Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~Z~512
BANDAGE FOR ANIMALS AND HUMANS
. _ _ . . .
Background Of The Invention
The therapeutic effects of locally applied cold
(cryotherapy) have been utilized by man for long periods
of time. However, the mechanism of action has been poorly
understood. Likewise, the use of compressive bandages has
been known to control swelling and bleeding. All products
currently available either rely on another device to apply
compression with cold or fail to reach temperatures com-
patible with maximum therapeutic effects of cold, namely
0-8C with 6C being the preferred temperature. An example
of the former would include an icepack applied with an
elastic bandage. An example of the latter includes gel
bandages which rely on the latent heat of evaporation for
skin cooling.
The present invention is directed to solution of the
problem of a means for applying cold to a body portion
within a therapeutic range by way of an insulated, hygro
scopic and protective material applied as a bandage.
5ummary 0f The Invention
The present invention is directed to a bandage in
the eorm Oe a layer o~ closed cell foam polymeric material
sandwiched between and bonded to layers of fabric, said
foam layer being substantially thicker than the layers of
fabric. One of the layers of fabric is adapted to absorb
water. A strap or panel may be attached to the bandage
,.
9~2(~35~Z
--2--
and adapted to be releasably engaged with mating structure
on the other end of the bandage or on another piece of
material used to secure the bandage in position against
the body.
Various objects an~ advantages of the present inven-
tion are set forth hereinafter.
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there
is shown in the drawings a form which is pres0ntly preferred;
it being understood, however, that this invention is not
limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities
shown.
Figure 1 is an elevation view of a knee with one em-
bodiment of the bandage of the present invention attached
thereto.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bandage in Figure
1.
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3
in Figure 2 but on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment
of the bandage of the present invention for application to
the user's back.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further embodi-
ment of the bandage o the present invention also for appli-
cation to the user's back.
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6
in Figure 5 but on an ~nlarged scale.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further embodi-
ment of the banda~e of the present invention for applica-
tion to the user's shoulder.
Figure ~ is an enlarged view o thc end portion of
the bancJac~e shown in Fi~ure 7,
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a further embodi
ment.
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line
10-10 in f igure 9.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a leg of an animal
wearing the bandage of figure 9.
~Z(~851;2
--3--
Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line
12-12 in figure 11.
Figure 13 is an elevation view of a packaged bandage.
Detailed Descri~ion
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like
numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in Figures
1-3 a bandage in accordance with the present invention
designated generally as 10. In Figure 1, the bandage 10
is shown applied to a joint of a limb 12 such as a leg.
The bandage 10 is laminated and preferably comprises
a layer of closed cell foam polymeric material 14 sand-
wiched between and bonded to layers of fabric 16 and 18.
Layer 14 is substantially thicker than the layer 16 and 18.
It is important that layer 14 be a closed cell layer where-
by its absorbency is only about 5~. Layer 16, which is
the layer adapted to be in contact with the skin, is an
absorbent layer of towelling fabric such as terry cloth
having longitudinal stretch. Layer 18 is preferably a
woven layer of nylon or LYCRA (trademark) which is woven
from spandex fibers having stretch in the longitudinal
direction Layer 18 preferably reflects cold that tends
to escape through the closed cell layer back toward the
terry cloth layer and slows the tendency of the bandage to
warm to room temperature. The outer surface of layer 18
reflects heat and similarly slows ~he warming of the ban-
dage.
~ y way of example and not by way of limitation,
preferred thickne6ses for the layerc3 are as follows:
layer 18 preferably has a thickness of l/32", layer 14
preferably has a thickness of 3/16", and layer 16 preE-crably
has a thickness of 1/1~". Layers l6 and 18 are preferably
bonded to layer 14 by application of heat and E~ressure.
While layer 18 preferably has stretch in the longitudinal
direction, it may optionally have stretch in both the
longitudinal and transverse directions.
The bandage 10 has a strap 20 fixedly secured to one
end in any convenient mann~r. Strap 20 is adapted to bc
lZ~3512
--4--
releasably engaged with mating structure on the other end
of the bandage such as element 22. In the preferred embod-
iment, the mating structure on strap 20 and element 22
are interen~aging fibers of the type sold com~erically
under the trademark VELCRO.
The preferred manner o~ using the bandage of the pre-
sent invention for dealing with pain resulting from a con-
dition such as chronic arthritis or an injury is as follows.
