WO1997005835A1

WO1997005835A1 - Socks

Info

Publication number: WO1997005835A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/001932
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Mario Tagliaferro
Original assignee: Prostech Limited
Priority date: 1995-08-08
Filing date: 1996-08-08
Publication date: 1997-02-20
Also published as: GB9616612D0; GB2304053B; GB9516247D0; GB2304053A

Abstract

A sock for use as a liner within a wool or other absorbent sock worn on an amputee's residual limb is formed as a tapered bag from a sheet of non-woven continuous-filament spun-bonded polyethylene (or polypropylene). The parts of the sheet folded-over from a fold (1), are joined in a stitched, bonded or welded edge-seam (2), leaving a top opening (3); the top edge (4) is elasticated in the case of use on an above-knee stump. Perspiration is drawn through the non-wetting liner-material into the outer absorbent sock, keeping the skin of the stump substantially dry. The liner-material may be stitched into the outer sock instead of being separate from it.

Description

Socks

This invention relates to socks for use by amputees.

It is normal practice for an amputee to wear a sock, for example of wool or a cotton-and-wool mixture, to enclose and thereby cover and protect his/her stump or residual limb, especially where an artificial limb is fitted. The sock in the latter case protects the stump from rubbing where it engages within the artificial limb, but often becomes wet with perspiration so that discomfort and soreness, and even infection, result from the wet contact with the skin. This problem is not reduced even when a woven, nylon inner sock is used within the wool or cotton-and-wool sock for improved smoothness and comfort of contact.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a sock for use by an amputee in overcoming, or at least substantially reducing, the above problem.

According to the present invention a sock for wear on an amputee's residual limb comprises a sheet element of non¬ woven plastics material for contacting the skin of the wearer within an outer absorbent material, the material of the sheet element being non-wetting such that perspiration exuded by the contacted skin is drawn away therefrom through the sheet element into the absorbent material to keep the skin substantially dry.

The non-woven material may be a continuous-filament spun¬ bonded material, and may be of polyethylene or polypropylene; more especially the material may be wholly of polyethylene or wholly of polypropylene. The sock may be formed as a liner for wearing inside a separate sock of wool, cotton-and-wool mixture, or other absorbent material. Alternatively, the sheet element may be stitched or otherwise retained as an inner within an outer of the absorbent material.

The sheet element of non-woven material may be folded over upon itself with edges of the folded-over parts stitched or otherwise joined together in a seam other than around a top opening of the sock. A portion of the sheet element defining the top opening may be elasticated.

A sock in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing. The sock shown in the drawing is intended to be used as an inner, liner to a conventional sock of wool or cotton-and-wool mixture, in place of the nylon liner often used.

Referring to the drawing, the sock has the configuration of a tapered bag for totally enclosing the end region of the residual limb, and is formed of a thin, soft sheet element of non-woven, man-made fibre material. The sheet element is folded in half to form one straight side 1 of the sock, and the edges of the two folded-over halves are stitched together in a seam 2 to close off the sock apart from around its top opening 3.

The sock is worn against the skin with the seam 2 on the outside and as a liner to the conventional wool or other sock. The sheet-material of the sock is a non-woven continuous-filament spun-bonded polyethylene material that is both smooth and soft to the touch, and perspiration exuded by the skin is drawn away from the skin through the sheet to be absorbed by the outer sock. Although the outer sock becomes wet, the liner acts as an effective, one-way barrier to keep the skin substantially dry so that discomfort and the likelihood of soreness from rubbing within a fitted artificial limb, are considerably reduced.

Where, as in the case illustrated in the drawing, the liner-sock is for use on an above-knee stump, the edge 4 defining the opening 3, is elasticated; the edge 4 is turned over the top of the socket once the artificial leg has been fitted. The elasticated-edge feature is omitted in sock-liners for other prosthetic categories (below- knee, above-elbow and below-elbow) where the top of the sock will normally lie under a strap or other attachment- part of the artificial limb.

The spun-bonded material of the sock is preferably wholly of polyethylene. As an alternative, it may be of polypropylene, but polyethylene is preferred since it has a softer feel and is more stretchable.

The liner-sock described has been found to pull into shape on the inserted stump and provide a close fit, without undue creasing. A light degree of creasing iε acceptable since the material has very good ^Λlay-flat' characteristics. However, if desired, creasing may be reduced by incorporating elasticated threads into the body of the sock-material, or by shaping the sock more directly to the residual limb.

Although the seam 2 is described as sewn, it may be formed by bonding or welding to reduce any possibility of it rubbing on the skin within the socket of the artificial limb. Also, the sheet material may be stitched, bonded or welded into a sock of wool or cotton- and-wool mixture, εo as to provide the functions of both an inner and outer combined in the one sock.

Claims

Claims :

1. A sock for wear on an amputee's residual limb, comprising a sheet element of non-woven plastics material for contacting the skin of the wearer within an outer absorbent material, the material of the sheet element being non-wetting such that perspiration exuded by the contacted skin is drawn away therefrom through the sheet element into the absorbent material to keep the skin substantially dry.

2. A sock according to Claim 1 wherein the non-woven material is a continuous-filament spun-bonded material.

3. A sock according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the non-woven material is of polyethylene.

4. A sock according to Claim 3 wherein the non-woven material is wholly of polyethylene.

5. A sock according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the non-woven material is of polypropylene.

6. A sock according to Claim 5 wherein the non-woven material is wholly of polypropylene.

7. A sock according to any one of Claimε 1 to 6 formed aε a liner for wearing inside a separate sock of said absorbent material.

8. A sock according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the sheet element of non-woven material is stitched or otherwise retained as an inner within an outer of εaid abεorbent material.

9. A sock according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the εheet element of non-woven material iε folded over upon itself with edges of the folded-over parts stitched or otherwise joined together in a seam other than around a top opening of the sock.

10. A sock according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein a portion of the sheet element defining a top opening of the sock, is elasticated.