Neuromusculoskeletal knee support device

• US 8,048,014 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2010
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intelliskin USA, LLC
• Original Assignee: Intelliskin USA, LLC
• Inventors: Brown, Timothy W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Tarla
• Application Number:
  US12/981,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20110137221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 602/26, 602 61- 63, 602/27, 602/23, 602/5, 602/1, 128/882, 128/112.1, 128/113.1, 128/114.1, 128/121.1
• US Class Current: 602/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0176 supporting the patella
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0106 for the knees

Abstract

The garment proprioceptively treats a patient and comprises a sleeve having an anchor strap and a viscoelastic pad. The sleeve defines inner and outer sleeve surfaces and is configured to envelop a portion of the patient'"'"'s body. The anchor strap is circumferentially wrappable about the outer sleeve surface and defines an inner strap surface. The anchor strap has an intermediate anchor portion disposed on the inner strap surface between opposing end anchor portions that are releasably securable to the outer sleeve surface such that tension in the anchor strap may be selectively adjusted. The garment includes an elastic band extending along the inner strap surface. The viscoelastic pad is securable on the inner sleeve surface generally opposite to the elastic band when the anchor strap is extended over the outer sleeve surface.

Claims

1. A garment for proprioceptively stimulating a wearer, comprising:

a sleeve sized and configured to envelop a portion of a leg of the wearer, the sleeve defining an inner sleeve surface and an outer sleeve surface, the inner sleeve surface being configured to contact a portion of the leg of the wearer;

an extendable strap wrappable at least partially about the outer sleeve surface, the extendable strap including opposing end portions, the end portions being securable to the outer sleeve surface such that tension in the extendable strap may be selectively adjusted; and

one or more viscoelastic pads positioned on the inner sleeve surface generally opposite to at least a portion of the extendable strap when the extendable strap is extended over at least a portion of the outer sleeve surface and the end portions are secured thereto.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein:

the extendable strap defines an inner strap surface and includes an intermediate portion disposed on the inner strap surface between the opposing end portions, wherein each of the intermediate portion and at least one of the end portions includes a securing device mounted thereon; and

the outer sleeve surface includes a complimentary securing device so that the intermediate portion and at least one of the end portions may be releasably secured thereto, wherein a portion of the inner strap surface between the intermediate portion and the end portion with the securing device cannot be releasably secured to the outer sleeve surface.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein one of the end portions is permanently anchored to the outer sleeve surface.

4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the securing device comprises a hook and loop panel, and the complimentary securing device comprises a mating hook and loop panel.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and the extendable strap are each fabricated of elastomeric material, and the sleeve is sized such that the inner sleeve surface is generally tightly disposed against wearer'"'"'s skin when the garment is worn.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material is at least partially comprised of neoprene, and the one or more viscoelastic pads are fabricated of material that is at least partially comprised of silicone rubber.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more viscoelastic pads are positioned generally under the extendable strap when the extendable strap is extended over the outer sleeve surface and the end portions are secured thereto.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein when the sleeve is worn by the wearer and the extendable strap is extended over the outer sleeve surface and the end portions of the extendable strap are secured thereto, the extendable strap is configured to pull the sleeve and the one or more viscoelastic pads, and the one or more viscoelastic pads are configured to pull wearer'"'"'s skin.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more viscoelastic pads are shaped and positioned for applying compressive pressure on an infrapatellar tendon of the wearer.

10. A garment for proprioceptively stimulating a wearer, comprising:

a sleeve defining an inner sleeve surface and an outer sleeve surface, the inner sleeve surface being configured to contact the wearer;

an extendable strap wrappable at least partially about the outer sleeve surface, the extendable strap including opposing end portions, the end portions being securable to the outer sleeve surface such that tension in the extendable strap may be selectively adjusted; and

one or more viscoelastic pads positioned on the inner sleeve surface generally opposite to at least a portion of the extendable strap when the extendable strap is extended over at least a portion of the outer sleeve surface and the end portions are secured thereto.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the sleeve is sized and configured to envelop a portion of a leg of the wearer.

12. A garment for proprioceptively stimulating a wearer, comprising:

a first garment portion defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being configured to contact the wearer;

an extendable strap wrappable at least partially about the outer surface of the first garment portion, the extendable strap including opposing end portions, the end portions being securable to the outer surface of the first garment portion such that tension in the extendable strap may be selectively adjusted; and

one or more viscoelastic pads positioned on the inner surface of the first garment portion generally opposite to at least a portion of the extendable strap when the extendable strap is extended over at least a portion of the outer surface of the first garment portion and the end portions of the extendable strap are secured thereto.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the first garment portion is sized and configured to envelop a portion of a leg of the wearer.

14. The garment of claim 12, wherein:

the extendable strap defines an inner strap surface and includes an intermediate portion disposed on the inner strap surface between the opposing end portions, wherein each of the intermediate portion and at least one of the end portions includes a securing device mounted thereon; and

the outer surface of the first garment portion includes a complimentary securing device so that the intermediate portion and at least one of the end portions may be releasably secured thereto, wherein a portion of the inner strap surface between the intermediate portion and the end portion with the securing device cannot be releasably secured to the outer surface of the first garment portion.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein one of the end portions is permanently anchored to the outer surface of the first garment portion.

16. The garment of claim 14, wherein the securing device comprises a hook and loop panel, and the complimentary securing device comprises a mating hook and loop panel.

17. The garment of claim 12, wherein the first garment portion and the extendable strap are each fabricated of elastomeric material, and the first garment portion is sized such that the inner surface of the first garment portion is generally tightly disposed against wearer'"'"'s skin when the garment is worn.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the elastomeric material is at least partially comprised of neoprene, and the one or more viscoelastic pads are fabricated of material that is at least partially comprised of silicone rubber.

19. The garment of claim 12, wherein the one or more viscoelastic pads are positioned generally under the extendable strap when the extendable strap is extended over the outer surface of the first garment portion and the end portions of the extendable strap are secured thereto.

20. The garment of claim 12, wherein when the garment is worn by the wearer and the extendable strap is extended over the outer surface of the first garment portion and the end portions of the extendable strap are secured thereto, the extendable strap is configured to pull the first garment portion and the one or more viscoelastic pads, and the one or more viscoelastic pads are configured to pull wearer'"'"'s skin.