Compression device comprising a compression band and a retaining device
The compression device with a separate extensible band and inextensible retaining strip addresses the issue of bandage slippage, ensuring prolonged pressure application and comfort by forming a closed band around the coils, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional bandages.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THUASNE SA
- Filing Date
- 2022-06-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing compression bandages slip easily, causing pressure loss and requiring frequent reapplication, especially when patients cannot wear traditional compression garments due to conditions like acute sprains or venous ulcers, and existing fastening methods often cause discomfort or injury.
A compression device comprising a separate extensible compression band and a reversibly fixed inextensible retaining strip that forms a closed band around the bandage coils, preventing slippage and maintaining pressure without adhering to the skin.
The device effectively maintains compression over extended periods without slippage, reducing the need for frequent reapplication and minimizing patient discomfort, while allowing easy application and removal.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Compression device comprising a compression band and a retaining device
[0001] The present invention relates to a compression device of the type comprising at least one compression band extending in an elongation direction and at least one support device comprising at least one support band extending in an extension direction, said compression band being extensible at least in the elongation direction and the support band being substantially inextensible in the extension direction, the compression band forming a bandage comprising coils when wrapped in the elongation direction around a part of a limb of a patient, the support band comprising at least one reversible fastening device on the compression band.
[0002] The invention also relates to a method of applying such a compression device around a part of a patient's limb.
[0003] It is known to apply a specific pressure to a limb or part of a limb of a patient, for example, in the context of the treatment or prevention of venous diseases.
[0004] To apply pressure, compression garments such as stockings, tights, socks, compression sleeves, or the like are generally used. These garments are sized to apply the desired pressure, and a particular garment always applies the same level of compression. Therefore, the garments are available in different sizes to apply varying levels of compression. The choice of compression garment type and size depends on the part of the limb to which the treatment is to be applied and the desired pressure.
[0005] However, the use of such articles is not always possible, for example when a patient cannot put on the compression garment. This is particularly the case when a patient is suffering from an acute sprain, an active venous ulcer, or other symptoms that make putting on or wearing a compression garment too painful.
[0006] In such a case, it is known to use one or more compression bandages instead of a compression garment to be put on. Such a compression bandage is applied to the part of the limb to be treated by being wrapped around it so as to form a bandage comprising partially overlapping coils.
[0007] Applying and maintaining such a compression bandage is, however, complicated because the bandage must be wrapped while being stretched to apply the desired pressure, and this stretch must be maintained while the bandage is being wrapped. Once the bandage is applied, it must be secured to the limb to hold it in place and apply the compression treatment.
[0008] Furthermore, for compression therapy to be effective, the compression bandage must remain in place for a long period of time without the coils slipping over each other and / or over the limb, which would cause a release of pressure on the limb. Such slippage also necessitates regular reapplying of the bandage, resulting in a significant workload for healthcare personnel.
[0009] To secure the compression bandage, it is known, for example, to use a fastening clip to secure the compression bandage to itself at one end, but such a fastening does not prevent the bandage from slipping down the limb, particularly after the bandage has been worn for some time. Also, these clips frequently injure the patient or the hands of the person applying them.
[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a compression device comprising at least one compression band held effectively on a part of the limb around which the band is wrapped and which can be worn for a long period without significant slippage of the band's coils.
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a compression device of the aforementioned type, in which the compression band and the retaining device are formed by separate parts, said retaining device being wound in the direction of extension on the compression band by being reversibly fixed on at least one turn of the bandage by making at least one complete turn of said turn in the direction of extension to form a band around said turn and the part of the limb when the compression band is wound around said part of the limb.
[0012] By forming a closed and fixed band around a coil of the bandage using a retention device comprising at least one substantially inextensible strip, effective retention of the bandage on the part of the limb to which the bandage is applied is ensured, in particular by preventing slippage of the coil around which the band is formed, which also results in the locking of the other coils of the bandage. Thus, the bandage can be worn for long periods without the compression exerted being altered, even when the patient wearing the bandage moves. Furthermore, since the band is applied to the bandage, the material of the The strip is not applied to the patient's skin and does not cause discomfort when the patient wears the bandage.
