Abstract:
An inexpensive sleeve and method of use are disclosed for easing application of a compression stocking onto a foot and leg. By reducing the friction usually encountered when applying a compression stocking or sock, the sleeve protects the foot and leg from injury, and helps to avoid the need for sophisticated stocking or sleeve manipulation. The sleeve is made from a low friction material, such as plastic, silk, Tyvec, or nylon, and therefore is easy to pull over the foot and leg while closely conforming thereto so as to avoid folding and bunching. The sleeve can be disposable and/or closed at one end. The method of use includes pulling the sleeve over the foot and leg, pulling the stocking over the sleeve, and then removing the sleeve through an open stocking toe or through the top of the stocking, leaving the stocking in place.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to compression stockings, and more specifically to devices that facilitate the application of a compression stocking. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When worn on a daily basis, compression stockings can provide support and therapeutic treatment for patients who have insufficient venous (blood) and/or lymphatic return flow in one or both of their lower legs. The stockings are typically graduated so as to move fluid only toward the heart, thereby compensating for poorly functioning veins and/or a poorly functioning lymphatic system. Depending on the needs of the patient, compression stockings can provide decreased superficial venous pressure, improved venous return, decreased edema, reduced transcapillary leakage of solutes and fluids, and improved comfort. To accommodate differences in patient anatomy, differences in medical condition, and differences in degree of severity, compression stockings typically come in various sizes, various compression ratings, and various styles. For example, some compression stockings are closed at the toe, and others are open at the toe. 
         [0003]    To be effective, a compression stocking must fit tightly against the leg of a patient. Because of this tight fit, it can be difficult for a patient to pull a compression stocking over the foot and onto the lower leg, especially if the patient is elderly, physically challenged, and/or has leg sensitivities due to recent surgery or other causes that can lead to discomfort caused by rubbing of the stocking material over the skin of the leg. This can lead to inconvenience, muscle and joint strain, injury, and failure to use the compression stockings properly. 
         [0004]    In addition, because compression stockings are often prescribed after a medical procedure, such as surgery to treat circulatory problems in the leg, and because post surgery patients are typically not allowed to leave the medical environment (hospital, nursing home, rehab facility, or such like) until they are able to independently apply the compression stockings, difficulty in applying compression stockings can lead to extended hospital stays and significant added costs. 
         [0005]    A common method for applying a compression stocking is to invert most of the stocking, except for the last few inches near the toe end. These last few inches are then pulled over the foot, after which the inverted remainder of the stocking is rolled over the ankle and up the leg. While simple in principle, this approach requires sophisticated manipulation of the stocking, which can be difficult for any patient and nearly impossible for an elderly and/or physically challenged patient, such as a patient with arthritis in his or her fingers. This approach also requires that the lower end of the stocking be pulled over the foot, which can be difficult to accomplish and can be irritating to the skin of the foot. 
         [0006]    It is sometimes suggested that a conventional plastic bag be placed over the foot before applying an open-toed compression stocking. The compression stocking is inverted as usual, but the plastic bag helps the last few inches of the stocking to slide over the foot more easily before the remainder of the stocking is unrolled onto the leg. Once the compression stocking has been applied, the plastic bag is then pulled out from under the stocking through the open toe of the compression stocking. 
         [0007]    This approach can help to lower the friction of the stocking as it is pulled over the foot, thereby reducing the force required to install the stocking and avoiding irritation to the skin of the foot. However, this approach does not avoid the sophisticated manipulation required to invert most of the stocking and then unroll it onto the leg. Also, the necessity to compress a bulky, rectangular plastic bag around the foot can cause folding and bunching of the excess plastic of the bag. This can increase friction and cause displacement of the bag during stocking installation, and can irritate and even injure the skin of the foot during removal of the bag, when the folded and bunched plastic is dragged across the foot while being simultaneously pressed against the skin of the foot by the compression stocking. Finally, this approach does not address the problem of how to apply a closed-toe compression stocking. 
         [0008]    Another approach is to use a “slipper” device to facilitate application of an open-toed compression stocking. The slipper conforms to the foot more precisely than a plastic bag, thereby reducing stocking friction and avoiding discomfort and injury to the foot during removal of the slipper. However, slipper devices are somewhat costly, and are therefore not disposable. Also, a slipper device does not eliminate the necessity for sophisticated manipulation of the stocking before application. 
