Myofascial strap

• US 6,575,926 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bonutti IP LLC, Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC), The Bonutti 2003 Trust A
• Original Assignee: The Bonutti 2003 Trust A
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hamilton, Lalita M.
• Application Number:
  US09/738,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 602/41-47, 602/75, 602/60, 602/62, 602/63, 602/26
• 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 base end portion, a second end portion and a main portion which is disposed between the base and the second end portions of the strap. A first side of the strap has a layer formed of foam. A second side of the strap has a layer formed of fabric. The second side of a base end portion of the strap has a layer formed of foam. The layer formed of foam on the first side of the strap is placed in engagement with skin on a body of a patient. The base end portion of the strap is retained against movement relative to the body of the patient by wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient and positioning a portion of the layer formed of foam and disposed on the first side of the strap in engagement with foam disposed on the second side of the base end portion of the strap. A second end portion of the strap is connected with the fabric layer on the second side of the strap at a location between the end portions of the strap.

Claims

1. A method of treatment of a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a strap having a base end portion, a second end portion and a main portion which is disposed between the base and second end portions of the strap, the base end portion of the strap has first and second sides with surfaces which face in opposite directions and are formed of foam, the main portion of the strap has a first side with a surface which is formed of foam and faces in the same direction as the surface on the first side of the base end portion, the main portion of the strap has a second side with a surface which is formed of fabric and faces in the same direction as the surface on the second side of the base end portion, and wrapping the strap around a portion of a body of the patient, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient, positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient, positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of foam on the second side of the base end portion of the strap, positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of fabric on the second side of the main portion of the strap, tensioning the main portion of the strap, and securing the second end portion of the strap against movement relative to the main portion of the strap.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of moving body tissue disposed beneath the skin of the patient under the influence of tension forces transmitted from the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap to the skin of the patient, said step of moving body tissue beneath the skin of the patient includes gripping the skin of the patient with the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap and pulling the skin of the patient in the direction of force applied to the main portion of the strap during tensioning of the main portion of the strap.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of securing the second end portion of the strap includes fastening the second end portion of the strap to the surface formed of fabric on the second side of the main portion of the strap.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient includes positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on a back of a hand of the patient, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes engaging skin on a palm of the hand of the patient with a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap, said step of positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of foam on the second side of the base end portion of the strap includes pressing the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap against the skin on the back of the hand of the patient under the influence of force transmitted from the main portion of the strap to the base end portion of the strap.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient includes positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin in a region of the body of the patient where a hand and wrist of the patient are disposed, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes engaging skin on a finger of the hand of the patient with a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap, said step of positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of foam on the second side of the base end portion of the strap includes pressing the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap against the skin on the region of the body of the patient where the hand and wrist of the patient are disposed under the influence of force transmitted from the main portion of the strap to the base end portion of the strap.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient includes positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on a leg of the patient in a region of the body of the patient where a knee of the patient is disposed, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes engaging skin on the leg of the patient with a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap, said step of positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of foam on the second side of the base end portion of the strap includes pressing the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap against the skin on the leg of the patient in the region of the body of the patient where the knee of the patient is disposed.

7. A strap for use in treating a patient, said strap comprising a base end portion, a second end portion, and a main portion which extends between said base and second end portions, said base end portion having first and second sides with surfaces which are formed of foam and face in opposite directions, said surface formed of foam on said first side of said base end portion of said strap being engagable with skin on a body of the patient, said main portion of said strap having a first side with a surface which is formed of foam and faces in the same direction as the surface formed of foam on the first side of said base end portion, said surface formed of foam on said first side of said main portion of said strap being engagable with skin on the body of the patient, said main portion of said strap having a second side with a surface which is formed of fabric and faces in the same direction as the surface formed of foam on the second side of said base end portion, said surface formed of foam on said first side of said main portion of said strap being engagable with said surface formed of foam on said second side of said base end portion of said strap to hold said base end portion of said strap against movement relative to skin on the body of the patient engaged by said surface formed of foam on said first side of said base end portion of said strap, said surface formed of foam on said first side of said main portion of said strap being engagable with said surface formed of fabric on said second side of said main portion of said strap, and a retainer connected with said second end portion of said strap, said retainer being engagable with said surface formed of fabric on said second side of said main portion of said strap to retain said second end portion of said strap against movement relative to said main portion of said strap.