Bandage 10 is dampened by contact with water. Only layer
16 absorbs the water. Layer 14 partially absorbs water.
The bandage is then placed in a refrigerator and cooled to
a temperature in the range of 0-8C with the optimum tem-
perature being approxima~ely 6C. Thereafter, the bandage
is applied to the knee joint shown in Figure 1 with suffic-
ient tightness so as to apply pressure to the joint. Even
though it contains ice crystals, the bandage 10 will con-
form to the area being treated, and will impart a cold
stimulus directly to that area.
The pressure stimulates the release of endorphins
by the body which provides a therapeutic e~fect~ Endorphins
are released by the cold stimulus and by the application
of pressure. The foam layer 14 is an insulator which
minimizes heat transfer between inner and outer surfaces of
the bandage 10. The layer 18 is preferably a light or re-
flective color so as to re~lect heat away from the bandage.
The bandage 10 is sufficiently pliable to anatomically
conform to the joint and will comform better as it warms
up. The bandage 10 will gradually warm up to r~om tempera-
ture after about 1/2 hour.
If flesired the bandage 10 could be applied on the
back of a user a5 shown in Fi~ures 4-6. As shown in Figure
4, the banda~e 10' i~ provided at opposite ends with ~
transverse panel 24 of VELCRO material. Panel 24 may be
stitched or otherwise fastened to the bottom surface of
bandage 10'. Each panel 24 is adapted to be releasably
engaged with an associated mating transverse panel 26 of
,.;
~2~8Sl~
VELCRO material stitched or otherwise fastened to the end
of a strap 28a and the end of a s'crap 28b at one end thereof.
A transverse panel 30 of VELCRO material is also
stitched or otherwise secured to the other end of strap
28a. Transverse panel 30 is adapted to be releasably
engaged with the bottom surface 32 of strap 28b. Substan-
tially the entire bottom surface 32 may be made of a material
adapted to mate with and releasably engage the transverse
VELCRO panel 30 so as to facilitate adjustment. Thus, panel
30 may be releasably secured at a variety of locations
along bottom surface 32 according to the si~e ~f the area
to be treated. Preferably, the strap 28a is made of an
elastic material which can be stretched to enable placement
of the panel 30 at selected locations along the bottom
surface 32 of strap 28b.
Bandage 10' has the laminate structure shown in
Figure 3, strap 20 not included. In use, only bandage 10'
need be coole~. since it is the only portion which applies
cold to the back. Thus, bandage 10' may be disengaged
from straps 28a, 2~b and then soaked and refrigerated as
previously described. Thereafter, the bandage 10' is
secured to the strap end panels 24, and the straps 28a and
28b are fastened about the area to be treated so that the
bandage 1(1' contacts the injured area with the de.sired
pressure.
The bandage 10 c~ar also be modified as shown in
F~i~ures S-6. The bandage 10'' has the laminate structure
shown in Fi~ure 3, .~trap 211 not included. A panel 34 of
VELCRO material is 5ecured by stitching or otherwise to
the underside of bandage 10'. Mating structurc in the
orm o a VELCRO panel 3fi i~ secured by stitching or the
like ko the upper surace O~ strap 2t~. Strap 28 is made
of an elastic material such as woven n~lon or LYCRA. A
panel 3() of VELCRO material is secured to one end of the
strap. A layer 32 made of a material adapted to rnate with
and releasably engage the VELCRO panel ~n is secured to
the bottom surface of strap 28.
12(~,851Z
--6--
In use, the bandage 10" is removed from strap 28 and
then soaked and refrigerated as previously described. There-
after, the bandage is removed from the refrigerator and
secured to strap 28 by placing the bandage over the straps
such that panels 34 and 36 engage. The user places the
bandage 10'' on the injured area and wraps strap 28 about
the body while securing panel 30 to the mating layer 32 at
a location conforming to the body size.
A further modification of the invention is shown in
Figures 7-8 wherein a bandage 10''' is used to treat a
shoulder injury. The bandage 10''' is identical in struc-
ture to bandage 10 shown in Figure 3, strap 20 not included.
Each end of bandage 10''' is provided with a trans-
verse panel 38 secured by stitching or the like to the
bottom surface of the bandage. Panel 38 is made of VELCRO
material. Each panel 38 is adapted to be releasably en-
gaged with mating structure in the form of a panel 40
secured by stitching or other suitable means to a body
strap 42 preferably made of a non-elastic fabric material.