         [0009]    An approach that is sometimes used to apply either an open-toe or a closed-toe compression stocking is to use a liner sleeve that is open at both ends to pre-line the compression stocking before application. The liner sleeve is inserted into the compression stocking to the level of the heel, with the liner sleeve extending beyond the top of the compression stocking. The lined stocking is then pulled over the foot and leg until the toes reach the heel. Straps are typically provided at the top of the liner sleeve to facilitate pulling on the liner and thereby pull on the stocking. The foot is then worked beyond the lining and into the foot of the compression stocking by rubbing the foot against the ground, or possibly against a special friction pad supplied with the liner stocking and placed on the ground. Finally, the lining is pulled out from under the compression stocking from the top, and is removed by sliding it over the compression stocking and over the lower leg and foot. 
         [0010]    While this approach avoids the need to invert the stocking, it nevertheless requires sophisticated manipulation of the sleeve and stocking in placing the sleeve inside of the stocking before application. Also, this solution is somewhat expensive, since a durable, re-usable lining sleeve must be supplied, typically with straps that facilitate pulling on the sleeve (since the method of use makes it very difficult to pull on the stocking). Finally, for closed-toed compression stockings, additional effort is required in rubbing the foot against the ground so as to work the foot beyond the lining and into the foot of the compression stocking. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A device and method of use are claimed for facilitating the application of a compression stocking. The device is an inexpensive sleeve that is shaped to approximately fit the foot and leg of a patient. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is plastic and disposable. The sleeve is placed over the foot and leg before application of a compression stocking, which is then pulled over the sleeve and onto the leg. After application of the stocking, the sleeve is removed by sliding it out from under the stocking, either through the toe of an open-toe stocking or from the top end of the stocking. 
         [0012]    The sleeve of the present invention protects the foot and leg from frictional injury, and facilitates application of the stocking by reducing friction while eliminating the need for partial inversion of the stocking or for any other sophisticated manipulation of the sleeve or the stocking. This allows the device to be easily used by patients who are elderly and/or physically challenged. Because the sleeve is inexpensive to produce and preferably disposable, the cost is reduced and the need to clean or launder the device is reduced or eliminated. Because the method of use includes pulling the stocking over the sleeve, rather than pulling the sleeve and stocking on as a unit, sleeve handles are not required, further reducing the cost. 
         [0013]    The sleeve is made from a material with low friction, which in preferred embodiments is plastic, silk, tyvec, or nylon. In preferred embodiments, the invention can be supplied as a plurality of disposable sleeves, and can be supplied in a variety of shapes and sizes so as to account for different patient anatomies. The size and shape of the sleeve can then be selected so as to allow it to be easily drawn over the foot and up the leg, while minimizing any tendency for the sleeve to fold and/or bunch up when pressed against the leg and foot by the compression stocking. This makes removal of the sleeve easy, and avoids discomfort and/or injury to the leg or foot. 
         [0014]    One general aspect of the present invention is a device for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient&#39;s foot and leg. The device includes a sleeve that has a shape and size approximating the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while being sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion. The sleeve is constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve. 
         [0015]    In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is either open at both ends or closed at one end. In some embodiments where the sleeve is open at both ends, the sleeve includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length. 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments the sleeve is disposable, and some of these embodiments include a plurality of disposable sleeves. Still other embodiments include a plurality of sleeves with a variety of shapes and sizes. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg. 
         [0018]    In various embodiments, the construction of the sleeve includes at least one of plastic, silk, tyvec, and nylon. And in certain embodiments the sleeve is constructed so as not to tear and not to become significantly distorted when a pulling force of up to 4 pounds is applied to the sleeve. 
         [0019]    In preferred embodiments the sleeve is at least one of the following: 
         [0020]    hypoallergenic; 
         [0021]    non-porous; 
         [0022]    seamless; and/or 
         [0023]    harmless to the environment. 
         [0024]    Another general aspect of the present invention is a method for facilitating application of a compression stocking with an open toe to a patient&#39;s foot and leg. The method includes providing a sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve. 
         [0025]    The method further includes sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion, sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg, and sliding the sleeve through the open toe of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg. 
         [0026]    In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is either open at both ends or closed at one end. In some embodiments the sleeve is disposable, and some of these embodiments include a plurality of disposable sleeves. 
         [0027]    Yet another general aspect of the invention is a method for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient&#39;s foot and leg. The method includes providing a disposable sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being open at both ends and constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve. 
         [0028]    The method further includes sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion, sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg, sliding the sleeve through an open top of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg, and removing the sleeve from the leg by at least one of sliding the sleeve over the compression stocking and foot, tearing the sleeve along its length, and cutting the sleeve along its length. 
         [0029]    In preferred embodiments the sleeve is either open at both ends or closed at one end. In some embodiments where the sleeve is open at both ends, the sleeve includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length. 
         [0030]    In certain preferred embodiments, the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg. 
