Patent Description:
The invention relates to a system for indicating tension settings of a compression garment. The system comprises a first strap and a first tension tab releasably attachable to the compression garment. The system is operable to attach the first tension tab to the compression garment and to attach the first strap over the first tension tab; wherein the first strap covers at least part of a first portion of the first tension tab and terminates adjacent or at a first strap end that exposes a second portion of the first tension tab.

Edema may arise from a variety of illnesses and conditions, including venous valvular insufficiency, postphlebotic syndrome, and lymphedema. Compression methods control edema by reducing interstitial fluid.

Due to considerable variation in limb shapes and sizes, custom garments may typically be required. To facilitate the manufacture of these garments, various partially fabricated kits are available for a therapist or fitter to customize and fit a patient. Typical compression garment kits require measuring the patient to indicate cutting locations on the compression garment, in a manner that takes time and provides limited accuracy. The position of the measurement on the patient may not exactly align with the location marked on the garment, and typically only two or three measurements are transferred to the garment.

Compression garments supplied in kit form known in the art either do not provide a contoured shape to precisely fit the body part or limb, or the process for assembling the contoured shape is very tedious.

<CIT> shows a compression device for applying a predetermined compression to a limb including a pliable non-extensible sheet, co-operating fastening parts and a mechanism for indicating changes in compression.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved tension tab system that can be used in conjunction with a garment where the final circumference of the limb to which the garment will be applied is unknown.

This object is met by a system a system for indicating tension settings of a compression garment, the system comprises:.

The first tension tab is attached to the compression garment and the first strap is attached over the first tension tab, wherein the first strap covers at least a first portion of the first tension tab and terminates at a first strap end that exposes a second portion of the first tension tab.

A first tension tab setting indicates whether the end of the first strap terminates adjacent or over the first indicator or the second indicator of the first tension tab.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:.

An example of the method and of a compression garment kit according to the invention are now described in more detail with reference to <FIG>. The compression garments are made from the usual materials used for manufacturing compression garments. Such materials are known to the skilled person. In particular, the materials are different kinds of textiles which can be said as being elastic textiles or inelastic textiles within the range of forces that occur during the use of compression garments. Accordingly, the compression garments may be made of elastic materials only or may be made of inelastic materials only, or such garments may be made from a combination of elastic and inelastic materials, in particular textiles. The textiles or other materials forming together the compression garments may be connected to each other by sewing, laminating, bonding, by adhesives or glues, or by other methods or means known to the skilled person.

In <FIG> an example of an unwrapped compression garment is shown in a top view. The compression garment comprises a first sheet <NUM> and a second sheet <NUM>. The first sheet <NUM> comprises a first lateral end <NUM> and a second lateral end <NUM>. The second sheet <NUM> comprises a first lateral end <NUM> and a second lateral end <NUM>.

The first lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> are held together by several straps <NUM>. The straps <NUM> are connected to the first lateral end <NUM> of the first sheet <NUM> by a seam <NUM> and to the first lateral end <NUM> of the second sheet <NUM> by a hook and loop fastener <NUM> which are known as VELCRO®-fasteners. Alternatively, the straps could alternate with the first strap sewn to the first sheet <NUM>, the second strap sewn to the second sheet <NUM>, the third strap sewn to the first sheet <NUM>, and so forth. The inner surface of the straps <NUM> comprises a hook layer and the outer surface of the second sheet <NUM> comprises a loop layer. The straps are adjustable to establish and adjust the compression during the use of the compression garment.

The second lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> are held together by several temporary releasable fixation elements <NUM>. The fixation elements <NUM> may be connected to the second lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> by a hook and loop fastener, as shown in the figures, or any other releasable fixing means, such as a spring loaded clip.

In <FIG> the compression garment is draped around the leg <NUM> such that it is pulled into contact with the limb. The first lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the front side of the leg, at the shin, or at the lateral and medial sides of the leg, and the second lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged at the back side of the leg.

The straps <NUM> are in a first position providing the largest extension of the at least one strap <NUM>. With other words, the overlap <NUM> between the strap <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM> is as small as possible such that the straps <NUM> can be tightened in the direction of the arrow <NUM> in order to establish compression to the leg.

In <FIG> the second lateral end <NUM> of the first sheet <NUM> and the second lateral end <NUM> of the second sheet <NUM> are held together by temporary releasable fixation elements <NUM> and <NUM> while pulling the first sheet <NUM>, the second sheet <NUM>, and the at least one strap <NUM> against the leg. Preferably, enough tension will be applied to pull the first sheet <NUM>, the second sheet <NUM>, and the at least one strap <NUM> into conformity with the shape of the limb. This corresponds to the third step according to the disclosed method. The fixation elements <NUM> and <NUM> can have the same or different size and shape. In the exemplary embodiment of the figures, the fixation elements <NUM> are hook and loop fasteners and the fixation element <NUM> is a spring loaded clip.

