Knitted device for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions comprising a plurality of protrusions
The knitted device forms protrusions through separate yarn knitting and weft deposition, addressing production complexity and enabling adjustable protrusion characteristics for enhanced massage effects.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing knitted devices for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions are complex to produce due to the integration of protruding elements, requiring additional sewing or knitting steps, making it difficult to adjust the shape, dimensions, and number of protrusions.
A knitted device where protrusions are formed by separately knitting yarns and depositing a weft yarn in each protrusion, allowing for easy integration and adjustment of protrusion characteristics using a single knitting machine, with elastic or inelastic yarns to provide variable pressure based on limb volume.
Enables a single-step production of a knitted device with adjustable protrusions, offering deformability or variable pressure, enhancing massage effects on the skin by promoting microcirculation, and facilitating easy integration into treatment devices.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Knitted device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions comprising a plurality of protrusions
[0001] The present invention relates to a knitted device for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions, of the type comprising a plurality of protuberances connected to each other by a web, said web and said protuberances being knitted from at least two knitting yarns and one weft yarn, the two knitting yarns being knitted together to form the web, the weft yarn being deposited in said web.
[0002] It is known to produce a device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions in the form of a band or sleeve of textile material formed from two layers of textile holding together a plurality of foam pads forming protrusions within the treatment device. These protrusions are arranged to generate a massaging effect on the patient's skin in order to promote surface microcirculation at the level of a superficial cutaneous network to, for example, reduce edema. Document EP 1 926 458 describes, for example, such a device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions.
[0003] Such devices are complex to produce because the protruding elements must be integrated into the textile article, for example during the sewing or knitting of the textile article or by inserting the elements between two layers of textile which are then joined together to ensure the retention of the elements, as described in the document mentioned above.
[0004] One of the aims of the invention is to provide a knitted treatment device comprising several protruding zones that can be easily integrated into the treatment device.
[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a knitted device for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions of the aforementioned type, in which the knitting yarns are knitted separately and are separated from each other to form each protrusion, the weft yarn being deposited in each protrusion so as to pad each protrusion.
[0006] Thus, in the knitted device for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions according to the invention, the protrusions are directly formed by the yarns constituting the knitted treatment device, so that it is not necessary to add any additional elements to be attached to or within the knitted treatment device. A finished knitted treatment device can therefore be obtained in a single knitting step with a single knitting machine. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, location, and / or number of protrusions can be easily adjusted by a setting of the knitting machine or by means of a knitting machine control program allowing the number of needles and / or the number of knitting rows to be changed, which allows the size of the protrusion(s) in the knitted article to be changed.
[0007] The knitted processing device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination: - the weft yarn is elastic to make the treatment device deformable by applying a substantially constant level of pressure when applied to a part of a user's limb having a substantially constant volume; - the weft yarn is inelastic to make the restraint treatment device apply a variable level of pressure when applied to a part of a user's limb with a substantially constant volume; - the weft yarn is laid taut in the said sheet and loosely and freely in each protrusion; - at least one of the two knitting yarns is elastic; - the treatment device presents an alternation of hollow areas, formed by the water table, and raised areas, formed by the protrusions; - a first knitting yarn of the knitting yarns is knitted according to a 1 and 1 rib structure and a second knitting yarn of the knitting yarns is knitted according to a reverse stockinette structure or according to a 1 and 1 rib structure in the tablecloth; - the first knitting yarn is knitted according to a reverse stockinette stitch structure and the second knitting yarn is knitted according to a stockinette stitch structure in each protrusion; - the processing device further comprises a third knitting yarn, said third knitting yarn being knitted with the two knitting yarns in the web and being knitted with only one of the knitting yarns in each protrusion or being laid loosely and freely with the weft yarn in each protrusion; and - the treatment device comprises a reverse face exhibiting a first hardness and a front face exhibiting a second hardness different from the first hardness.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] [Fig-1] - [Fig.1] is a schematic top view representation of a device treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions according to the invention,
[0010] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of the knitted processing device of the [Fig. 1] according to a first embodiment of the invention showing a protuberance,
[0011] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of the knitting of the device knitted treatment of the [Fig.2] in a part forming the sheet of the knitted treatment device,
[0012] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of the knitting of the device knitted treatment of the [Fig.2] in a part forming a protrusion of the knitted treatment device,
[0013] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of a knitted treatment device according to a second embodiment of the invention showing a protuberance,
[0014] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of the knitting of the device knitted treatment of the [Fig.5] in a part forming a protrusion of the knitted treatment device,
[0015] [Fig.7] - [Fig.7] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of a knitted treatment device according to a third embodiment of the invention showing a protuberance,
[0016] [Fig.8] - [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of the knit of the knitted processing device of [Fig.7] in a part forming the sheet of the knitted processing device, and
[0017] [Fig.9] - [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of the knitting of the device knitted treatment of the [Fig.7] in a part forming a protrusion of the knitted treatment device.
