FR2589060A1 - ORTHOPEDIC VEST - Google Patents

Abstract

ORTHOPEDIC VEST FOR THE POSITIONING AND IMMOBILIZATION OF AN INJURED UPPER LIMB, FEATURING: -A MAIN PANEL (ABDC), RECTANGULAR, OF LENGTH CORRESPONDING TO THE PERIPHERY OF THE THORACIC CAGE; -A FIRST AUXILIARY PANEL (EFGH), LOCATED AT THE LOWER PART OF THE MAIN PANEL; -A SECOND AUXILIARY PANEL (IKLM), LOCATED AT THE LOWER PART OF THE MAIN PANEL, AT A DISTANCE FROM THE FIRST AUXILIARY SENSITIVELY EQUAL TO THE DIAMETER OF THE INJURED MEMBER; A THIRD AUXILIARY PANEL (NOPQ), LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE SECOND AUXILIARY PANEL, WITH REGARD TO THE FIRST AUXILIARY PANEL, TOWARDS A DISTANCE FROM THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE MAIN PANEL, SENSITIVELY EQUAL TO THE DIAMETER OF THE BLESILIZED PANEL AND BEFORE THE REACH OF THE LOWER EDGE OF THE MAIN PANEL. A MATERIAL OF WHICH AT LEAST ONE SIDE PLAYS THE ROLE OF "FEMALE" HITCHING MEANS FOR A SELF-GRIPPING SYSTEM, THE OUTER EDGE OF EACH PANEL INCLUDING "MALES" HITCHING MEANS OF THE SAME SYSTEM.

Description

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  Many orthopedic vests have been proposed to provide both positioning and immobilization of an injured upper limb. In particular the inventor of the present application has described in his French patent 81.08625 a vest for this application, and consisting of a main panel adaptable to the thorax and auxiliary panels cooperating with this main panel for said application, the means being provided for fixing these auxiliary panels together and on said panel

main.

  However, these means of attachment were, whatever their nature, located at specific fixed points of the elements to be joined, which resulted in a near impossibility of adjusting and adapting the dimensions and dimensions.

  orientations of said elements relative to each other.

  The main object of the present invention is to remedy this deficiency, and it is aimed primarily at an orthopedic vest of this type, but whose set of elements is designed so as to be able to take care of all the

  relative positions, both in size and orientation.

  For this purpose, according to a first essential feature of the invention: - said main panel is generally rectangular in shape, its length substantially corresponding to the periphery of the rib cage, and it comprises at its upper part a shoulder curve, - a first auxiliary panel is located at the lower part of the main panel, in line with said curve, - a second auxiliary panel is located at the lower part of the main panel, at a distance from said first auxiliary panel substantially equal to the diameter of the injured limb - a third auxiliary panel is located on the side of the second auxiliary panel facing the first auxiliary panel and at a distance from the lower edge of the main panel substantially equal to the diameter of the injured limb, - all of said panels being made of a material playing both the role of elastic bandage and, on at least one face, hooking means "fem it "for self-gripping systems of the type" VELCRO ",

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  the outer edge of each panel comprising "male" coupling means of the same system, in such a way that the main panel and each of the auxiliary panels can be closed on themselves and / or on each other whatever relative position. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, in order to disengage the shoulder corresponding to the uninjured member, the two sides of the main panel have a decreasing width from the shoulder curve for the shoulder corresponding to the injured member to the diametrically opposite zone of the vest, intended to pass under the axillary hollow of

  shoulder "uninjured", before closing one on the other.