The second lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the sheets <NUM> and <NUM> are understood to comprise the whole section on the back side of the leg <NUM> as indicated by the arrow <NUM>.

The fixation elements <NUM> are arranged at the lateral edges of the second lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>. The fixation element <NUM> is arranged at the top end <NUM> (the bottom end is marked with the number <NUM>) of the sheets <NUM> and <NUM> and at the most inner meeting point <NUM> of the second lateral ends of the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>. If the sheets are pulled back far enough to produce tension in the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>, this will serve to hold the compression garment in place so that it does not fall down.

The fixation element <NUM> is arranged such that the second lateral end <NUM> of the first sheet <NUM> and the second lateral end <NUM> of the second sheet <NUM> are held together by the fixation element <NUM> directly at the leg <NUM> opposite to the straps <NUM>. If desired, an additional fixation element 42a can be similarly placed at the bottom of the garment. In <FIG> a cutting line <NUM> is marked by the marker <NUM>. The cutting line <NUM> is marked on the garment and directly at the back side of the leg opposite to the straps <NUM>. This is where the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM> meet opposite to the straps at the position closest to the limb or the body part.

The cutting line <NUM> may only be marked on the second sheet <NUM>. If the fitter does not have the capability of cutting both the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM> simultaneously, the cutting line may be marked on the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>.

In <FIG> the second sheet <NUM> lies on the first sheet <NUM> such that the first sheet <NUM> is not visible. The first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM> are cut with scissors <NUM> or a knife along the cutting line <NUM> over the full longitudinal length <NUM>. The compression garment can be doffed for an easier cutting of the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>.

In <FIG> the compression garment is shown wherein the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM> are cut open in two pieces and four cut ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are generated. The top or bottom edges <NUM> or <NUM> may be trimmed, if necessary, to fit the length of the limb. With other words, the longitudinal length <NUM> may be trimmed.

As shown in <FIG>, the cut ends <NUM> and <NUM> are spliced together with a splicing element <NUM>. The splicing element comprises a zip fastener <NUM>. A strip with a hook surface <NUM> and <NUM> is sewn to each side of the zip fastener <NUM> and the zip fastener <NUM> is attached to the hook receptive outer surface of the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>. To ease the assembly process, especially when the cut edges are contoured, the two sides of the zip fastener may be completely separated and each side of the zip fastener is applied individually along the cut edges <NUM> of the first sheet <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM>.

The splicing element <NUM> is designed to be shorter than the compression garment because the longitudinal length <NUM> of the compression garment will vary, as the length of the compression garment can be cut down in length and the required splicing element length will vary if the seam is curved in shape. Therefore, both cut ends <NUM> and <NUM> are additionally spliced together by the fixation element <NUM> which is cut to width to fit the remaining length above the splicing element <NUM>. A further fixation element <NUM> or <NUM> might be arranged below the splicing element.

Now, the compression garment is individually tailored and can be donned to the leg by detaching the releasable ends of straps <NUM> from the mating surfaces of the first sheet <NUM> or the second sheet <NUM>. The straps <NUM> can be tightened in the direction of the arrow <NUM> such that the overlap between the strap <NUM> and the second sheet <NUM> is increased in order to establish compression to the leg.

If a reduction of edema occurs, the circumference of the leg decreases. The compression garment can be tailored again. For this, the straps <NUM> are adjusted to be in position providing the largest extension of the straps <NUM>, the splicing element <NUM> is removed from the sheets <NUM> and <NUM>, the lateral ends <NUM> and <NUM> are held together by arranging fixation elements <NUM> at the cut ends <NUM> and <NUM> and the tailoring of the compression garment is completed according to the further steps of the already disclosed method.

<FIG> show a tension tab system that can be used in conjunction with a garment where the final circumference of the limb to which the garment will be applied is unknown. One example of a garment to which the tension tabs of <FIG> can be applied is where the final circumference of the limb is unknown and which is designed for application to the foot, lower leg, knee, or thigh to be fitted by a trained medical professional. In one exemplary embodiment of application of such a garment onto a patient involves a therapist first sliding the garment onto the leg with the straps open and, once the garment is in proper place, closing the straps such that they lay against the limb without tension applied to the straps. The therapist then places a clip at the top and at the bottom edge of the garment and slides the clips snugly against the back of the calf. The therapist then pinches the back panels together (keeping all centered) to create a fit around the leg, and then marks along the curve of the calf s beginning of the top of the garment and marking approximately every <NUM> to the bottom of the garment. The garment is then removed from the patient and trimmed, with the trimming separating the garment into two sections. Once trimmed to fit a patient, one half of a zipper panel is applied by hook and loop fastening to each trimmed edge of the sections of the garment. The zippers of each half of the zipper panel are then zipped together to connect the trimmed sections along the zipper panel. Optionally, a length tab can be trimmed to size and added above the zipper panel to close the back, top edges of the sections together.

