Grippable elastic fabric for a medical device with a compressive effect, and associated medical device and manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elastic fabric for a medical device with a compressive effect, the fabric having a grippable face having loops and capable of being reversibly attached to a closure system with hooks, comprising: - elastic warp threads, comprising one or more elastane filaments, the count of the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex, - non-elastic warp threads, at least a portion of which forms the loops and is made up of polyamide multi-filament threads, composed of a twisted end having a count of 220 dtex and comprising between 10 and 12 monofilaments also twisted, the warp threads being parallel to each other and not crossing each other, and - non-elastic weft threads.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an elastic fabric having loops on one side, a medical device and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002] Compression fabrics for medical use, particularly for the manufacture of belts, are, for example, elastic fabrics with a minimum tension of 250 cN / cm at 30% elongation.

[0003] These fabrics may have other beneficial characteristics, such as good air and / or water vapor permeability, the ability to wick heat and moisture away from the wearer, a soft feel against a wearer's skin, etc.

[0004] An interesting feature for certain applications is the ability to attach hook-and-loop closure systems, which have hooks.

[0005] However, such fabrics generally do not have sufficient durability, especially to withstand numerous cycles of hanging and peeling, which is particularly problematic in the manufacture of a medical device such as a belt intended to be put on and taken off regularly.

[0006] The aim of the invention is therefore to propose a grippy elastic fabric with improved durability.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an elastic fabric for a medical device with a compressive effect, the fabric having a grippable face having loops, said grippable face being capable of being reversibly fixed to a closure system with hooks, comprising: elastic warp threads, comprising one or more elastane filaments, the count of all the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex, non-elastic warp threads, at least one part of which, called gripping warp threads, forms the loops, the at least one part being made up of multi-filament polyamide threads, composed of a twisted end, the end having a count of 220 dtex, the end comprising between 10 and 12 monofilaments also twisted, the elastic and non-elastic warp threads being parallel to each other and not crossing each other, and non-elastic weft threads.

[0008] Elastic warp yarns provide fabric elasticity along the warp, while grip warp yarns allow for reversible attachment of the fabric to a hook-and-loop fastener system with hooks. The nature of grip warp yarns provides strength to the yarns, and therefore loops, and therefore increased durability. Weaving the yarns parallel to each other also allows for a simple weave.

[0009] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the fabric comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations: the warp threads are not linked together, other than by weaving with the weft threads; the weft thread is a synthetic monofilament thread having a diameter of between 0.16 mm and 0.2 mm; the fabric is elastic in the warp direction; the elastic warp threads have a plain weave; the gripping warp threads form floats on the grippable face, the floats forming the loops; and / or the non-elastic warp threads further comprise top warp threads forming floats on the face opposite the grippable face.

[0010] The invention also relates to a medical device with a compressive effect comprising a body, the body being made of an elastic fabric as defined previously.

[0011] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a fabric as defined above, comprising a step of weaving the following threads together: elastic warp threads, comprising one or more elastane filaments, the count of all the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex, non-elastic warp threads, at least one part of which, called gripping warp threads, forms the loops, the at least one part being made up of polyamide multi-filament threads, composed of a twisted end, the end having a count of 220 dtex, the end comprising between ten and twelve monofilaments also twisted, the elastic and non-elastic warp threads being woven parallel to each other and not crossing each other, and non-elastic weft threads.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises a step of finishing the fabric after the weaving step, the finishing step comprising steaming the fabric and / or impregnating the fabric with a solvent at a temperature between 75°C and 98°C.

[0013] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic representation of a lumbar support belt, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic representation of the weave of the fabric according to a first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a schematic representation of the weaving of warp threads with a sectional view of the weft threads for the fabric according to the first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 is a schematic representation of the weave of the fabric according to a second embodiment of the invention, and [ Fig 5 ] there figure 5 is a schematic representation of the weaving of warp threads with a sectional view of the weft threads for the fabric according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0014] An example of a medical device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in the figure 1 .

[0015] The medical device 10 has a compressive effect.

[0016] The medical device 10 is, for example, a belt, in particular for lumbar, abdominal and possibly thoracic support.

[0017] The medical device 10 comprises a body 12, here forming a first end portion.

[0018] The body 12 is made of an elastic fabric as described below.

[0019] The body 12 has loops on a so-called hooking or gripping face, intended to be oriented away from the wearer of the device.

[0020] The medical device 10 further comprises here a hook closure system 14.

