Compression bustiers for post-operative care of female patients

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a compression bra, in particular according to the independent claim.

[0002] Compression bras are worn by patients for aftercare following surgical breast removal. Compression bras are worn postoperatively to exert pressure or compression on the resulting wound and the adjacent breast tissue, thus promoting healing. In particular, they counteract lymphatic congestion in the area of ​​the surgically removed tissue.

[0003] Such compression bras are well-known in the art. A disadvantage is that they are insufficiently adjustable to the patient's movements, particularly in the armpits, shoulders, and back areas. This compromises comfort.

[0004] EP3035814 B1 discloses the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a compression bra that is improved over the prior art. This bra should adapt better to the patient's movements when worn, thus ensuring greater comfort.

[0006] This object is achieved by a compression bra according to the independent claim. In particular, this object is achieved by a compression bra made of at least two layers of fabric, each of which is offset from the other. The dependent claims describe particularly suitable embodiments of the invention.

[0007] A compression bra according to the invention for the post-operative care of patients comprises a body section with two shoulder straps, each forming an armpit cutout, wherein the shoulder straps are connected to one another via a back section in order to enclose the torso of a patient and engage over her shoulders, wherein two breast sections are connected to the body section in order to each accommodate a breast of the patient therein, wherein the compression bra is made from a first material layer and a second material layer arranged thereon, and the first material layer is set back from the boundary of the second material layer at least in the region of the back section and the armpit cutout.

[0008] When, according to the present invention, one layer of fabric is set back from another, this means that these layers of fabric do not overlap completely, i.e. they are not congruent. In other words, the boundaries or edges of the respective layers of fabric do not always run exactly on top of each other, but are set back at least in certain areas. As a result, there is no common edge in certain areas of the compression bra, but rather the set back creates a transition from one layer of fabric to the next, which is perceived as soft. As a result, the fabric exerts less strain on these areas of the wearer's torso. Wearing comfort increases because the compression bra can adapt optimally to the patient's movements due to the reduced amount of material.

[0009] Each breast section is followed by an underbust section, with the first layer of fabric set back from the second layer, so that each breast is supported solely by the second layer. The breast itself is thus supported by only a single layer of fabric. This, in turn, increases comfort when the patient moves. Because the material of the first layer is only missing in the breast section, a continuous underbust section is created in the underbust area, extending from one breast to the other and beyond, providing particularly good support for both breasts.

[0010] Advantageously, the contour of the under-breast section towards the breast section can be curved in order to adapt even better to the patient's anatomy.

[0011] The second layer of fabric in the breast area can be designed as a permanently shaped cup. This is then referred to as a "molded cup." This significantly increases wearing comfort.

[0012] To accommodate the patient's movements, the first and second layers of the compression bra can be made of an elastic fabric, such as stretch, especially multiway stretch. The fabric can be circularly knitted. It can also be selected so that the raw edges are seamless and without fraying, meaning they don't need to be finished after cutting and won't unravel during wear or washing.

[0013] The first layer of fabric when the compression bra is worn can form the inside of the compression bra, which is in contact with the patient's torso, and the second layer of fabric can form the outside.

[0014] The first fabric layer can be joined, preferably sewn, laminated, welded or laminated to the second fabric layer, at least in the area of ​​the outer contours of the first fabric layer.

[0015] For even greater comfort and to avoid excessive chafing on the patient's skin, the seams that connect the two layers of fabric can be stretch or overlock seams.

[0016] The compression bra preferably comprises a third fabric layer, wherein the third fabric layer is arranged on the first fabric layer in such a way that the first fabric layer is arranged between the second fabric layer and the third fabric layer, and such that the third fabric layer is set back from the boundary of the first fabric layer, at least in the region of the back section and the armpit cutout. In other words, the compression bra preferably comprises three fabric layers, wherein the first fabric layer is arranged between the second and the third fabric layer. In this case, the first fabric layer is set back from the boundary of the second fabric layer, at least in the region of the back section and the armpit cutout, and the third fabric layer is set back from the boundary of the first fabric layer, at least in the region of the back section and the armpit cutout.The advantage of three layers of fabric that are set back from each other as described above is that the edge or border of the compression bra feels softer for the wearer due to this set back or gradation.

[0017] In the previous embodiment, the third layer of fabric, when the compression bra is worn, preferably forms the inside of the compression bra that is in contact with the patient's torso, and the second layer of fabric forms the outside of the compression bra.

[0018] Preferably, the compression bra comprises a fourth fabric layer, wherein the fourth fabric layer is arranged on the third fabric layer in such a way that the third fabric layer is arranged between the first fabric layer and the fourth fabric layer, and that the fourth fabric layer is set back from the boundary of the third fabric layer at least in the region of the back section and the armpit cutout.

[0019] The advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the single figure.

[0020] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic and not to scale plan view of the inside of a possible embodiment of the compression bra.

