GB2478369A

GB2478369A - Therapeutic joint support with non-parallel straps

Info

Publication number: GB2478369A
Application number: GB201018653A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allan Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-09
Filing date: 2010-11-05
Publication date: 2011-09-07
Also published as: GB0919505D0; GB201018653D0

Abstract

A joint support bandage 1 is provided with at least one cushioned portion 4 and a plurality of straps 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, wherein at least two of the straps are non-parallel. The non-parallel straps maximise strap effectiveness and the user's comfort while being worn throughout the user's full range of straight and bent limb postures. The straps may diverge between pairs and between each strap in a pair. The angle may be predetermined. The straps may be releasably attached using a hook and loop fastener 9 to the other strap in the pair. The cushioned portion may made from two layers bonded together at seams 6, 7, inflatable using water or another fluid and have a valve 5. The inflation media may be warmed or cooled. Alternatively, the cushion may be a foam pad. The cushioned portion may be toroidal with a recess to accommodate a joint. A method of protecting a joint using a support that is cushioned and has straps that are not parallel is also provided.

Description

Improved Therapeutic Joint Protector

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved therapeutic joint protector.

Background of the Invention

Therapeutic body pillows, cushions and supports, having various shapes and structures, have been suggested for cushioning and supporting painful or uncomfortable areas of the user's body. Some pillows (solid or inflatable) are intended to be strapped to the user's body while others are not.

They have been proposed in a range of materials, structures and capabilities.

In each case however, the purpose of each pillow is to cushion or support a specific joint or limb.

Some therapeutic body pillows are proposed to be used in a relatively static position, for example US5046487 discloses a therapeutic leg elevator whereby a user's heel can be cradled within a void while allowing support of the lower leg with the user in a supine position during recuperation.

0B81 7982 discloses a heel rest for use by invalids, having a solid base and upright support together with a solid material cushioning pad for the user's heel while the user is in a supine position. JP2007260265 discloses a solid three-quarter leg length floor pillow intended to eliminate swelling of the lower leg and provides for free-hanging support of the user's heel while the user is in a supine position. W02009007705 discloses a device for lifting and supporting the lower leg and foot which may alleviate pain on the heel joint while the user is in a seated position.

The pillows and supports disclosed in the above cited references are bulky, heavy, not intended for ease of transportation and do not offer mobility for users with heel joint pain or discomfort. Further, these devices do not allow for use on multiple joints such as elbow joints or knee joints.

Furthermore known pillows can be troublesome to secure in position, the user often suffering discomfort and, on occasions, skin damage.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a therapeutic joint protector, the protector comprising: at least one cushioned portion; and a plurality of straps, at least two of the straps being non-parallel.

Providing non-parallel straps in at least one embodiment of the present invention allows for more comfortable securement of the protector to a user's limb. The non-parallel straps maximise strap effectiveness and the user's comfort while being worn throughout the user's full range of straight and bent limb postures.

The straps may be arranged in pairs. In use, a first strap in a pair may be folded around a user's limb to engage a second strap in the pair to secure the protector to the user's limb.

The straps may be non-parallel when engaged around a user's limb.

There may be a plurality of pairs of straps.

The straps may be arranged such that when a pair of straps is engaged around a user's limb, the pair of straps lie on a plane, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb at that point.

A first plane defined by a first pair of straps may be non-parallel to a second plane defined by a second pair of straps. The first plane and the second plane may be divergent. For example, the first pair of straps may be configured to engage around a user's limb at a first limb portion and the second pair of straps may be configured to engage around a user's limb at a second limb portion. The first and second limb portions may be connected by the joint to be protected.

Each pair of straps may be non-parallel with another pair of straps.

Each strap in a pair of straps may be non-parallel. For example the first strap in the pair may be non-parallel with the second strap in the pair.

The protector may be configured to position two straps at a predetermined angle to each other. For example, a first strap may be attached to the cushioned portion at a first strap angle and a second strap may be attached to the cushioned portion at a second strap angle, the first and second strap angles configured to position the first and second straps at a particular non-parallel angle with respect to each other. The first and second straps may form a pair. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and second straps may be comprised in separate pairs. The predetermined angle may be configured to correspond to a therapeutic joint angle. For example, the protector may be configured to bias the first limb portion to a particular angle with respect to the second limb portion. The particular angle may be a neutral angle.