[0018] With reference to [Fig.1], a knitted cutaneous and subcutaneous treatment device 1 (referred to as the treatment device in the following description) is described, comprising a layer 2 connecting a plurality of protuberances 4.
[0019] Such a device for treating skin conditions may, for example, take the form of a strip with alternating hollows, formed by the layer 2, and raised areas formed by the protrusions. In this case, the layer 2 is substantially flat when the strip is laid flat on a flat surface. Alternatively, the treatment device may be shaped to form a sleeve that can encircle a part of a user's limb. In this case, the layer 2 forms a tubular body.
[0020] The sheet 2 defines a reverse side 6, intended to be applied against the user's skin, and a front side 8, opposite the reverse side 6 and facing outwards. The thickness of the treatment device 1 is defined along the direction from the reverse face 6 to the front face 8, called thickness direction, as being the distance separating the reverse face 6 and the front face 8.
[0021] The protrusions 4 extend outward from the layer 2 along the thickness direction. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 7, the protrusion extends outward from the reverse side 6 and / or the front side 8 of the layer 2. The protrusions 4 are more particularly arranged to form pads extending outward primarily from the reverse side 6 of the treatment device 1 so as to be applied against the skin of a user operating the treatment device. The pads can have various dimensions and shapes by adjusting the knitting machine and depending on the knitting and weft yarns chosen, these yarns being characterized in particular by their yarn count, their elastic or non-elastic behavior, and even their tension under a given elongation, as will be described in more detail later.
[0022] A person skilled in the art may refer to documents EP 1 926 458 and EP 3 128 968 for different arrangements and uses of such a device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions.
[0023] The layer 2 has, for example, a thickness of approximately between 0.5 mm and 3 mm and the protrusions 4 have, for example, a thickness of approximately between 5 mm and 25 mm.
[0024] Several embodiments of the structure of the knit of the knitted processing device according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 9.
[0025] Generally, the treatment device 1 according to the invention is obtained by knitting at least two knitting yarns, namely a first knitting yarn 12 and a second knitting yarn 14, and a weft yarn 16. More particularly, the layer 2 is obtained by knitting together the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 and depositing the weft yarn 16 in this knitting, and the protrusions 4 are obtained by knitting separately the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 so that they are separated from each other and depositing the weft yarn 16 in the protrusions 4 thus formed so as to form a padding of the protrusions 4. By knitted together, it is understood that the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 cross in the body. At the level of a protuberance 4, the first knitting yarn 12 forms the wrong side 6 of the protuberance 4 and the second knitting yarn 14 forms the right side 8 of the protuberance 4.
[0026] In the figures, the first knitting yarn 12 is represented in a regular line, the second knitting yarn 14 in a dotted line and the weft yarn 16 in a bold line.
[0027] The first knitting yarn 12 can be an elastic or non-elastic yarn with a count, for example, between 17 dtex and 680 dtex. By elastic, we mean a yarn that can be stretched under the effect of an external force intended to lengthen the yarn and returning to its initial length when this stress is removed. An elastic thread, for example, has a maximum elongation before breaking of 300% or more. A non-elastic thread is one that is essentially inextensible under external stress intended to stretch it. A non-elastic thread, for example, has a maximum elongation before breaking of 100% or less.
[0028] A non-elastic yarn is, for example, a yarn made of one or more of the following textile materials: - Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.; - Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; - Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, etc. polypropylene, etc.
