WO2016055938A1

WO2016055938A1 - Garment comprising a t-shirt and a system for limiting the movement of a body portion comprising the shoulder

Info

Publication number: WO2016055938A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057640
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Conti; Raffaele GAROFALO
Original assignee: Dual Sanitaly S.P.A.
Priority date: 2014-10-06
Filing date: 2015-10-06
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: EP3203944A1

Abstract

Garment (1) comprising a T-shirt (la) and a system (3) for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder. The system for limiting the movements comprises an elastic band (4) comprising a first end (4a) and a second end (4b). The first end is fixed in an irremovable manner to a sleeve (2) of the T-shirt (la) between the cuff and the elbow. The elastic band is adapted to be wound around the arm at least once and to be removably fixed at the second end (4b) to the user's chest. The elastic band (4) and the T-shirt are provided with a first coupling system (10) for fixing the elastic band (4) to the user's chest. The system further comprises an elastic strip (11) connected in an irremovable manner to the elastic band (4) and adapted to be made to pass under the armpit and then also fixed on the user's chest.

Description

"GARMENT COMPRISING A T-SHIRT AND A SYSTEM FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OF A BODY PORTION COMPRISING THE SHOULDER"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a garment comprising a T-shirt and a system for limiting the movement of a body portion comprising the shoulder.

STATE OF THE ART

The use of ortheses or other systems for stabilising the shoulder in order to limit the movements of the shoulder is known .

Due to its bone structure and the wide range of possible movements, the shoulder is a complex portion of the human body. The shoulder comprises three bones: clavicle, scapula and humerus. The three bones are joined by means of three joints: glenohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint and sternoclavicular joint. Many muscles are connected to the scapula, clavicle and humerus and are able to perform the movements of one or more joints.

The joints permit a wide range of movements. In particular the sternoclavicular joint permits lowering, raising, rotation and anteposition along the axis of the clavicle. The acromioclavicular joint allows both a sliding movement during flexion and extension of the shoulder and an elevation and depression movement to adapt to the relations between humerus and scapula during abduction. The glenohumeral joint allows the arm to perform spatial rotations in the region of 360 degrees .

Given the wide possibility of shoulder movements, a wide range of injuries can affect the various joints.

A permanent shift of the joint surfaces with respect to each other, i.e. a dislocation of the shoulder, is also possible.

The first dislocation usually occurs following a simple fall and entails displacement of the head of the humerus. Often it is possible to reposition the head of the humerus with very few complications, but the patient remains much more exposed to the risk of the dislocation re-occurring.

Often it is necessary to rest the shoulder for long periods and totally block the movement with a sling or brace; however, given the complexity of the shoulder, "non-use" of the limb is a requirement that is difficult to achieve.

In particular, rest or total blocking of the movement prevents not only sports activities but is also a serious impediment to any daily activity.

For this reason systems are also used for stabilising the shoulder which only restrict but do not prevent the possibility of shoulder movement.

The known shoulder stabilisation systems are generally useful for blocking or limiting one or more movements of the shoulder joints, but they are not able to act simultaneously on all the concomitant causes of a dislocation and in particular on the abduction movements and abduction associated with internal or external rotation, therefore they are not able to prevent dislocation re-occurring. Furthermore the known systems, whether they consist of slings or interconnected bands, must necessarily be applied by a third person to prevent the user performing problematic shoulder movements which could increase the risk of dislocation re-occurring.

For this reason solutions are currently being sought that allow a user to wear a system for limiting shoulder movements in a relatively easy manner and which effectively limit or contain simultaneously all the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the shoulder so as to prevent dislocation re- occurring.

The objective is for the patient to be able to resume not only daily activities but also any sports activities, greatly limiting the risk of dislocation re-occurring.

