FR2801495A1 - Orthesis garment, for treatment of oedemas and haematoses following liposuction, comprises reinforced zone(s) to exercise extra compression on specific areas by including extra elastic yarns - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment (10) has a part (11) of a knitted elastic textile, designed to exercise a degree of pressure on the part of the body covered. It has one or more reinforced zones (12) applying extra pressure. The reinforced zones are made by incorporating an additional plain or uncovered elastic or stretch yarn in the knitting, and do not surround the covered parts of the body.

Description

The present invention relates to a compressive orthosis, of the type comprising a main enveloping part knitted in an elastic textile material chosen to exert a determined compression on the body part concerned of the wearer of the orthosis.

The invention applies to very varied types of compression orthotics, and it may be as much tights or compression stockings, as arm sleeves, knee pads, ankles, panties or leotards.

The technical problem that the invention proposes to solve is to design a compressive orthosis having less of a reinforced zone at the level of which a higher compression can be exerted on the part of the body concerned.

In accordance with a first widely used approach, attempts have been made to create circumferential (surrounding) zones having a structure capable of exerting a compression which is significantly different from that exerted by the part adjacent to this zone.

Thus the document FR-A-2 213 677 of the applicant describes a manufacturing technique on a circular knitting loom against varicose veins comprising a first lower part with strong tightening, a second part with intermediate tightening , and a third part with moderate tightening, this in general going from the heel to the top of the compression stocking. Each part made by a particular knitting and with a specific choice of dPS threads used. According to the same approach, document FR-H-2 432 867 describes a compression stocking comprising two parts coming, when one puts it on, to place one on the other in the area of the leg (calf) to be subjected compressive treatment and thus form two layers of superimposed tissue.

This first approach is not suitable when it is sought to produce a reinforced zone which is more punctual, that is to say not enveloping the entire periphery of the member or of the zone concerned of the wearer.

Another approach has already been used, according to which provision is made for a specific reinforcement obtained by incorporating the compression orthosis of an added pad, for example made of foam added with silicone, this pad being integrated into the knitted fabric constituting the part main envelope of the orthosis. In addition to the complexity of manufacturing such an orthosis, it will be seen that the comfort was not very satisfactory for the wearer, due to the rigid or semi-rigid allowance inherent in the presence of the added pad, this allowance also constituting discomfort for cleaning the orthosis. In addition, the use of such a skate is necessarily limited to areas of the body which are remote from the joints.

The object of the invention is to produce a locally reinforced compressive orthosis with zones having the aforementioned drawbacks and / or limitations.

This problem is solved in accordance with the invention thanks to a compressive orthosis comprising a main enveloping part knitted in an elastic textile material chosen to exert a determined compression on the part of the body concerned of the wearer of the orthosis, said main enveloping part presenting at least one non-surrounding reinforced zone which is knitted with an additional elastic or extensible thread conferring on said zone an ability to locally exert a compression substantially higher than that exerted by the main part in the vicinity of the reinforced zone.

The fact that the reinforced non-surrounding area is knitted means that it is intimately linked to the network constituting the knitted fabric, base of the main enveloping part. In addition, the integration of the elastic or extensible additional wire can be easily carried out on the circular loom used for the manufacture of the compressive orthosis, so that the arrangement of the reinforced zone can be easily obtained by adequate programming of the loom. circular.

We can then afford to structure the reinforced area so as to implement a local compression significantly higher than that exerted by the main part, which could be achieved with an approach providing for a circumferential arrangement of the area of reinforcement, because there would be significant risk of tourniquet at the part of the body concerned. The invention thus makes it possible to exert significant local compression without risk of strangulation.

The additional yarn used to knit the reinforced area may be an elastic, bare or gimped yarn, an extensible yarn such as a stretch or textured yarn.