[0021] The hook closure system 14 is provided on an internal face of the medical device 10, that is to say intended to be oriented against the wearer of the device, more particularly a second end portion.

[0022] The second end portion is arranged opposite the first end portion, more particularly in a direction of winding of the belt around the wearer.

[0023] The hooking face is intended to cooperate with the hook closure system 14 when the medical device 10 is worn by a wearer.

[0024] The grippable face is, more particularly, capable of being reversibly fixed to the hook closure system, by cooperation of the loops and the hooks.

[0025] An example of an elastic fabric according to the invention will now be described.

[0026] The elastic fabric is suitable for medical devices with a compressive effect, in particular as described above.

[0027] The fabric has a grippy side with loops.

[0028] The grippy side can be reversibly attached to a hook closure system.

[0029] The grippable face is subsequently called the right side.

[0030] The fabric also has a face opposite the grippable face, said opposite face being called the reverse face.

[0031] Elastic fabric is, more specifically, elastic along the warp direction.

[0032] Elastic fabric, for example, has a restoring force at 30% elongation equal to 100 cN / cm.

[0033] The elastic fabric here includes: elastic warp threads E, non-elastic warp threads D, A, L, B, and non-elastic weft threads.

[0034] An elastic thread is, for example, a single-gimped thread or a double-gimped thread.

[0035] In the case of a single or double covered yarn, the covering operations are, for example, carried out by a spiral winding technique around an elastic core yarn, or by intermingling by air jet around an elastic core yarn.

[0036] The core yarn is, for example, made of one or more filaments of elastane or latex.

[0037] The title of each filament is, for example, between 285 dtex and 1280 dtex.

[0038] The yarn of all elastane filaments is, for example, between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex.

[0039] The covering thread(s) are, for example, formed from one or more of the following textile materials: Fibers made of natural materials, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.; Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; Fibers made of synthetic materials, such as polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, elastane, etc.

[0040] Alternatively, the elastic thread is, for example, a bare elastane thread.

[0041] A non-elastic thread is, for example, a thread formed from one or more of the following textile materials: Fibers made of natural materials, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.; Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; Fibers made of synthetic materials, such as polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, etc.

[0042] The elastic and inelastic warp threads are parallel to each other and do not cross each other.

[0043] The warp threads are not linked together.

[0044] Elastic warp yarns E contain one or more elastane filaments, the count of all the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex.

[0045] More particularly here, the elastic warp yarn E is, for example, a single gimped yarn or a double gimped yarn, more particularly as defined previously.

[0046] The core yarn is, for example, made up of one or more elastane filaments, the count of all the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex, for example here equal to 1250 dtex.

[0047] The covering thread(s) are, for example, as defined above, for example polyester.

[0048] Here, the elastic warp thread E is, for example, double-wrapped.

[0049] The cover yarns are each, for example, a strand of 167 dtex and made up of 48 polyester filaments.

[0050] The elastic warp threads, for example, have a plain weave here, i.e. each elastic warp thread passes alternately above and below the weft thread.

[0051] The elastic warp threads E are distributed across the width, or web, of the fabric.

[0052] More particularly, for any set of seven adjacent warp yarns, at least one of the yarns in the set is an elastic warp yarn E.

[0053] Here, at least one seventh, more particularly at least one sixth, of the warp threads are elastic warp threads E.

[0054] At least part of the non-elastic warp threads, called gripping warp threads A, form the loops.

[0055] Here, at least one-fifth, more particularly at least one-quarter, of the warp threads are gripping warp threads A.

[0056] Gripping warp threads A, for example, are made of synthetic threads.

[0057] The grip warp yarns A are, for example, polyamide multi-filament yarns, each multi-filament yarn being composed of a twisted end, the end having a count of 220 dtex, the end comprising between ten and twelve, here ten or twelve, monofilaments or strands also twisted together.

[0058] These threads are particularly resistant.

[0059] The gripping warp threads A here form floats on the grippable face, the floats forming the loops.

[0060] More particularly, each gripping warp yarn A passes alternately, by column, above and below the weft yarn a given number of times, then forms a float on the right side, this being repeated over the entire length of the gripping warp yarn A.

[0061] Each grip warp thread A passes alternately under and over the weft thread a given number of times, then forms a float by passing over several weft threads, this being repeated along the entire length of the grip warp thread A.

[0062] Here, each grip warp thread A passes under a first weft thread, then over a second weft thread, then under a third weft thread, then over a fourth weft thread, then under a fifth weft thread, then forms a float by passing over several, here seven, weft threads.