[0013] The compression device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:
[0014] - the retaining strip comprises an inner face, applied to the spiral of the bandage, and an external face, opposite the internal face, the reversible fixing device of the retaining strip extending over the internal face;
[0015] - the retaining strip includes an additional fastening device extending over the outer face, one end of the retaining strip being applied to the opposite end of the retaining strip so that a portion of the inner face is applied to a portion of the outer face and that said supplementary fixation device cooperates with the reversible fixation device in order to fix the retaining strip to itself or to another retaining strip of the retaining device when the retaining device is wound around the coil of the bandage;
[0016] - the compression band comprises an inner face, applied to the skin of the patient when the compression band forms a bandage around a part of the patient's limb, and an outer face, opposite the inner face, a complementary fixation device extending over the outer face and cooperating with the reversible fixation device of the retaining band so as to fix the retaining band directly onto the coil of the bandage when the retaining device is wound onto the coil of the bandage;
[0017] - the reversible fastening device includes hooks and the fastening device complementary includes loops, the hooks being able to hook with the loops;
[0018] - the bandage extends between two end coils, the retaining device being wound around one of the said end turns;
[0019] - the retaining strip has a length, measured along the direction of extension, substantially between 30 cm and 60 cm and a width, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension, substantially greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to the width of the compression band, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension;
[0020] - the compression tape is a dry tape.
[0021] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of applying a compression device as described above to a part of a patient's limb, the method comprising the following steps:
[0022] - wrap the compression bandage around the patient's limb according to the direction of elongation so as to form a bandage comprising coils extending around the patient's limb,
[0023] - wrap the retaining device around at least one turn of the bandage, said a retaining device making at least one complete turn of said coil in the direction of elongation and forming a band around said coil, said retaining device being reversibly fixed to the bandage.
[0024] The method may include the following feature where the patient's limb is one of the patient's legs, the restraint device is wound and fixed around an upper end coil extending around an upper part of the calf in the vicinity of the knee of said leg.
[0025] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] [Fig-1] - [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective representation of a strip of compression of a compression device according to the invention wrapped around a part of a patient's limb to form a bandage,
[0027] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation of a retaining strip closed upon itself to form a band,
[0028] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of the compression device according to the invention applied to a part of a patient's limb, and
[0029] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic side view showing a location of the retaining strip on a patient's leg.
[0030] With reference to Figs 1 to 3, a compression device is described comprising at least one compression band 1 and a support device comprising at least one support band 2. Such a compression device is intended to be applied to a part of a limb 4 of a patient, such as the lower part of a leg going for example from the top of the calf to the foot of the patient, as shown in Figs 1 and 3.
[0031] The compression strip 1 extends mainly along an elongation direction L and comprises an inner face and an outer face 6, opposite the inner face. The length of the compression strip 1 corresponds to the dimension of the compression strip along the elongation direction L, and the width of the strip corresponds to the dimension of the strip along a direction perpendicular to the elongation direction L, called the transverse direction T.
[0032] The compression band is wrapped around the part of limb 4 to be treated according to its direction of elongation so as to cover the part of limb to be treated.
[0033] When the compression bandage is wrapped around a limb part 4, the inner face is applied to the patient's skin and the outer face 6 is turned outwards from the limb part 4. By convention, the terms "under", "on", "below", "above", etc. are defined with respect to the direction from the inner face to the outer face 6, corresponding to the thickness of the compression bandage 1.
[0034] As shown in [Fig. 1], when the compression strip 1 is wound around the member portion 4, the compression strip 1 partially overlaps, i.e., a portion of the inner face of an upper turn is applied to a portion of the outer face 6 of a lower turn in an overlap zone, one turn corresponding to one wrap of the strip around the member portion 4. The overlap zone extends, for example, over approximately half the width of the compression strip. Alternatively, the overlap may be less than half the width of the strip or more than half, for example, two-thirds of the width of the strip.
[0035] When the compression bandage 1 is wrapped around the limb 4, it forms a bandage comprising several coils, including two end coils between which the bandage extends. The end coils are spaced apart according to the length of the limb. Thus, in the case of the lower leg, one of the end coils, referred to as the lower end coil 8, extends to the foot, and the other end coil, referred to as the upper end coil 10, extends over the top of the calf near the knee. When applying the compression bandage 1, a healthcare professional begins by forming the lower end coil 8 and wraps the compression bandage up to the upper end coil 10.
[0036] The compression band 1 is extensible at least in the elongation direction L. In other words, the compression band 1 can be stretched in the elongation direction L. The compression band 1 exhibits, for example, an elongation of between 10% and 180% in the elongation direction. As is known, stretching the compression band in the elongation direction L allows the pressure exerted by the compression band on the limb 4 around which the compression band is wrapped to be adjusted. In a particular embodiment, the compression band is also elastic in the elongation direction, so that it returns to its initial length when the stretching force is removed from the compression band.
