Fixed-circumference medical support appliance
AssigneeDavid G. Coleman
InventorRichard A. Coleman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical support appliance custom made to fit the patient's limb exactly. Since the appliance fits exactly, it restricts the engorgement of varicose veins and swelling of the limb by retaining its exact shape and dimension, thereby resisting any outward expansion of the limb, and not by pressing in on the limb. The appliance employs an assembly of materials which resists the outward pressure exerted by the veins by retaining its circumference dimensions, and which at the same time stretches longitudinally for comfort and mobility. The assembly is a composite of latex, formed around a replica of the patient's limb, wrapped with non-stretch fiberglass thread, and finished with trim material and a zipper.
Claims7
A medical support appliance comprising:
- (a) a flexible material formed so it substantially matches, in the reverse or concave, the dimensions and shape of a patient's limb, said material sufficiently flexible as to allow longitudinal stretching;
- (b) a non-stretch material placed around the circumference of said appliance causing said appliance to retain its circumference dimensions, whereby said appliance prevents expansion of all or part of said patient's limb.
A method for construction of a medical support appliance, comprising the steps of:
- making a positive replica of a patient's limb;
- applying a plurality of layers of liquid latex or similar material over said positive replica;
- wrapping non-stretchable thread or other non-stretch stranded material around the circumference of said latex layers, building up an assembly of materials;
- cutting said assembly longitudinally and installing a zipper or other closure;
- whereby the resultant assembly becomes an effective medical support appliance capable of supporting said patient's limb preventing venous protrusion, allowing easy use and removal of said appliance, and providing comfort and flexibility of movement for said patient.
A method for construction of a medical support appliance, comprising the steps of:
- making a positive replica of a patient's limb;
- applying a plurality of layers of liquid latex or similar material over said positive replica;
- wrapping non-stretchable thread or other non-stretch stranded material around the circumference of said latex layers while the outermost latex layer is still in a semi-adhesive state, thus building up an assembly of materials with non-stretchable threads captured within the latex;
- cutting said assembly longitudinally and installing a zipper or other closure by sewing a longitudinal seam which in addition to affixing said closure also intersects said non-stretchable threads additionally capturing them within said assembly, thus preventing later displacement of said non-stretchable threads within said assembly;
- whereby said resultant assembly becomes an effective medical support appliance capable of supporting said patient's limb preventing venous protrusion, allowing easy use and removal of said appliance, providing comfort and flexibility of movement for said patient, and ensuring durability of said appliance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.