock  110  may have a double layer (inner layer and outer layer) with an incision or opening  140  (that may be, for example, on the front or back of sock  110 , and may be horizontal or vertical) in the outer layer to provide access to pocket  150  to provide support for one or more gel packs  130  to provide icing (or heating) capabilities, when worn up to the knee, to either the shin or calves, or both simultaneously (through the insertion of two gel packs  130  into pocket  150 ). The size of pocket  150  may span, for example, from band  120  to band  125 , and may go around the entire circumference of the leg, thus permitting icing (or heating) to the entire area of the leg between band  120  and  125 . The inner layer of pocket  150  may provide a shield for the skin from direct contact with the gel pack(s)  130 . 
       FIG. 8  shows another side of sock  110  with upper rib band  120  and middle rib band  125 .  FIG. 9  shows a close up of upper rib band  120 .  FIG. 10  shows middle rib band  125 .  FIG. 11  shows a close up of middle rib band  125 .  FIG. 12  shows the toe end of sock  110  with an anatomically accurate design for the left and right feet.  FIG. 13  shows opening  140 .  FIG. 14  shows another depiction of opening  140 . 
     The sock  110  described herein (e.g., ICE-SOX) and shown in  FIGS. 1-14  may have multiple advantages over conventional methods of icing the calf, shin, foot &amp; ankle, which often include items like ace bandages, bags of frozen peas, plastic wrap, and towels. As previously noted, “RICE,” or rest, ice, compression and elevation, are important factors in aiding recovery from an injury, whether due to over-use, a surgical procedure, or due to day-to-day activities, and helps prevent over-use injuries caused by endurance sports. Sock  110  may provide at least the following features. 
     Sock  110  provides the “I” in “RICE,” and permits person  100  to ice (or heat) either the entire calf, shin, foot &amp; ankle. Ice or cooling, for example, is a very important component of recovery, and reduces swelling, fatigue and muscle soreness. In previous techniques, certain areas of the foot, for example, the Achilles tendon or side, were unable to be iced without having the gel pack shift or fall off the injured area. Sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) may allow person  100  to reach these areas, place the gel pack  130  on the injured area, and have the gel pack remain in place while person  100  is mobile or elevating the foot. 
     Sock  110  may provide the “C” in “RICE.” Compression is a very important component of recovery as it helps control swelling and inflammation around an injured area. Studies have shown applying compression while icing decreases recovery time due to increased oxygenation. Sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) may allow person  100  to easily and functionally, ice (or heat) and compress at the same time. 
     Sock  110  may provide person  100  to elevate (“E”), while icing (or heating) and compressing the calf, shin, foot and/or ankle of person  100 . Prior to sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) icing, compressing, and elevating was not easily accomplished. For example, one component would be missing, or the ice would continually shift or fall off. The compression component of sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX), along with rib bands  120  and  125 , for example, keeps gel pack  130  in the desired location while mobile or elevating, thus alleviating the need for plastic wrap, ace bandages, towels, etc. 
     The combination of materials (e.g., 86% nylon and 14% spandex, or other varying percentages and fabrics) used to manufacture Sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX), shields the skin from direct hot or cold contact, therefore eliminating the need for towels, shirts or other methods of blocking direct contact with cold on the skin, and keeps gel pack  130  on the injured area alleviating the need for plastic wrap or ace bandages, for example. The combination of material used also does not readily absorb moisture and stays dry after the gel pack is removed. In trials, the gel pack remained cold out of the freezer for over 1 hour. Typically, medical professionals recommend icing for 20 minutes only and then reapplying ice after the area has warmed up to room temperature, therefore, the trials show the ice stays cold for much longer than necessary to permit adequate icing as suggested by a doctor. Ice should be used as often as possible during the first couple days of injury to aid recovery or post-operatively after a surgical procedure. 
     The design of sock  110  may provide the person wearing sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) mobility while icing. For example, post-marathon or race, a runner may place these socks on and immediately start applying ice and compression to their calves and shins after crossing the finish line. Person  100  may also wear sock  110  to run a race Alternatively, person  100  can elevate their leg or foot while icing, or go to grab a beverage in the kitchen with the ice still on the top of their foot, for example. 
     Sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) may provide comfort with a seamless design, and therefore, sock  110  caters to not only an injured audience, but also the athletic community. Sock  110  may also have a reinforced toe and heal for additional comfort. Person  100  may wear sock  110  (e.g., ICE-SOX) strictly as compression socks with sneakers during a workout or to run a race, and when done, have the ability to ice the area post workout or race, which is often important for athletes. Sock  110  may also have a 360 degree toe box construction and an anatomically accurate design for the left and right foot, providing more comfort to the wearer. Audiences see the emphasis on icing every time they watch pro football, basketball, hockey and baseball games, as footage always shows athletes on the sidelines icing. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described illustrative embodiments, but should instead be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.