The cushioned portion may be inflatable. The cushioned portion may be configured to be used at a preferred level of inflation to allow for the user's preference or need. When deflated, the protector exhibits a slim profile and can be folded into a small and compact size for ease of storage or transportation.

The cushioned portion may comprise of foam.

The cushioned portion may comprise a thicker profile than the straps.

The cushioned portion may have first and second sides, each side defining a surface, at least one of said surfaces adapted to engage a user's limb. The second side may be an external side.

At least one of the surfaces may define a recess. The recess may be provided to receive for example, part of a joint. The recess may be suitable for cupping a user's bony joint protrusion (e.g. heel, elbow or knee joint).

Both of said surfaces may define recesses. The cushioned portion may be at least partially toroidal. The at least partially toroidal cushioned portion may allow the protector to be used to separate the joints or limbs in cases of pain, discomfort or sensitivity. A partially toroidal cushioned portion combines maximum cushioning effect together with minimum surface contact around painful or sensitive joints (e.g. arthritic or post-operative heel, elbow or knee joints). These unique performance attributes may give the protector a multi-purpose capability on separate unrelated joints.

The protector may be adapted to be lightweight. The protector may be adapted to have a surface that is comfortable against the user's skin. The protector may be adapted to not absorb significant moisture or bodily fluids.

The protector may be adapted to be easily cleanable. For example, the protector may be configured to repel moisture. The protector may comprise a substantially hydrophobic surface. Additionally, or alternatively, the protector may comprise a substantially oleophobic surface.

Each strap in a pair may be releasably attachable to the other strap in the pair. The straps may be releasably attachable by means of adjustable and releasable fasteners (such as hook-and-loop fasteners).

The inflatable cushioned portion may be formed from two sheets of multi-layered material bonded together. The inflatable cushioned portion may comprise a valve, such as an inflation air check valve.

The cushioned portion may be configured to be adjusted when in engagement with a user's limb. For example, the valve may be located on the external side. The inflatable cushioned portion may include one or more inner layers of material impermeable to air or other inflation fluids.

The cushioned portion may be inflated by using water. Additionally, or alternatively, the cushioned portion may be inflated by using media other than water. The water or other media may be used to create a heating or cooling effect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting a joint, the method comprising: providing a joint protector comprising at least one cushioned portion; and a plurality of straps, at least two of the straps being non-parallel; and engaging at least a portion of a joint with the cushioned portion.

The joint may be therapeutically protected.

The method may further comprise heating the cushioned portion.

Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise cooling the cushioned portion.

The method may further comprise inflating the at least one cushioned portion.

The method may further comprise heating the medium with which the at least one cushioned portion is inflated.

The method may further comprise cooling the medium with which the at least one cushioned portion is inflated.

The method may comprise heating the medium prior to inflation.

Additionally, or alternatively, the method may comprise heating the medium in the cushioned portion.

The method may comprise cooling the medium prior to inflation.

Additionally, or alternatively, the method may comprise cooling the medium in the cushioned portion.

The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a top view (plan elevation) of one embodiment of the inventive joint protector showing one example of the innovative non-parallel strapping systems.

Fig. 2 shows a top view (plan elevation) of an alternative embodiment of the inventive joint protector showing another example of the innovative non-parallel strapping systems.

Fig. 3 shows a side view (cross section) of an inflatable embodiment of the inventive joint protector in an inflated state, showing a cross-section of the inflated cushion and the composite construction of the multi-layered bonded sheets used in its construction.

Fig. 4 shows a side view (side elevation) of a non-inflatable embodiment of the inventive joint protector using a non-inflatable (e.g. solid, gel-like, foam, etc.) cushion.

Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the embodiment in Fig.1, showing the non-parallel strapping system in its operational configuration.

Fig. 6 shows another permutation of the non-parallel strapping system.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the protector are described below with reference to FIG. 1 through Fig. 6. Some embodiments of the inventive non-parallel strapping systems are described below with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 6. An inflatable embodiment of the protector together with the multi-layered sheets capable of being used in its manufacture is described below with reference to the cross-section in FIG. 3. A non-inflatable embodiment of the protector, using a non-inflatable (e.g. solid, gel-like, foam, etc.) cushion, is described below with reference to the side elevation in FIG. 4.