  The invention is based mainly on the use, as a means of fixing the elements of the vest between them, a self-gripping system of the type "VELCRO" comprising a means "female", generally consisting of a fabric of the kind velvet and d a "male" means generally consisting of a plastic surface having a multitude of small hooks, one can design several variants, it being understood that the outer face of the vest is constituted by a layer of the "female" means. According to a first variant, the two faces of the vest are constituted by two similar layers of said "female" means, and the vest is then constituted by a single substantially flat piece comprising all the constituent panels, and it is reversible, it is to say that by turning over it can instantly be used indifferently by a right member or a left member. In this case, the second auxiliary panel is folded upwards so that its outer edge clings to the face opposite the main panel, at the appropriate height depending on the stature of the subject of the position to be given to the member to rest. The first auxiliary panel then clings to the fold zone of the second auxiliary panel, and the third auxiliary panel will hook on the opposite bottom edge of the main panel by locking the whole. Of course, to ensure the reversibility of the vest, the attachment means "males" must in this case

also be double-sided.

  According to a second variant, the material of the vest comprises two different layers, only the outer layer constitutes a

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  means of attachment "female", the inner layer being non-allergenic material, especially cotton, wool or silk, the attachment means "male" being single-sided. This constitution has the advantage of not putting the skin of the subject in contact with the so-called "female" material which, of a synthetic nature, risks, in certain cases, to cause allergies. It is obvious that in this case, the vest is not immediately reversible. However, according to the invention, in order to allow the use of the vest indifferently to the right or left, the second panel is removable so as to be hung as appropriate to the right or left of the first auxiliary panel, the location the shoulder curve is then chosen so that the portions (E, D) and (H, C) of the panel

  principal of substantially equal length.

  Finally, the invention also provides subsidiary features. Thus, according to a variant of the second embodiment, the removable attachment of the third auxiliary panel can be replaced by a direct seam, on the lower edge of the main panel, beyond the first auxiliary panel. This allows to adjust the opening for threading the arm, while eliminating a thickness in one of the two configurations of the vest which, in this case can not be flat, but remains

curved.

  According to another characteristic, to further increase the comfort of the vest, it can be made of aerated material, for example by perforation, or by weaving the constituent layers. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows the first embodiment of the invention, deployed flat, - Figure 2 shows the second embodiment of the invention. the invention, also deployed flat, - Figure 3 schematically shows the mode of cooperation of the different elements of the vest between them at the time of its establishment on a patient, and - Figure 4 is a variant of a part of the figure

  3 corresponding to the use of the embodiment of FIG.

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  Referring first of all to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the vest according to the invention consists of a main panel (A, B, C, D) of generally rectangular shape, comprising in its upper part a curve reinforced triangular (R, S, T), and carrying along its lower edge (C, D) a first auxiliary panel (E, F, G, H), located vertically above said curve, and a second auxiliary panel (I, K, L, M), located at a distance from the first auxiliary panel and substantially equal to the diameter of the injured limb, represented symbolically by the circle 1; a third auxiliary panel (N, O, P, Q) being located on the side (I, K) of the second auxiliary panel facing the first auxiliary panel, and also at a distance from the main panel port, substantially equal to the diameter of the member

injured 1.

  According to the invention, the entirety of said panels is made of a material which, by its nature, plays both the role of elastic bandage and, on at least one face, "female" attachment means, for elements corresponding "males" of self-gripping systems, of the type generally known under the trademark "VELCRO". The female fastening means is of the velvet type or similar fabric allowing the hooks of the "male" means to create a phenomenon of close union of the elements

cooperating with each other.

  These male elements are located, as shown, on one of the short sides of the rectangle (A, B, C, D), for example in two along the side (A, D), and on the outer sides of the three panels 3, along the side (F, G) of the first auxiliary panel, at 4 along the (K, L) side of the second auxiliary panel, and at 5 along the (O, P) side of the third

auxiliary panel.

  The exact shape of the panel (A, B, C, D) differs slightly from the exact rectangle (A ', B', C, D) in that both sides (R, A) and (9, B) are oblique, so that the sides (A, D) and (B, C) have a decreasing width from the curve (R, S, T), located at the shoulder corresponding to the injured member, to the diametrically opposite zone of the vest, intended to pass under the axillary hollow of the uninjured shoulder, before closing one on the other, namely by hooking the male element (A, D) on

the female element (B, C).

  This hanging allows to place the vest around the chest

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  of the patient, whatever the stature of the latter, the attachment of the male element 2 being made at a greater or lesser distance from the edge (B, C) in the adjacent part of the rectangle

(A, B, C, D).

