WO2015090321A1

WO2015090321A1 - Medical stocking

Info

Publication number: WO2015090321A1
Application number: PCT/DK2014/000059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claus CARSTENSEN
Original assignee: HANDY WEAR IKAST APS
Current assignee: HANDY WEAR IKAST APS
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2014-12-09
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-20

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical stocking. More specifically, the invention relates to a medical stocking wherein two posterior lateral parts of the leg portion, the anterior part of the leg, portion, and at least a part of the foot portion upper part is made from or comprise a single sheet structure defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements. The anterior medial part and the sole part are made from a knitted fabric. The braiding allows, the individual elongate element to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element. The sliding allows for the medical stocking to be manually widened. When the medical, stocking is in a widened position, the user can easily apply the stocking to the leg and foot.

Description

MEDICAL STOCKING

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to medical stockings.

Background of the invention

Medical stockings are known as an adjuvant in the therapy of certain diseases* such as arterial insufficiency, cardiac decompensation and circulatory decompensation, venous insufficiency, arthrosis and rheumatism.

The medical stockings are designed to perform a mechanical action on the feet, ankles, and legs of the person in response to the movements of the lower limbs, in order to stimulate blood circulation, to compress specific areas as well as to prevent and reduce the feeling of fatigue and swelling of the legs, etc.

In the presence of arterial ins^cidncy* and cardiac or circulatory decompensation, the medical stocking act as a pump on the foot and the ankle by stimulating the arterial blooCfJpw, In the presence of venous insufficiency, the medical stocking will build up a diffuse and graduated compression on the entire leg with ascending thrusts to aid venous down flow. With regard to arthritis and rheumatism, the medical stocking is expected to perform a strong compression and support action at the level of the ankle joint.

The majority of medical stockings as used today will provide essentially the right pressure over most of the leg, taut due to their tight fit, they are difficult to apply; especially for elderly users. An even better fit may be desired, but due to the need tor applying the stocking over the foot and ankle; there is a limitation to the tightness that may be designed into the medical stocking.

US 6,311 ,334 discloses a medical stocking made of an elastic textile ;-base material and a less elastic rhombic lattice. The rhombic lattice is integrated into the base material. The rhombic lattice is made either by punching/cutting it out of a foil material, or by applying a liquefied plastic directly onto the base material, The former is then bonded or welded onto the base material. The lattice extends about the entire compression hose. The effect of the lattice is that the medical stocking may suit users with different leg thickness by manually widening or stretching the lattice. However, the medical stocking may still be difficult to apply. Furthermore, as can be seen from the commercial product VenoTrain® ulcertec, the product needs a liner to obtain the correct pressure on the veins.

Hence, there is a need for an improved medical stocking, being more efficient and/or reliable in distributing the compression force to the leg of the user, while at the same time being relatively easy to apply.

Summary of the invention

One aspect relates to a medical stocking comprising:

~ A leg portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the leg portion comprising a posterior part and an anterior part; wherein the posterior part further comprises a medial part and two lateral parts; and

- A foot portion comprising a sole part and an upper part;

wherein the medial part and the sole part is made from a knitted fabric; and wherein the two lateral parts, the anterior pajft, and at least a part of the upper part is made from a single sheet structure defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements, the braiding allowing the individual elongate element to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element.

A second aspect relates to a medical stocking comprising:

- A leg portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the leg portion comprising a posterior part and an anterior part; wherein the posterior part further comprises a medial part and two lateral parts; and

- A foot portion comprising a sole part and an upper part;

wherein the medial part and the sole part comprise a knitted fabric; and wherein the two lateral parts, the anterior part, and at least a part of the upper part is made from a single sheet Structure defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements, the braiding allowing the individual elongate element to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element.

A third aspect relates to a medical stocking comprising: - A leg portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the leg portion comprising a posterior part and an anterior part; wherein the posterior part further comprises a medial part and two lateral parts; and

- A foot portion comprising a sole part and an upper part;

wherein the medial part and the sole part comprise a knitted fabric; and wherein the two lateral parts, the anterior part, and at least a part of the upper part is made from a single sheet structure defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements, the braiding allowing the individual elongate element to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element; wherein the medial part is part of an inner stocking, and wherein only the edges of the sheet structure are attached to the inner stocking.

Accordingly, the invention provides a medical stocking that solves the problems with the prior art with regards to pressure distribution and ease of application.

The medical stocking comprises a leg portion and a foot portion. The leg portion has a proximal end with the inlet, in which the user's foot is inserted, and a distal end facing the foot portion. The leg portion is further divided into a posterior part covering the back of the leg, and an anterior part covering the front of the leg.

The posterior part is further sub-divided into a medial part and two lateral parts.

