Medical knitted garment and manufacturing process for such a knitted garment

Abstract

Medical knitted piece and method of manufacturing such a knitted piece. The invention relates to a medical knitted piece, particularly in the form of an orthopedic bandage or dressing, intended to be applied to a part of the body for medical or therapeutic treatment or intended to support the body part, in which the knitted piece has a main knit (1) knitted in one knitting direction(s) and at least one compartment (3) for receiving at least one functional element (4) as well as a notch-shaped opening (2) in the main knit, through which the functional element (4) can be inserted into the compartment and / or removed.To simplify the insertion of the functional element, the opening (2) extends obliquely with respect to the knitting direction(s), and, to simplify the production of the knitted piece, the opening (2) is made by seamless knitting in the main knit during the knitting of the main knit on a flat knitting machine. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Medical knitted piece and method for manufacturing a knitted piece of this type

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical knitted garment, particularly in the form of an orthopedic bandage or dressing, intended to be applied to a part of a patient's body for medical or therapeutic treatment or to support the body part, wherein the knitted garment has a main knit in one direction and at least one compartment for receiving at least one functional element, as well as a notch-shaped opening in the main knit through which the functional element can be inserted into the compartment and / or removed. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a knitted garment. The medical knitted garment according to the invention may, in particular, be in the form of a flexible tube-shaped bandage, a stocking or sock, or a glove.

[0002] According to document EP 2 268 245 B1, an orthopedic device is known, made as a knitted support piece in the form of a bandage, an orthosis, a rail or a support, or as a garment or knitted support piece used for therapy or support of body parts with a functional element with an additional therapeutic action, it being understood that the functional element is introduced into a housing device, which connects to an opening made in the knitted piece, which acts as access to the housing device, it being understood that the opening is made in the knitted piece during the knitting process as a notch made in the transverse direction of the knitting (i.e. so as to extend in the direction of the rows of stitches).The transverse profile of the opening must prevent the compression profile of the knitted support piece from being interrupted by the opening. The housing device can be made, in particular, as a compartment that is sewn, welded, or glued onto the knitted piece. The functional element with an additional therapeutic action can be, in particular, a ball or an elastic molded body, or a solid body. This functional element can exert a therapeutic action, such as additional compression pressure, or other therapeutic actions, such as thermoregulation or a medical effect on the part of the body where the orthotic device is placed.

[0003] The use of functional elements of this type, for example in the form of (partially) elastic pads, is known in the field of compression therapy in connection with compression articles, such as compression gloves or bandages. support to exert, for example, in specific areas or at specific times, additional support pressure on a part of the body to be treated, which goes beyond the support pressure exerted over a large area and homogeneously by the support piece.

[0004] In many application cases, it is complicated to introduce the functional element through an opening extending in the transverse direction of the knit into the housing device, for example when the functional element has a curved profile.

[0005] Based on this, the present invention aims to provide a knitted garment that can be manufactured easily, quickly, and cheaply for medical applications. This garment has a compartment into which a functional element can be inserted without hindrance. This functional element can exert a therapeutic action on a part of the body where the medical knitted garment is placed. In this context, the opening provided as access to the compartment is intended to have minimal influence on the compression effect of the knitted garment, and curved functional elements are also intended to be able to be inserted into the compartment without hindrance.

[0006] This problem is solved with a medical knitted garment, otherwise conforming to the generic definition given in the preamble above, essentially characterized in that the knitted garment is knitted on a flat knitting machine, in which the opening is integrated by seamless knitting into the main knit and extends obliquely with respect to the knitting direction. Preferred embodiments and applications of the medical knitted garment according to the invention will emerge from the dependent claims. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a knitted garment according to the invention having the following characteristics contributes to solving the problem: The knitted piece is knitted on a flat knitting machine with a front needle bed and a back needle bed with rows of stitches (m) extending perpendicularly to the knitting direction, formed from a knitting yarn and, to practice by knitting the opening extending obliquely to the knitting direction, first several rows of stitches (m) following one another of the main knitting are knitted in the knitting direction and over the entire width of the main knitting and a subsequent knitting sequence takes place at a point, on which an opening is intended to form: - knitting a first section with a number of rows of stitches (s) following one another in the knitting direction so as to correspond to the desired extension of the opening in the knitting direction, in which the number of stitches is reduced in rows of stitches following one another, This allows unknitted stitches (m) to be left suspended in the first section on the needles of the front and back needle beds - knitting a second section with a number of rows of stitches (m) following one another in the direction of knitting so as to correspond to the desired extension of the opening in the direction of knitting, in which the number of stitches is increased in rows of stitches (m+1, m+2) following one another and in doing so the second section comes to be placed next to the first because of the stitches (m), unused and still suspended in the needles of the needle bed, of the first section and a notch extending obliquely with respect to the direction of knitting, which forms the opening, is formed between the first section and the second section.