Preferably, in the case of an elastic additional yarn, the knitting mode used for the reinforced zone and / or the associated additional yarn is chosen so that the compression exerted locally by the reinforced zone is at least 30 s greater than that exerted by the enveloping main part in the vicinity of said area. The value of 6 indicated here is of course only an example, but illustrates the possibility of a large compression variation compared to that which is normally exerted by the main enveloping part. In the case of an additional extensible thread, the compression exerted locally will generally be within 30%.

The basic knit constituting the main enveloping part of the orthosis may be elastic in the only circumferential direction, or alternatively in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction (height).

In the case of a compression orthosis of the sticky or compression stocking type, provision may be made for the reinforced zone to concern the wearer's knees. As a variant, provision may be made for the reinforced zone to concern a part of the wearer's body subjected to a liposuction treatment, in particular the inside of the knees, the outside of the thighs or the abdomen.

When it is a compressive orthosis of the arm sleeve type, provision may be made for the reinforced zone to concern the wearer's elbow, or any other part of the arm affected by induration (abnormal hardening of a tissue).

In the case of a compression knee brace, provision may be made for the reinforced zone to concern the front and / or side part of the wearer's knee.

 In the case of a compressive orthosis of the ankle type, provision may be made for the reinforced zone to concern the malleoli of the wearer's foot.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows and of the appended drawings, relating to a particular embodiment, with reference to the figures in which - Figure 1 schematically illustrates a compressive orthosis sticky compression type, having two non-surrounding reinforced zones knitted according to the invention, here at the knees; FIG. 2 illustrates several other variants of compressive orthoses having one or more reinforced non-surrounding zones, examples a) and b) relating to compression tights, while examples c), d), e) relate respectively to a arm sleeve, knee pad, and ankle brace; - Figure 3 illustrates on a very large scale the knitting of a reinforced non-surrounding area according to the invention, in the case of a basic knitting which is elastic in the only circumferential direction; FIG. 4 illustrates a variant of the knitting of the reinforced non-surrounding zone, according to which the basic knitting of the orthosis is elastic both in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 1 illustrates a compression orthosis of the sticky compression type 10. This orthosis 10 comprises a main enveloping part it knitted in elastic textile material chosen to exert a determined compression on the part of the body concerned of the wearer of the orthosis, this compression being generally decreasing from the bottom to the top of the tights.

According to the invention, the main enveloping part it has at least one reinforced - surrounding zone which is knitted with an additional elastic or extensible thread conferring on said zone the ability to locally exert a compression substantially higher than that exerted by the main part 11 in the vicinity of the reinforced zone.

in this case, two non-surrounding reinforced zones noted 12 are provided, here at the wearer's knees. made of the extra thickness, the reinforced zones 12 appear apparently as inserts as opposed to a circular band which would surround the knee zone. It is important to note, however, that these zones 12 are in fact knitted by being integrated into the main part 11, and not constituted by attached parts.

It is easy to understand that a circumferential band at the level of the knees would not only be a source of discomfort, but in addition would exert a strong strangulation at the level of the knee joint.

Several other variants of compression orthoses according to the invention are illustrated, by way of example only, in FIG. 2, in order to show that the invention is in no way limited neither to a particular type of compression orthotics, nor to a particular zone at the level of which one wishes to exert a stronger localized compression.

In a), a compression pantyhose 10 is distinguished here stops at the ankles of the wearer, and comprises two reinforced zones denoted 12.1 and 12.2. Zone .1 concerns the inside of the knees, and zone .2 the outside of the thighs. One could naturally provide a reinforced zone at the level of only one or the other of the knees and / or a zone reinforced at the level only 1 outside of one or the other of the two thighs. This is particularly advantageous when the wearer has liposuction treatment, with a suction zone relating to the inside of the knees and / or the outside of the thighs.

In b), another variant has been illustrated, always of the sticky or compression stocking type 10, having a reinforced zone 12.3 which relates to the abdomen of the wearer. This is particularly advantageous when the wearer has undergone liposuction treatment in the abdominal area.