8. A strap as set forth in claim 7 wherein said surface formed of foam on said second side of said base end portion is formed as a continuation of said surface formed of foam on said first side of said base end portion and is connected with said surface formed of foam on said first side of said base end portion by a bend surface which is formed of foam and extends between the first and second sides of said base end portion of said strap.

9. A strap as set forth in claim 7 wherein said base end portion of said strap includes inner and outer sections which are disposed in abutting engagement with each other, said inner section of said base end portion includes a layer of foam and a layer of fabric which are interconnected, said outer section of said base end portion includes a layer of foam and a layer of fabric which are interconnected, said layer of fabric of said inner section of said base end portion being disposed in abutting engagement with said layer of fabric of said outer section of said base end portion, said surface formed of foam on said first side of said base end portion of said strap being disposed on said layer of foam of said inner section of said base end portion, said surface formed of foam on said second side of said base end portion of said strap being disposed on said layer of foam of said outer section of said base end portion.

10. A strap as set forth in claim 9 wherein said main portion of said strap includes a layer of foam and a layer of fabric which are interconnected, said surface formed of foam on said first side of said main portion of said strap being disposed on said layer of foam of said main portion of said strap, said surface formed of fabric on said second side of said main portion of said strap being disposed on said layer of fabric of said main portion of said strap, said layer of foam of said main portion of said strap being integrally formed as one piece with said layer of foam of said inner section of said base end portion of said strap and being integrally formed as one piece with said layer of foam of said outer section of said base end portion of said strap, said layer of fabric of said main portion of said strap being integrally formed as one piece with said layer of fabric of said inner section of said base end portion of said strap and being integrally formed as one piece with said layer of fabric of said outer section of said base end portion of said strap.

11. A strap as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second end portion of said strap includes a layer of foam and a layer of fabric which are interconnected, said layer of foam of said second end portion of said strap being integrally formed as one piece with said layer of foam of said main portion of said strap, said layer of fabric of said second end portion of said strap being integrally formed as one piece with said layer of fabric of said main portion of said strap.

12. A strap as set forth in claim 11 wherein said retainer includes a layer of hooks of a hook and loop type fastener, said layer of hooks being mounted on said layer of foam of said second end portion of said strap and being engagable with said layer of fabric of said main portion of said strap.

13. A method of treatment or a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a strap having a base end portion, a second end portion and a main portion which is disposed between the base and second end portions of the strap, the base end portion of the strap has first and second sides with surfaces which face in opposite directions, the main portion of the strap has a first side with a surface which faces in the same direction as the surface on the first side of the base end portion, the main portion of the strap has a second side with a surface which faces in the same direction as the surface on the second side of the base end portion and is formed of fabric, and wrapping the strap around a portion of a body of the patient, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient, positioning a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient, positioning a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface on the second side of the base end portion of the strap, positioning a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of fabric on the second side of the main portion of the strap, the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap and the surface on the second side of the base end portion of the strap have a greater coefficient of static friction than the surface formed of fabric on the second side of the main portion of the strap, tensioning the main portion of the strap, retaining the base end portion of the strap against movement relative to the main portion of the strap under the influence of static friction force between the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap and the surface on the second side of the base end portion of the strap while tensioning the main portion of the strap, and securing the second end portion of the strap against movement relative to the main portion of the strap.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 further including the step of moving body tissue disposed beneath the skin of the patient under the influence of tension forces transmitted from the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap to the skin of the patient, said step of moving body tissue beneath the skin of the patient includes gripping the skin of the patient with the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap and pulling the skin of the patient in the direction of forces applied to the main portion of the strap during tensioning of the main portion of the strap.

15. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of securing the second end portion of the strap includes fastening the second end portion of the strap to the surface formed of fabric on the second side of the main portion of the strap.

16. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient includes positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on a back of a hand of the patient, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes engaging skin on a palm of the hand of the patient with a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap, said step of positioning a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface on the second side of the base end portion of the strap includes pressing the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap against the skin on the back of the hand of the patient under the influence of force transmitted from the main portion of the strap to the base end portion of the strap.

17. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient includes positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin in a region of the body of the patient where a hand and wrist of the patient are disposed, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes engaging skin on a finger of the hand of the patient with a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap, said step of positioning a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface on the second side of the base end portion of the strap includes pressing the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap against the skin on the region of the body of the patient where the hand and wrist of the patient are disposed under the influence of force transmitted from the main portion of the strap to the base end portion of the strap.

18. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said step of positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient includes positioning the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on a leg of the patient in the region of the body of the patient where a knee of the patient is disposed, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes engaging skin on the leg of the patient with a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap, said step of positioning a portion of the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface on the second side of the base end portion of the strap includes pressing the surface on the first side of the base end portion of the strap against the skin on the leg of the patient in the region of the body of the patient where the knee of the patient is disposed.

19. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the surfaces on the first and second sides of the base end portion of the strap and the surface on the first side of the main portion of the strap are formed of foam.

20. A method of treatment of a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of straps each of which has a layer formed of foam disposed on a first side of the strap and a layer formed of fabric disposed on a second side of the strap, urging body tissue on a first side of an opening in skin on a body of the patient toward body tissue on a second side of the opening in the skin on the body of the patient, said step of urging body tissue on a first side of the opening in the skin toward body tissue on a second side of the opening in the skin includes positioning the layer formed of foam disposed on the first side of a first strap of the plurality of straps in engagement with the skin on the body of the patient adjacent to the first side of the opening in the skin, retaining a first end portion of the first strap against movement relative to the body of the patient by wrapping the first strap around a portion of the body of the patient disposed adjacent to the first side of the opening in the skin and positioning a portion of the layer formed of foam and disposed on the first side of the first strap in engagement with foam on a second side of the first strap, and connecting a second end portion of the first strap to the second side of the first strap at a location between the first and second end portions of the first strap, and urging body tissue on the second side of the opening in skin on the body of the patient toward body tissue on the first side of the opening in the skin on the body of the patient, said step of urging body tissue on the second side of the opening in the skin on the body of the patient toward body tissue on the first side of the opening in the skin includes positioning the layer formed of foam disposed on the first side of a second strap of the plurality of straps in engagement with the skin on the body of the patient adjacent to the second side of the opening in the skin, retaining a first end portion of the second strap against movement relative to a body of the patient by wrapping the second strap around a portion of the body of the patient disposed adjacent to the second side of the opening in the skin and positioning a portion of the layer formed of foam and disposed on the first side of the second strap in engagement with foam on a second side of the second strap, and connecting a second end portion of the second strap to the second side of the second strap at a location between the first and second end portions of the second strap.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 further including the step of interconnecting the first and second straps with a connector which extends across the opening in the skin of the patient and has a first end portion connected with the first strap and a second end portion connected with the second strap.

22. A method as set forth in claim 20 further including the steps of connecting a first end portion of a connector member with the second side of the first strap, connecting a second end portion of the connector member with the second side of the second strap, and transmitting force between the first and second straps through the connector member to urge the first strap toward the second strap and to urge the second strap toward the first strap.

23. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of urging body tissue on the first side of the opening toward body tissue on the second side of the opening includes transmitting force from the layer formed of foam on the first side of the first strap to the skin of the patient adjacent to the first side of the opening in the skin to tension skin adjacent the first side of the opening, said step of urging body tissue on the second side of the opening toward body tissue on the first side of the opening includes transmitting force from the layer formed of foam on the first side of the second strap to the skin adjacent to the second side of the opening in the skin to tension skin adjacent the second side of the opening.