[0007] The medical knitted garment according to the invention may, for example, be in the form of an orthopedic bandage or dressing intended to be applied to a part of a patient's body for medical or therapeutic treatment or intended to support that body part, it being understood that the knitted garment has a main knit fabric knitted in one direction and at least one compartment for housing at least one functional element, as well as a notch-shaped opening in the main knit fabric through which the functional element can be inserted into the compartment and / or removed from the compartment. The knitted garment according to the invention is thus knitted on a flat knitting machine, it being understood that the opening is formed by seamless knitting in the main knit fabric and extends obliquely with respect to the knitting direction.

[0008] According to the invention, the opening is made by knitting into the main knit during the knitting process on the flat knitting machine, such that the notch-shaped opening extends in a notch direction that is oblique to the knitting direction. Preferably, the notch direction of the opening forms an angle of 30° to 60°, and in particular 45°, with the knitting direction. The knitting direction thus corresponds to the direction of the stitch columns of the knit.

[0009] The medical knitted piece according to the invention may, in particular, have the form of a flexible tube-shaped bandage, a stocking or sock, or a glove. To form a knitted piece in the shape of a flexible tube, the main knit, knitted as a flat knit on a flat knitting machine, is shaped into a flexible tube, and two end edges of the main knit are sewn together along a seam to secure the flexible tube. The compartment is attached, for example by sewing, gluing, or welding, to the main knit before or after the flexible tube is formed. The compartment is thus made in the shape of a bag or a flexible tube. The compartment may be knitted as a circular on a circular knitting machine or also on a flat knitting machine. The compartment can be knitted from a compartment knit, the knit structure of which corresponds at least substantially to the knit structure of the main knit, in which the compartment knit is preferably knitted from an elastic or non-elastic knitting yarn and preferably contains no weft yarn.

[0010] At least one medically or therapeutically active functional element may be introduced into the compartment, which is suitably made as a bag or flexible tube open at one end, facing the opening in the main knit. The functional element may be, for example, a pressure element, a padding element, a molded non-elastic or elastic element, and in particular, a ball of yarn. When the knitted piece is pressed against a part of a patient's body, the functional element exerts a therapeutic or medical action on that body part, for example, a pressure and / or temperature action and / or a padding action and / or the administration of a medically or therapeutically active substance to that body part.For the administration of a medically or therapeutically active substance to a specific body part, the functional element can be impregnated, for example, with a medically or therapeutically active substance. This substance is then distributed to the body part when the knitted garment according to the invention rests on a corresponding functional element, which has been inserted into a compartment provided for this purpose, at the level of the patient's body part. The substance stored in the functional element can then diffuse through the knit of the compartment into the body part. The functional element is thus appropriately implemented as a retardant, which releases the medication gradually.

[0011] The main knit can, in this context, be made in particular as a right / left knit or, preferably, as a right / right knit. The main knit, from which the main body of the medical knitted garment according to the invention is made, can suitably be a stretch knit and, in particular, a compression knit. This has the effect that the medical knitted garment, when pressed against a part of a patient's body, exerts a uniform main pressure over its entire surface on that body part.When a functional element, in the form of a pressurized body or a ball of yarn, is introduced into the compartment provided for this purpose in the knitted garment according to the invention, the main pressure exerted by the main body of the knitted garment on the body part can be increased in certain areas or at specific points in the zone where the functional element rests against the patient's body part. Advantageously, the compartment can be closed by a seam. at the level of or at least near the opening, in which the seam was installed after the functional element was introduced into the compartment, and can be separated in a preferred manner so that the functional element can be removed from the compartment after the seam has been separated.

[0012] The main knit can be knitted in particular from a knitting yarn (elastic or non-elastic) and has rows of stitches extending perpendicularly in the knitting direction, formed from the knitting yarn. To make the main knit a support knit, an elastic knitting yarn forming stitches can be used during the knitting of the main knit and / or an elastic weft yarn can be incorporated into the main knit or placed under tension. A high support action can be obtained in this context when a weft yarn extends between each row of stitches of the main knit.