[0037] According to one embodiment, the compression band 1 is also extensible along the transverse direction T. This is then referred to as a bi-extensible compression band. The extensibility along the transverse direction T is, for example, between 0% and 100%, with 0% corresponding to a compression band 1 extensible only along The elongation direction L. For extensibility along the elongation direction and along the transverse direction, elongation is measured according to the specifications of standard NF EN ISO 20932 of 1 February 2020. As known in itself, extensibility along the transverse direction T makes it easier to apply the compression bandage, as it naturally adapts to the morphology of the part of limb 4 around which the bandage is wrapped, and reduces the risk of wrinkles forming in the bandage during application.
[0038] During application, the healthcare professional maintains a certain tension in the compression bandage along the elongation direction L in order to apply the desired pressure to the limb part 4. Furthermore, during application, the compression bandage is, for example, wound so that the coils extending along the elongation direction L form an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90° with respect to a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the limb part 4, this direction corresponding to the width of the limb part. The angle is, for example, more particularly between 0° and 45°, preferably between 0° and 20°.
[0039] The compression bandage is, for example, a so-called "dry" bandage, that is to say, a bandage without adhesive to fix itself to itself and / or to the patient's skin. It is indeed with dry bandages that the problem of the bandage's coils slipping arises primarily.
[0040] The retaining device is formed by one or more separate parts of the compression band 1. Thus, when the retaining device comprises only one retaining band 2, the retaining band 2 and the compression band 1 are not permanently fixed to each other. In other words, when the retaining band is fixed to the compression band 1, as will be described later, the retaining band is attached to the compression band 1, the fixing is reversible, and the retaining band can be completely separated from the compression band when the fixing is undone. When the retaining device comprises several retaining bands, as will be described later, the compression band and each retaining band are formed by separate parts.
[0041] When several retaining strips 2 are provided, the different retaining strips are substantially identical to each other. Therefore, only one retaining strip 2 will now be described.
[0042] The retaining strip 2 extends along an extension direction and has a length, measured along this extension direction, sufficient for the retaining strip 2 to make at least one complete turn of a coil of the bandage when the retaining strip 2 is fixed to the bandage by being wrapped around the bandage along the extension direction. Thus, the retaining strip 2 has, for example a length, measured along the direction of extension, substantially between 30 cm and 60 cm. Thus, when the circumference of the limb portion around which the support device is applied is greater than 60 cm, the support device comprises several support strips, as will be described in more detail later. Furthermore, the support strip 2, for example, has a width, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension, less than or equal to the width of the compression strip 1. Thus, the support strip 2, for example, has a width, measured along a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension, substantially greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to the width of the compression strip 1.
[0043] The retaining strip 2 is substantially inextensible in the direction of extension. By inextensible, it is meant that the retaining strip 2 is not, or only slightly, extensible in the direction of extension and exhibits, for example, an elongation between 0% and 60%.
[0044] As particularly visible in [Fig.2], the retaining strip 2 has an inner face 12 and an outer face 14. When the retaining device is wrapped around the bandage, as will be described in more detail later, the inner face 12 of the retaining strip 2 is applied to the compression band 1 and the outer face 14 is turned outwards from the limb part 4.
[0045] As previously stated, the retaining device is arranged to be reversibly fixed onto the compression bandage 1. More specifically, the retaining device is wound around the compression bandage 1 in the direction of extension so as to make at least one complete turn of at least one turn of the bandage, as shown in [Fig.3].
[0046] More specifically, when the retaining device comprises a single retaining strip, the retaining strip 2 is, for example, arranged to make more than one complete turn of the coil and to be reversibly fixed to itself at its ends 16, as shown in [Fig. 2]. When several retaining strips 2 are required, these are reversibly fixed to each other at their ends to make one or more complete turns of the coil.
[0047] To this end, each retaining strip 2 comprises, on its inner face 12, a fastening device 18 and on its outer face 14, a complementary fastening device 20, which can cooperate with the fastening device 18 to reversibly fix the retaining strip 2 to itself. Thus, when the retaining strip 2 is wound onto a coil of the bandage, the inner face 12 of one of its ends 16 is applied to the outer face 14 of the other end 16 so as to apply the fastening device 18 to the complementary fastening device 20 and to make these cooperate together to fix the retaining strip 2 to itself and thus ensure the fixing of the retaining strip 2 to the bandage.
