Device and method for applying pressure to a mammalian limb
OwnerWesley Coxinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A therapeutic pressure strap for applying pressure across a muscle or muscle groups on a mammalian limb is described. The strap is particularly well suited for treating “tennis elbow”. The strap contains an adjustable fastening means for securing and tightening the strap around a limb. The strap also possesses a plurality of pressure members (e.g., elongated rubber tubes) that apply separate and discrete areas or points of pressure in a line across a muscle or muscle group and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb.
Claims18
A therapeutic pressure strap for applying pressure to muscles of a limb, said pressure strap comprising:
- an elongated flexible band for encircling the limb;
- first and second adjustable cooperative fasteners for adjustably fastening said band about the limb, with said first fastener proximate a first end of said band and said second fastener proximate a second end of said band;
- and
- a plurality of elongated pressure members attached to said band and positioned between said first and second fasteners,
- wherein a longitudinal axis of one or more of said plurality of elongated pressure members is positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of said band,
- wherein said band includes a plurality of pockets for retaining said pressure members,
- wherein adjacent pockets are separated by a distance in the range of one quarter inch to one inch,
- wherein said pockets are adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the limb during use whereby pressure members within said pockets are adapted to create discrete lines of pressure across the muscles of the limb.
A method of simultaneously applying a plurality of discrete lines of pressure to muscles of a limb, the method comprising the steps of:
- encircling the limb with an elongated strap, said strap having first and second adjustable cooperative fasteners for adjustably fastening said strap about the limb, with said first fastener proximate a first end of said strap and said second fastener proximate a second end of said strap, said strap further having a plurality of elongated pressure members positioned between said first and second fasteners, wherein a longitudinal axis of one or more of said plurality of elongated pressure members is positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of said strap, wherein said strap includes a plurality of pockets and wherein said pressure members are located in said plurality of pockets, said pockets being oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the limb during use, and wherein adjacent pockets are separated by a distance in the range of one quarter inch to one inch;
- and
- adjusting the cooperative fasteners to tighten the strap around the limb thereby compressing each pressure member against the limb to create discrete lines of pressure across the muscles of the limb.
A method of simultaneously applying a plurality of discrete lines of pressure to muscles of a limb, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a plurality of discrete elongated pressure members against the muscles of the limb, said elongated pressure members being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the limb and having a force transfer surface that extends for a distance across a surface of the limb, wherein each of said pressure members is positioned between first and second adjustable cooperative fasteners located on ends of a strap, said pressure members being located in individual pockets of said strap, with adjacent pockets being separated by a distance in the range of one quarter inch to one inch, wherein a longitudinal axis of one or more of said plurality of discrete elongated pressure members is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of said strap;
- creating a circumferential compressive force around the limb;
- and
- concentrating a portion of the compressive force applied to the limb at the force transfer surface of said pressure members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.