[0013] At least one opening can be created by knitting within the main knit in a very efficient manner from a knitting technique standpoint, by transferring stitches from the main knit out of one row of stitches into the following row of stitches in the knitting direction (column direction) using predefined transfer points. To generate the oblique profile of the notch-shaped opening, the transfer points are arranged in rows of stitches following one another in the direction of the rows of stitches, offset from one another by at least one stitch. The direction of the offset of the transfer points in the rows of stitches following one another is, in this context, appropriately identical. A homogeneous profile of the notch direction is thus obtained obliquely to the knitting direction.Preferably, the number of stitches from which the transfer points in successive rows of stitches are offset from one another is identical in all rows of stitches. This results in a straight profile of the edges of the notched opening.

[0014] The invention also relates to a use of a knitted piece as described above for the treatment of lymphatic insufficiency, for the rehabilitation of the foot or hand and / or for the treatment of scars and / or for the treatment by compression of the body part and / or for the support of joints of the body part.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a knitted garment as described above, in which the knitted garment is knitted on a flat knitting machine with a front needle bed and a back needle bed with rows of stitches extending perpendicularly to the knitting direction, formed from a knitting yarn and, to create by knitting the opening extending obliquely to the knitting direction, first several Rows of stitches following one another of the main knitting are knitted in the direction of knitting and across the entire width of the main knitting, and a subsequent knitting sequence takes place at a point where an opening is expected to form: - knitting a first section with a number of rows of stitches following one another in the direction of knitting so as to correspond to the desired extension of the opening in the direction of knitting, in which the number of stitches is reduced in rows of stitches following one another, which allows unknitted stitches in the first section to be left suspended on the needles of the front and back needle beds, - knitting a second section with a number of rows of stitches following one another in the direction of knitting so as to correspond to the desired extension of the opening in the direction of knitting, in which the number of stitches is increased in rows of stitches following one another and in doing so the second section comes to be placed next to the first section because of the stitches, unused and still hanging in the needles of the needle bed, of the first section and a notch extending obliquely with respect to the direction of knitting, which forms the opening, is formed between the first section and the second section.

[0016] Correspondingly, it is possible, as an option, to knit a third section after knitting the second section. This third section is knitted with the stitches still present in the first section on the needles of the needle bed and is thus placed next to the first section. When knitting the third section, the number of stitches (the number of stitches in rows of stitches following one another) can be reduced or increased, depending on the desired direction of the oblique position of the notch. In this context, a notch extending obliquely relative to the direction of the notch is also formed between the first and third sections, creating another opening. The order of the sections (including the first, second, and third sections) or of the right and left sides can be reversed in this context.Advantageously, additional rows of stitches can be knitted from the yarn to be worked after the second and possibly the third section has been knitted, across the entire width of the main knitting in the direction of the knitting. Advantageously, a weft yarn is inserted or inserted by knitting between rows of stitches following one another in the direction of the knitting.

[0017] Thus, several notch-shaped openings can be made by knitting into the main knit, it being understood that the openings extend obliquely with respect to the knitting direction. The oblique position of the openings (notch direction) can be identical or different in this context, in In other words, the notched openings can extend parallel to each other at a distance or can form an angle between them, which can be, for example, between 10° and 170° and preferably in the range of ± 30° to ± 60°.

[0018] Knitting two facing openings can, for example, be advantageous when a longer, bar-shaped functional element, or a curved, crescent-shaped or saber-shaped functional element, needs to be inserted into a compartment open on both sides of the knitted piece. The two open sides of the compartment are connected in this way to an opening for inserting or removing a functional element. The notch, or each notch, extends in a notch direction, which preferably forms an angle with the notch direction in the range of ±10° to ±80°, and particularly preferably in the range of ±30° to ±60°. The direction and / or the algebraic sign of the oblique position of the notches may be the same or different in this way.

[0019] To close the upper ends (viewed in the knitting direction) of the respective opening, additional rows of stitches can be knitted from the yarn in the process according to the invention after the right section and optionally the left section have been knitted across the entire width of the main knitting in the knitting direction. Thus, the ends of the opening, or of each opening, are secured during the knitting process, without subsequent re-knitting or sewing, thereby preventing fraying of the opening, particularly at its ends.

[0020] The compartment for housing the functional element is appropriately knitted during a separate knitting operation on a circular or flat knitting machine from a compartment knit, it being understood that the bond of the compartment knit can correspond at least substantially to the bond of the main knit. The compartment knit can, for example, be knitted as a right / right or right / left knit from an elastic or non-elastic knitting yarn and form stitches.