24. A method of treatment of a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a longitudinally extending strap having a base end portion, a second end portion and a main portion which is disposed between the base and second end portions of the strap, the base end portion of the strap has first and second sides with surfaces which face in opposite directions and are formed of foam, the main portion of the strap has a first side with a surface which is formed of foam and faces in the same direction as the surface on the first side of the base end portion, the main portion of the strap has a second side with a surface which is formed of fabric and faces in the same direction as the surface on the second side of the base end portion, and wrapping the strap around a portion of a body of the patient, said step of wrapping the strap around a portion of the body of the patient includes positioning the surface formed of foam on the first side of the base end portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient, positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with skin on the body of the patient, positioning a portion of the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap in engagement with the surface formed of foam on the second side of the base end portion of the strap, tensioning the main portion of the strap, pulling deep fascia in the patient'"'"'s body in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the strap under the influence of force transmitted between the skin on the body of the patient and the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap to move the deep fascia in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strap, and securing the second end portion of the strap against movement relative to the main portion of the strap while pulling the deep fascia under the influence of the force transmitted between the skin on the body of the patient and the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap.

25. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said step of pulling deep fascia includes gripping the skin of the patient with the surface formed of foam on the first side of the main portion of the strap and pulling the skin of the patient in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strap during tensioning of the main portion of the strap.

26. A method as set forth in claim 24 where in said step of securing the second end portion of the strap includes connecting the second end portion of the strap to fabric which forms the second side of the main portion of the strap and extends at least from the surface formed of foam on the second side of the base end portion of the strap to the second end portion of the strap.

27. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said step of wrapping the strap around the portion of the body of the patient includes winding the strap about an axis which extends through the portion of the body of the patient, said step of pulling deep fascia includes transmitting force having a component which extends along the axis to deep fascia in the body of the patient.

28. A method of treatment of a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of straps each of which has a layer formed of foam disposed on a first side on the strap and a layer formed of fabric disposed on a second side of the strap, urging body tissue on a first side of an opening in skin on a body of the patient toward body tissue on a second side of the opening in the skin on the body of the patient, said step of urging body tissue on a first side of the opening in the skin toward body tissue on a second side of the opening in the skin includes positioning the layer formed of foam disposed on the first side of a first strap of the plurality of straps in engagement with the skin on the body of the patient adjacent to the first side of the opening in the skin, wrapping the first strap around a portion of the body of the patient disposed adjacent to the first side of the opening in the skin, and connecting a second end portion of the first strap to the layer of fabric on the second side of the first strap at a location between first and second end portions of the first strap, and urging body tissue on the second side of the opening in skin on the body of the patient toward body tissue on the first side of the opening in the skin on the body of the patient, said step of urging body tissue on the second side of the opening in the skin on the body of the patient toward body tissue on the first side of the opening in the skin includes positioning the layer formed of foam disposed on the first side of a second strap of the plurality of straps in engagement with the skin on the body of the patient adjacent to the second side of the opening in the skin, wrapping the second strap around a portion of the body of the patient disposed adjacent to the second side of the opening in the skin, connecting a second end portion of the second strap to the layer of fabric on the second side of the second strap at a location between first and second end portions of the second strap, and interconnecting the first and second straps with a connector which extends across the opening in the skin of the patient and has a first end portion connected with the first strap and a second end portion connected with the second strap.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28 further including the step of transmitting force between the first and second straps through the connector to urge the first strap toward the second strap and to urge the second strap toward the first strap.

30. A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said step of urging body tissue on the first side of the opening toward body tissue on the second side of the opening includes transmitting force from the layer formed of foam on the first side of the first strap to the skin on the patient adjacent to the first side of the opening in the skin to tension skin adjacent the first side of the opening, said step of urging body tissue on the second side of the opening toward body tissue on the first side of the opening includes transmitting force from the layer formed of foam on the first side of the second strap to the skin adjacent to the second side of the opening in the skin to tension skin adjacent the second side of the opening.