Patent ID: 8234885

Claim:
A gradient compression article operable to be received on the limb of a wearer and provide compression to the limb that varies along the length of the limb, said gradient compression article comprising: a limb-receiving section that extends continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof, said limb-receiving section including a tubular distal portion extending from the distal end and a tubular proximal portion extending from the open proximal end, with the distal portion dimensioned to receive the distal limb section of the wearer and the proximal portion dimensioned to receive at least part of the proximal limb section of the wearer when the article is donned, said limb-receiving section being knitted at least substantially of a stretch yarn and including elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting, with the distal portion and proximal portion being configured to be undersized relative to the distal limb section and proximal limb section of the wearer, said limb-receiving section presenting a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the article changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the article is donned, said stretch yarn comprising a core-spun yarn that includes a pre-tensioned elastomenc core and a twisted fiber sheath, wherein the core is pre-tensioned when the sheath is twisted around the core.