[0021] Preferably, no weft yarn is contained within the compartment knit. This ensures simpler insertion of the functional element into the compartment. However, it is also possible to introduce an elastic weft yarn into the compartment knit, which tightens the compartment knit and thus the compartment together in the transverse direction (i.e., transversely to the direction of the stitch columns or in the peripheral direction of the flexible tube-shaped compartment). When using a weft yarn in the compartment knit, it is necessary, when introducing the functional element into the compartment, to overcome a resistance caused by The weft yarn's tension allows the functional element to be fully inserted into the compartment. However, once inserted, the functional element is held in place by the compression pressure generated by the weft yarn within the compartment, due to the tension of the elastic weft yarn. This prevents the functional element from sliding into the compartment.

[0022] To prevent the functional element from accidentally leaving the compartment, the compartment opening can also be closed after the functional element has been inserted by means of a seam. The seam can then be opened again as needed to allow the functional element to be removed from the compartment. This makes it possible to replace one functional element with another that is therapeutically or medically active.

[0023] These and other characteristics, as well as properties, advantages, and actions of the knitted piece according to the invention, become apparent from the embodiments described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show: [Fig.1]: Schematic representation of a first embodiment of a medical knitted piece according to the invention with a compartment made in the shape of a flexible tube used to house a functional element and with an opening made by knitting, through which a functional element can be introduced into the compartment, it being understood that the knitted piece has the shape of a wrist bandage; [Fig.2]: Enlarged schematic representation of a knit for the knitted piece of [Fig.1] in the area of ​​an opening used to introduce a functional element; [Fig.3]: Schematic representation of a knitting pattern of the knitting of [Fig.2] in the form of a technical pattern; [Fig.4]: Enlarged schematic representation of another knit for a knitted piece according to the invention in the area of ​​two openings used to introduce functional elements; [Fig.5]: Schematic representation of a knitting pattern of a knit from [Fig.4] in the form of a technical pattern; [Fig.6]: Schematic representation of another embodiment of a medical knitted piece according to the invention with a compartment made in the shape of a flexible tube used to house a functional element and two openings made by knitting in the knitted piece, through which a functional element can be introduced into the compartment, it being understood that the knitted piece has the shape of a knee joint bandage; [Fig.7]: representation of another knit for a knitted piece according to the invention in the area of ​​two openings used to introduce functional elements; [Fig.8]: Schematic representation of a knitting pattern according to [Fig.7] in the form of a technical pattern.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a first example of an embodiment of a medical knitted garment according to the invention in the form of a wrist bandage. The wrist bandage in this context has a main body composed of a main knit 1 with an opening 2 formed in it by knitting and a compartment 3 arranged on the inner side (which is turned towards the patient's forearm when the bandage is put on), serving to house a functional element 4. The opening 2 formed by knitting in the main knit 1 is in this context in the form of a notch and extends obliquely with respect to the knitting direction s. The notch-shaped opening 2 therefore has a notch direction (longitudinal direction of the notch), which is oblique (here at an angle of approximately 45°) with respect to the knitting direction s. A functional element 4 is shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.[l] is introduced through opening 2 into compartment 3 and is withdrawn again also out of compartment 3. The oblique position of the notch-shaped opening 2 relative to the knitting direction s, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the bandage, facilitates the introduction and removal of the functional element 4.

[0025] The functional element 4 can be, for example, a pressure or padding element, in particular a pad. The pad rests on the forearm of a patient in the functional position, illustrated in [Fig. 1], of the glove (it being understood that the compartment knit of the bag-shaped compartment 3 is still located between the forearm and the pad) and thus exerts additional pressure in the area of ​​compartment 3, which extends beyond the pressure exerted by the bandage evenly on the forearm. The functional element 4 inserted into compartment 3 thus acts as a pressure element.

[0026] Instead of a pressure body made as a ball, a padding body, for example made of foam, easily deformable or a functional element 4 having another medical or therapeutic action can be introduced into the compartment 3. In all cases, the functional element 4 introduced into the compartment 3 exerts a therapeutic or medical action on the part of the body, at the level of which the knitted piece according to the invention is placed.

[0027] The opening 2 can be closed by a seam. The closing of the opening 2 by a seam is carried out in this context after the functional element 4 has been inserted into the compartment 3. The seam prevents the functional element 4 inserted into the compartment 3 from unintentionally slipping out of the compartment 3 when the knitted garment is worn.

[0028] To manufacture the main body 1 of the knitted piece according to the invention, for example the bandage illustrated in [Fig. 1], the main knit 1 of the main body is knitted in as long as straight knitting on a straight knitting machine with a front needle bed and a rear needle bed facing it.