         [0031]    In some preferred embodiments, the sleeve is disposable, and in some of these embodiments the device comprises a plurality of disposable sleeves. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a sleeve for facilitating the application of a compression stocking in a preferred embodiment that includes a closed lower end and an open upper end; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a sleeve for facilitating the application of a compression stocking in a preferred embodiment that includes an open lower end and an open upper end, with a perforation extending between the two ends; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3A  shows a sleeve partially installed and just covering the bottom half of a foot; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3B  shows the sleeve of  FIG. 3A  fully installed on the foot and lower leg and ready for installation of a compression stocking; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4A  shows a compression stocking in the process of being installed over the sleeve of  FIG. 3B  and just covering the bottom half of the foot; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4B  shows the compression stocking of  FIG. 4A  fully installed over the sleeve; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5A  shows the sleeve of  FIG. 4B  being removed through the open toe of the compression stocking, with the compression stocking partially rolled up at the toe; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5B  shows the sleeve of  FIG. 4B  being removed through the open toe of the compression stocking with the compression stocking fully installed; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5C  shows the compression stocking of  FIG. 5B  fully installed after removal of the sleeve; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6A  shows a sleeve being removed through an open top of a compression stocking; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6B  shows the sleeve of  FIG. 6A  after having been completely removed through the open top of the compression stocking and being removed from the upper leg by tearing the sleeve along a perforation that runs between the two ends of the sleeve; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6C  shows removal of the sleeve of  FIG. 6B  from the leg and foot by sliding the sleeve over the compression stocking and off of the foot; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of the present invention for facilitating application of a compression stocking with an open toe to a foot and a leg; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of the present invention for facilitating application of a compression stocking with a closed toe to a foot and a leg. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a sleeve  100  that facilitates application of a compression stocking without the need for complex manipulation of either the sleeve or the stocking. The sleeve  100  thereby reduces the force needed to apply the stocking and reduces irritation and possible injury to the foot and leg. The sleeve is inexpensive, and in preferred embodiments it is disposable. 
         [0048]    The sleeve  100  of the present invention includes a lower end  102  and an upper end  104 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the sleeve  100  is closed at the lower end  102 , while in other embodiments it is open at both ends  102 ,  104 . The sleeve  100  has a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a corresponding portion of a foot and leg, while being sufficiently large to allow the sleeve  100  to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover at least part of the area to which the compression stocking is to be applied. The sleeve  100  is constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sleeve  100  of the present invention similar to the sleeve  100  of  FIG. 1 , except that it is open at the both the lower end  102  and at the upper end  104 . In this embodiment, the sleeve  100  also includes a perforation  202  that extends between the lower end  102  and the upper end  104 . As discussed in more detail with reference to  FIG. 6B  below, the perforation  202  allows a patient (not shown) to tear the sleeve  100  along its length so as to remove it from the leg after use. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3A  shows the sleeve  100  of  FIG. 1  in the process of being applied, covering just the bottom half of a foot  110 . The patient is grasping the sleeve  100  and is in the process of pulling it over his or her foot  110  and lower leg  112  with his or her hands  114 . The sleeve  100  is sufficiently large to allow it to be easily slid over the foot  110  and up the leg  112 , so as to surround and cover most or all of the region of the the foot  110  and lower leg  112  that will eventually be covered by the compression stocking (not shown in  FIG. 3A ). 
