Improvements in Trusses.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1891-Accented, 17th Oct., 1891
Improvements in Trusses.
I, JOHN ALBERT MARVIN, of Lansing, County of Ingham, State of Michigan,
United States of America, Physician, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in trusses; and its object is to improve the
construction and operation of trusses used in the reduction of hernia in several
very important particulars.
Heretofore in many forms of trusses a great disadvantage has existed in the
arrangement of the waist band in connection with the part carrying straps in such
manner as not to support the abdomen.
Another disadvantage especially where inguinal hernia is treated, is the
supporting the parts by straps or other connections, which came in contact with
the leg, whereby the motion of the leg, in walking, but especially in stooping
or sitting down, disturbs the position of the pad, and thus irritates and injures the
rupture and partially raises the pad therefrom.
Another difficulty arises from the inability to readily adjust the straps carrying
the pad, and for the purpose for adapting it quickly and easily to the position
desired, and in holding the straps in place when so adjusted.
Still another disadvantage found is due to the form of the pad itself. Pads as
generally made are convex on the pressing surface, resembling in shape the ball of
the thumb, whereby the support or pressure is rendered unstable, easily giving to
the pad a rolling or unsteady movement which is highly detrimental in effect, as
destroys the steady constant uniform pressure so necessary in keeping the intestines
in place, and tending to keep open, instead of closed, the rupture and thus prevent
its healing. None of the trusses heretofore made, have the closing of the inguinal
canal below or at the rupture in view.
These and other disadvantages I overcome by the parts, and their construction
and arrangement, as hereinafter described, whereby the abdomen belt is passed
completely around the body below the abdomen, at or above the top of the hips
forming a perfect abdominal support, and thus preventing the intestines from
crowding heavily into the lower cavity of the abdomen, bring the pad down low
so as to completely cover and compress the rupture, making the pad perfectly flat
on its inner or hernial surface, and thicker at one end than at the other, attaching
the straps carrying the pad at a single point on the thicker end of the pad, two of
the straps reaching directly up to the abdominal belt and having adjustable
connections therewith at different points, and not in contact with the leg, while the
perineal or crotch strap is pivoted to the same point of the pad, whereby the
inner and lower corner of the pad is given a steady and reliable pressure at that
point where it will best close the inguinal canal and draw the edges of the rupture
together so that opportunity for healing is given, and finally using an elastic strap
brought tightly over buckles and books to which connect other straps to the
abdominal belt to hold and confine the same closely in place.
All these parts, their construction and operation, are illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view,
Figures 2, & 3, details showing mode of connection of pad straps and abdominal
belt, and the fastening straps, and
Figure 4, a detail of a pad.
Referring to drawings. A. is the abdominal band composed of an elastic web, or

page_text: other suitable material, carrying at one end a sliding loop, a', having an elongated
eye adapted to engage with a stud a², on the opposite end of the band.
This band, as already stated, is passed entirely around the body at the hips, and
its ends are united at the back of the body.
B, is a pad, preferably made of cork, its inner or pressing surface being made flat,
and having one end, b', thicker than the opposite end.
C, is a perineal, or crotch band, made of elastic material with one end engaged
with a buckle loop c', pivoted to a stud c², secured to the abdominal band.
The opposite end of band C, is permanently pivoted to the thicker and inner
end of the pad and on and over the ends of straps D, D', which are rigidly secured
to the same point on the pad. The strap C, has its edges brought and sewed
together at the lowest part C³, so as to make that portion of the strap round, and
thus obviate the cutting and irritation of the body at that point.
The two straps D, D¹, are brought together to form a V at the point where they
are secured to the pad, and their opposite ends are provided with buckle loops and
eyes, such as a¹, previously described, which are adapted to engage with studs on
the waist belt A.
By the employment of such connections the straps D, D¹, are pivoted to the
abdominal belt, so as to swing thereon, whereby the pad may the better be adjusted
to the desired position, and by the use of the buckles a', and buckle C¹, at one end
of the crotch strap C, the pad can be drawn tight and adjusted to the position
desired and held securely in place. The end of perineal strap C, being also
pivoted to the pad this strap yields to the lateral motion of that position of the
body coming therewith without disturbing the position of the pad and also permits
the pad to be adjusted before being fixed.
This mode of attaching these straps to the pad is important, as the thicker end
of the pad is placed over the end of the inguinal canal, and in order to perfectly
close the same and bring its edges together so that the rupture will heal it is
highly desirable that the pressure be brought at that point and there made steady
and uniform.
The making of the juncture of the two pad straps and the pad a bearing for
the perineal strap so that when the latter is tightened it brings all the pressure
at the point mentioned, also aids greatly in the accomplishment of the object
aimed at.
It would be impracticable to accomplish this operation and purpose if the pad
did not have the shape and surface just described. For with a rounded bearing
surface, or with a pad the same thickness throughout, the uniform pressure could
not be obtained, as the rounded surface would produce a rocking motion, and a pad
with the same thickness throughout would not admit of the particular and greater
pressure at the one desired point.
F, is an additional holding strap made of elastic material secured at one end
permanently to the abdominal belt, with its other end free, and provided with a
buckle loop and eye, to engage with a stud f', on the abdominal band.
The purpose of this strap F, is to cover the ends of the pad straps after they
are arranged with the abdominal belt, and hold the engaging eyes to the studs,
thus making an effectual fastening device for this purpose, when the truss is
in use.
It will be noticed that the pad is not connected to the abdominal band, so that
that band is not the means used to secure and adjust the band in its place, but this
is done by the inguinal and shorter straps; and also that the abdominal band is
used at all times as a support to the abdomen and that all the other parts can be
easily detached therefrom.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a truss for inguinal hernia, the combination with a pad of two adjustable

page_text: straps, the lower end of each attached respectively to the opposite sides of said
pad near their edges, an ordinary body belt to which the said straps are adapted
to be detachably secured, and a perineal strap to one end of which said pad is
attached, the other end of said strap secured to the belt whereby the pad may be
adjusted and held securely in any desired location without disturbing the position
of the said belt, substantially as described.
2. In a truss in combination with the abdominal band of a pad having a flat
bearing surface, and one end made thicker than the other, elastic pad straps
secured at or near the opposite lower edges of the pad, a perineal elastic band
secured to and pivoted near the end of said pad and means for tightening and
adjusting said straps in relation to the abdominal band, substantially as described.
3. In a truss in combination with the body belt, the pad straps having loop ends
removably secured to the said belt and an elastic strap permanently attached at
one end to said belt and having at the other end a slotted loop buckle adapted to
cover and latch over the fastening ends of said pad straps to hold the latter in
engagement with the body belt, substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of August 1891.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.