The foot portion is divided into a sole part covering the area under the foot, and an upper part covering the medial and lateral areas of the foot. In one or more embodiments, the sole part also covers a part of the lateral area of the foot, such that the joint between the different types of material will not give discomfort to the user when using footwear,

The posterior medial part and the sole part is made from a knitted fabric, whereas the two posterior lateral parts, the anterior part, and at least a part of the foot portion upper part is made from, or comprise, a single sheet structure defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements. The braiding allows the individual elongate element to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element. It is essential that the sliding is possible, since this allows for the medical stocking to be manually widened. When the medical stocking is in a widened position, the user can easily apply the stocking to the leg and foot. Especially the area around the transition between the leg part and the upper part is difficult to pass with the user's foot when applying conventional medical stockings; This problem is alleviated by the present invention, since this area can be widened and held in this position until the foot is in place. Subsequently, this area can be narrowed again by stretching the specific part of the medical stocking in the longitudinal direction, and towards the proximal end of the user's leg.

The possibility of widening and holding the medical stocking in a more open position until the foot is in place is very important. The internal angle between the midline longitudinal; axis of the anterior part of the leg portion and the midline longitudinal axis of an individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part of the leg portion has been found by the inventor to be of importance for the ability to widen the medical stocking. The internal angle is preferred not to be 0 degrees, i.e. when an individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part of the leg portion is positioned in parallel to the midline longitudinal axis of the anterior part of the leg portion. Furthermore, the internal angle is preferred not to be 90 degrees, i.e. when an individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part of the leg portion is positioned perpendicular to the midline longitudinal axis of the anterior part of the leg portion. In these situations, the open position cannot hold for a sufficient time for the user to apply the medical stocking. In the present context the term "internal angle" is to be understood as the smallest angle of the two angles formed between two intersecting lines - one line being the midline longitudinal axis of the anterior part of the leg portion and the other line being the midline longitudinal axis of the individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part of the leg portion (Figure 2). The sum of the internal angle and the other angle (the external angle) will always be 180 degrees.

In the present context the term "midline longitudinal axis of the anterior part of the leg portion" is to be understood as the longitudinal axis dividing the anterior part into to equal sized pieces. In the present context the term "midline longitudinal axis of the individual elastic elongate element" is to be understood as the longitudinal axis dividing the individual elastic elongate element into to equal sized pieces.

Hence, in one or more embodiments, the braiding of the single sheet structure is performed such that in the anterior part of the leg portion, the internal angle between the midline longitudinal axis of the anterior part of the leg portion arid the midline longitudinal axis of an individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part of the leg portion is within the range of 1-89 degrees, such as within the range of 5-85 degrees, e.g. within the range of 10-80 degrees, such as within the range of 15-75 degrees, e g. within the range of 20-70 degrees, such as within the range of 25-65 degrees, e.g. within the range of 30-60 degrees, such as within the range of 35-55 degrees, e^g. within the range of 40-50 degrees, e.g. 45 degrees.

In order to avoid discomfort around the Achilles tendon, e.g. when the user is wearing footwear, the medical stocking of the present invention can be designed in a way such that the pressure in the area around the Achilles tendon is lower than in other areas. In one or more embodiments the medial part has a width and a length so as to cover the region of the Achilles tendon of the user. In one or more embodiments, the medial part is part of an inner stocking, and wherein only the edges of the sheet structure are attached to the inner stocking. The entire sheet structure cannot be attached to the inner stocking if an individual elongate element is to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element.

In one or more embodiments, the inner stocking has a knit structure with graduated elasticity such that the elasticity of the medial part is higher than elasticity of the remaining parts of the inner stocking. The inner stocking may help in keeping he skin from protruding between the individual elongate elements when the medical stocking is tightened; aiding both to the general compression and to the comfort of the user.

In one or more embodiments, the inner stocking comprises a ribbing that extends further in the proximal direction than the leg portion. in one or more embodiments, the upper part comprises a toe area made from a knitted fabric. This is important to avoid that the toes are forced in a position to cross one another. In one or more embodiments, the proximal end is attached to a ribbing.

In one or more embodiments, the leg portion is conically shaped having a wide proximal end and a narrow distal end. This is advantageous due to the conical shape of a user's leg.

In one or more embodiments, the elastic elongate elements are elastic bands.

In one or more embodiments, the elastic elongate elements comprise a number of elastic fibres. Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a medical stocking in accordance with various embodiments of the invention viewed from the posterior side; shows the leg portion of a medical stocking in accordance with various embodiments of the invention viewed from the anterior side; and

Figure 3 shows a medical stocking in accordance with various embodiments of the invention viewed from the anterior side.

