Removable Sleeve for Facilitating the Application of Compression Stockings

Abstract

An inexpensive sleeve and method of use are disclosed for easing application of a compression stocking onto a foot and leg. By reducing the friction usually encountered when applying a compression stocking or sock, the sleeve protects the foot and leg from injury, and helps to avoid the need for sophisticated stocking or sleeve manipulation. The sleeve is made from a low friction material, such as plastic, silk, Tyvec, or nylon, and therefore is easy to pull over the foot and leg while closely conforming thereto so as to avoid folding and bunching. The sleeve can be disposable and/or closed at one end. The method of use includes pulling the sleeve over the foot and leg, pulling the stocking over the sleeve, and then removing the sleeve through an open stocking toe or through the top of the stocking, leaving the stocking in place.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention generally relates to compression stockings, and more specifically to devices that facilitate the application of a compression stocking.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]When worn on a daily basis, compression stockings can provide support and therapeutic treatment for patients who have insufficient venous (blood) and / or lymphatic return flow in one or both of their lower legs. The stockings are typically graduated so as to move fluid only toward the heart, thereby compensating for poorly functioning veins and / or a poorly functioning lymphatic system. Depending on the needs of the patient, compression stockings can provide decreased superficial venous pressure, improved venous return, decreased edema, reduced transcapillary leakage of solutes and fluids, and improved comfort. To accommodate differences in patient anatomy, differences in medical condition, and differences in degree of severity, compression stockings typically come in various si...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]A device and method of use are claimed for facilitating the application of a compression stocking. The device is an inexpensive sleeve that is shaped to approximately fit the foot and leg of a patient. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve is plastic and disposable. The sleeve is placed over the foot and leg before application of a compression stocking, which is then pulled over the sleeve and onto the leg. After application of the stocking, the sleeve is removed by sliding it out from under the stocking, either through the toe of an open-toe stocking or from the top end of the stocking.

Problems solved by technology

Because of this tight fit, it can be difficult for a patient to pull a compression stocking over the foot and onto the lower leg, especially if the patient is elderly, physically challenged, and / or has leg sensitivities due to recent surgery or other causes that can lead to discomfort caused by rubbing of the stocking material over the skin of the leg.

This can lead to inconvenience, muscle and joint strain, injury, and failure to use the compression stockings properly.

In addition, because compression stockings are often prescribed after a medical procedure, such as surgery to treat circulatory problems in the leg, and because post surgery patients are typically not allowed to leave the medical environment (hospital, nursing home, rehab facility, or such like) until they are able to independently apply the compression stockings, difficulty in applying compression stockings can lead to extended hospital stays and significant added costs.

While simple in principle, this approach requires sophisticated manipulation of the stocking, which can be difficult for any patient and nearly impossible for an elderly and / or physically challenged patient, such as a patient with arthritis in his or her fingers.

This approach also requires that the lower end of the stocking be pulled over the foot, which can be difficult to accomplish and can be irritating to the skin of the foot.

However, this approach does not avoid the sophisticated manipulation required to invert most of the stocking and then unroll it onto the leg.

Also, the necessity to compress a bulky, rectangular plastic bag around the foot can cause folding and bunching of the excess plastic of the bag.

This can increase friction and cause displacement of the bag during stocking installation, and can irritate and even injure the skin of the foot during removal of the bag, when the folded and bunched plastic is dragged across the foot while being simultaneously pressed against the skin of the foot by the compression stocking.

Finally, this approach does not address the problem of how to apply a closed-toe compression stocking.

However, slipper devices are somewhat costly, and are therefore not disposable.

Also, a slipper device does not eliminate the necessity for sophisticated manipulation of the stocking before application.

Also, this solution is somewhat expensive, since a durable, re-usable lining sleeve must be supplied, typically with straps that facilitate pulling on the sleeve (since the method of use makes it very difficult to pull on the stocking).

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