Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
  • A61F5/04—Devices for stretching or reducing fractured limbs; Devices for distractions; Splints
  • A61F5/05—Devices for stretching or reducing fractured limbs; Devices for distractions; Splints for immobilising
  • A61F5/058—Splints
  • A61F5/05841—Splints for the limbs
  • A61F5/05858—Splints for the limbs for the arms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/37—Restraining devices for the body or for body parts, e.g. slings; Restraining shirts
  • A61F5/3715—Restraining devices for the body or for body parts, e.g. slings; Restraining shirts for attaching the limbs to other parts of the body
  • A61F5/3723—Restraining devices for the body or for body parts, e.g. slings; Restraining shirts for attaching the limbs to other parts of the body for the arms

Definitions

• the invention concerns a garment comprising a T-shirt and a system for limiting the movement of a body portion comprising the shoulder.
• the shoulder is a complex portion of the human body.
• the shoulder comprises three bones: clavicle, scapula and humerus.
• the three bones are joined by means of three joints: glenohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint and sternoclavicular joint.
• Many muscles are connected to the scapula, clavicle and humerus and are able to perform the movements of one or more joints.
• the joints permit a wide range of movements.
• the sternoclavicular joint permits lowering, raising, rotation and anteposition along the axis of the clavicle.
• the acromioclavicular joint allows both a sliding movement during flexion and extension of the shoulder and an elevation and depression movement to adapt to the relations between humerus and scapula during abduction.
• the glenohumeral joint allows the arm to perform spatial rotations in the region of 360 degrees .
• a permanent shift of the joint surfaces with respect to each other, i.e. a dislocation of the shoulder, is also possible.
• the first dislocation usually occurs following a simple fall and entails displacement of the head of the humerus. Often it is possible to reposition the head of the humerus with very few complications, but the patient remains much more exposed to the risk of the dislocation re-occurring.
• the known shoulder stabilisation systems are generally useful for blocking or limiting one or more movements of the shoulder joints, but they are not able to act simultaneously on all the concomitant causes of a dislocation and in particular on the abduction movements and abduction associated with internal or external rotation, therefore they are not able to prevent dislocation re-occurring. Furthermore the known systems, whether they consist of slings or interconnected bands, must necessarily be applied by a third person to prevent the user performing problematic shoulder movements which could increase the risk of dislocation re-occurring.
• the objective is for the patient to be able to resume not only daily activities but also any sports activities, greatly limiting the risk of dislocation re-occurring.
• a system for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising elastic bands which can be connected to a T-shirt is known from US2006000478.
• the elastic bands block only one single possibility of movement of the body and are not applicable in the treatment of dislocations.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a system for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder which can be used for the treatment of dislocations and is able to solve the problems described above and which can be easily produced and marketed.
• a garment comprising a system for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder according to claim 1.
• FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment comprising a system for limiting the movements of a body portion including the shoulder in a first open position;
• figure 2 is a front view of a garment comprising a system for controlling the movements of a body portion including the shoulder in a second closed position;
• figure 3 is a rear view of a garment comprising a system for controlling the movements of a body portion including the shoulder in the second closed position;
• figure 4 is a graph illustrating the elastic elongation in relation to the force applied and up to breaking point in an elastic band produced according to the invention.
• the number 1 indicates as a whole a garment comprising a T-shirt la, preferably a T-shirt la with two long sleeves 2.
• the T-shirt la can be made of any material such as cotton or other material usable for the production of garments.
• the T-shirt la is made of an elastic and/or breathable material, more preferably the T-shirt is made of fabric, for example Sensitive® Fabrics, with elastic behaviour with two different moduli in the two main directions, even more preferably also washable and with quick drying.
• fabric for example Sensitive® Fabrics
• the T-shirt la comprises one or more fabrics having different characteristics .
• the garment 1 further comprises a system 3 for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder.
• the system 3 for limiting the movements of a body portion comprises a wind-around elastic band 4 fixed at a first end 4a, preferably in an irremovable manner, for example by means of stitching or heat welding, preferably between the cuff and the elbow of a sleeve 2 of the T-shirt la; more preferably it is fixed nearer the cuff than to the elbow, even more preferably it is fixed near the cuff as shown in figure 1.
• the elastic band 4 could alternatively be fixed in a removable manner, for example by means of a zip or Velcro. Whether it is fixed in an irremovable manner or in a removable manner, it is clear that the system 3 for limiting the movements of a body portion performs its functions and is therefore effectively able to limit the movements only in combination with the T-shirt, unlike the known systems which are generally used separately from the garments.
• both the sleeves 2 of the T-shirt la comprise the elastic band 4 so as to limit the movements of both shoulders .
• the elastic band 4 is fixed at a first end 4a on the sleeve 2 of the T-shirt la by means of stitching or heat welding, but can also be glued, zipped or fixed by means of buttons or other coupling means.