A system for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising elastic bands which can be connected to a T-shirt is known from US2006000478. The elastic bands block only one single possibility of movement of the body and are not applicable in the treatment of dislocations.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder which can be used for the treatment of dislocations and is able to solve the problems described above and which can be easily produced and marketed.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved by a garment comprising a system for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

- Figure 1 is a front view of a garment comprising a system for limiting the movements of a body portion including the shoulder in a first open position;

figure 2 is a front view of a garment comprising a system for controlling the movements of a body portion including the shoulder in a second closed position;

figure 3 is a rear view of a garment comprising a system for controlling the movements of a body portion including the shoulder in the second closed position; and

figure 4 is a graph illustrating the elastic elongation in relation to the force applied and up to breaking point in an elastic band produced according to the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Below reference will be made in particular to the embodiment example of the invention which is illustrated in figures 1 to 3, without limiting the invention to said embodiment example. Below all references to a body position or direction will be made with respect to the body in an erect position as shown in figure 1. With reference in particular to figure 1, the number 1 indicates as a whole a garment comprising a T-shirt la, preferably a T-shirt la with two long sleeves 2.

The T-shirt la can be made of any material such as cotton or other material usable for the production of garments.

Preferably the T-shirt la is made of an elastic and/or breathable material, more preferably the T-shirt is made of fabric, for example Sensitive® Fabrics, with elastic behaviour with two different moduli in the two main directions, even more preferably also washable and with quick drying.

Preferably the T-shirt la comprises one or more fabrics having different characteristics .

The garment 1 further comprises a system 3 for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder.

Preferably the system 3 for limiting the movements of a body portion comprises a wind-around elastic band 4 fixed at a first end 4a, preferably in an irremovable manner, for example by means of stitching or heat welding, preferably between the cuff and the elbow of a sleeve 2 of the T-shirt la; more preferably it is fixed nearer the cuff than to the elbow, even more preferably it is fixed near the cuff as shown in figure 1.

The elastic band 4 could alternatively be fixed in a removable manner, for example by means of a zip or Velcro. Whether it is fixed in an irremovable manner or in a removable manner, it is clear that the system 3 for limiting the movements of a body portion performs its functions and is therefore effectively able to limit the movements only in combination with the T-shirt, unlike the known systems which are generally used separately from the garments. In an alternative embodiment, both the sleeves 2 of the T-shirt la comprise the elastic band 4 so as to limit the movements of both shoulders . The elastic band 4 is fixed at a first end 4a on the sleeve 2 of the T-shirt la by means of stitching or heat welding, but can also be glued, zipped or fixed by means of buttons or other coupling means. The elastic band 4 has a width adapted to allow winding around the user' s arm preferably without blocking the elbow joints and without creating vasoconstriction.

The elastic band 4 therefore has a width preferably ranging from 5 to 15 cm, more preferably from 7 to 12 cm.

The width of the elastic band 4 can be variable along its length; preferably the width diminishes slightly from the first end 4a fixed to the sleeve 2 to the second free end 4b.

Preferably the sleeve 2 of the T-shirt la or, as shown in figure 1, the elastic band 4 is provided with a fixing tape 5 arranged and fixed to the sleeve preferably at the first end 4a of the elastic band 4 and therefore preferably near the user' s wrist .

The fixing tape 5 consists of a tape preferably made of fabric and preferably provided with a closing system 8 around the cuff, preferably a tear-off or Velcro® system, for closing on itself and around the user' s wrist so as to prevent the sleeve 2 of the T-shirt rotating around the arm when the elastic band 4 is wound around the arm in order to be fixed. The involuntary partial rotation of the sleeve 2 around the arm would make winding of the elastic band 4 around the user' s arm more difficult.

The fixing tape 5 is preferably integral with the elastic band 4, but can optionally be separated from it and fixed to the sleeve 2. Preferably, inside the sleeve 2 there is a high-friction fabric tape, more preferably one or more tapes comprising silicone to prevent sliding and rotation of the sleeve 2.

Preferably, to further facilitate the positioning of the elastic band 4, the sleeve 2 has in the vicinity of the cuff an end portion 6 comprising a hole 7. The hole 7 of the end portion 6 of the sleeve 2 is adapted to house the user' s thumb. The dimensions of the terminal portion 6 and of the hole 7 can vary to adapt better to housing the user's thumb.