[0063] The alternation below then above the weft thread for each column allows a greater clamping between the gripping thread and the weft thread allows a very good consolidation of the structure of the fabric. This also makes it possible to improve the grip performance with respect to a self-gripping hook as well as to increase the wear resistance of said performance.

[0064] The float has a length greater than or equal to 5 picks, more particularly greater than or equal, here equal, to 7 picks.

[0065] The float has a length less than or equal to 9 picks, more particularly less than or equal to 7 picks.

[0066] The gripping warp threads are distributed across the width, or web, of at least one grippable area of ​​the fabric.

[0067] Here, the at least one grippable zone of the fabric comprises the entire fabric except for the end portions, described below, and the interzone columns of less than six picks.

[0068] The fabric here comprises a plurality of central gripping zones.

[0069] In a particular embodiment, the fabric further comprises peripheral grippable areas between each end portion and a nearest central grippable area.

[0070] The central grip zones are identical to each other.

[0071] The central grip zones are placed one after the other according to the width.

[0072] The central grippable zones are only spaced apart by an interzone comprising, for example, at least 5 columns, here with one or more elastic warp threads and / or one or more non-elastic threads D and / or one or more non-elastic warp threads, such as the binding threads L described below.

[0073] The fabric includes, for example, between 5 and 20 central grip zones.

[0074] Outside the interzones, the elastic warp threads E all pass under the same weft threads and over the other same weft threads in plain weave.

[0075] In the interzones, the elastic warp threads E, in plain weave, pass under the weft threads opposite the elastic warp threads E outside the interzones.

[0076] For each grippable area, for any set of four adjacent warp yarns, at least one of the yarns in the set is a grip warp yarn A.

[0077] In each grippable zone, each grip warp thread A alternately passes a pick on the right side and a pick on the wrong side the given number of times, at the level of weft threads for which the grip warp threads on either side of said grip warp thread form a float on the right side.

[0078] In a particular embodiment, the non-elastic warp threads further comprise upper warp threads D forming floats on the face opposite the grippable face.

[0079] The upper warp threads D are likely to be made of natural, artificial or synthetic material.

[0080] The upper warp threads D are, for example, made of polyamide.

[0081] The D upper warp yarns here have a count between 130 dtex and 330 dtex.

[0082] More particularly, the upper warp yarns D comprise, here are made up of, two twisted ends of polyamide, each of the ends having a count of 78 dtex.

[0083] Each top warp thread D passes here once on the right side, then forms a float on the wrong side, this being repeated along the entire length of the top warp thread D.

[0084] Each upper warp thread D passes once over the right side, at the level of the weft thread corresponding to the middle of the float formed by the upper warp threads on either side of said upper warp thread.

[0085] The float has a length of between three and seven picks.

[0086] This allows for a particularly soft feel on the reverse side, intended to lie against a wearer.

[0087] For each grippable area, for any set of three adjacent warp yarns, at least one of the yarns in the set is a top yarn D.

[0088] Here, at least a quarter, more particularly at least a third, of the warp threads are upper warp threads D.

[0089] Each set of adjacent elastic warp threads E is surrounded, on either side, by upper warp thread(s) D and / or non-elastic warp threads, more particularly the binding threads L described below.

[0090] Non-elastic warp yarns further include, for example, binding yarns L.

[0091] L binding threads are, for example, made of polyamide.

[0092] The L binding yarns here have a count between 130 dtex and 330 dtex.

[0093] More particularly, the binding yarns L comprise, here are made up of, two twisted ends of polyamide, each of the ends having a count of 78 dtex.

[0094] Each binding thread L passes, for example, alternately over one weft thread and under the next weft thread.

[0095] The binding thread in particular prevents the warp threads, in particular the gripping warp threads A and the upper warp threads D, from slipping on the weft thread, here a monofilament thread as described below.

[0096] The binding threads encircle the gripping warp threads A and the upper warp threads D.

[0097] For each grippable area, one thread out of seven is an L binding thread.

[0098] In a particular embodiment, the non-elastic warp yarns further comprise selvage yarns B.

[0099] The selvedge threads B are intended to extend at each end portion of the fabric in the warp direction.

[0100] More particularly, the fabric has an end portion at each end of the fabric in the warp direction.

[0101] The end portions are made of the selvedge threads and elastic warp threads woven with the weft threads.

[0102] Selvedge yarns B are, for example, made of polyamide.

[0103] The selvedge B yarns here have a count between 130 dtex and 330 dtex.