[0029] To form a knitted part in the shape of a flexible tube, the main knit 1, knitted as a straight knit, is first shaped into a flexible tube, and two facing end edges within this frame of the main knit are sewn together along a seam to secure the flexible tube. The compartment 3 is attached before or after the flexible tube is formed to the main knit via the opening 2, for example, by sewing, gluing, or welding. The compartment 3 is suitably shaped like a bag or flexible tube with at least one open end. The compartment 3 is thus attached to the main knit 1 such that one open end of the compartment 3 is connected to an opening 2 formed by knitting in the main knit 1.Opening 2 serves in this context as an access point to the open compartment 3 (on one or both sides), through which a functional element 4 can be introduced into compartment 3 (or removed from the compartment).

[0030] Compartment 3 is appropriately knitted during a separate knitting operation as a flexible tube-shaped body or bag from a compartment knit, for example, as a circular knit on a circular knitting machine or a flat knitting machine. The compartment knit preferably has a knit bond that corresponds at least substantially to the knit bond of the main knit 1. The main knit 1, and thus also the compartment knit, can be produced, for example, as a right / left knit or, preferably, as a right / right knit.

[0031] To make the main knit 1 of the main body as a restraint knit, it may be provided in this context that a weft yarn is integrated into the main knit 1. The compartment knit, on the other hand, preferably does not have any weft yarn.

[0032] The knitting of the opening 2 in the main knit 1 during the knitting of the main knit 1 on a straight knitting machine with a front needle bed and a back needle bed is explained below with reference to figures 2 and 3, it being understood that the main knit 1 is made as a straight / straight knit in the illustrated example.

[0033] During the knitting of the main knit 1, a knitting yarn 6 is knitted by forming stitches in a straight-right (DR) knit, which makes it possible to create rows of stitches m, m+1, which continue in the knitting direction s. A row of DR stitches is distinguished in this way by the fact that a stitch is formed alternately on the front and back needle beds. Thus, for each stitch, a link is created between the front and back needle beds. In order to generate a For the control action, an elastic weft yarn can be introduced into the main knit 1. In the knitting diagram shown in [Fig. 5], a weft yarn 7 is introduced between rows of stitches m, m+1 following one another in the knitting direction s. In the knitting diagram of [Fig. 5], rows of stitches m of the knitting yarn 6 therefore alternate with weft rows of the weft yarn 7. Thus, a straight knit is produced, which extends in the transverse direction (i.e., perpendicular to the knitting direction s) over a predefined width. This (lower) area of ​​the main knit 1 is designated in Figures 2 and 3 by "u".

[0034] The following procedure is used at a location where an opening 2 is to appear (in [Fig. 3] starting from row m+2): a first section D (straight) is initially knitted in the same way as in the lower zone u of the main knitting 1, it being understood that to achieve the oblique position of the opening, a reduction in the number of stitches in rows m+2, m+3, etc., following one another in the knitting direction s, is carried out. Preferably, the reduction in the number of stitches in rows following one another in the knitting direction s is made by one stitch each. To reduce stitches in the first section D, the outermost stitches must be carried further inward. This is illustrated in the knitting diagram of [Fig. 3] by the carry arrows U.In this context, in the illustration shown here, the outermost right stitch of the front needle bed is transferred to the second rightmost stitch of the back needle bed, and the outermost right stitch of the back needle bed is transferred to the now outermost right stitch of the front needle bed. This is repeated in each row of stitches m+2, m+3, m+4, etc., until a highest row of stitches m+x is reached, at which point the opening 2 must end ([Fig.3]).

[0035] Then, a second section G (left) is knitted in the same manner, it being understood that here the number of stitches in consecutive rows is increased (preferably by one stitch). An increase in stitches in the second section G is made in the knitting variant illustrated by simply adding one stitch to the front bed of the needles. Since a row DD is knitted in the row following m+3 or m+4 at this point, a continuous stitch pattern results. The weft rows of weft yarn 7 are picked up in this pattern simply in the next row by transferring the weft yarn guide into consecutive rows.

[0036] The knitting diagram in [Fig. 3] gives the impression that the second section G is located above the first section D. This is because the stitches of the lower section u of the main knit 1, which were not used in the first section D, but are still suspended on the needles in the needle bed, the second section G comes "downwards" and is found to end (on the left) next to the first section D. In this frame, a notch is formed between the first section D and the second section G, extending obliquely relative to the direction of knitting, which forms the opening 2.

[0037] To close the notch-shaped openings 2 at their upper end, another face in the form of an upper section o is then knitted over the entire width of the main knit, so as to correspond to the lower section u of the main knit 1 (with an alternating row of weft and row DD).

