# US 10,117,618 B2 · Two-layer tension measurement system for compression garments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,618 B2 - Document ID: US10117618B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/096,113 - Filed: 2016-04-11 - Published: 2016-08-04 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-29 - Assignees: Medi Manufacturing, Inc. - Applicants: Medi Manufacturing, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas Richardson; Moses A Lipshaw - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117618B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/6804: {Garments; Clothes} - A61B 5/103: Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, {colour,} size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes (measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04) - A61B 5/6812: {Orthopaedic devices} - A61F 13/08: Elastic stockings; for contracting aneurisms - A61H 1/008: {Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation} - G01L 5/047: {Specific indicating or recording arrangements, e.g. for remote indication, for indicating overload or underload} - G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A two layer compression garment measuring system that displays a pressure indicia when the garment is stretched, wherein the pressure indicia is displayed by moving from a position under an opaque layer of material (at low or no pressure) to a position under a window or transparent or translucent layer of material (at higher pressure). When the indicia can be seen by an observer through the window or transparent or translucent layer, then the higher pressure has been reached. The viewed indicia optionally displays the pressure level. In various optional designs, the location of attachment between the two spaced-apart locations is adjustable, or the length of the upper layer is adjustable such that the attachment location can be aligned with the indicia. A design having a free ended upper layer is also included. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-layer tension measurement system, comprising: (a) a stretchable continuous base layer; and (b) an upper layer attached at two spaced-apart locations on top of the stretchable continuous base layer, wherein a visual indicator of a predetermined tension level is positioned on the upper layer or the base layer and configured to become observable by a user of the system when the upper layer is pulled taut. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is indicia on the stretchable base layer, and wherein each of the two spaced-apart locations is adjustable such that opposing ends of the upper layer can be aligned with indicia on the stretchable base layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the upper layer is rigidly attached to the stretchable base layer at one of the two spaced-apart locations and is releasably attached to the stretchable base layer at the other of the two spaced-apart locations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the visual indicator is indicia on the stretchable base layer, and wherein the other of the two-spaced apart locations of attachment can be aligned with indicia on the stretchable base layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a length of the upper layer is adjustable by cutting the upper layer corresponding to different indicia. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is indicia on the stretchable base layer, and wherein a portion of the upper layer permits external viewing of indicia of the stretchable base layer by the user of the system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the portion of the upper layer for external viewing has a window for external viewing of indicia. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the portion of the upper layer for external viewing is transparent or translucent and surrounding portions of the upper layer is opaque. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein indicia of the stretchable base layer further comprise a plurality of indicia, and wherein different indicia of the plurality of indicia are viewable about an edge of the base layer or through the portion of the upper layer for external viewing depending upon an amount of stretch of the base layer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the system is incorporated into a compression garment, and wherein different indicia indicate different tensions associated with pre-determined compression ranges including 20-30 mm Hg or 30-40 mm Hg. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the upper layer comprises a first portion and a second portion attached end-to-end, the first and second portions having different stiffnesses, and wherein the first portion of the upper layer is attached to a first location of the stretchable base layer, and wherein the second portion of the upper layer is attached to a second location of the stretchable base layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first portion of the upper layer is inelastic and the second portion of the upper layer is elastic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the first and second portions of the upper layer stretch together as the stretchable base layer stretches underneath. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein indicia of the stretchable base layer are positioned under the second portion of the upper layer and are not externally visible before the system has been stretched to a predetermined tension, and wherein the indicia are positioned under the first portion of the upper layer and are externally visible after the system has been stretched to the predetermined tension. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is the upper layer being pulled flat, and wherein when the upper layer is flat a pre-determined compression level of the system is indicated. ### Claim 16 A compression garment comprising a multi-layer compression measurement system formed on the compression garment, the system comprising: (a) a stretchable continuous base layer; and (b) an upper layer attached at two spaced-apart locations on top of the stretchable continuous base layer, wherein a visual indicator of a predetermined compression level is positioned on the upper layer or the base layer and configured to become observable by a user of the system when the upper layer is pulled taut. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The compression garment according to claim 16, wherein the garment is adapted to be wrapped around a limb of a patient, the compression garment comprising a body with a plurality of bands extending therefrom, wherein the two-layer compression measurement system is formed on an exterior of at least one of the bands. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The compression garment according to claim 17, wherein the visual indicator is indicia on the stretchable base layer, and wherein each of the two spaced-apart locations is adjustable such that opposing ends of the upper layer can be aligned with indicia on the stretchable base layer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The compression garment according to claim 17, wherein the visual indicator is indicia on the stretchable base layer, and wherein a length of the upper layer is adjustable by cutting the upper layer corresponding to indicia. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The compression garment according to claim 17, wherein the visual indicator is the upper layer being pulled flat, and wherein when the upper layer is flat a pre-determined compression level of the system is indicated. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The compression garment according to claim 16, wherein the two-layer compression measurement system is in communication with one or more fasteners of the bands. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The compression garment according to claim 16, wherein the garment a compression garment is tubular, wherein the two-layer compression measurement system is formed on an exterior of the garment. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The compression garment according to claim 22, wherein the stretchable base layer of the two-layer compression measurement system is an outer layer of the compression garment.