[0104] More particularly, the selvedge yarns B comprise, here are made up of, two twisted ends of polyamide, each of the ends having a count of 78 dtex.

[0105] Selvage B yarns are woven in fluted or twill weave.

[0106] Here, each selvedge thread B alternately passes a given number of picks on the right side and the said given number of picks on the wrong side, this being repeated over the entire length of the selvedge thread B.

[0107] The given number is between one and three, and here equals two.

[0108] The end portions ensure that the fabric does not fray during its life cycle, especially during washing.

[0109] Weaving the selvedges in a fluted or twill weave allows the weft yarn to be covered by them. In addition, this also provides softness to these end portions, so as to avoid irritation of the patient's skin.

[0110] In the present example, the selvedge yarns B, the binding yarns L, and the upper warp yarns D are similar, that is to say of the same nature, and made up of the same number of ends and filaments.

[0111] The weft yarn is a synthetic monofilament yarn.

[0112] The weft yarn has a diameter between 0.16 mm and 0.2 mm.

[0113] A fabric according to the invention has, for example, a surface mass of between 400 g / m 2 and 700 g / m 2.

[0114] A first example of weaving for the fabric of the invention is shown in the figures 2 And 3 , there figure 2 representing the armor for the different threads and the figure 3 representing the weaving of the different warp threads, other than the selvedge threads B, in relation to the weft threads seen in section.

[0115] The warp threads of the figure 3 are numbered similarly as in the figure 2 .

[0116] In this first embodiment, the fabric has, for example, a width of 170 mm.

[0117] In this first embodiment, each end portion comprises 14 warp threads, more particularly three times four selvedge threads B and an elastic warp thread E between the groups of four selvedge threads B.

[0118] The selvedge B threads are, here, woven in a 2-ribbed pattern.

[0119] The fabric here comprises two peripheral gripping portions and nine central gripping portions.

[0120] This fabric complies with the characteristics detailed above.

[0121] In this embodiment, the floats of the upper warp threads D are, for example, three picks long.

[0122] In this embodiment, the floats of the gripping warp yarns A are, for example, seven picks long.

[0123] An example of a fabric according to this first example has, for example, a surface mass of between 400 g / m 2< and 700 g / m 2< , here 460 g / m 2< .

[0124] An example of a fabric according to this first example has, for example, a maximum elongation of 75% in the warp direction.

[0125] An example of a fabric according to this first example has, for example, a force at 30% elongation in the warp direction of between 200 and 500 cN / cm initially and after 1 to 50 washes at 60°C, and of between 200 and 700 cN / cm after 200 washes at 60°C.

[0126] An example of a fabric according to this first example has, for example, a shear force of between 2 and 8 N / cm 2 initially, at 750 cycles of attachment and removal of a hook closure system, and at 1500 cycles.

[0127] An example of a fabric according to this first example has, for example, a peel force of between 0.2 and 2N / cm initially, at 750 cycles of attachment and removal of a hook closure system, and at 1500 cycles.

[0128] A second example of weaving for the fabric of the invention is shown in the figures 4 And 5 , there figure 4 representing the armor for the different threads and the figure 5 representing the weaving of the different warp threads, other than the selvedge threads B, in relation to the weft threads seen in section.

[0129] The warp threads of the figure 5 are numbered similarly as in the figure 4 .

[0130] In this second embodiment, the fabric has, for example, a width of 250 mm.

[0131] In this second embodiment, each end portion comprises 14 warp threads, more particularly three times four selvedge threads B and one elastic warp thread E between the groups of four selvedge threads B.

[0132] Each selvedge thread B passes alternately two picks on the right side and two picks on the wrong side, along the entire length of the thread.

[0133] Here, each selvedge thread B passes on the right side, where the selvedge threads on either side of said selvedge thread pass on the wrong side.

[0134] The fabric here comprises two peripheral gripping portions and fourteen central gripping portions.

[0135] This fabric complies with the characteristics detailed above.

[0136] In this embodiment, the floats of the upper warp threads D are, for example, seven picks long.

[0137] In this embodiment, the floats of the gripping warp yarns A are, for example, seven picks long.

[0138] An example of a fabric according to this second example has, for example, a surface mass of 475 g / m 2< .

[0139] An example of a fabric according to this second example has, for example, a maximum elongation of 90% in the warp direction.

[0140] An example of a fabric according to this second example has, for example, a force at 30% elongation in the warp direction of between 200 and 500 cN / cm initially and after 1 to 50 washes at 60°C, and of between 200 and 700 cN / cm after 200 washes at 60°C.

