Improvements in Surgical Trusses.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug, 1899-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Surgical Trusses.
We, RICHARD HARZ, Merchant, and JOHANN RÖTTGEN, Surgical Truss Maker,
both of Chausseestrasse 9, Essen an der Ruhr, in the Empire of Germany, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, and accompanying drawing, that is to say:-
:-
This invention has for its object improvements in surgical trusses used for
rupture, and it consists of a novel form of such truss in which the pad, which
is independent of the belt, and the circular plate carrying it, can be adjusted,
without the use of a spring, into any desired position, and the pressure exactly
regulated.
The improved truss also has the advantage over trusses as heretofore made
and used, that it can be used for any kind of rupture by selecting a suitable
pad, the form of which is obviously different for each form of rupture, and it
is possible to vary the pressure on the locality of the rupture without the use
of a spring such as is ordinarily used, quite according to the requirement of
the person using the truss.
An effective form of the improved truss is such that the pad is loose and can
turn freely upon a pin which passes through, and is adjustable in the direction
of its length in, the centre of a sphere or ball fixed adjustably upon a plate
carried by the truss.
In the accompanying drawing this form of arrangement is shown in Figure 1
in side view, partly in section, and in Figure 2 in plan.
Figure shows the contrivance in place upon a man's body, in combination
with the belt, in the manner suitable for application to rupture in the groin.
The plate has an opening at its centre, in which the ball g lies, the diameter
of the opening being less than that of the ball, so that the latter cannot pass
completely through it. The ring 6 is screwed to the plate a by the small screws c,
so that the ball is held fast between the ring and the plate, as shown in Figure 1,
the inner diameter of the ring being also less than that of the ball. A pin f
passes through the centre of the ball, and is shown in the form of an adjustable
screwed bar.
SO
This screw carries at its inner end the pad p, which is loose upon its end,
that it can turn freely. The ball can be adjusted and fixed in any desired
position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, so that it can be adjusted to the
proper position according to the shape and character of the rupture, and the
place of protrusion.
Moreover, the pressure of the pad upon the rupture can be exactly adjusted
and regulated, by screwing the bar ƒ in or out, through the ball y, and the
doctor or surgical attendant can give the exact pressure of the pad upon the
locality of the rupture, which is necessary for holding back the latter, and the
strength of this pressure can be varied in every case exactly as required.
Moreover, according to the activity of the wearer of the truss, as experience has
taught, it is desirable that the pressure upon the ruptured part should be varied.

page_text: In the case for example of hard work-such as that of mechanics-to prevent
accidents, the pressure upon the ruptured part should be considerably greater
than when the wearer is at rest, so that it is desirable that the wearer of the truss
should, be able to adjust the pressure according to circumstances.
This is very easily effected by the use of the improved truss.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: ;---
1. An improved truss for ruptures, in which the pad, independent of the
waistbelt, and the plate carrying it without a spring, can be adjusted in any
desired position, and the pressure regulated as required, substantially as described
and illustrated.
2. In a truss constructed as described in Claim 1, the pad turning freely
upon a bar f which passes through, and is adjustable longitudinally in, a ball g
which can be adjusted and fixed in any desired position in the plate a, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated.
Patch
EDWARDS AND CO.,
Chartered Patent Agents,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.