Myofascial strap

• US 20060036205A1
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bonutti IP LLC, Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC), The Bonutti 2003 Trust A
• Original Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,062,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/75
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/022 having more than one layer with different fluid retention characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/0273 Adhesive bandages for winding around limb, trunk or head, e.g. cohesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/06 specially adapted for feet or legs; Corn-pads; Corn-rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/108 Openable readjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/00 Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints, devices specially adapted therefor A61B17/56; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devicesbandages, dressings or absorbent pads A61F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0104 without articulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/03 Corsets or bandages for abdomen, teat or breast support, with or without pads trusses A61F5/24, pressure-pads A61F5/30; brassieres A41C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/00 Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor A61N2/00 takes precedence; irradiation apparatus A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0404 for external use A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0452 Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0472 Structure-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/18 Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 602/903 Surgical tape

Abstract

An improved strap has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions. An inner surface of the middle portion and inner and outer surfaces of the first end portion include a foam material. The foam material of the inner surfaces of the middle and first end portions is positionable against skin of the patient. An outer surface of the middle portion includes a fabric material and a foam region. An inner surface of the second end portion includes a retainer for connecting the inner surface of the second end portion to the fabric material of the outer surface of the middle portion.

Claims

1. A strap for treatment of a patient, the strap comprising a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions, an inner surface of the middle portion and inner and outer surfaces of the first end portion including a foam material, the foam material of the inner surfaces of the middle and first end portions positionable against skin of the patient, an outer surface of the middle portion including a fabric material and a foam region, and an inner surface of the second end portion including a retainer for connecting the inner surface of the second end portion to the fabric material of the outer surface of the middle portion.

2. The strap of claim 1 wherein the foam material of the outer surface of the first end portion is a continuation of the foam material of the inner surface of the first end portion.

3. The strap of claim 2 wherein the first end portion includes a loop having the foam material of the inner surface continuing to the outer surface, an interior surface of the loop including a fabric material.

4. The strap of claim 1 wherein the foam material has a first friction coefficient and the fabric material has a second friction coefficient, the first friction coefficient being greater than the second friction coefficient.

5. The strap of claim 4 wherein the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion is engagable with the foam material of the outer surface of the first end portion to hold the first end portion relative to the middle portion.

6. The strap of claim 4 wherein the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion is engagable with the foam region of the outer surface of the middle portion.

7. A method of using the strap of claim 1, the method comprising:

positioning the foam material of the inner surface of the first end portion against skin of a body part;

wrapping the strap about the body part with the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion contacting the foam material of the outer surface of the first end portion and contacting the foam region of the middle portion; and

connecting the second end portion to the middle portion to hold the second end portion relative to the middle portion.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein wrapping the strap about the body part includes gripping the skin with the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein gripping the skin includes moving body tissue disposed beneath the skin.

10. A strap assembly comprising:

a first strap including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions, an inner surface of the middle portion and inner and outer surfaces of the first end portion having a foam material, the foam material of the inner surfaces of the middle and first end portions positionable against skin of the patient, and an outer surface of the middle portion having a fabric material and a foam region; and

a second strap including a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending between the first and second end portions, an inner surface of the middle portion and inner and outer surfaces of the first end portion having a foam material, the foam material of the inner surfaces of the middle and first end portions positionable against skin of the patient, and an outer surface of the middle portion having a fabric material.

11. The strap assembly of claim 10 wherein the foam material has a first friction coefficient and the fabric material has a second friction coefficient, the first friction coefficient being greater than the second friction coefficient.

12. The strap assembly of claim 11 wherein the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion of the first strap is engagable with the foam material of the outer surface of the first end portion of the first strap to hold the first end portion relative to the middle portion.

13. The strap assembly of claim 11 wherein the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion of the second strap is engagable with the foam region of the outer surface of the middle portion of the first strap.

14. A method of using the strap assembly of claim 10, the method comprising:

positioning the foam material of the inner surface of the first end portion of the first strap against skin of a body part;

wrapping the first strap about the body part with the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion of the first strap engaging the foam material of the outer surface of the first end portion of the first strap; and

wrapping the second strap about the body part with the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion of the second strap engaging the foam region of the middle portion of the first strap.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein wrapping the one of the straps about the body part includes gripping the skin with the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion of one of the straps.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein gripping the skin includes moving body tissue disposed beneath the skin.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein wrapping the second strap about the body part with the foam material of the inner surface of the middle portion of the second strap engaging the foam region of the middle portion of the first strap includes interconnecting the first and second straps.

18. The method of claim 14 further including connecting the second end portion of the first strap to the middle portion of the first strap to hold the second end portion relative to the middle portion.

19. The method of claim 14 further including connecting the second end portion of the second strap to the middle portion of the first strap to hold the second end portion relative to the middle portion.