[0141] An example of a fabric according to this second example has, for example, a shear force of between 3.5 and 8 N / cm 2 initially, at 750 cycles of attachment and removal of a hook closure system, and at 1500 cycles.

[0142] An example of a fabric according to this second example has, for example, a peel strength of between 0.3 and 1 N / cm initially, at 750 cycles of attachment and removal of a hook closure system, and at 1500 cycles.

[0143] A fabric according to the invention is elastic in the warp direction.

[0144] Its width or width can be adapted, at the time of weaving, according to needs.

[0145] This fabric demonstrates, after attachment and peeling of the fabric to a hook closure system, improved resistance to shear and peel and mechanical wear by attachment and removal of said closure system, compared to products available on the market.

[0146] In addition, this fabric has excellent resistance to repeated washing, including after two hundred washes at 60°C.

[0147] A manufacturing process as previously described will now be described.

[0148] The manufacturing process here comprises a step of weaving the warp threads and the weft threads, as described previously.

[0149] These threads are woven according to the characteristics described above.

[0150] The manufacturing method further comprises a step of finishing the fabric after the weaving step.

[0151] The finishing step comprises, for example, spraying the fabric with water and / or impregnating the fabric with a solvent, for example at a temperature between 75°C and 98°C.

[0152] More specifically, the finishing of the fabric includes a step of passing the fabric through water vapor, here under atmospheric conditions.

[0153] The finishing of the fabric further includes then impregnating the fabric with water, for example in a tank containing water, here at 90°C.

[0154] Finally, the finishing of the fabric includes, for example, a step of drying the fabric, for example, by passing it over heated rollers, for example at a temperature between 100°C and 160°C.

Claims

1. Elastic fabric for a medical device with a compressive effect, the fabric having a grippable face having loops, said grippable face being capable of being reversibly attached to a hook closure system, comprising: - elastic warp threads (E), comprising one or more elastane filaments, the count of all the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex, - non-elastic warp threads, at least one part of which, called gripping warp threads (A), forms the loops, the at least one part being made up of polyamide multi-filament threads, composed of a twisted end, the end having a count of 220 dtex, the end comprising between 10 and 12 monofilaments also twisted, the elastic and non-elastic warp threads being parallel to each other and not crossing each other, and - non-elastic weft threads, the gripping warp threads (A) forming floats on the grippable face,the floats forming the loops, each gripping warp thread (A) passing alternately, by column, above and below the weft thread a given number of times, then forming a float on the grippable face, this being repeated over the entire length of the gripping warp thread (A)., 2. Elastic fabric according to claim 1, in which the warp threads are not linked together, other than by weaving with the weft threads.

3. Elastic fabric according to claim 1 or 2, in which the weft yarn is a synthetic monofilament yarn having a diameter between 0.16 mm and 0.2 mm.

4. Elastic fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fabric is elastic in the warp direction.

5. Elastic fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the elastic warp threads (E) have a plain weave.

6. Elastic fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which each gripping warp yarn (A) alternately passes a pick on the grippable face and a pick on the face of the fabric opposite the grippable face the given number of times, at the level of weft yarns for which the gripping warp yarns on either side of said gripping warp yarn form a float on the grippable face.

7. Elastic fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the non-elastic warp yarns further comprise top warp yarns (D) forming floats on the face opposite the grippable face.

8. Medical device (10) with a compressive effect comprising a body (12), the body (12) being made of an elastic fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method of manufacturing a fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a step of weaving together the following yarns: - elastic warp yarns (E), comprising one or more elastane filaments, the count of all the elastane filaments being between 933 dtex and 1860 dtex, - non-elastic warp yarns, at least one part of which, called gripping warp yarns (A), forms the loops, the at least one part being made up of polyamide multi-filament yarns, composed of a twisted end, the end having a count of 220 dtex, the end comprising between ten and twelve monofilaments also twisted, the elastic and non-elastic warp yarns being woven parallel to each other and not crossing each other, and - non-elastic weft yarns, the gripping warp yarns (A) forming floats on the grippable face, the floats forming the loops, each gripping warp thread (A) passing alternately,by column, above and below the weft thread a given number of times, then forms a float on the grippable face, this being repeated over the entire length of the gripping warp thread (A)., 10. Manufacturing method according to claim 9, comprising a step of finishing the fabric after the weaving step, the finishing step comprising steaming the fabric and / or impregnating the fabric with a solvent at a temperature between 75°C and 98°C.

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