In this way it is possible to maintain the sleeve 2 taut during positioning and winding of the elastic band 4 around the user's arm. In particular, it is possible to prevent, advantageously in combination with the fixing tape 5 and the high-friction fabric tape, the sleeve 2 riding up towards the elbow or rotating when the elastic band 4 is wound around the arm and then fixed.

The elastic band 4 has a length adapted to be wound around the user's arm at least once, preferably twice, even more preferably three or alternatively several times and then fixed on the user's chest.

The elastic band 4 preferably has a length ranging from 90 to 150 cm.

Preferably the elastic band 4 is wound a first and a second time around the user' s arm between the wrist and the elbow and a third time between the elbow and the shoulder. In this way the elbow joint is left free to facilitate the user's movements.

It should be noted that the user can wind the elastic band 4 around his/her arm and then fix it to his/her chest without the help of a third person.

After the three turns, preferably the elastic band 4 is again wound around the arm for approximately 270° and then made to pass over the shoulder and lastly fixed on the user's chest, by means of a fixing system 10, preferably tear-off or Velcro®, as shown in figure 2.

Alternatively the elastic band 4 can be provided with another removable fixing system, for example a series of buttons.

As is known, the tear-off or Velcro® system consists of a removable fixing system comprising a first hooked strip preferably made of nylon and comprising a plurality of small hooks and a second looped strip of material also commonly called Velour or material with loops to which the hooks attach, ensuring fixing of the system. Preferably the garment 1 comprises a tear-off or Velcro® coupling system 10. The tear-off or Velcro® coupling system 10 consists of a first strip 12 made of looped material fixed to an upper area of the torso of the T-shirt la and a second hooked strip 13 arranged at the second end 4b of the elastic band 4. The elastic band 4, after being wound on the sleeve 2 and after being made to pass again over the shoulder, is fixed on the first looped strip 12 by means of the second hooked strip 13. Preferably the first looped strip 12 of the coupling system 10 covers a portion of the torso between the bust and the shoulder opposite the one for which the movement limitation system 3 is intended. Preferably the hooked strip 11 is fixed above the bust. More preferably, it is fixed at an angle ranging from 10° to 45° with respect to the axis A of the bust, as shown in figure 2.

Optionally the T-shirt la can be provided with a front zip 9 extending along an axis B orthogonal to the axis A and in a preferably central position with respect to the user' s chest and used to facilitate the possibility of being worn also by users having a limited movement capacity. Preferably the coupling system 10 and, in particular, the strip of looped material extends on both sides of the zip 9 as shown in figures 1 and 2.

Since the elastic band 4 is provided with its own predetermined elasticity, it can be more or less tensioned or elongated during the fixing. In particular, it can be adjusted to a different tension by fixing it on different points of the coupling system 10 or in particular of the second looped strip 12.

In fact, it can be fixed nearer the shoulder in which reoccurrence of the dislocation must be prevented or farther away, thus adapting it to the size of the individual user. Furthermore in this way it is possible to adjust the elastic band 4 to limit the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the user' s shoulder, also adapting it to the specific sports use . The intrinsic elasticity of the elastic band 4 is fundamental in ensuring that the abduction and extra-rotation movement of the shoulder joint is limited but not prevented.

Furthermore, the greater the tensioning of the elastic band 4 due to the intrinsic elasticity and adjustment on the chest, the lesser the possibility of abduction and extra-rotation movement of the shoulder joint and vice versa, and in this way the individual user can choose, according to his/her activity, whether to limit the movements to a greater or lesser extent.

It follows that due to the intrinsic elasticity of the materials, lesser effort is required of the user to carry out a small movement of the arm and an increasing effort to perform more extensive movements. When the elasticity limit of the materials of the elastic band is reached, the user cannot further extend the movement .

Preferably the system 3 for limiting the movements further comprises an elastic strip 11.

The elastic strip 11 can be advantageously integral with the elastic band 4, as in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, or can be added and fixed separately to it.

The elastic strip 11 preferably extends from the elastic band 4 and in any case is fixed to it preferably in an irremovable manner .

Preferably the elastic strip 11 has a length ranging from 50 to 110 cm and a width ranging from 3 to 12 cm.

