Sock structure and method of use

#The present invention relates to a new and useful sock structure, that is especially useful in applying a cold pack to a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and to a method of applying a cold pack to a wearer (e.g. a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment), using the sock structure.

#The present invention was designed primarily to help chemotherapy patients handle the side effect of a condition known as “hand-foot syndrome”. Hand foot syndrome is a condition that results in sensitivity in a patient's feet, and other appendages, from leakage of chemotherapy agent during treatment (also referred to as “infusion”). By applying a cold pack to each of the patient's feet during the chemotherapy infusion, the effects of the hand-foot syndrome are greatly reduced because the walls of the capillaries are condensed from the cold, and thereby reduces the prospects of leakage of chemotherapy agent. The present invention has been designed to make it more comfortable for patients to wear a cold pack on their feet for an extended periods of time, and to otherwise provide as much comfort as possible for the patient. For example, rather than having to place their feet on the cold pack on a footrest, the sock structure and method of the present invention allows the patient to place the cold pack on the feet, in a way that allows greater mobility for the patient (e.g. it allows the patient to cross legs while maintaining cold on feet, during the chemotherapy treatment).

#More specifically, The present invention provides a new and useful sock structure, which is especially useful in applying a cold pack to a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and to a method of applying a cold pack to a wearer (e.g. a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment), using the sock structure. The sock structure comprises a sock body that includes (i) a foot portion configured to cover substantially all of the wearer's foot, (ii) a leg portion configured to cover a portion of the wearer's ankle and leg, and (iii) a turned heel that provides an angular (turned) junction between the foot and leg portions. Moreover, the sock structure comprises a pocket integral with the sock body and located along predetermined portions of the bottom of the foot portion and the turned heel. The pocket is connected with the sock body in a manner that provides heat transmitting relationship between the pocket and the sole and heel of a human foot and heel located in the sock body, and the pocket is configured for receiving a cold pack and supporting the cold pack along the bottom of the foot portion and a predetermined portion of the turned heel, with the cold pack in heat transmitting relation with the sole and heel of a human foot located in the sock body. The leg portion of the sock body has an opening through which a human foot and heel can be inserted into the sock body with the heel of the foot located in the turned heel of the sock body, and the pocket has at least one separate opening for receipt of a cold pack with at least a portion of the cold pack located adjacent to the sole of the foot and a predetermined portion of the heel of the human foot.

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of the sock structure of the present invention, before insertion of a cold pack into the pocket of the sock structure;

#FIG. 2 is an illustration of a typical cold pack that can be used with the sock structure and method according to the principles of the present invention; and

#FIG. 3 is an illustration of a patient (e.g. a chemotherapy patient) wearing the socket structure while a cold pack is applied to the patient's sole and heel, according to the principles of the present invention.

#As described above, the present invention provides a new and useful sock structure and cold pack treatment method, which are particularly useful for a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The principles of the present invention are described herein in connection with a sock structure and cold pack treatment method for a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and from that description the manner in which the principles of the present invention can be used to create and use sock structure for persons with needs comparable to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy will be apparent to those in the art.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a sock structure 100, according to the principles of the present invention. The sock structure 100 comprises a sock body 102 that includes a foot portion 104 configured to cover substantially all of the wearer's foot, a leg portion 106 configured to cover a portion of the wearer's ankle and leg, and a turned heel 108 that provides an angular (turned) junction between the foot and leg portions. The sock structure 100 includes a pocket 110 integral with the sock body and located along predetermined portions of the bottom of the foot portion and the turned heel. The pocket 110 is connected with the sock body in a manner that provides heat transmitting relationship between the sole and heel of a human foot and heel located in the sock body and a cold pack located in the pocket, and the pocket is configured for receiving a cold pack 112 (FIG. 2) and supporting the cold pack along the bottom of the foot portion and a predetermined portion of the turned heel, with the cold pack in heat transmitting relation with the sole and heel of a human foot located in the sock body (see FIG. 3).

#The leg portion 106 has an opening 106a through which a human foot and heel can be inserted into the sock body with the heel of the foot located in the turned heel of the sock body, and the pocket 110 a pair of separate openings 110a, 110b, each of which allows insertion of a cold pack into the pocket 110 with at least a portion of the cold pack located adjacent to the sole of a foot and a predetermined portion of the heel of the foot (see FIG. 3). Each of the sock body and pocket are preferably formed of fabric material (e.g. of the type that would typically be used to form a sock). Moreover, the pocket 110 is preferably formed by a segment of material 112 that is secured to the bottom of the foot portion and turned heel of the sock body and combines with the bottom of the foot portion and turned heel to form the pocket and the pair of openings 110a, 110b. The openings 110a, 110b enable the cold pack 112 to be inserted into the pocket from either the opening 110a or the opening 110b.