[0048] According to one embodiment, the outer face 6 of the compression bandage 1 also includes a supplementary fastening device (not shown) such that the fastening device 18 on the inner face 12 of the support strip(s) 2 cooperates with the supplementary fastening device on the outer face 6 of the compression bandage when the support device surrounds a turn of the bandage to ensure direct attachment between the support strip(s) 2 and the compression bandage 1. Thus, the support strip(s) 2 are fixed to the bandage as they are applied to the bandage to go around it. Furthermore, unintentional separation between the support strip(s) 2 and the bandage is prevented.It is understood that the additional fixing device provided on the outer face 6 of the compression band is not necessarily identical to the additional fixing device 20 provided on the outer face 14 of the support strip 2. Thus, the additional fixing device on the outer face 6 of the compression band is obtained for example without special treatment of the outer face 6 of the compression band, which can naturally be adapted to cooperate with the fixing device 18 of the inner face of the support strip(s) 2.
[0049] According to a particular embodiment, the retaining band 2 makes a complete turn around one spiral of the bandage and is only fixed to the compression band 1 by the cooperation of the fastening device 18 and the additional fastening device on the outer face 6 of the compression band 1. In other words, according to this embodiment, the retaining band 2 is not fixed to itself and makes exactly one complete turn around the bandage, the ends 16 of the retaining band 2 being joined end to end to form the band. According to this embodiment, and although not preferred, the outer face 14 of the retaining band 2 may then be without an additional fastening device.
[0050] The support band 2 can therefore adapt to several diameters of the limb part 4, by being fixed to itself, and possibly to the bandage, when the circumference of the limb part 4 is less than the length of the support band 2, by being fixed only to the compression band 1 when the circumference of the limb part 4 is substantially equal to the length of the support band 2 or by being fixed to another support band 2 when the circumference of the limb part 4 is greater than the length of a support band 2. It is understood that more than two support bands 2 can be provided if necessary.
[0051] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the fastening device 18 is formed by hooks 22 projecting from the inner face 12 of the retaining strip 2, and the supplementary fastening device 20 is formed by loops 24 projecting from the outer face 14 of the retaining strip 2 and / or the outer face 6 of the compression band 1. As previously stated, the loops provided on the outer face 14 of the retaining strip 2 do not necessarily have the same dimensions as the loops formed on the outer face 6 of the compression band 1. The hooks 22 are adapted to hook into the loops 24 to ensure reversible fastening between the fastening device 18 and the supplementary fastening device 20.Advantageously, the hooks 22 extend over the entire inner face 12 of the retaining strip 2 and the loops 24 extend over the entire outer face 14 of the retaining strip 2 and / or the outer face 6 of the compression band 1. Thus, any part of the inner face 12 of the retaining strip 2 can be attached to any part of the outer face 14 of the retaining strip 2 and / or of another retaining strip 2 and / or any part of the outer face 6 of the compression band 1. It is understood that the fastening device 18 could be of another nature, such as an adhesive suitable for reversibly adhering to the outer face 14 of the retaining strip 2 and / or of another retaining strip and / or to the outer face 6 of the compression band 1.
[0052] The banding of a coil of the bandage by the retention device is such that the inner face 12 of the retention strip(s) 2 extends entirely over the bandage; that is to say, the retention strip(s) 2 are applied only to the outer face 6 of the compression band 1 and / or to the retention strip 2 and not to the patient's skin. Thus, the banding does not impair the comfort of wearing the bandage.
[0053] Furthermore, the strapping is adjusted around the coil of the bandage; that is, the retaining device is wrapped around the bandage without altering the pressure exerted by the compression band 1 on the limb part 4. Such an adjustment slightly increases the interface pressure between the coils and thus increases the coefficient of friction of the coil covered by the strapping on the preceding coil partially covered by this strapping. The increased coefficient of friction reduces, or even eliminates, the slippage of the covered coil on the preceding coil, and consequently the slippage of the preceding coil on the coil it covers, and so on. The strapping also has the effect of dimensionally fixing the length of the compression band 1 on the last coil, which can then prevent it from stretching, losing compression force, and slipping.
[0054] The retaining device is advantageously positioned on the bandage in the vicinity of one of the end coils of the bandage, more particularly the coil upper end loop 10 in the case of a bandage applied to the lower part of a leg, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In one embodiment, the retention device is applied to and surrounds the upper end loop 10 of the bandage. Indeed, in the case of a bandage applied to the lower part of a leg, it has been observed that the phenomenon of loop slippage is more pronounced towards the end of the bandage, while the beginning of the bandage is practically not subject to such slippage. It has also been observed that a single strap near the upper end loop 10 can eliminate this phenomenon for a long period of time, in particular more than 24 hours. As shown in [Fig. 4], the strap is, for example, provided around a loop extending around the upper part of the calf near the knee of the leg.More specifically, the strapping is positioned, for example, just above the widest part of the calf, that is, above the calf's natural curve. This prevents the strapping from sliding down the leg due to gravity. More specifically, the strapping is placed, for example, between the largest circumference of the calf and the circumference of the calf where the bandage ends.