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates an enlargement of a schematic representation of another knit for a knitted piece according to the invention with two openings for introducing functional elements. The animated image in Figure 5 explains the knitting of the two openings 2, 2': as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a knitting yarn 6 is knitted by forming stitches in a right-right (RD) knit, also here during the knitting of the main knit 1, which makes it possible to create rows of stitches m, m+1, etc., which continue in the knitting direction s. In the knitting diagram shown in Figure 5, a weft yarn 7 is also introduced between rows of stitches m, m+1, m+2, etc., following one another in the knitting direction s. So rows of stitches m of knitting yarn 6 alternate with rows of weft of weft yarn 7 on the knitting diagram of [Fig.5].Thus, a straight knit is produced, which extends in the transverse direction (i.e., perpendicular to the knitting direction s) over a predefined width. This (lower) area of ​​the main knit 1 is designated in [Fig.4] by "u".

[0039] The following procedure is performed at a location where the two openings 2, 2' are to appear (in the example of [Fig. 5], starting from row m+2): first, in the same way as in the lower zone u of the main knitting 1, a first central section M (center section) is knitted, it being understood that to achieve the slanted position of the opening, a reduction in the number of stitches in rows m+2, m+3, etc., following one another in the knitting direction s, is carried out. Preferably, the reduction in the number of stitches from row m to row m+1 is made by one stitch. To reduce stitches in the first central section M, the outermost stitches often have to be carried further inward. This is represented in the knitting diagram of [Fig. 5] by the carry-over arrows U.In this context, the outermost right stitch of the front needle bed is transferred in the illustration shown here to the second stitch from the right of the needle bed. back, and the outermost right stitch of the back needle bed is transferred to the now outermost right stitch of the front needle bed. This is repeated in each row of stitches m+2, m+3, m+4, etc. until a highest row of stitches (m+x) is reached, at which point the openings 2, 2' must end ([Fig.5]).

[0040] Then, a second straight section D is knitted in the same manner, it being understood that here the number of stitches in rows of stitches m+2, m+3, etc., following one another is increased (preferably by one stitch each). An increase in stitches in the straight section D is made in the knitting variant illustrated by simply adding one stitch to the front bed of the needles. Insofar as a row DD is knitted at this point in the row of stitches following m+3 or m+4, etc., a continuous stitch pattern results. The weft rows of weft yarn 7 are then simply carried over in the following row by transferring the weft yarn guide into rows of stitches following one another.

[0041] The knitting diagram in [Fig. 5] gives the impression that the second right section D is located above the first central section M. Since the stitches of the lower section u of the main knitting, which have not been used in the first central section M, are still hanging on the needles in the needle bed, the second right section D comes "downwards" and ends up to the right next to the first central section M. In this context, a notch is formed between the first central section M and the second right central section D, extending obliquely with respect to the direction of knitting, which forms the first opening 2.

[0042] In addition to the first opening 2, another opening 2' is knitted in the main knitting 1 in a corresponding manner in the example illustrated in figures 4 and 5. In the same way, a third left section G is knitted for this purpose on the left side of the first central section M in that, due to the increase in stitches, the number of stitches in rows of stitches m+2, m+3, etc. following one another in the direction of knitting s is increased (preferably respectively by one stitch).

[0043] The knitting of the stitches of the third left-hand section G is carried out within this framework on the stitches still on the needles of the needle bed in the left part, so that the third left-hand section G is positioned next to the first central section M. This results in a main knit with two notch-shaped openings 2, 2', which are initially still open upwards (o). To close the notch-shaped openings 2, 2' at their open ends, another face in the form of an upper section o is now knitted across the entire width of the main knitting, so as to correspond to the lower section u of the main knitting 1 (with one row of weft and one row of DD alternating).