The examples illustrated in a) and b) are of course combinable, and also applicable to short stockings, for example stopping below the knees.

In c), a compressive orthosis of another type is illustrated, namely an arm sleeve denoted 20. The sleeve 20 comprises, as before, a main enveloping part denoted 21 which is knitted in an elastic textile material, and this main enveloping part 21 has a non-surrounding area 22 which is reinforced in accordance with the invention, by being knitted with an additional elastic yarn giving said area an ability to locally exert a compression substantially higher than that exerted by the main part 21 in the vicinity of the reinforced area. In this case, the reinforced zone 22 relates to the wearer's elbow. It may also be any other part of the arm which is affected by induration (abnormal hardening of the tissue).

In d), it is the same way 'a small knee, whose main enveloping part 31 has a reinforced non-surrounding area 32, here relating to the front part of the wearer's knee. As a variant, it could be provided that this reinforced zone concerns the inner part of the knee.

In e), the compressive orthosis denoted 40 is an ankle brace, and its main enveloping part 41 has a reinforced non-surrounding zone, which here relates to malleoli of the wearer's foot.

In all cases, non-surrounding reinforced zones have been shown of a more or less rectangular or square shape. It goes without saying that the invention is in no way limited to a particular profile, and that these areas may as well have a round, oval, star, or any shape that can be composed directly on a computer screen.

We will now refer to FIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate two examples of knitting for the aforementioned non-surrounding reinforced zone, which, as was said above, is knitted with an additional elastic or extensible yarn. This knitting could of course relate to the non-surrounding reinforced zone of any of the variants previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 3, there is a portion of knitted area denoted T, comprising a basic knitting produced from a non-elastic knitted yarn 1, and an elastic woven yarn 2. The network of stitches constituted by the wires 1 and 2 is of the quite conventional type in the field of low compression tights. The non-elastic yarn 1 may be produced from a monofilament, for example cotton from textured polyamide. The elastic screened wire 2 will preferably be rubber-based, possibly being wrapped. The basic knit constituting the main enveloping part of the compressive orthosis is then elastic in the only circumferential direction, that is to say that the elastic woven thread 2 extends circumferentially around the part of the body concerned of the carrier.

In accordance with the invention, an additional elastic or stretchable thread is noted, which is shown with hatching to make it easier to distinguish it. It can be seen that the additional elastic or extensible yarn 5 is knitted with the mesh network constituting the basic knitting produced from yarns 1 and 2. Depending on the degree of compression sought, provision may be made for knitting the additional elastic or extensible yarn 5 on all rows of the reinforced zone concerned or only on some of these rows, for example row in two.

The choice of knitting and the titration of the additional elastic or extensible yarn 5 will be determined by the value of the higher compression which it is desired to exert locally on the zone concerned of the body of the wearer.

The additional yarn 5 used to knit the reinforced area may be an elastic, bare or gimped yarn. As a variant, in particular if the compression sought which is exerted locally is medium (for example 10 to 20 6 greater than that exerted by the main enveloping part in the vicinity of the zone concerned), an additional extensible wire may be used. It will be for example a strecth thread, for example a flat polyamide 22/6 thread (22dtex and 6 strands) twisted at around 3500 turns, or a textured thread, for example a thread analogous to the previous one but not twisted.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variant in which the knitted zone part denoted T ′ comprises a basic knit (constituting the main enveloping part of the orthosis) which is elastic both in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction (c ′ i.e. according to the height of the compressive orthosis). The basic knitting is in fact constituted by rows of non-elastic knitted yarn 1 alternated with rows of knitted elastic yarn noted 3. The elastic yarn may be made of lycra, possibly wrapped with a polyamide yarn. If desired, we can choose a transparent wire. As is easy to understand, the elasticity in the circumferential direction given by the presence of the elastic woven wire 2, as for the embodiment of FIG. 3, while the elasticity in the longitudinal direction (that is ie "vertical") is given by the knitted elastic thread 3.