• the elastic band 4 has a width adapted to allow winding around the user' s arm preferably without blocking the elbow joints and without creating vasoconstriction.
• the elastic band 4 therefore has a width preferably ranging from 5 to 15 cm, more preferably from 7 to 12 cm.
• the width of the elastic band 4 can be variable along its length; preferably the width diminishes slightly from the first end 4a fixed to the sleeve 2 to the second free end 4b.
• the elastic band 4 is provided with a fixing tape 5 arranged and fixed to the sleeve preferably at the first end 4a of the elastic band 4 and therefore preferably near the user' s wrist .
• the fixing tape 5 consists of a tape preferably made of fabric and preferably provided with a closing system 8 around the cuff, preferably a tear-off or Velcro® system, for closing on itself and around the user' s wrist so as to prevent the sleeve 2 of the T-shirt rotating around the arm when the elastic band 4 is wound around the arm in order to be fixed.
• a closing system 8 around the cuff, preferably a tear-off or Velcro® system, for closing on itself and around the user' s wrist so as to prevent the sleeve 2 of the T-shirt rotating around the arm when the elastic band 4 is wound around the arm in order to be fixed.
• the involuntary partial rotation of the sleeve 2 around the arm would make winding of the elastic band 4 around the user' s arm more difficult.
• the fixing tape 5 is preferably integral with the elastic band 4, but can optionally be separated from it and fixed to the sleeve 2.
• a high-friction fabric tape Preferably, inside the sleeve 2 there is a high-friction fabric tape, more preferably one or more tapes comprising silicone to prevent sliding and rotation of the sleeve 2.
• the sleeve 2 has in the vicinity of the cuff an end portion 6 comprising a hole 7.
• the hole 7 of the end portion 6 of the sleeve 2 is adapted to house the user' s thumb.
• the dimensions of the terminal portion 6 and of the hole 7 can vary to adapt better to housing the user's thumb.
• the elastic band 4 has a length adapted to be wound around the user's arm at least once, preferably twice, even more preferably three or alternatively several times and then fixed on the user's chest.
• the elastic band 4 preferably has a length ranging from 90 to 150 cm.
• the elastic band 4 is wound a first and a second time around the user' s arm between the wrist and the elbow and a third time between the elbow and the shoulder. In this way the elbow joint is left free to facilitate the user's movements.
• the user can wind the elastic band 4 around his/her arm and then fix it to his/her chest without the help of a third person.
• the elastic band 4 is again wound around the arm for approximately 270° and then made to pass over the shoulder and lastly fixed on the user's chest, by means of a fixing system 10, preferably tear-off or Velcro®, as shown in figure 2.
• a fixing system 10 preferably tear-off or Velcro®, as shown in figure 2.
• the elastic band 4 can be provided with another removable fixing system, for example a series of buttons.
• the tear-off or Velcro® system consists of a removable fixing system comprising a first hooked strip preferably made of nylon and comprising a plurality of small hooks and a second looped strip of material also commonly called Velour or material with loops to which the hooks attach, ensuring fixing of the system.
• the garment 1 comprises a tear-off or Velcro® coupling system 10.
• the tear-off or Velcro® coupling system 10 consists of a first strip 12 made of looped material fixed to an upper area of the torso of the T-shirt la and a second hooked strip 13 arranged at the second end 4b of the elastic band 4.
• the first looped strip 12 of the coupling system 10 covers a portion of the torso between the bust and the shoulder opposite the one for which the movement limitation system 3 is intended.
• the hooked strip 11 is fixed above the bust. More preferably, it is fixed at an angle ranging from 10° to 45° with respect to the axis A of the bust, as shown in figure 2.
• the T-shirt la can be provided with a front zip 9 extending along an axis B orthogonal to the axis A and in a preferably central position with respect to the user' s chest and used to facilitate the possibility of being worn also by users having a limited movement capacity.
• the coupling system 10 and, in particular, the strip of looped material extends on both sides of the zip 9 as shown in figures 1 and 2.
• the elastic band 4 Since the elastic band 4 is provided with its own predetermined elasticity, it can be more or less tensioned or elongated during the fixing. In particular, it can be adjusted to a different tension by fixing it on different points of the coupling system 10 or in particular of the second looped strip 12.
• the elastic band 4 can be fixed nearer the shoulder in which reoccurrence of the dislocation must be prevented or farther away, thus adapting it to the size of the individual user. Furthermore in this way it is possible to adjust the elastic band 4 to limit the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the user' s shoulder, also adapting it to the specific sports use .
• the intrinsic elasticity of the elastic band 4 is fundamental in ensuring that the abduction and extra-rotation movement of the shoulder joint is limited but not prevented.
• the system 3 for limiting the movements further comprises an elastic strip 11.