[0044] The openings 2, 2' thus knitted in the main knit extend at a predefined angle of approximately 45° to the knitting direction. The angle can be adjusted by the number of stitches added in the left or right section D, G and by the correspondingly decreased stitches in the central section M. Thus, it is possible to knit openings 2, 2' extending obliquely with a different direction and at different angles from the oblique position in the main knit 1. The angle between the knitting direction s and the notch direction (longitudinal direction of the notch 2 or 2') is conveniently between ±10° and ±80°, preferably between ±30° and ±60°. [Fig.[6] illustrates another embodiment of a medical knitted component according to the invention in the form of a knee joint bandage, in which two facing openings 2, 2' have been knitted into the main knit 1 in the manner described above and illustrated in [Fig. 4]. The knee joint bandage in this context again has a main body composed of a main knit 1 with the two openings 2, 2' knitted into it and a compartment 3 arranged on the inner side (which faces the patient's knee when the bandage is applied), serving to house a functional element 4. The openings 2, 2' knitted into the main knit 1 are notched with a notch direction (longitudinal direction of the notch) that is oblique (here at an angle of approximately 45° or 315°) to the knitting direction s.The knitting directions of the two openings 2, 2' are at an angle of approximately 90° to each other. A flexible tube-shaped compartment 3, open at both ends, is located on the inner side of the knee joint bandage. Its open ends are connected to one of the two openings 2, 2'. A functional element 4, shown in dotted lines in [Fig. 3], can be inserted into compartment 3 and can also be removed from compartment 3 through openings 2, 2'. The oblique position of the notched openings 2, 2' relative to the knitting direction s, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the bandage, simplifies the insertion and removal of the functional element 4. The two ends of the ring-shaped, curved functional element 4 protrude, as can be seen in [Fig. 3].6], openings 2, 2' and can be locked together at the level of each other outside compartment 3, for example with a hook closure or a self-gripping closure.

[0045] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a diagram of another knit for a knitted piece according to the invention with two openings 2, 2' extending parallel to each other and spaced apart to introduce functional elements. The knitting of the two openings 2, 2' is shown in the knitting diagram of [Fig. 8] according to The method described in the example of [Fig. 5] is used, with the understanding that after knitting the lower section u, one begins by knitting the right section D, then the central section M, and finally the left section G. The upper section o is then knitted across the entire width of the main knitting 1 as a right-to-right stitch, alternating rows of stitches from the working yarn 6 and rows of weft yarn from the weft yarn 7. In principle, one preferably begins with a section in which the number of stitches in the knitting direction s is reduced (in [Fig. 8], the right section D), followed by sections in which the number of stitches in consecutive rows is increased (in [Fig. 8], the central section M and the left section G).

[0046] The knitted piece according to the invention can have different shapes. In addition to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of a wrist bandage or a knee joint bandage, the knitted piece can also be fashioned, for example, as a chest bandage, a glove, a sock, or a stocking. Generally, the knitted piece is used as a bandage or dressing intended to be applied to parts of the body, particularly to extremities such as the legs and arms.

[0047] The knitted piece according to the invention can be used, for example, in the orthopedic field for support or compression therapy of body parts and joints. Furthermore, the knitted piece according to the invention can be used for the treatment of lymphatic insufficiency, such as lymphedema or lip edema. The knitted piece according to the invention can also be applied in the field of foot or hand rehabilitation. Moreover, a knitted piece according to the invention, appropriately designed as a compression garment, can be used in the treatment of scars, for example, for the treatment of scars resulting from burns or scalds.

[0048] The invention is not limited in this context to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. It is clear from the description of the function of the compartment 3 used to house a functional element 4 that, for example, the shape of the main body 1 of the knitted piece according to the invention can be modified in any way. The shape of the compartment 3 can also be adapted to a predefined shape of a functional element 4 so that the functional element 4 can be inserted precisely into the compartment 3. Furthermore, it follows that the knit stitch of the main knit, from which the main body is knitted, as well as the knit stitch of the compartment knit, from which the compartment 3 used to house the functional element 4 is formed, can vary, and that for the realization of the main knit and compartment knitting, all common knitting joins and knitting processes can be used.

Claims

Demands

1. Medical knitted piece, in particular in the form of an orthopedic bandage or dressing, intended to be applied to a part of the body for medical or therapeutic treatment or intended to support the body part, in which the knitted piece has a main knit (1) knitted in one knitting direction(s) and at least one compartment (3) for receiving at least one functional element (4) and at least one notch-shaped opening (2) in the main knit, through which the functional element (4) can be inserted into the compartment and / or removed, characterized in that the knitted piece is knitted on a flat knitting machine, in which the at least one opening (2) is integrated by seamless knitting into the main knit and extends obliquely with respect to the knitting direction(s),and in that at least one opening (2) is made by knitting into the main knitting by transferring stitches (m) from the main knitting out of a row of stitches (m) into the following row of stitches (m+1) in the knitting direction(s) using predefined transfer points (U).

2. Knitted piece according to claim 1, in which the compartment (3) is made in the shape of a bag and is fixed at the level of the main knitting (1), in particular is sewn, glued or welded there.

3. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one functional element (4) introduced into the compartment (3).

