GB2109689A

GB2109689A - Appliances for use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments

Info

Publication number: GB2109689A
Application number: GB08132439A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Alan Middleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-10-28
Filing date: 1981-10-28
Publication date: 1983-06-08

Abstract

A belt 1 comprises an insert, in the form of an elasticated fabric band 2, which is stitched at one end to a fabric band 4 made of relatively inelastic material, and at the other end 5 to two Velcro strips 6. Two further Velcro strips 9 are stitched to the opposite end 7 of the belt 1 so to enable the two ends of the belt 1 to be fastened together. Two flexible copper strips 13, 14 are attached to the inside of the band 4 and retained in close proximity to, or in contact with, the affected area during movement. In another form of the appliance the copper strips are attached to the inside of a sleeve of elasticated material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Appliances for use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments This invention relates to appliances for use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments, and more particularly to such appliances incorporating copper.

It has been found that certain sufferers from rheumatism, arthritis and related ailments can obtain at least partial relief from the pain and/or inflammation resulting from such complaints by placing an object made of copper close to, or in contact with, the affected area. No completely satisfactory scientific explanation for this phenomenon has yet been given, although it is widely thought the copper may exert some biochemical action at the site of the pain or inflammation.

It is an object of the invention to provide an appliance incorporating copper for use in the treatment of such ailments which will be particularly beneficial in reducing pain and/or inflammation.

According to the invention, there is provided an appliance for use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments, comprising an elasticated fabric band and one or more copper elements attached to the band, and being adapted to be worn by the sufferer so that the band retains the copper element(s) in close proximity to, or in contact with, the affected area during movement.

When such an appliance is worn by the user not only is the copper maintained at all times in the vicinity of the site of the pain or inflammation, but also the band serves to retain a certain amount of bodily warmth in the vicinity of the copper element(s). Such an appliance is found to be particularly effective in use, at least for some sufferers and under certain conditions, and it is believed that its effectiveness is due at least in part to the ability of the copper element(s) to remain close to the affected area even during movement and the retention of bodily warmth by the band which is considered to enhance the biochemical action. However, it is not possible to predict that the beneficial effects will be felt by all users and under all conditions.

In one form of the invention the appliance is an elasticated sleeve incorporating the copper element(s). Such a sleeve is intended for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments in articulating joints, such as the ankle, knee, wrist and elbow, and is worn in the manner of a support bandage with the or each copper element being positioned in the sleeve so that it lies directly adjacent to the affected area when the sleeve is in place.

In another form oF the invention the appliance is an elasticated belt or corset incorporating the copper element(s). In this case the appliance will be applicable to the treatment of rheumatic, arthritis and other ailments in the spine. It will be appreciated that the elasticated fabric band may constitute only an insert in the belt or corset, and the remainder of the belt or corset may consist of relatively inelastic material.

In both forms of the invention the or each copper element is preferably a flexible copper strip, and is conveniently attached to the band by one or more fabric strips stitched to the band.

However, it is also possible for the or each copper element to be in the form of a fine copper wire which may be woven or stitched to the band, or a copper chain or gauze which is attached to the band by stitching or some other suitable means.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, two forms of appliance in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the figures show the two forms diagrammatically.

The elasticated belt 1 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises an insert, in the form of an elasticated fabric band 2, which is stitched at one end 3 to a fabric band 4 made of relatively inelastic material, such as Petersham, and at the other end 5 to two Velcro strips 6. The opposite end 7 of the band 4 to the end 8 which is stitched to the elasticated band 2 is stitched to two further Velcro strips 9 of the opposite type to the strips 6 so as to enable the two ends of the belt 1 to be fastened together.

Attached to the inside of the band 4 by fabric strips 10, 1 1 and 12 made of the same material as the band 4 are two flexible copper strips 13 and 14. Although not shown in the drawing means may be provided for adjusting the length of the belt 1.

The sleeve 20 illustrated in Figure 2 is made of an elasticated material, such as elasticated stockinette or crepe, which will retain body heat when worn by the user. The sleeve 20 is shown turned inside out in order to render the construction of the appliance more readily apparent. Two flexible copper strips 21 and 22 are attached to the inside of the sleeve 20 by fabric strips 23 and 24 which form a border around the outside of each copper strip 21, 22 and are stitched to the sleeve 20. Alternatively the copper strips 21 and 22 may be attached to the sleeve 20 by fabric strips similar to the strips 10 and 12 shown in Figure 1.

Claims

1. An appliance for use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments, comprising an elasticated fabric band incorporating copper and being adapted to be worn by the sufferer so that the band retains the copper in close proximity to, or in contact with, the affected area during movement.

2. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein the band is in the form of an elasticated sleeve incorporating copper.

3. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein the band is in the form of an elasticated belt or corset incorporating copper.

4. An appliance according to claim 3, wherein the band constitutes an insert in the belt or corset, and the remainder of the belt or corset consists of relatively inelastic material.

5. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the copper incorporated in the band is in the form of a flexible copper strip.

6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein the copper strip is attached to the band by one or more fabric strips attached to the band.

7. An appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the copper incorporated in the band is in the form of a fine copper wire.

8. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the copper wire is woven or stitched to the band.

9. An appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the copper incorporated in the band is in the form of a copper chain or gauze.

10. An appliance for use in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.