[0055] The support strap(s) 2 are, for example, applied substantially along the axis of the limb portion 4 to which the bandage is applied. Thus, when the bandage is applied at an angle of less than 45° with a direction perpendicular to the length of the limb portion 4, the band can be applied over two consecutive turns as shown in [Fig. 3], while being applied primarily over the uppermost turn of these two turns. In other words, according to the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the band extends mainly over the uppermost turn 10 and marginally over the preceding turn.
[0056] It is understood that the bandage may comprise more than one compression band 1, for example, two compression bands. In this case, the strapping is applied to the outer compression band 1, which covers another compression band. The two compression bands are, for example, applied in opposite directions of wrapping, which reduces the slippage of the outer compression band on the inner compression band, this slippage being further reduced by the presence of the strapping formed by the retaining device. Alternatively, the strapping may be applied between the inner and outer compression bands, i.e., the strapping is applied to the inner compression band.In this case, the inner face of the retaining band(s) 2 forming this band includes a fastening device arranged to cooperate with the outer face of the inner compression band, and the outer face of the retaining band(s) 2 forming the band includes a fastening device arranged to cooperate with the inner face of the outer compression band.
[0057] It may also be envisaged to provide more than one support device in order to form bands around several areas of the bandage or one or more support devices comprising several support bands 2 around circumferences of limbs greater than the length of the band, as described previously.
[0058] Since the retaining strip(s) 2 are formed from one or more separate pieces of the compression bandage 1, they can be used with different models of compression bandage. In other words, it is not necessary to make a retaining strip 2 specific to a particular model of compression bandage 1. Furthermore, the retaining strip(s) 2 can easily be removed when the bandage needs to be changed and then repositioned once the bandage has been changed. If, at the same time, the compression bandage needs to be changed, it is not necessary to also change the retaining strip(s) 2.
[0059] The compression device has been described for application to a patient's leg. However, it is understood that the compression device can be applied to another part of a limb, such as a forearm, with the lower coil of the bandage being, for example, wrapped around a hand or wrist and the upper coil of the bandage being, for example, wrapped near the elbow.
Claims
Demands
1. Compression device comprising at least one compression band (1) extending in an elongation direction (L) and at least one retention device comprising at least one retention band (2) extending in an extension direction, said compression band (1) being extensible at least in the elongation direction (L) and the retention band (2) being substantially inextensible in the extension direction, the compression band (1) forming a bandage comprising coils when wrapped in the elongation direction (L) around a part of a limb (4) of a patient, the retention band (2) comprising at least one reversible fastening device (18) on the compression band (1), characterized in that the compression band (1) and the retention device are formed by separate parts,said support device being wound in the extension direction onto the compression bandage (1) and being reversibly fixed onto at least one turn of the bandage by making at least one complete turn of said turn in the elongation direction (L) to form a band around said turn and the limb part (4) when the compression bandage (1) is wrapped around said limb part (4).
2. Compression device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining strip (2) comprises an inner face (12), applied to the coil of the bandage, and an outer face (14), opposite the inner face (12), the reversible fixing device (18) of the retaining strip extending over the inner face (12).
3. Compression device according to claim 2, wherein the retaining strip (2) comprises a complementary fastening device (20) extending over the outer face (14), one end (16) of the retaining strip (2) being applied to the opposite end (16) of the retaining strip (2) such that a portion of the inner face (12) is applied to a portion of the outer face (14) and said complementary fastening device (20) cooperates with the reversible fastening device (18) to fix the retaining strip (2) to itself or to another retaining strip of the retaining device when the retaining device is wound around the coil of the bandage.
4. Compression device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the compression band (2) comprises an inner face, applied to the patient's skin when the compression band (1) forms a bandage around a part of the patient's limb (4), and an outer face (6), opposite the inner face, a complementary fastening device (20) extending over the outer face (6) and cooperating with the reversible fastening device (18) of the retaining band (2) so as to directly fix the retaining band (2) to the coil of the bandage when the retaining device is wound around the coil of the bandage.
5. Compression device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the reversible fastening device (18) comprises hooks (22) and the complementary fastening device (20) comprises loops (24), the hooks (22) being able to hook with the loops (24).
6. Compression device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bandage extends between two end coils (8, 10), the retaining device being wound around one of said end coils (8, 10).
7. Compression device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining strip (2) has a length, measured along the extension direction, substantially between 30 cm and 60 cm and a width, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction, substantially greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to the width of the compression strip, measured along a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongation direction (L).
8. Compression device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the compression strip (1) is a dry strip.