  The panel (I, K, L, M) is intended to serve as a resting place for the injured limb, by folding around the zone (I, M), so that the male element 4 comes to hang in an area of the rectangle (A, B, C, D) located at the proper distance from the edge (H, C)

  to ensure proper positioning of the injured limb.

  It is therefore found that a first advantage of the invention is to allow a suitable tightening of the rectangle (A, B, C, D) on the thorax of the patient, and a suitable positioning of the injured limb on his rest, without undergoing the limitations. qu'imposaient

  vests previously known for the same purpose.

  Figure 3 illustrates a previous reset.

  This same figure makes it possible to understand the respective role

  auxiliary panels (E, F, G, H) and (N, O, PQ).

  The panel (E, F, G, H), denoted by 6 in FIG. 3, hangs by its male element 3 on the rounding located approximately along (I, M) so as to constitute a

  protection for the elbow of the injured limb located in the repository.

  Finally, the male element 5 of the panel (E, F, G, H) comes to grip

  below the panel (E, F; G, H) already in place, so as to keep the assembly locked, that is to say to prevent any rocking of the base of the rest, which would be detrimental to the

maintaining the injured limb.

  Moreover, the other member, and the corresponding shoulder, are not affected by the vest, being located above the upper edge of the vest, so as to make the wearing more comfortable

of the last.

  An advantage of this vest is the simplicity of its realization, since it is in one piece, practically flat, with the exception of the curve (R, S, T). Another benefit is the

  ability to make such a vest, totally reversible, that is to say

  say usable instantly and without modifications, indifferently for a wounded member right or left. For this purpose, the material constituting the vest consists of two identical layers, each constituting a "female" attachment means, and in this case, the "male" elements 2,3,4 and 5 must be

heard to be double-sided.

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  However, it can be considered that in some cases, this constitution may represent a disadvantage to the extent that some skin is allergic to contact with the material

  synthetic material constituting the "female" element.

  To avoid this drawback, the invention aims at the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, and whose particularity is to present different faces, namely an external face made of "female" material, and an internal face intended to be in contact with each other. non-allergenic material, such as

cotton, wool, or silk.

  In the latter case, the net is no longer reversible, it is no longer instantly usable indifferently to the right or left, and the version of Figure 2 can remedy this.

minor inconvenience.

  For this purpose, the panel (I, K, L, M) is removably mounted on the lower side (C, D) of the main panel, for the other elements of the vest remaining otherwise identical to the

previous achievement.

  In this case, depending on whether the vest is intended to be used either on the right or on the left, the auxiliary panel (I, K, L, M) can be placed either to the right or to the left of the first auxiliary panel (E, F, G, H), and for this, the distances (H, C) and (E, D) must be substantially equal, that is to say that the curve (R, S, T) must be placed substantially in the middle of the panel

(A, B, C, D).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the removable panel (I, K, L, M) then comprises two male hooking elements, namely 4 and 6, the element 6 allowing said panel to be hooked, either along the edge (C, H), or along the edge (E, D). Of course the orientation of the panel (N, O, P, Q) is also reversed, so as to delimit as appropriate a passage for the injured member 1 or the injured member 1 ', right or left. An additional advantage of the existence of this removable panel (I, K, L, M) is illustrated in FIG. 4: in the case where an injured limb must be positioned in an oblique position and not simply rested horizontally on the fold (I , M), it is possible thanks to the male fastening elements 4 and 6 to fix the panel (I, K, L, M) in an oblique position, without any other means

  immobilization of the limb in this position.

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  In both cases, the two layers constituting the material of which the vest is made can be made even more comfortable thanks to the interposition of an intermediate layer.

in foam product.

  Also with a view to increasing the comfort of the vest, it is also provided according to the invention to produce this material with perforations, which can be calibrated, or resulting any

  simply the way of weaving the material.