Preferably, strap 42 is stitched or otherwise secured to
strap segments 44 and 46 at each end of the bandage. The
strap segments 44 and 46 are secured by stitching or other
suitable means to opposite ends of the underside of each
panel 40.
In use, the bandage 10''' is removed from the panels
40 and then soaked and refrigerated as previously described.
Thereafter, the bandage 10''' is secured to one of the panels
40. The bandage 10" ' is then applied to the injured area
of the shoulder requiring treatment, and the strap 42 is
wrapped about the user's chest and back and under the arm
so that the bandage can be secured to the free panel 4n at
the injured area of the shoulder.
The bandage can be modified for application to other
parts of the body within the spirit and scope of the in-
vention. Thus, smaller bandages could be made ~or appli-
cation to the ankle or wrist of a user. It is apparent
~2~85~
--7--
that man~ modifications could be efferted so that the
bandage could be applied where needed.
In figure 9 there is illustrated a bandage 50 designed
primarily for use with animals such as a horse. Bandage 50
includes portions 52 and 54. Portion 52 is a lamination
of closed cell foam layer 55 sandwiched between and bonded
to fabric layers 5~, 58. Layers 56, 58 correspond to
layers 16, 18. While layer 55 is a closed cell foam, it
preferably is a commercially available closed cell foam
neopreme or a blend such as EPT (ethylene-propylene-ter-
polvmer) which have about 5% open cells ~or retaining
moisture.
In figures 11 and 12, bandage 50 is shown applied to
a leg of an animal 60 beginning at end 53 in overlapping
fashion from the ankle to the knee. To assist in retaining
bandage S0 in place, portion 54 is a layer of elastomeric
non-absor~ent material attached to one end of portion 52.
At a free end of portion 54 a Velcro (trademark) or equiva-
lent fastener 62 is provided while at the other end of
portion 54 and on the opposite surface a matable ~astener
64 is provided. The same stitching joins portions 5~, 54
and fastoner 64. The side edges of layers o~ portions 52
and the free end 53 are preferably attached by overcast
stitching 66.
Preferred dimensions Eor bandage 50 when used on a
leg of a horse are as follows. The bandage portion 52 has
a width of lOcm, a variahlr length Erom about 100 cm up to
about 1'30 cm, with the layers theroof having a thickness
as set orth above. Portion 5~ is preverably a closed
cell neoprene Eoam about 16 cm long, has the same width as
portion 52 and a thickness of .3 rm. Thc elasticity of
portion S~ enables thc portion 52 to be under comprcssion
when applied to a le-]~ ~ortion 5~ has a length of 1/2 to
3/~ the circum~erence oE the body part to be circum.scribed.
8andage 50 is otherwisc the same as disclo6ed above in
connection with bandage 10.
~;~a~slz
In figure 13 there is shown bandage 50 rolled up
and disposed with a cylindrical casing 62. Casing 62 has
top and bottom halfs separable along circum~erential slit
64. Slit 64 extends for about 300 of the circumference
of casing 62 with the remainder between the ends of the
slit 64 being a hinge. Casing 62 is preferably a laminate
of stretch fabric 66 bonded to a lining of closed cell
foam 68. Casing 62 helps to maintain the low temperature
of the bandage subsequent to removal from a refrigerator
and up to the time of application of the bandage.
The bandages of the present invention do not sub-
stantially impair mobility of an animal. Thus, the animal
may move around, eat, etc. while endorphins are released
due to the cold stimulus and pressurer No ointment is
needed. The bandage is reusable.
Each bandage disclosed herein may be used on humans
or animals. Each bandage is preferably removed after 1
or 2 minutes, then stretched, and then reapplied. Where
cost is a factor and treatment is only desired for a
period o 10-15 minutes, the reflective layer such as
layers 1~ and 58 may be eliminated. The banda~es are pre-
ferably rendered damp by contact with water since the
cooling step will result in the formation of ice crystals.
No such ice crystals will be present if the bandage is
dampened by contact with cold alcohol.
The present invention may be embodied in other spe-
ci~ic ~orms without departing from ~he spirit or cssential
attri~utes thereof and, accordin~ly, reference should be
made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing
specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