[0021] The one in the Fig. 1The compression bra 1 shown comprises a body section 2 with two shoulder straps 3, each forming an armpit cutout 4, wherein the shoulder straps 3 are connected to one another via a back section 5 in order to enclose the torso of a patient and to overlap her shoulders.

[0022] In this case, the shoulder straps 3 are designed in a split configuration and can be detachably connected to one another at their ends by means of a corresponding, preferably adjustable fastener, in this case a hook-and-loop fastener 7. This allows the shoulder straps 3 to be adjusted to a length that best fits the patient.

[0023] Two breast sections 6 are connected to the body section 2, each of which can accommodate one of the patient's breasts.

[0024] For convenient opening and closing of the compression bra 1, it has a corresponding closure 8 on the front. This serves to join the two ends of the compression bra 1 together so that the breast section 6 adjoins the breast section 6. The closure is indicated here in the form of two tabs, on which hooks can be arranged, which can be removably connected to corresponding eyelets (not shown) on the other end of the compression bra 1. Alternatively or additionally, a zipper can also be provided between the two ends of the breast sections 6.

[0025] The compression bra 1 is made of two fabric layers, namely a first fabric layer 9 and a second fabric layer 10 arranged thereon. Both fabric layers 9, 10 are thus arranged one above the other. The first fabric layer 9 is set back from the boundary of the second fabric layer 10, at least in the area of ​​the back section 5 and the underarm cutout 4. This means that the compression bra 1 is partially made of a single layer. This also applies to the respective breast sections 6.

[0026] Each breast section 6 is adjoined by an under-breast section 11, which extends across the entire lower part of the compression bra 1 and thus runs seamlessly beneath both breast sections 6. The under-breast section 11 thus supports both of the patient's breasts when worn. It is curved at the transition to each breast section 6 for greater comfort.

[0027] The second fabric layer 10 can be designed as a permanently shaped cup in the area of ​​the respective breast section 6.

[0028] If the fabric for the two fabric layers 9, 10 is selected such that the open edges are seamless and waistband-free, they will not fray and do not require subsequent finishing. Chafing of the edges on the patient's skin can be prevented, especially if the first fabric layer 9 is sewn to the second fabric layer 10, at least in the area of ​​the outer contours of the first fabric layer 9, and a stretch or overlock seam is used.

[0029] The invention makes it possible to provide a compression bra that can better adapt to the patient's movements when worn and thus ensure greater comfort. Reference symbol

[0030] 1Compression bra 2Body section 3Shoulder straps 4Armpit neckline 5Back section 6Bust section 7Velcro fastener 8Closure 9First fabric layer 10Second fabric layer 11Underbust section

Claims

1. A compression brassiere (1) for postoperative treatment of patients, comprising a body segment (2) having two shoulder supports (3) each forming an armpit cutout (4), the shoulder supports (3) being connected to each other by a back segment (5) to enclose the torso of a patient and to overlap the shoulders, two breast segments (6) being attached to the body segment (2) to each receive one breast of the patient, the compression brassiere (1) being made of a first fabric layer (9) and a second fabric layer (10) disposed thereon, and the first fabric layer (9) being set back relative to the border of the second fabric layer (10) at least in the region of the back segment (5) and of the armpit cutout (4); one lower breast segment (11) being attached to each breast segment (6), the first fabric layer (9) being set back relative to the second fabric layer (10), characterized in that each breast is received only by the second fabric layer (10), thereby resulting in an uninterrupted lower breast segment (11) for both breasts.

2. The compression brassiere (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contour of the lower breast segment (11) has a curved shape toward the breast segment (6).

3. The compression brassiere (1) according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second fabric layer (10) is implemented as a permanently reshaped cup in the regions of each of the breast segments (6).

4. The compression brassiere (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second fabric layers (9, 10) are made of an elastic fabric, such as stretch fabric, particularly multiway stretch fabric.

5. The compression brassiere (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the fabric is produced by circular knitting.

6. The compression brassiere (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the fabric is selected such that exposed edges are free of seams and joints without fraying.

7. The compression brassiere (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the compression brassiere (1) is worn, the first fabric layer (9) forms the inner side of the compression brassiere (1) making contact with the torso of the patient and the second fabric layer (10) forms the outer side of the compression brassiere (1).

8. The compression brassiere (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first fabric layer (9) is joined to the second fabric layer (10) at least in the region of the outer contours of the first fabric layer (9), preferably stitched, lined, fused, or laminated.

9. The compression brassiere (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the seam is an expansion or overcast seam.

10. The compression brassiere (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the compression brassiere (1) comprises a third fabric layer, wherein the third fabric layer is disposed on the first fabric layer (9) such that the first fabric layer (9) is disposed between the second fabric layer (10) and the third fabric layer, and that the third fabric layer is set back relative to the border of the first fabric layer (9) at least in the regions of the back segment (5) and of the armpit cutout (4).

11. The compression brassiere (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that when the compression brassiere (1) is worn, the third fabric layer forms the inner side of the compression brassiere (1) making contact with the torso of the patient and the second fabric layer (10) forms the outer side of the compression brassiere (1).