         [0051]      FIG. 3B  shows the sleeve  100  of  FIG. 3A  fully installed on the foot  110  and lower leg  112  of the patient. The sleeve  100  may be made from any low friction material, such as (but not limited to) plastic, silk, tyvec, or nylon. In this embodiment, the sleeve  100  is constructed so as not to tear and not to become significantly distorted when a pulling force of up to 4 pounds is applied to it. The sleeve  100  can be made of a material that is hypoallergenic, non-porous and seamless, and can also be disposable and environmentally safe. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4A  shows a compression stocking  120  in the process of being installed and just covering the bottom half of the foot  110 . The patient is grasping the compression stocking  120  with his or her hands  114  and is pulling the compression stocking  120  over the the sleeve  100 . The sleeve  100  facilitates application of the compression stocking  120  by reducing friction while eliminating the need for partial inversion of the compression stocking  120  and/or for any other sophisticated manipulation of the sleeve  100  or the compression stocking  120 . The sleeve also protects the foot  110  and leg  112  of the patient from irritation and/or injury due to sliding of the compression stocking  120  over the foot  110  and leg  112  during application. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4B  shows the compression stocking  120  of  FIG. 4A  fully installed over the sleeve  100 . After application of the compression stocking  120 , the sleeve  100  can be removed in any of several ways, depending on the configuration of the stocking  120  and the embodiment of the sleeve  100 . Removal begins by sliding the sleeve  100  out from under the compression stocking  120 , either through an open-toe  122  of the compression stocking  120  or (if the sleeve  100  has an open toe  102 ) out through the open top  124  of the compression stocking  120 . In the latter case, the sleeve  100  must then be removed from the upper leg  112 . In some embodiments it is removed by sliding it over the outside of the compression stocking  120  and off of the foot  110 . In other embodiments in which the sleeve  100  is disposable and includes a perforation  202  running between its two open ends  102 ,  104 , the sleeve is removed from the upper leg  112  by tearing the sleeve  100  along the perforation  200 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5A  illustrates the removal of a sleeve  100  through the open toe  122  of a compression stocking  120 . In this embodiment, the compression stocking is pushed or rolled back from the toes of the patient, thereby making it easier to grasp the sleeve  100  and pull it out from under the remainder of the compression stocking  120 .  FIG. 5B  illustrated removal of a sleeve  100  through the open toe  122  of a compression stocking under circumstances where rolling or pushing the toe portion of the stocking  120  is difficult or impossible. In this embodiment, a portion  102  of the sleeve  100  sufficient for grasping is allowed to protrude from the open toe of the compression stocking  120  (see  FIG. 4B ) and the sleeve  100  is removed by grasping this protruding portion  102  and pulling the sleeve out from under the compression stocking  120  through the open toe of the stocking  120 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 5C  shows the compression stocking  120  of  FIG. 5B  after the stocking  120  has been applied to the foot  110  and the leg  112 , and after the sleeve  100  has been fully removed. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  illustrates removal of a sleeve  100  with an open toe  102  through the open top  124  of the compression stocking  120 . The sleeve  100  is slid out from under the compression stocking  120  through the open top  124  of the compression stocking  120 , leaving the compression stocking  120  in place. This method requires that the sleeve  100  be open at both the lower end  102  and at the upper end  104 , and allows the compression stocking  120  to have either an open or a closed toe  126 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 6B  shows the sleeve  100  of  FIG. 6A  having been completely removed from under the compression stocking  120  through the open top  124  of the stocking  120 , and being removed from the upper leg  112  by tearing the sleeve  100  along a perforation  202  that extends between the lower end  102  and the upper end  104  of the sleeve  100 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6C  shows the sleeve  100  of  FIG. 6A  having been completely removed from under the compression stocking  120  through the open top  124  of the stocking  120 , and being removed from the upper leg  112  by sliding the sleeve  100  over the outside of the compression stocking  120 , over the leg  112 , and off of the foot  110 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 7  presents a flow diagram  300  describing a method for using a sleeve  100  of the present invention to facilitate application of a compression stocking  120  with an open toe  122  to a foot  110  and leg  112 . The process depicted in  FIG. 7  is initiated by providing a sleeve  100  with a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of at least a portion of the area of the foot  110  and leg  112  that is to be covered by the compression stocking  120 . Then  304  the sleeve  100  is slid over the foot  110  and up the leg  112  to cover a portion of the foot  110  and leg  112 . Next  306  the compression stocking  120  is slid over the sleeve  100  so as to cover the desired region of the foot  110  and leg  112 . Thereafter  308 , the sleeve  100  is removed from the leg  112  by sliding it out from under the compression stocking  120  through the open toe  122  of the compression stocking  120 , leaving the compression stocking  120  remaining in place. 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  presents a flow diagram  400  describing a method for using a sleeve  100  of the present invention to facilitate application of a compression stocking  120  with a closed toe. The process depicted in  FIG. 8  is initiated by providing a sleeve  100  with a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of at least a portion of the area of the foot  110  and leg  112  that is to be covered by the compression stocking  120 . Then  304  the sleeve  100  is slid over the foot  110  and up the leg  112  to cover a portion of the foot  110  and leg  112 . Next  306  the compression stocking  120  is slid over the sleeve  100  so as to cover the desired region of the foot  110  and leg  112 . Thereafter  402 , the sleeve is slid out from under the compression stocking  120  through the open top  124  of the compression stocking  120 . This leaves the sleeve  100  surrounding the upper leg  112 . Next the sleeve  100  is removed from the upper leg  112  by one of two methods, depending on the embodiment. In one of these removal methods  404  the sleeve  100  is slid over the outside of the compression stocking and off of the foot. In the other of these removal methods  406  the sleeve  100  is disposable, and is removed by tearing or cutting it along its length. In some embodiments (see  FIG. 2 ) a perforation is included in the sleeve  100  to facilitate this step. Once the sleeve  100  has been removed, the compression stocking  120  remains in place  408  as desired. 
         [0061]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.