Improvements in Surgical Trusses.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 13th June, 1891
Improvements in Surgical Trusses.
A communication from abroad by FREDRICK WILLIAM CHRISTIANS, of the Town
of Hubbard, in the County of Dodge, and State of Wisconsin, United States
of America, Farmer,
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, 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 :-
The improvements relate to a truss that is adapted for use in cases of inguinal
rupture on one or both sides of the person.
The object of the invention is to provide a device that may be readily and
completely fitted to the person, that is soft and pliable and comparatively comfort-
able to be worn, while parts of it may be conveniently changed for the purpose of
cleansing.
In the drawings :-
Figure 1 is a view of the complete device, a portion being broken away to show
the interior arrangement.
Figure 2 is a rear view of a portion of the device.
Figure 3 is a front view of a portion of the device, a part being shown in modified
form.
A is a band intended and adapted to encompass a person which is constructed of
cloth or similar pliable material. It is somewhat larger at the lower edge than at
the top edge, tapering from the lower edge to the top so as to adapt it to better
fit the person. At the lower edge and extending upwardly a little therefrom
gores C C are preferably inserted, which are constructed of softer and more yielding
cloth or material than the other parts of the band are formed of, and are made a
little full, and these gores may be made of rubber webbing if preferred, though
not quite so desirable when the convenience of washing the band is considered.
The ends of the band A. come together in front and are provided with apertures LL,
preferably constructed in longitudinal flies N N, secured severally to the band at
or near its two edges. A lacing string B is inserted in the several apertures L L
and is adapted for holding the two ends of the band together and for adjusting_it
so as to draw it more tightly or loosen it about the person. Removable pads D D,
conveniently made by stuffing a flexible case with cotton, wool or other proper
material, are provided which on one side are provided with fixed buttons or studs E E,
arranged to button into holes therefor in the lower part of the band A. These
pads are located one at each side of the central front line of the band and both may
be used, or one only as required. Leg straps FF, constructed of elastic webbing,
are attached through the enlarged ends G G to the rear part of the band A, and at
the front are attached to the band A through the enlarged parts M M which
button on to the buttons or studs I I fixed on the band A. The buttons or studs I I
are located in front of the pads D D. The straps F F are arranged to pass inside
the legs of the wearer and there are at least three buttons or studs H fixed to the
band in each series at the rear, whereby the attachment of the straps to the band
at their rear ends may be shifted laterally. Additional or supplementary pads K K
are attached to the front ends of the straps F F and are so constructed and arranged
as to be immediately below the pads DD respectively, when the straps F F are
attached to the band A at their front ends. In this manner the pads K K are
made to supplement the pads D D, but with such flexible relation to each other

page_text: as adapts them for best possible use and results in connection with large inguinal
ruptures.
In Figure 3, a modified form of strap F is shown, in which the enlarged part M'
is constructed without a pad K. This form of device is used when a pad K is not
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
A truss comprising a non-elastic flexible band A tapering inwardly upwardly, the
ends of which band are secured together adjustably by a lacing cord located in
front and between the pads, yielding gores C in the band at its lower edge, pads D
secured detachably to the band at a distance from the bottom and so as to be
partly inside thereof and to be held to their work by the encompassing band,
Hexible straps F' secured, adjustable laterally, to the band at the rear and detachable
at the front, and supplementary pads K affixed to and forming a part of the straps F
and located immediately below and independent, but forming a continuation of the
pads D, substantially as described.
11001
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.