Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device

Abstract

A multilayered material is provided that exhibits therapeutic effects for relieving the pain and swelling of various forms of arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis), delaying the onset of osteoarthritis, or preventing hypothermia or alleviating conditions caused by hypothermia. The flexible, breathable multilayered material includes a first layer of soft and hypoallergenic material (e.g., cotton, silk, linen), a second layer of soft, heat retentive material (e.g., wool, cashmere) contacting the first layer, and a third layer of water repellent material contacting the second layer. Additionally, the multilayered material provides a thin, flexible, breathable fabric that can be used to construct various garments, devices, and gears to combat harsh weather conditions.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 317,155 filed on Dec. 12, 2002 (attorney docket number 01026-1005), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 212,213 filed on Aug. 6, 2002 (attorney docket number 01026-1002), which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 934,755 filed on Aug. 23, 2001; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to textile fabrics, and more particularly to a multilayered material used to construct garments, gears, or devices capable of providing therapeutic effects relating to various forms of arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis) and conditions associated with hypothermia. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Usability of a material in the construction of garments, gears, and devices depends largely on whether the material can be readily manipulated and that the material c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] These and other needs are addressed by the present invention, in which a multilayered material can be used to construct a garment, a device, or a gear for exhibiting therapeutic effects for relieving the pain and swelling of various forms of arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis), delaying the onset of osteoarthritis, or preventing hypothermia or alleviating conditions caused by hypothermia. The material is flexible, and breathable, and can retain as well as augment body temperature of the body parts covered by the material to well above that of the normal body temperature. The multilayered material can be used to avoid “tight-fitting” application to any of the body parts that are covered by the material, thereby advantageously eliminating the reduction of circulation. The multilayered material can be used to produce garments that are light-to-medium weight and provide medical benefits, physical fit, and a cosmetic appearance. The present invention advantageously permits a garment, device, or gear constructed from the multilayered material to be worn continuously for a prolonged period, if necessary, without any adverse effects because of its breathability. An inner layer, according to one embodiment, is soft, flexible, breathable, light-to-medium weight, and hypoallergenic (i.e., does not cause allergic reaction or skin irritation). A middle layer is soft, flexible, breathable, light-to-medium weight, heat retentive and augmentative, and can be made to meet the requirements of the particular body parts. An outer layer, according to an embodiment of the present invention, provides water-repellent characteristics to withstand various types of weather conditions, including water immersion; the outer layer is flexible, light-to-medium weight, breathable, and synthetic. The multilayered material can also be used to construct a number of devices and gear. Furthermore, the material can be further layered to accommodate more extreme weather conditions. The above arrangement advantageously provides a multilayered material that has wide applicability, enables continuous use, and exhibits therapeutic effects.

[0012] In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a therapeutic garment includes a plurality of sections for loosely covering areas of a body. Each of the sections is a multilayered flexible and breathable material to retain body heat at the covered areas to delay the onset of forms of arthritis, relieving the pain thereof, and reducing effects of hypothermia. The multilayered material includes an inner layer of soft, flexible, breathable, and non-irritant fabric material, a middle layer of soft, flexible, and breathable fabric material having heat retention characteristics, and an outer layer of flexible, and breathable material having water repellent characteristics.

[0013] In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a garment for enclosing selected movable joints of humans and animals subject to arthritis, osteoarthritis and hypothermia is disclosed. The garment includes a multilayered flexible, and breathable material having body heat retention and augmentation characteristics surrounding at least one of the joints of the body, in order to retain heat in such joints for delaying onset of forms of arthritis, relieving the pain thereof and reducing effects of hypothermia.

[0014] In yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a body joint covering for enclosing selected movable joints of humans and animals subject to arthritis, osteoarthritis and hypothermia is disclosed. The body joint covering includes a multilayered flexible material having two opposite open ends surrounding and containing the joint and retaining body heat in such joints which delays onset of forms of arthritis, relieving the pain thereof and reducing effects of hypothermia. The multilayered flexible material includes an inner tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material that does not irritate the exterior surface of the joints; a middle tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material having high heat retention characteristics; and an outer tubular layer of lightweight flexible synthetic material having water repellent characteristics. The inner tubular layer is retained by the two opposite ends while being spaced from and loosely worn around the selected movable joint to allow freedom of movement of the joint within the body joint covering while retaining heat thereabout.

Problems solved by technology

The materials used in a wet suit do not permit wide application to other garments, in part because of its bulkiness and because it cannot be worn for a long period of time.

For instance, foam rubber is not a material that should be in contact with the skin for any length of time, as it can cause severe irritation and does not allow the escape of perspiration.

One drawback with such an approach stems from the fact that plastics are non-porous and causes perspiration buildup.

This buildup of moisture does not permit the garment to be worn for any extended period of time, and thus, may detract from any therapeutic effect.

These materials, however, are suitable for outdoor garments and gears, as they are not worn for any extended period.

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