• the elastic strip 11 can be advantageously integral with the elastic band 4, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, or can be added and fixed separately to it.
• the elastic strip 11 preferably extends from the elastic band 4 and in any case is fixed to it preferably in an irremovable manner .
• the elastic strip 11 has a length ranging from 50 to 110 cm and a width ranging from 3 to 12 cm.
• the elastic strip 11 is preferably made of the same material as the elastic band 4, but can also be made of different material .
• the elastic band 4 can also be divided into two at its end so as to have two terminal portions, one of which constitutes the elastic strip 11.
• the elastic strip 11 is used to form a sort of hammock to support the shoulder which limits the anterior and anterior- inferior sliding movements of the head of the humerus with respect to the scapular glenoid (inferior or anterior-inferior or anterior partial dislocation or dislocation) .
• the elastic strip 11 comprises a first portion 11a fixed in an irremovable manner to the elastic band 4 and a second portion lib which is free and adapted to be fixed in a removable manner on the user's chest.
• the elastic strip 11 also comprises a tear-off or Velcro® system in the area of the free terminal portion lib consisting of a third hooked strip 14 adapted to couple with the user's torso, preferably with the looped fabric 12 of the coupling system 10 on the user's chest.
• the elastic strip 11 is narrower than the elastic band 4.
• the first portion 11a of the elastic strip 11 extends from a central portion with respect to the width of the elastic band 4, as shown in figures 1 and 2.
• the elastic band 4 has a hole 15 in the area of the line where the elastic strip 11 is fixed.
• the elastic strip 11 can thus pass through the hole 15 without bending or distorting the elastic band 4 when the latter is already fixed to the user's chest.
• the elastic strip 11 extends from the elastic band 4 at a distance from the end of the elastic band fixed to the sleeve 2 so that it is possible to wind one, two, but more preferably three turns of the elastic band 4 around the user' s arm and therefore have the hole 15 in the area of the anterior face of the proximal third of the humerus .
• the user winds the elastic band around his/her arm, preferably three times, then fixes the free end of the elastic band 4 on his/her chest while the elastic strip 11 is made to pass through the hole 15 and then under the armpit.
• the elastic strip 11 is made to pass along the back and lastly over the shoulder opposite the one whose movements have to be limited.
• the elastic strip 11 is fixed, preferably by means of the hooked strip 14, on the looped strip 12 of the coupling system 10 in the vicinity of the hooked strip 13 as shown in figure 1.
• the elastic strip 11 can be fixed to the chest by means of a different coupling system.
• the hooked strip 13 of the elastic band 4 and the hooked strip 14 of the elastic strip 11 are fixed at an angle to each other ranging from 60° to 120°, more preferably at an angle to each other ranging from 80° to 100° as shown in figure 2.
• elastic band 4 and elastic strip 11 allows limitation of all the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the shoulder joint, to an extent that can be customised for each individual patient, separately or simultaneously.
• Both the elastic band 4 and the elastic strip 11 preferably comprise elastic material.
• the fact that they are made of elastic material is essential to ensure that the movement limitation system 3 does not completely block the movement of the user' s arm and shoulder but limits it in a progressive manner .
• the elastic band consists of one or more materials having overall an elongation ranging from 100 to 250% when subject to a force of 400 N, more preferably from 150 to 200%.
• the elastic band comprises a multilayer material.
• the multilayer material comprises at least one layer of Sensitive® Fabrics material and one layer comprising thermoadhesive polyurethane.
• the multilayer material comprises 4 base layers.
• the multilayer material comprises a Sensitive® Bonded fabric composed in turn of two layers of Sensitive® in polyamide elastomer with weight per square metre of 230 grams joined by sticker coupling plus a layer of double-sided adhesive polyurethane film and a layer of Sensitive® in polyamide elastomer with weight per square metre of 218 grams.
• the elastic band 4 further comprises one or more strips of material comprising silicone 16 to improve the adhesion between the elastic band 4 and the sleeve 2 and thus avoid sliding of the elastic band 4 on the sleeve 2.
• the elastic strip 11 comprises one or more strips of material comprising silicone 17 to improve the adhesion between the elastic strip 11 and the T-shirt la.
• the elastic strip 11 consists of one or more materials having overall an elongation ranging from 100 to 250% when subjected to a force of 400 N, more preferably from 150 to 200%.
• This figure graphically represents the fact that a small effort is required to perform small movements whereas a greater effort or force is required to perform bigger movements .
• the garment of the present invention does not comprise portions of metallic, plastic, composite or ceramic materials .
• the garment of the present invention is lightweight and breathable and can be worn as an undergarment also during sports activities.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

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• 2015
  • 2015-10-06 WO PCT/IB2015/057640 patent/WO2016055938A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-10-06 EP EP15797407.2A patent/EP3203944A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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