Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the treatment of a
muscle injury to the groin area, and, more particularly, to the
treatment of an injury of the adductor muscles of the leg, which
inj ury i s commonly referred to as a "groin pul l" .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While the term "groin pull" can be used to describe
a number of conditions, typically a groin pull is a tearing of one
or more of the adductor muscles of the inner thigh. The adductor
muscles, comprising the adductor magnus, adductor longus and
adductor brevis, are strong, powerful muscles which generally
extend between the inferior pubic ramus and the femur. The
adductor muscles are frequently utilized. both in moving a person
straight ahead, or in moving from side to side.
In sporting activities such as soccer or hockey, or,
more generally, in sports requiring running or quick turns of the
body, tearing of the adductor muscles, or groin pulls, can often
occur. Because they are frequently usecL, even minor tearing of
these muscles can cause considerable discomfort, and can limit the
ability of persons so injured to participate in athletic
activities. Depending on the severity of the injury, it is often
necessary for the injured athlete to minimize use of these muscles
for a period of from 1 week to up to 2 months or more.
There are few practical method~~ for allowing an athlete
to compete when suffering from a groin pull. Wrapping of the area
to support the injured muscles with stretch bandages and taping of
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the injured area can provide some relief. However, these methods
can restrict circulation if tightened sufficiently to provide
support and the stretch bandages or tape: can slip with use.
Orthotic garments and the likE~ are commonly known and
available for providing general support for muscle injuries, and
in particular, for support of leg muscles and/or muscles of the
thigh. Morisseau, in U.S. Patent No. 5,968,002, describes an
orthotic garment which can be used in various design formats to
provide a progressive series of support devices to be used as a
leg injury heals. However, other than providing general support
for the upper leg muscles, no other :Feature of the orthotic
garment provides direct support for relieving pain from a groin
pull, or other groin injury.
Further, the concept of providing direct pressure to
specific areas of the body, for various medical purposes, has also
been described. For example, Regent:, in U.S. Patent No.
3,577,986, and Trznadel et al., in U.S. P<~.tent No. 3,393,675, both
provide devices adapted to exert pressure on selected areas of the
lower abdominal and/or groin area in order to assist in the
treatment of hernias. Tanaka, in U.S. Patent No. 5,928,175,
provides a medical corset with "finger-pressure means" for exerting
pressure on the lower back of the user in order to assist in
treatment of "lame hips" .
Kurth, in U.S. Patent No. 4,957,105, Daneshvar, in U.S.
Patent No. 5, 514, 155, and Harris, in U.S. Patent No. 5, 799, 650,
all describe devices which are used to control bleeding from
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femoral arterial or venous wounds, by applying pressure directly
on the wound. The devices are held i:n place by a variety of
straps and belts. While these devices all provide a localised
pressure on the leg of the patient, none of these prior art
devices provide assistance for those suffering from groin pull
injuries, and in particular, none of the prior art devices provide
pain relief for athletes suffering from groin pull injuries.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an apparatus for relieving pain from a groin pull injury.
It is a further principal object of the present
invention to provide an apparatus for relieving pain from a groin
pull injury so as to allow an athlete to continue to compete
despite the groin pull injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of th.e present invention are
attained by providing an apparatus wherein a "button", attached to
a suitable strapping device, is used to provide localized pressure
to the muscles in the pubic arch area of the groin pull sufferer.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus
for relieving pain from a groin pull, which apparatus comprises a
button member attached to a button support strap adapted to be
located in the groin area of the user; and a support device to
which said button support strap is connectable, whereby, said
button member acts to provide pressure to the muscles in the pubic
arch area of the user.
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v c
More generally, the pubic arch area of interest in the
present invention is located on the inner thigh area of the leg
where the leg and groin area meet. The apparatus is used on the
leg in which the groin pull has occurred.
In a further aspect, the present invention also provides
a method for relieving pain from a groin pull injury, which method
comprises attaching a support device t:o the body of a person
suffering from a groin pull, positioning a button member, which is
attached to a button support strap, so that said button member is
adjacent the skin over the pubic arch area of the user, and
connecting said button support strap to said support device, so
that said button member exerts pressure on the muscles in the
pubic arch area of the user.