A three-dimensional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 showing the non-parallel strapping system in its operational configuration is described below with reference to FIG. 5.

For the purpose of diagrammatic clarity, the following attached drawings are for general illustrative purposes only and therefore not necessarily to scale or relative dimensions or aspects, where some aspects (e.g. thickness, etc.) have been exaggerated to enhance visual or descriptive clarity.

Preferably, the innovative non-parallel strapping systems [2a/2b] and [3a/3b] can be formed from extended areas of the body of the protector [1]. In preferred embodiments, the fasteners [9] (e.g. Velcro hook and loop fasteners) can be attached to the outer surfaces of the strapping systems [2a/2b] and [3a/3b]. For example, a hook portion of the fastener can be attached to the outer upper surface of strap [2b] and a loop portion of the fastener can be attached to the outer lower surface of strap [2a]. Similarly, a hook portion of the fastener can be attached to the outer upper surface of strap [3b] and a loop portion of the fastener can be attached to the outer lower surface of strap [3a]. In these embodiments, each strap pair can be releasably attached around a different portion of the user's limb (e.g. strap pair [2a/2b] above and strap pair [3a/3b] below, a relevant heel, elbow or knee joint). The protector [1] can be releasably fastened about any one of the user's heel, elbow or knee joints using the releasable fasteners [9]. The inventive non-parallel strapping system allows two respective pairs of closed straps to lie in different planes, each substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective upper and lower portions of the user's limb when the user's limb is in a bent position (for example, strap pair [2a/2b] above a bent elbow joint and strap pair [3a/3b] below the bent elbow joint). This maximises strap effectiveness and the user's comfort throughout a full range of straight and bent limb postures.

Furthermore, different embodiments of the inventive non-parallel strapping system can provide different cushion configurations around the same joint. For example, the strapping system in FIG. 1 can configure the torus-like cushion [4] against the inside (or outside) lateral of the user's knee, while the strapping system in FIG. 2 can configure the torus-like cushion [4] around the patella of the user's knee. In another permutation, the non-parallel strapping system in FIG. 6 can configure a cushion portion [4] against the back of the user's knee joint.

The inventive torus-like cushion [4] provides an optimum balance between maximum protective cushioning and minimum contact against a painful or sensitive joint of the user's body (e.g. heel, elbow or knee).

Furthermore, the external voids [1 3] (naturally created by the central inward curves on each side of the torus-like cushion) can allow a bony protrusion of the user's joint (e.g. heel, elbow or knee) to be cupped therein, for a secure and comfortable fit and these voids can also provide hyper-sensitive areas of the user's body with unique areas of non-contact with the cushion.

In preferred embodiments, the inventive joint protector is implemented to be very lightweight (e.g. around 50 grams or less), with an outer surface [8] that is comfortable when worn either over clothing or directly against the user's skin, does not absorb significant amounts of moisture or bodily fluids and is easily cleanable.

In preferred non-inflatable embodiments, the protector can comprise a thin flexible body and straps whereon part of a torus-like cushion is attached to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the body. In alternative non-inflatable embodiments, the torus-like cushion of the protector may comprise the body itself whereon the non-parallel strapping systems are attached.

In preferred inflatable embodiments, the protector [1] has an inflatable cushion [4] with an inflation check valve [5]. Preferably, an inflatable embodiment of the protector [1] comprises two sheets of multi-layered material, both substantially similar in shape and size, each sheet comprising at least one bottom layer of material [10] which is impermeable to air or other inflation fluids and at least one top layer of material [11] with a comfortable outer surface [8]. The two multi-layer sheets [101 can be bonded together (e.g. bonded, welded, glued or other adhesive system [14]), between their bottom layer surfaces, except those areas defining the inflatable cushion [4]. Those un-bonded areas can create an internal void [1 2] to help form the torus-like inflatable cushion [4]. Preferably, the impermeable layers are close-bonded around seams [6] and [7] to form a toroid-like volume when the cushion is inflated and seams [6] and [7] can be delineated by a combination of curved and straight lines. An inflation check valve [5] is attached right through one of the multi-layer sheets at a suitable location on cushion [4] to allow for the introduction and expelling of air (or other inflation fluids) into the cushion void [1 2]. In preferred inflatable embodiments, the outer surface [8] covers the whole of the protector (except those areas defined by fasteners [9] or the area removed for the insertion of inflation valve [5]) to provide a comfortable surface for contact with the user's bare skin.