4. Knitted piece according to claim 3, wherein the or each functional element (4) is capable of exerting, when the knitted piece is pressed against a part of the body, a therapeutic or medical action on the body part, in particular a pressure action and / or a temperature action and / or a padding action, and / or results in the administration of a medical or therapeutic active substance to the body part.

5. Knitted piece according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one functional element (4) is made as a pressure body or as a padding body, in particular as molded body non-elastic or elastic and in particular as a ball.

6. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main knit is made in an extensible manner and in particular as a support knit and is knitted for this purpose preferably from an elastic knitting yarn (6) and / or contains an elastic weft yarn, which is integrated into the main knit (1) and is inserted in particular under tension.

7. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main knit (1) is knitted from a knitting yarn (6) and has rows of stitches (m) extending perpendicularly to the direction of knitting (s), formed from the knitting yarn (6).

8. Knitted piece according to claim 7, characterized in that a weft yarn (7) extends between each row of stitches (m, m+1).

9. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carry points (U) in rows of stitches (m, m+1) following one another are arranged in a direction of rows of stitches in a manner offset from one another by at least one stitch.

10. Knitted piece according to claim 9, wherein the direction of offsets of the transfer points (U) is respectively identical in rows of stitches (m, m+1) following one another.

11. Knitted piece according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the number of stitches, of which the carry points (U) in rows of stitches (m, m+1) following one another are offset from one another, is respectively identical in all rows of stitches (m, m+1, m+2, ...).

12. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compartment (3) is knitted from a compartment knit (5), the knit structure of which corresponds at least substantially to the knit structure of the main knit (1), in which the compartment knit (5) is preferably knitted from an elastic or non-elastic knitting yarn (6) and preferably does not contain any weft yarn.

13. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compartment (3) is closed by a seam at or at least near the opening (2), in which the seam was installed after the introduction of the functional element (4) into the compartment (3), and can be separated in a preferred manner so that the functional element (4) can be removed from the compartment (3) after the separation of the seam.

14. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body of the knitted piece has the shape of a flexible tube-shaped bandage or a glove or a sock or a stocking.

15. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the notch or each notch (2, 2') extends in a notch direction, which forms with the knitting direction(s) an angle in the range of ± 10° to ± 80° and preferably in the range of ± 30° to ± 60°.

16. Knitted piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (2) is made by seamless knitting during the knitting of the main knit (1) and extends along a notch direction, wherein the notch direction of the opening (2) forms an angle of 30° to 60°, and in particular of 45°, with the knitting direction(s).

17. A method for manufacturing a knitted piece according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the knitted piece is knitted on a flat knitting machine with a front needle bed and a back needle bed with rows of stitches (m) extending perpendicularly to the knitting direction (s), formed from a knitting yarn (6) and, in order to create by knitting the opening (2) extending obliquely to the knitting direction (s), first several rows of stitches (m) following one another of the main knitting are knitted in the knitting direction (s) and over the entire width of the main knitting and a subsequent knitting sequence takes place at a point,on which an opening (2) is intended to form: - knitting a first section (M) with a number of rows of stitches (m) following one another in the knitting direction (s) so as to correspond to the desired extension of the opening (2) in the knitting direction (s), in which the number of stitches is reduced in rows of stitches (m) following one another, which allows to leave in suspension, stitches (m) not knitted in the first section (M) on the needles of the front and back needle beds, - knitting of a second section (D) with a number of rows of stitches (m) following one another in the direction of knitting so as to correspond to the desired extension of the opening (2) in the direction of knitting (s), in which the number of stitches is increased in rows of stitches (m+1, m+2) following one another and in doing so the second section (D) comes to be placed next to the first (M) because of the stitches (m), not used and still hanging in the needles of the needle bed, of the first section (M) and a notch extending obliquely with respect to the direction of knitting (s), which forms the opening (2), is formed between the first section (M) and the second section (D).

18. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that after the knitting of the second section (D) in a corresponding manner, a third section (G) is knitted, which is knitted with the stitches still in the first section (M) on the needles of the needle bed and thus comes to be placed next to the first section (M), in which a notch extending obliquely with respect to the direction of knitting (s), which forms another opening (2'), is formed between the first section (M) and the third section (G).

19. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that further rows of stitches (m) are knitted from the yarn to be knitted (6) after the knitting of the second section (D) over the entire width of the main knitting in the direction of knitting (s).

20. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that further rows of stitches (m) are knitted from the yarn to be knitted (6) after the knitting of the third section (G) over the entire width of the main knitting in the direction of knitting (s).

21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that a weft yarn (7) is inserted or inserted by knitting between rows of stitches (m, m+1) following one another in the knitting direction (s).

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