The button member of use in t:he present invention is
preferably a relatively hard, generally non-deformable, circular
shaped device which is preferably permanently attached to the
button support strap. The button member may be made of a material
such as hardened rubber, but is preferably made of a rigid, non-
deformable plastic. The button member ma.y vary in size depending
on the size of the individual on which the device might be used,
but generally is between 1 and 3 cm in diameter, and protrudes
between 0.5 and 3 cm from the button support strap.
The support device may be any of a variety of devices
which can be used to anchor the apparatus of the present invention
to the body of the user. Most preferably, the support device is
a elasticised strap which extends arouncL the waist of the user.
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This elasticised strap may be a single strap which is slipped over
the waist of the user. However, for eases of use, it is preferred
that the support device be a strip of elasticised material with
means for connecting one end of the strip of material to the
other. In this fashion, the strip can be wrapped around the waist
of the user, and one end of the strip can be connected to the
other. The means for connecting one end of the strip of material
to the other may include, for example, one or more traditional
buttons or zippers, but most preferably, the elasticised strap has
one or more hook and loop fasteners for rapid and easy placement
of the support device on the user.
The support device is preferably an elasticised wrap of
between 10 and 20 cm in width with sufficient length to wrap
around the waist of the user.
The button support strap may be one strap which passes
through the legs of the user and connects to the support device at
the front and back of the user. However, to apply consistent
pressure on the muscles in the pubic arch area, it is preferred
that the button member be attached to a button support strap
having several strap ends to be used for connecting to the support
device and/or for connecting to strap ends on the button support
strap.
In a most preferred embodiment, the button support strap
comprises a central strap area to which the button member is
attached, and three or more, and preferably, at least five, strap
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ends are provided for connection of the :trap ends to the support
device and/or to other strap ends of they button support strap.
The strap ends on the button support strap are
preferably connected to each other, or to the support device using
the connection means, such as, for example, hook and loop
fasteners, described hereinabove with respect to the ends of the
strip used for the support device.
One or more of the strap ends from the button support
strap may be permanently affixed to the ~~upport device. However,
for ease of use, it is preferred that the' button support strap be
easily completely removed from, and re-connected to, the support
device, using the connection means described hereinabove.
Since the individual straps of the button support strap
are usually intended to pass through the legs, and/or around the
legs, it is preferred that they be thin straps with a width
between 5 and 10 cm, and with a length suitable to fit the user.
In a most preferred embodiment:, the present invention
therefore provides an apparatus for relieving pain from a groin
pull, which apparatus comprises a button member attached to a
button support strap adapted to be located in the groin area of
the user; and a support device to which said button support strap
is connectable, whereby, said button member acts to provide
pressure to the muscles in the pubic arch area of the user,
wherein:
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said button member is a hard, non-deformable, circular
shaped device made of a non-deformable plastic, which button
member is between l and 3 cm in diameter, protrudes between 0.5
and 3 cm from the button support strap, and is permanently
attached to said button support strap;
said support device is a elasticised strap of between 10
and 20 cm in width and which is of sufficient length to wrap
around the waist of the user; and
said button support strap comprises a central strap area
to which said button member is attached, and at least five strap
ends, each having a width between 5 and 1.0 cm, which are provided
for connection to the support device and/or to other strap ends of
the button support strap.
Other features of the present: invention, as well as
other objects and advantages attendant thereto, are set forth in
the following description and the accompanying drawings in which
like reference numerals depict like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present
invention will now be described by reference to the following
drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the
present invention;
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Figure 2 is a top and bottom plan view of the button
support strap of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the
present invention shown in use, as seen from the back side of the
body;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the
present invention shown in use, as seen from the front side of the
body; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus similar
to Figure 4, wherein the area of the groin is more clearly shown.
DETAINED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An apparatus according to an evmbodiment of the present
invention is described with respect to the enclosed drawings. The
apparatus is made with an elasticised material capable of some
stretching, and all connections between the straps of the device,
and the like, are made by hook and loop :Fasteners.