The elastic strip 11 is preferably made of the same material as the elastic band 4, but can also be made of different material . The elastic band 4 can also be divided into two at its end so as to have two terminal portions, one of which constitutes the elastic strip 11.

The elastic strip 11 is used to form a sort of hammock to support the shoulder which limits the anterior and anterior- inferior sliding movements of the head of the humerus with respect to the scapular glenoid (inferior or anterior-inferior or anterior partial dislocation or dislocation) . In a preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the elastic strip 11 comprises a first portion 11a fixed in an irremovable manner to the elastic band 4 and a second portion lib which is free and adapted to be fixed in a removable manner on the user's chest.

More preferably the elastic strip 11 also comprises a tear-off or Velcro® system in the area of the free terminal portion lib consisting of a third hooked strip 14 adapted to couple with the user's torso, preferably with the looped fabric 12 of the coupling system 10 on the user's chest. Preferably the elastic strip 11 is narrower than the elastic band 4.

Preferably the first portion 11a of the elastic strip 11 extends from a central portion with respect to the width of the elastic band 4, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

Preferably the elastic band 4 has a hole 15 in the area of the line where the elastic strip 11 is fixed. The elastic strip 11 can thus pass through the hole 15 without bending or distorting the elastic band 4 when the latter is already fixed to the user's chest.

Preferably the elastic strip 11 extends from the elastic band 4 at a distance from the end of the elastic band fixed to the sleeve 2 so that it is possible to wind one, two, but more preferably three turns of the elastic band 4 around the user' s arm and therefore have the hole 15 in the area of the anterior face of the proximal third of the humerus .

In use, the user winds the elastic band around his/her arm, preferably three times, then fixes the free end of the elastic band 4 on his/her chest while the elastic strip 11 is made to pass through the hole 15 and then under the armpit.

Subsequently the elastic strip 11 is made to pass along the back and lastly over the shoulder opposite the one whose movements have to be limited. Lastly the elastic strip 11 is fixed, preferably by means of the hooked strip 14, on the looped strip 12 of the coupling system 10 in the vicinity of the hooked strip 13 as shown in figure 1. Alternatively the elastic strip 11 can be fixed to the chest by means of a different coupling system. Preferably the hooked strip 13 of the elastic band 4 and the hooked strip 14 of the elastic strip 11 are fixed at an angle to each other ranging from 60° to 120°, more preferably at an angle to each other ranging from 80° to 100° as shown in figure 2.

The combination of elastic band 4 and elastic strip 11 allows limitation of all the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the shoulder joint, to an extent that can be customised for each individual patient, separately or simultaneously.

Both the elastic band 4 and the elastic strip 11 preferably comprise elastic material. The fact that they are made of elastic material is essential to ensure that the movement limitation system 3 does not completely block the movement of the user' s arm and shoulder but limits it in a progressive manner . Preferably the elastic band consists of one or more materials having overall an elongation ranging from 100 to 250% when subject to a force of 400 N, more preferably from 150 to 200%.

Preferably the elastic band comprises a multilayer material. Preferably the multilayer material comprises at least one layer of Sensitive® Fabrics material and one layer comprising thermoadhesive polyurethane.

More preferably the multilayer material comprises 4 base layers.

Preferably the multilayer material comprises a Sensitive® Bonded fabric composed in turn of two layers of Sensitive® in polyamide elastomer with weight per square metre of 230 grams joined by sticker coupling plus a layer of double-sided adhesive polyurethane film and a layer of Sensitive® in polyamide elastomer with weight per square metre of 218 grams.

More preferably the elastic band 4 further comprises one or more strips of material comprising silicone 16 to improve the adhesion between the elastic band 4 and the sleeve 2 and thus avoid sliding of the elastic band 4 on the sleeve 2.

Preferably also the elastic strip 11 comprises one or more strips of material comprising silicone 17 to improve the adhesion between the elastic strip 11 and the T-shirt la.

Preferably the elastic strip 11 consists of one or more materials having overall an elongation ranging from 100 to 250% when subjected to a force of 400 N, more preferably from 150 to 200%.