In order to use the garment, the garment is arranged in place on the limb and the garment is then secured to the patient by attaching the straps onto the side of the garment opposite the zipper panel, with the straps pulled to remove slack and contact the limb, but without tension. The therapist then applies the tension tab adjacent the end of a strap. The therapist then disengages the strap from the garment and reapplies it tighter onto the garment and over a section of the tension tab. The therapist uses their professional judgment to determine how tight to pull the strap to provide the desired compression. The end of the strap is disposed over an indicator on the tension tab or generally the end of the strap falls in a range indicated by the indicator on the tension tab. The location of the end of the strap is recorded, so that the strap subsequently can be reapplied to have the end of the strap at the same position recorded by the therapist, which could occur, for example, if the strap end is moved to a different location or if the garment is removed. This procedure may be repeated with any additional straps. One exemplary discussion of the fitting procedure is detailed in commonly assigned <CIT>, which is incorporated by reference as if repeated in entirety herein and which specifies, in part, a method of attaching a garment to a limb as shown in <FIG> and detailed in the specification as:
<FIG> now shows the first step according to the method of the invention and shows that the compression garment has been wrapped around the limb <NUM> and has been provisionally secured in a first position that holds said compression garment on said limb or body part without applying a compression level to said limb or body part. By wrapping the compression garment around the limb, the outside <NUM> of the garment, which has not been visible in <FIG>, is now visible. The provisional securing can be preferably done by the closing elements <NUM> working together with the outside of the garment. But under provisional securing within the meaning of the present invention it is also understood that this wrapping position, by which essentially no compression is applied yet, may be just held for a short while by hand by the user who has grasped the closing part <NUM> and has wrapped the garment around his/her limb or body part without applying a force that leads to a compression yet. But performing the following step is easier for the user when the provisional securing is done by using the closing part to secure the garment in the provisional position of the first step. <FIG> serves for explaining the next or second step of the invention in which a tab <NUM> with an adhesive or attaching mechanism is applied to the outside of the garment, the tab <NUM> abutting with its one edge <NUM>' the terminal edge <NUM>" of the closing part <NUM>. The tab <NUM> may be a paper or plastic or textile tab or a tab from a combination of such materials or may be made from yet another material. It may be provided with an adhesive that holds the tab on the outside <NUM> of the garment body <NUM> when the tab is applied to the surface of the outside <NUM>. The tab may as well include an attaching mechanism, as for example hook and loop fastener elements, which secures the tab to the outside <NUM> of the garment body <NUM>. Thus, as shown in <FIG> the tab <NUM>, which is a part of the garment and is adapted to the garment's properties, defines with its opposite edge <NUM>" a safe margin for wrapping of the compression garment around the user's limb or body part. The tab may also include a marking near the edge <NUM>", for example a line imprinted on the tab, that indicates the safe margin instead of the edge <NUM>".

By the next step of the method, the garment will be wrapped further around the limb or body part of the user and will be definitively secured to apply the compression level that shall be established for the intended duration of use of the garment on the user's limb or body part. This is done by grasping the bandage by the user and in this case grasping the closing part <NUM> and wrapping it further around the limb <NUM> and securing the closing part <NUM> to the outside <NUM> of the garment body <NUM>. The closing elements <NUM> of the closing part will attach to the outside of the garment to this end and in particular to corresponding closing elements provided on the outside <NUM>. The tab <NUM> provides the user with a clear indication which is the safe margin of wrapping and thus compressing the limb <NUM> or body part, since the terminal edge <NUM>" of the tab defines a limit indicator for wrapping and securing the closing part <NUM> around the limb. The length of the tab <NUM> of the compression garment is adapted to the properties of the compression garment providing the compression. If the compression garment is mainly comprised of inelastic material, the further amount of wrapping from the noncompressive starting position shown in <FIG> is smaller than for a compression garment which is mainly comprised of elastic material. Accordingly, the tab <NUM> is shorter in the first case since the safe wrapping distance translating to a safe compression level is usually shorter than for an elastic garment, which uses a longer wrapping distance for applying compression to the limb or body part. Instead of using the terminal edge <NUM>" as the safe level of compression indicator, a marking on the tab may be used as mentioned before.

Garments that are designed and cut at specific sizes by a manufacturer can be provided with indicators to allow a pre-sized garment to be consistently applied to a limb at a certain tension. However, if a garment has to be trimmed to size in the field, the range of circumferences a trimmed-to-fit garment will fit is typically large and an indication means cannot be easily provided to allow for consistent application of the garment onto a limb at a certain tension. For example, after a therapist has sized and trimmed a garment to a particular user, the user will need an indicator to be able to remove and then reapply the garment at the tension level recommended by the therapist.