The apparatus, designated by general reference number 10
comprises a button member 20, a button support strap 30, and a
support device 50, as shown in Figure 7_. Button member 20 is
located in a generally central area 36 of the button support strap
30. Button support strap 30 has 5 strap; 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35,
each of which is about 4 cm in width, and each of which extends
away from button member 20. At the end of each strap is a hook
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and loop fastener 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a and 35a for connection to
either support device 50, or to other straps on button support
strap 30.
Additional details of button support strap 30 can be
seen in Figure 2 which shows the froni~ and back sides of the
button support strap.
Support device 50 is about 15 cm in width and has hook
and loop fasteners 51 and 52 on each end. Support device 50 is
about 90 cm in length, and is fitted around the waist of the user
using fasteners 51 and 52. Located alo:ag the length of support
device 50 are 3 hook and loop fasteners 32b, 33b, and 34b, which
are positioned on support device 50 so as to connect with straps
from button support strap 30_.
In use, the user wraps support device 50 around his
waist and connects the ends of hook and loop fasteners 51 and 52
together to hold support device in place'. Support device 50 is
positioned so that hook and loop fastener 32b is located
approximately in the middle of the user's back, and hook and loop
fasteners 33b and 34b are located in the front of the user.
Button 20 is positioned over the pubic arch area of the
injured leg. Strap 31 is extended between the legs of the user,
and around the user's leg under the buttock, and connects to strap
35 using hook and loop fasteners 31a and 35a. Strap 32a is passed
through the user's legs, between the butl~ocks, and connects with
support device 50 using hook and loop fasteners 32a and 32b.
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Straps 33 and 34 are pulled forward and upward and connect to
support device 50 using hook and loop fasteners 33a and 33b and
34a and 34b respectively.
Additional details of the placement of the straps is
shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, in which Figure 3 is a view of the
apparatus of the present invention, in place, when viewed from the
back of the user, Figure 4 is a view o:E the apparatus from the
front of the user, and Figure 5 is a second view of the apparatus
when viewed from the front of the user, wherein the user has
raised one leg to show details of the placement of button 20.
Straps 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 are drawn tightly together
in order that button 20 exerts pressure on the muscles in the
pubic arch area of the user. With the low profile of the button,
and the thin straps used, the user is able to move his or her legs
with minimal or little obstruction from the apparatus of the
present invention.
Although the mechanism of comfort relief is not clearly
understood, it has been found that the <~pparatus of the present
invention provides at least temporary, partial relief from the
pain associated with a groin pull injury. Accordingly, the
apparatus allows the athlete to compete effectively for the
duration of the sporting event, after which time, the apparatus is
removed for treatment of the injury using more traditional
approaches.
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It should be noted that the embodiment shown in the
drawings is an apparatus suitable for use on the right leg of the
user. An apparatus for the left leg would be a mirror image of
the apparatus shown in the drawings. P.,lternatively, additional
straps and/or hook and loop fasteners could be added to either the
support device or the button support strap in order to make them
suitable for use on either the left or right leg. Further, the
button could be releaseably. attached so that the button on the
button support strap can be reversed. Thus, with relatively minor
design changes, a single button support strap could be adapted for
use on either the left or right leg.
The various straps of the button support strap and the
support device, might also be incorporated into an orthotic
garment of some sort provided that the garment would be capable of
positioning the button over the pubic arch area of the user, and
exerting sufficient pressure on the muscles in this area to
provide relief from pain.
Thus, it is apparent that thex°e has been provided, in
accordance with the present invention, an. apparatus for relieving
pain from a groin injury, and in particular, a groin pull, which
fully satisfies the means, objects, and advantages set forth
hereinbefore. Therefore, having described specific embodiments of
the present invention, it will be under;~tood that alternatives,
modifications and variations thereof ma;y be suggested to those
skilled in the art, and that it is inrtended that the present
specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated,
the word "comprise" and variations of the word such as "comprising"
and "comprises", when used in the description and claims of the
present specification, is not intended to exclude other additives,
components, integers or steps.
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