Laboratory tests were performed to ascertain the elongation of an elastic band according to the present invention, when the elastic band is formed with the most preferred materials described above. It was ascertained that the elongation of the elastic band is 170% at 400N and 160% at 400N if only the multilayer material composed of 4 layers is taken into consideration and not the layer of material comprising silicone .

In particular the graph of the elastic elongation of the elastic band is shown in Figure 4.

This figure graphically represents the fact that a small effort is required to perform small movements whereas a greater effort or force is required to perform bigger movements .

It is clear that in the elongation tests it is considered that the force applied is linear in order to obtain an approximation that can be correctly measured. Similar values are recorded also for the elastic strip 11 which preferably consists of the same multilayer material as the elastic band 4.

It is furthermore possible to provide through holes on the sleeve 2 to facilitate wearability of the elastic band 4 and ensure correct winding of the elastic band 4 on the sleeve 2. The advantages of the garment of the present invention are clear. In particular it ensures that all the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the shoulder can be limited in a progressive and customisable manner simultaneously without blocking any of them.

Furthermore, due to the elasticity of the elastic band 4 and the elastic strip 11, it allows limitation of the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the shoulder. In particular it is furthermore possible to adjust limitation of the abduction and extra-rotation movements of the shoulder due to the fact that the elastic band 4 and the elastic strip 11 can be fixed on a wide portion of the chest. Furthermore the garment of the present invention does not comprise portions of metallic, plastic, composite or ceramic materials .

Furthermore it can be easily worn despite its complexity and is invisible under other garments.

Furthermore the garment of the present invention is lightweight and breathable and can be worn as an undergarment also during sports activities.

Since the garment is almost invisible, the user is more motivated to wear it and this results in an improvement in the general treatment of dislocations.

Claims

1. Garment (1) comprising a T-shirt (la) and a system (3) for limiting the movements of a body portion comprising the shoulder, said system for limiting the movements comprising: an elastic band (4) comprising a first end (4a) and a second end (4b) ; said first end being fixed to a sleeve (2) of the T-shirt (la) between the cuff and the elbow of said sleeve (2) ; said elastic band being adapted to be wound around the arm at least once and to be removably fixed at the second end (4b) to the user's chest; characterised in that

said elastic band and said T-shirt are provided with a first coupling system (10) for fixing said elastic band (4) to the user's chest;

- said garment furthermore comprises an elastic strip (11) connected to the elastic band (4) and adapted to be made to pass under the armpit to then also be fixed to the user' s chest by means of a coupling system the same as or different from the first coupling system (10) .

2. Garment (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said first end (4a) is irremovably fixed to said sleeve (2) of the T-shirt (la) between the cuff and the elbow of said sleeve (2) .

3. Garment (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said elastic strip (11) is irremovably connected to said elastic band (4) .

4. Garment (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises a fixing tape (5) fixed to the sleeve (2) ; said fixing tape being provided with a system for closing around the cuff (8), said fixing tape being adapted to block or limit rotation of the sleeve when the second fixing system is closed and to prevent the sleeve (2) from rotating when the elastic band (4) is wound around the arm .

5. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first coupling system (10) is a tear-off or Velcro® system.

6. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic band (4) has a length sufficient to allow three turns around the sleeve (2) before being fixed to the user's chest.

7. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic band (4) has a length between 90 cm and 150 cm.

8. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic band (4) has a width between 5 and 15 cm.

9. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sleeve (2) on which said elastic band (4) is fixed has an end portion having a hole (7) for the user' s thumb .

10. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said T-shirt comprises a central front zip (9) along the whole of the torso.

11. Garment (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that said tear-off or Velcro® system consists of at least one hooked strip (13) and at least one looped strip ( 12 ) .

12. Garment (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that said tear-off or Velcro® system comprises at least two looped strips (12) on both sides of said zip (9) .

13. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic band (4) has an elongation between 150% and 200% when subjected to a force of 400 N.

14. Garment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said elastic strip (11) has an elongation between 150% and 200% when subjected to a force of 400 N.