Description of a preferred embodiment

Figure 1 shows a medical stocking (100) in accordance With various embodiments of the invention viewed from the posterior side. The medical stocking (100) comprises a leg portion (102) and a foot portion (112). The leg portion (102) has a prpximal end (101) with the inlet in which the user's foot is inserted, and a distal (103) end facing the foot portion (112). The leg portion (102} is further divided into a posieripr part (106) covering the back of the leg, and ah anterior part (not shown) covering the front of the leg. The posterior part (106) is further sub-divided into a medial part (108) and two lateral parts (110). The foot portion (112) is divided into a sole part (114) covering the area under the foot, and an upper part (116) covering the medial and lateral areas of the foot. In figure 1, the sole part also covers a part of the lateral area of the foot. The medial part (108), the sole part (114) as well as a toe area (117) of the upper part (116) are made from a knitted fabric and are parts of an inner stocking.

The two lateral parts (110), the anterior part (not shown), and at least a part of the upper part (116) is made from a single sheet structure (118) defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements (120,122). The braiding allows the individual elongate element (120) to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element (122). Only the edges of the sheet structure are attached to the inner stocking. The entire sheet structure cannot be attached to the inner stocking if an individual elongate element is to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element

Figure 2 shows the leg portion of a medical stocking (100) in accordance with various embodiments of the invention viewed from the anterior side. The braiding Of the single sheet structure (118) is performed such that in the anterior part (106) of the leg portion (102)> the internal angle between the midline longitudinal axis (132) of the anterior part (106) of the leg portion (102) and the midline longitudinal axis (134) of an individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part (106) of the leg portion (102) is within the range of 5^85 degrees - here the internal angle is about 45 degrees.

The preferred embodiment as disclosed in figure 2 also comprises a ribbing (126) attached to the single sheet structure (118) at the proximal end (101).

Figure 3 shows a medical stocking (100) in accordance with various embodiments of the invention viewed from the anterior side. The leg portion (102) is conically shaped and has a wide proximal end (128) and a narrow distal end (130). References

TOO medical stocking

101 proximal end

102 leg pOftidn

103 distal end

104 posterior, part

106 anterior part

108 medial part

110 lateral part

112 foot portion

114 sole part

116 u pper part

117 toe area

118 single sheet structure

120 individual elongate element

122 crossing individual elongate element

124 inner stocking

125 elastic eldhgate elernent

126 ribbing

128 wide proximal end

130 narrow distal end

132 midline longitudinal axis of the anterior part of the leg portion

134 midline longitudinal axis of an individual elastic elongate element

Claims

1. A medical stocking (100) comprising:

* A teg portion (102) having a proximal end (101) and a distal end (103), the leg, portion comprising a posterior part (104) and an anterior part

(106); wherein the posterior part (104) further comprises a medial part (108) and two lateral parts (110); and

- A foot portion (112) comprising a sole part (114) and an upper part (116); wherein the medial part (108) and the sole part (114) is rnade from a knitted fabric; and wherein the two lateral parts (1 10), the anterior part (106), and at least a part of the upper part (116) is made from a single sheet structure (118) defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements (120,122), the braiding allowing the individual elongate element (120) to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element (122).

2. A medical stocking (100) comprising:

- A leg portion (102) having a proximal end (101) and a distal end (103), the leg portion comprising a posterior part (104) and an anterior part (106); wherein the posterior part (104) further comprises a medial part

(108) and two lateral parts (1 10); and

·- A foot portion (112) comprising a sole part (114) and an upper part (116); wherein the medial part (108) and the sole part (114) is made from a knitted fabric; and wherein the two lateral parts (110), the anterior part (106), and at least a part of the upper part (116) comprise a single sheet structure (118) defined by a braiding of a number of crossing elastic elongate elements (120;122)₁ the braiding allowing the individual elongate element (120) to slide essentially freely over or under another crossing individual elongate element (122).

3. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 1-2, wherein the braiding of the single sheet structure (118) is performed such that in the anterior part (106) of the leg portion (102), the internal angle between the midline longitudinal axis (132) of the anterior part (106) of the leg portion (102) and the midline longitudinal axis (134) of an individual elastic elongate element in the anterior part (106) of the leg portion (102) is within the range of 5-85 degrees.

4. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the medial pari (1ΰ8) has a width and a length so as to cover the region ofthe Achilles tendon of the user.

5. A medical stocking_, according to any one of the claims 2-4, wherein the medial part (108) is part of an inner stocking (124), and wherein only the edges of the sheet structure (118) are attached to the inner stocking (124).

6. A medical stocking according to Claim 5, wherein the inner stocking (124) has a knit structure with graduated elasticity such that the elasticity of the; medial part (108) is higher than elasticity of the remaining parts of the inner stocking (124).

7. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 5-6, wherein the inner stocking (124) comprises a ribbing that extends further in the; proximal direction than the leg portion (102).

8. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the upper part (116) comprises a toe area (117) made from a knitted fabric.

9. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 1-8, wherein the proximal end (101) is attached to a ribbing (126).

10. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 1-9, wherein the leg portion (102) is cohically shaped having a wide proximal end (128} and a narrow distal end (130).

11. A medical stocking according to any one of the claims 1-10, wherein the elastic elongate elements comprises a number of elastic fibres.