One exemplary system that can provide an indication of a recommended tension for a user to stretch/secure the straps at tensions recommended by a therapist is shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show tension tabs <NUM>, which can be applied to a garment under or adjacent straps <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Using tension tabs <NUM> would allow a user to remove the garment, such as during a shower or for some other reason, and the user could place the garment on the limb and stretch the straps to have the strap ends fall within a tension range recommended by the therapist. The user would know where to dispose the ends of the tension tabs via indicators on the tension tabs as placed on the garment by the therapist during initially sizing/trimming. For example, once the garment has been trimmed to size and is ready for final application to the limb, the therapist can apply tension tabs with indicators on an exterior surface thereof under or adjacent the straps. The therapist can apply tension tabs under or adjacent most if not every strap, and, when the strap has been pulled to a recommended tension, the therapist can record at which indicator the end of the strap falls at, covers, or extends to. The therapist can record the marking indication for each strap to the user to remove and reapply the garment at the recommended tension levels. The user could stretch each strap to extend the strap end to fall at, cover, or extend to the indicator or indicator range. The markings could be recorded on a card or could be electronically transmitted to the user to specify where the end of each strap should be extended.

As shown in <FIG>, the indicators provided on the exterior surface can be any design necessary to convey the recommended tension and can be selected from, for example, different colors, shapes, numbers, graphics, letters, or shadings. As shown in <FIG>, the tension tabs <NUM> can be provided with indicators <NUM>, including a first indicator <NUM> and a second indicator <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the indicators <NUM> are shown as colored triangles, but, as detailed above, the indicators could be filled with different patterns or could be numbered or lettered as shown in <FIG>. Generally, the indicators <NUM> indicate a range that can be recorded to indicate how tight to apply the straps <NUM> over the compression garment. A user can apply the straps <NUM> over the tension tab <NUM> to dispose an end of the straps <NUM> to overlie a specific range, such as an orange triangle, section D, section <NUM>, or a dotted pattern (not shown). This indicator system allows a garment to be reapplied with the straps <NUM> to a pressure indicated by a therapist, for example, after being sized to then reapply the straps <NUM> within a certain range to achieve a certain amount of compression by the compression garment. For example, if the tension tab included yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple indicators, the first strap could be extended by the therapist to the orange indicator, the second strap could be extended by the therapist to the green indicator, the third strap could be extended by the therapist to the blue indicator, the fourth strap could be extended by the therapist to the orange indicator, etc..

<FIG> show processes of applying the tension tabs of <FIG> to a garment G. As shown in <FIG>, a strap <NUM> can be applied to the garment without slack but having no tension. This first location of the tension tab provides a starting point for the therapist. The tension tab can then be extended to a tension indicated by the therapist as shown in <FIG>. As is shown in <FIG>, the strap <NUM> ends at an indicator that can be recorded by the therapist to record the recommended tension to allow a user to extend the strap <NUM> to have its end at the tension indicated. <FIG> show an alternative embodiment of the one shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the strap <NUM> is disposed adjacent the tension tab <NUM>, as first applied to the garment in <FIG> and then as extended to the recommended tension in <FIG>. Although the strap <NUM> is shown below the tension tab <NUM> in <FIG>, the tension tab <NUM> could be disposed above the strap <NUM>. Even further, if desired, the therapist could trim the tension tab <NUM> to the desired range or some other trimming point to indicate a recommended tension.

In an alternative embodiment, a reference line could be provided on the strap and the tension tab could be initially positioned at the reference line. Then, after the strap is tightened, the position of the reference line is noted relative to the indicator on the tension tab. Although this arrangement could work with any embodiment shown above, this arrangement could be advantageous when the tension tab is positioned alongside the strap, for example in the position as shown in <FIG>. In this position, the line would be disposed near the end of the strap.

Claim 1:
A system for indicating tension settings of a compression garment, the system comprising:
a first strap (<NUM>);
a first tension tab (<NUM>) releasably attachable to the compression garment;
wherein the first tension tab (<NUM>) includes at least a first indicator (<NUM>) and a second indicator (<NUM>) on an outer surface;
wherein the first tension tab (<NUM>) is attached to the compression garment and the first strap (<NUM>) is attached over the first tension tab (<NUM>); wherein the first strap (<NUM>) covers at least a first portion of the first tension tab (<NUM>) and terminates at a first strap (<NUM>) end that exposes a second portion of the first tension tab (<NUM>);
wherein a first tension tab setting indicates whether the end of the first strap (<NUM>) terminates adjacent or over the first indicator (<NUM>) or the second indicator (<NUM>) of the first tension tab.