Preferably, in inflatable embodiments, the inflated thickness of the cushion [4] (see FIG. 3) is adjustable to fit the user's preference or need, depending on the amount of air (or other inflation fluid) that the user introduces into the cushion [4] through inflation valve [5].

Preferably, in inflatable embodiments, no pump is required to inflate the cushion [4] and the user simply blows air into inflation check valve [5] to inflate cushion [4] and deflates cushion [4] by squeezing it to release air back out through inflation valve [5]. In inflatable embodiments, the protector has a slim profile when deflated and can be folded for ease of storage or transportation.

In alternative embodiments, the protector [1] can have single or multiple layers in either or both of the bottom layer [1 0] or top layer [11].

In alternative embodiments, the protector [1] can be non-inflatable (e.g. solid, gel-like, foam, etc.).

Preferably, (and to allow for the variable inflation thicknesses), the torus-like cushion need not be a perfect torus shape in the strict mathematical sense and hence is described as "torus-like".

In alternative embodiments, there may be more or less than four individual straps forming the strapping systems (for example, there may be one, two, three, five, six straps, etc.).

The present invention has been described in respect to certain preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that certain variations, adaptations or permutations will form alternative embodiments and therefore fall within the sphere and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the following appended claims are intended to encompass all such alternative embodiments as part of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A therapeutic joint protector comprising: at least one cushioned portion; and a plurality of straps, at least two of the straps being non-parallel.
2. The therapeutic joint protector of claim 1, wherein the straps are arranged in pairs.
3. The therapeutic joint protector of claim 2, wherein a first strap in a pair is configured to be folded around a user's limb to engage a second strap in the pair to secure the protector to the user's limb.
4. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the straps are configured to be non-parallel when engaged around a user's limb.
5. The therapeutic joint protector of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the straps are arranged such that when a pair of straps is engaged around a user's limb, the pair of straps lie on a plane, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb at that point.
6. The therapeutic joint protector of claim 5, wherein a first plane defined by a first pair of straps is non-parallel to a second plane defined by a second pair of straps.
7. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the first pair of straps is configured to engage around a user's limb at a first limb portion and the second pair of straps is configured to engage around a user's limb at a second limb portion; the first and second limb portions connected by the joint to be protected.
8. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein each pair of straps is non-parallel with another pair of straps.
9. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein a first strap in a pair is non-parallel with a second strap in the pair.
1 0. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the protector is configured to position two straps at a predetermined angle to each other.
11. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion is inflatable.
1 2. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion comprises foam.
1 3. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion has a first side and a second side; each side defining a surface, at least one of said surfaces adapted to engage a user's limb.
14. The therapeutic joint protector of claim 1 3, wherein at least one of the surfaces defines a recess.
1 5. The therapeutic joint protector of either of claims 1 3 or 14, wherein both of said surfaces define recesses.
1 6. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion is at least partially toroidal.
1 7. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the protector is adapted to not absorb significant moisture or bodily fluids.
1 8. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein each strap in a pair is releasably attachable to the other strap in the pair.
1 9. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the inflatable cushioned portion is formed from two sheets of multi-layered material bonded together.
20. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the inflatable cushioned portion comprises a valve.
21. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion is configured to be adjusted when in engagement with a user's limb.
22. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion is configured to be inflated using water.
23. The therapeutic joint protector of any preceding claim, wherein the cushioned portion is configured to be inflated by media other than water.
24. The therapeutic joint protector of either of claims 22 or 23, wherein the water or other media is used to create a heating or cooling effect.
25. A method of protecting a joint, the method comprising: providing a joint protector comprising at least one cushioned portion; and a plurality of straps, at least two of the straps being non-parallel; and engaging at least a portion of a joint with the cushioned portion.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising heating the cushioned portion.
27. The method of claim 25 or 26, further comprising cooling the cushioned portion.
28. The method of any of claims 25 to 27, further comprising inflating the at least one cushioned portion.