  Finally, according to another variant, in the second embodiment, the removable attachment can be replaced by the male element 5 of the third auxiliary panel (N, O, P, Q) on the panel (E, F, G, H). by a seam on the (N, Q) side of this panel directly on the bottom edge (E, D) of the main panel. This makes it possible to adjust the opening intended for threading the arm, while at the same time eliminating an allowance in one of the two

  vest configurations. In this case the vest is no longer all-in

  made flat but remains slightly curved in this area.

  Among other advantages of the second embodiment which is the subject of FIG. 2, mention may also be made of the fact that the male elements of the VELCRO type 2,3,4,5 and 6 are

  single-sided, which further reduces the cost price of the vest.

  Although this is already clear from the foregoing, it is important to note that in the two embodiments just described, the major advantage of the constitution of this vest is the possibility of hanging the zones of male snapping 2,3,4,5 and 6 at any point on the surface with which they are intended to cooperate, that is to say that it is possible to modify and adjust at will the clamping, as well as the orientation of all the elements relative to each other, which makes it possible to adapt the vest to subjects of any stature and demanding any

  positioning an injured limb for treatment.

  Naturally, the invention is not limited to the two particular embodiments which have just been described, which represent particularly simple practical examples, and may be adapted according to all the medical requirements of the subject. The invention is therefore limited only by the scope of

claims below.

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Claims (9)

  1. Orthopedic vest for the positioning and immobilization of an injured upper limb, of the type comprising a main panel adaptable to the thorax and auxiliary panels cooperating with this main panel for the purpose of said application, means being provided for the fixation of these auxiliary panels between them and on said main panel, characterized in that: - said main panel (ABCD) is generally rectangular in shape, its length substantially corresponding to the O10 periphery of the rib cage, and it comprises at its upper part a shoulder curve (RST), - a first auxiliary panel (EFGH) is located at the lower part of the main panel, directly above said curve, - a second auxiliary panel (IKLM) is located at the lower part of the main panel at a distance from said first auxiliary panel substantially equal to the diameter of the injured limb, - a third auxiliary panel (NOPQ) is located on the side of u second auxiliary panel facing the first auxiliary panel and at a distance from the lower edge of the main panel substantially equal to the diameter of the injured member, all of said panels being made of a material playing both the role of elastic bandage and, on at least one face of "female" hooking means for "VELCRO" self-gripping systems, the outer edge of each panel comprising "male" hooking means of the same system, in such a way that the main panel and each of the auxiliary panels can be closed on themselves and / or on each other in any what relative position.   2. Vest according to claim 1, characterized in that the two sides of the main panel have a decreasing width from the shoulder curve intended for the shoulder corresponding to the injured member to the diametrically opposite zone of the vest, intended to pass under the axillary hollow of   shoulder "uninjured", before closing one on the other.   3. Vest according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that   that said material consists of two layers, one external and - 9 2589060   the other internal, of which at least the outer layer is said "female" hooking means, these two surfaces being optionally padded by an intermediate layer of foam. 4. Vest according to claim 3, characterized in that the two surfaces are made of material constituting a means of attachment "female", the vest then being completely reversible, and the   means of attachment "male" being double-sided.   5. Vest according to claim 3, characterized in that only the outer layer is a hooking means "female", the inner layer being non-allergenic material, especially cotton, wool or silk, the attachment means "male" being single-sided.   6. Vest according to claim 5, characterized in that, in order to allow the use of the vest indifferently to the right or left, the second panel (IKLM) is removable so as to be hooked as appropriate to the right or to left of the first auxiliary panel, the location of the shoulder curve (RST) then being chosen so that the portions ED and HC of the   main panel are of substantially equal length.   7. Vest according to any one of claims 1 to 6   characterized in that the third auxiliary panel is directly sewn on the lower edge of the main panel at the   beyond the first auxiliary panel.   8. Vest according to claim 6, characterized in that the second auxiliary panel (IKLM) has on its side (IM) opposite the outer edge (KL) a strip of attachment means "male".   9. Vest according to any one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that its constituent material is made airy by calibrated perforations or by the very nature of weaving said material.