There is also the presence of an additional elastic or extensible yarn 5 which is knitted with the basic knit consisting of yarns 1, 2, 3 which additional elastic yarn 5 makes it possible to reinforce the compression exerted on the part of the body concerned of the carrier. Here again, the additional thread 5 may be an elastic, bare or wrapped, or an extensible thread such as a stretch or textured thread.

Generally, the knitting mode used for the reinforced zone of the main enveloping part of the compressive orthosis and / or the associated elastic or extensible additional yarn 5 will be chosen so that the compression exerted locally by the reinforced zone is notably higher than that exerted by the main part in the vicinity of the reinforced zone. As an indication, in the case of an additional elastic thread, the knitting mode and / or the structure of the additional thread 5 may be chosen so that the compression exerted locally by the reinforced zone is at least 30 greater than that exerted by the main enveloping part in the vicinity of said zone. In the case of an additional extensible wire, the compression exerted locally will generally be less than 30%.

 The compressive orthosis produced in accordance with the invention is very particularly advantageous in the case of the treatment of edemas or hematomas post-liposuction.

he invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been written, but on the contrary includes all variants incorporating, with equivalent means, the essential characteristics set out above.

In particular, it will be possible to provide knitting combining the modes illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, with for example two rows according to FIG. 3 followed by a row according to FIG. 4, or even two rows according to FIG. 3 followed by two rows according to Figure 4.

Claims (6)

1. Compressive orthosis, comprising an enveloping main part (11; 21; 31; 41) knitted in an elastic textile material chosen to exert a determined compression on the part of the body concerned of the wearer of the orthosis, characterized in that the main part wrap (11; 21; 31; 41) has at least one reinforced non-surrounding area (12, 12.1 12.2, 12.3 - 22; 32; 42) which is knitted with an additional elastic or extensible yarn (5) giving said wrap zone aptitude to locally exert a compression substantially higher than that exerted by the main part (11; 21; 31; 41) in the vicinity of the reinforced zone. 2. compressive orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that 'the additional thread) used to knit the reinforced area (12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3; 22; 32; 42) is an elastic thread, bare or gimped. 3. Compressive orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional yarn (5) used to knit the reinforced area (12, 12.1, 12.2 12.3; 22; 32; 42) is an extensible, stretch or textured yarn. 4. Compressive orthosis according to claim 2, characterized in that the knitting mode used for the reinforced zone (12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3; 22;; 42) and / or the associated elastic additional thread 5) are chosen so that the compression exerted locally by the reinforced zone is at least 30 greater than that exerted by the main enveloping part (; 21; 31; 41) in the vicinity of said zone. 5. Compressive orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the basic knit (1, 2) constituting the main enveloping part (11; 21; 31; 41) is elastic in the only circumferential direction. 6. Compressive orthosis according to one of claims 1 to, characterized in that the base knit (1, 2, 3) constituting the main enveloping part (11; 21; 31;) is elastic in the circumferential direction and in the longitudinal direction (height). . Compressive orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 6, of the sticky or compression stocking type, characterized in that the reinforced zone (12) relates to the wearer's knees. 8. Compressive orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 6, of the sticky or compression stocking type, characterized in that the reinforced zone (12.,., 12.3) relates to a part of the wearer's body subjected to a liposuction treatment. , in particular 1 inside the knees, the outside of the thighs or the abdomen. . Compressive orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 6, of the arm sleeve type, characterized in that the reinforced zone (22) relates to the wearer's elbow, or any other part of the arm affected by induration. 10. Compressive orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 6, of the knee type, characterized in that the reinforced zone (32) relates to the front and / or lateral part of the wearer's knee. 11. Compressive orthosis according to one of the claims 1 to 6, of the ankle type, characterized in that the reinforced zone (42) concedes the malleoli of the wearer's foot.