WO1985003091A1

WO1985003091A1 - Medical and orthopedic support fabric

Info

Publication number: WO1985003091A1
Application number: PCT/US1985/000033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcos A. MORÉ
Original assignee: More Marcos A
Priority date: 1984-01-10
Filing date: 1985-01-09
Publication date: 1985-07-18
Also published as: EP0170677A4; DE3590009T1; GB2162871A; GB8522071D0; EP0170677A1

Abstract

A fabric (1) for medical and orthopedic applications which may be cut by severence to desired shapes without significant raveling.

Description

MEDICAL AND ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT FABRIC

Background of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the art of knit fabrics and more particularly to a knit fabric with medical applications.

Various fabrics have been utilized for orthopedic applications. A bandage fabric described in United States Patent No. 3,570,482 to Emoto. Such a bandage is comprised of chain stitches formed of non-elastic yarn running in one direction and elastic polyurethane running in another. Another popular surgical bandage and orthopedic support is sold under the trademark "Ace Bandage." Such a fabric is generally elastic in the length direction so as to provide a bandage which may be applied under tension so as to provide a constant force to the area of the body to which it is wrapped.

Prior art knit fabrics are disclosed in United States Patent Nos. 3,069,885 and 2,127,139 which are herewith incorporated by reference.

While other prior art bandages exist, all are subject to problems associated with raveling in the event that the fabric itself is severed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of this invention to provide a fabric for surgical and orthopedic applications which may be cut by severence to desired shapes without significant raveling.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a fabric which is elastically deformable in both the length and width directions.

It is a further and more particular object of this invention to provide such a fabric which is subject to many and diverse orthopedic and surgical applications. These as well as other objects are accomplished by a fabric for medical and orthopedic support comprising a double plaited ribbed knit fabric plaited with a spandex yarn to provide a fabric which stretches in both the length and width directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates a knit fabric in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates the double plaited knit in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 of the drawings illustrates a yarn feeder for producing the fabric of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with this invention it has been found that a ribbed double plaited knit fabric having spandex as the plaited yarn possesses elastic deformation in both the length and width directions thereof and the ability to be precisely severed without significant raveling. Further and other advantages will become apparent from a reading of the following description given with reference to the various figures of drawing. Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates the fabric 1 in accordance with this invention. As illustrated in Figure 1 the fabric extends along its length in the Y direction and across its width in the X direction. As generally utilized in knitting terminology the Y direction is generally referred to as the warp direction while the X direction is referred to as the weft direction. The fabric which is intended for medical and orthopedic support situations is elastically deformable in both the length and width directions and preferably may be extended from about 50 to

120% in both directions. The fabric may be produced to have a modulus of elasticity within desired ranges by selection of appropriate spandex and tensioning. The fabric is double plaited with spandex such that the spandex only exists within the central area of the fabric with the plaiting yarns coming in contact with the skin of a patient on which it is utilized.

The fabric in accordance with this invention has utilization wherein limbs may be wrapped so as to provide support in the two directions of elongation and may be severed to fit a particular area of the body. Additionally, the fabric may be knitted in tubular form so as to form a surgical weight hose. The fabric may be utilized for wrapping of limbs after surgery to prevent pooling of blood. Additionally, stockings or wrappings of the fabric in accordance with this invention may be utilized under tubular orthopedic plaster of paris casts. Previously, two sizes of stockings were required under plaster of paris casts in order to conform to the shape of a limb. However, with the dual stretch characteristics, the fabric of this invention may be utilized to conform to a tapering limb. The medical utilization of the fabric of this invention includes the coverage of burned skin to both support and isolate the burned area from the surrounding environment.

Due to the characteristics, of this fabric whereby it does not ravel upon severence it may be utilized about portions of the body where surgery is to be performed with incision made through the fabric and into the patient. Under such circumstances the elasticity of the fabric maintains the configuration of the body portion, while also preventing excessive swelling. The use of such fabric during orthoscopic surgery of the knee is an example.

Additionally, the fabric of this invention may be utilized to isolate portions of the body during surgery due to its ability to conform to limbs. An example is the isolation of the foot area during surgery to the leg. Also, the fabric of this invention may be combined with a water impermeable lining material to aid in the isolation of such body portions.

The fabric of this invention is particularly adaptable for utilization where significant movement is required, such as bandages about the knee, ankle and elbow. The two direction stretch properties permit such utilization for orthopedic support while also allowing movement.

Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates the knit of the fabric of this invention, wherein the knitted pattern 3 is double plaited with the central yarn 5 being spandex and with the outer yarns being preferably of cotton 7 and/or polyester 9. It is seen in Figure 2 that the cotton 7 due to the plaiting and knitting with a tight front bed and loose back bed results in cotton 7 appearing on both surfaces of the fabric. A knit yarn feeder 50 is illustrated in Figure 3 for producing this result.

The term "spandex" as utilized within this specification is utilized in its common generic context, meaning an elastomeric polyurethane which may be any of the fabric s sold under the trademark LYCRA. Generally , spandex ma y b e o f 1 20 to ab o ut 800 d e n i e r . The kn it f ab r ic i s ribbed preferably of a 1x1 rib. It is preferred to utilize a single stitch rib due to enhanced elast icity of such a fabric .

The preferred fabric in accordance with this invention utilizes as one of the kniting yarns 100% combed cotton. The cotton may have a cotton count of about 26/1 to 40/1.

In the preferred form the other knitting yarn is continuous filament polyester. Preferably the polyester is a single ply comprising from about 20 to 40 filaments. The polyester may be from about 100 to 200 denier depending on the particular desired applications.

The elastic characteristics in the width direction imparted to this fabric are due in part to the single-stitch rib construction as well as to the spandex plaited yarn. The spandex, however, is entirely responsible for the stretch and elongation characteristics in the length direction. To a large extent, the ability of the fabric to be severed without raveling is attributable to the presence of spandex. The fabric if knitted without spandex ravels to some extent but surprisingly when spandex is utilized the fabric itself does not ravel. This is a surprising and unexpected advantage of this invention.

As many terms are utilized within this description which are particular to the knitting art, such terms have the common meanings thereof as are described in DUBIED KNITTING MANUAL , Edward Dubied and Cie Sa, Neuchatel, Switzerland, Copyright 1967, which is herewith incorporated by reference. As many variations will become apparent from a reading of the above description, such variations are included within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Claims

That which is claimed:

1. A fabric for orthopedic support and medical use comprising a double plaited ribbed knit fabric, said fabric plaited with spandex to provide a fabric with elastic properties in both the length and width directions thereof.

2. The fabric according to claim 1 wherein said spandex is plaited with cotton and polyester on both the face and back of said fabric in order to maintain the spandex covered and thus not exposed to contact with skin.

3. The fabric according to claim 1 wherein said rib fabric is a 1/1 rib single stitch knit.

4. The fabric according to claim 1 wherein said polyester is a continuous filament polyester having a denier from about 100 to 200 and of single ply comprising 20 to 40 filaments.

5. The fabric according to claim 1 wherein said fabric may be severed without significant raveling.

6. The fabric according to claim 1 in tubular form.