[0029] An elastic yarn is for example a single wrapped yarn, a double wrapped yarn or a structure of the type "core spun yarn".
[0030] In the case of a single-wrapped or double-wrapped yarn, the wrapping operations are carried out by a spiral winding technique around an elastic core yarn, or by air-jet interlacing around an elastic core yarn. The core yarn is, for example, made of one or more elastane or latex filaments, with a density, for example, between 17 dtex and 475 dtex. The cover yarn(s) are made of one or more of the following textile materials: - Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.; - Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; - Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, etc. polypropylene, elastane, etc.
[0031] In the case of a core-spun yarn structure, the core yarn is, for example, made of an elastane or latex filament with a density between 17 dtex and 475 dtex. The fiber layers surrounding the core are, for example, made of one or more of the following textile materials: - Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.; - Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; - Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, etc. polypropylene, etc.
[0032] The second knitting yarn 14 can also be an elastic or non-elastic yarn, examples of which are given above.
[0033] According to different embodiments, the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 may be identical or different from each other. It should be noted, however, that at least one of the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 is an elastic yarn.
[0034] The weft yarn 16 can also be an elastic or a non-elastic yarn depending on the function of the processing device 1, as will be described in more detail later. In an embodiment in which the weft yarn 16 is elastic, the weft yarn 16 has, for example, a count of substantially between 300 dtex and 1500 dtex. More particularly, the weft yarn 16 is, for example, a double-wrapped yarn, comprising a core made of an elastane monofilament having a count of 1280 dtex and two polyamide wrapping yarns. When the weft yarn 16 is non-elastic, the weft yarn 16 has, for example, a count of between 300 dtex and 1500 dtex and is, for example, a yarn made of one or more of the following textile materials: - Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.; - Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; - Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, etc. polypropylene, etc.
[0035] According to various embodiments, particularly those shown in Figs. 2 to 6, the processing device 1 further comprises at least one third knitting yarn 18, which may be elastic or non-elastic. In the case of a non-elastic third knitting yarn 18, the third knitting yarn 18 is, for example, a non-elastic yarn as described previously for the first and second knitting yarns 12 and 14. In the case of an elastic yarn, the third knitting yarn 18 is, for example, an elastic yarn as described previously for the first and second knitting yarns 12 and 14. In the figures, the third knitting yarn 18 is shown in thin lines.
[0036] As previously stated and as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, layer 2 is formed by knitting the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 together. If present, the third knitting yarn 18 is also knitted with the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 to form layer 2, as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 3 and 8, in layer 2, the weft yarn 16 is laid taut, being held in place in particular in layer 2 by the first knitting yarn 12, as will be described in more detail later.
[0037] In the protrusions 4, the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 are knitted separately from each other and separated from each other, so as to define a pocket 20 between them, receiving the weft yarn 16. More specifically, the first knitting yarn 12 forms the wrong side 6 of the processing device 1 in each protrusion 4 and the second knitting yarn 14 forms the right side 8 of the processing device 1 in each protrusion 4. In the pocket 20, the weft yarn 16 is received freely and loosely so as to form a padding of the pocket 20, as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7. By "freely and loosely", it is meant that the weft yarn 16 fills the pocket 20 by forming folds inside this pocket 20, the length of weft yarn 16 present inside the pocket 20 allowing the thickness and flexibility of the pocket 20 to be adjusted.
[0038] When a third knitting yarn 18 is provided, it is, according to a first embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 4, knitted with the first knitting yarn 12 in each protrusion 4 so as to form with the first knitting yarn 12 the reverse side 6 of the knitted orthosis 1 in each protrusion 4. According to a second embodiment, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the third knitting yarn 18 is received loosely and freely with the weft yarn 16 in the pocket 20 so as to form padding of the pocket 20 with the weft yarn 16 in each protrusion 4 of the treatment device 1.
[0039] The knitting of the different yarns of the knitted treatment device will now be described according to different embodiments.
[0040] According to a first embodiment, the knitting of which is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the treatment device 1 comprises three knitting yarns 12, 14 and 18, the third knitting yarn 18 forming the reverse face 6 of the treatment device in each protrusion 4 with the first knitting yarn 12 as described previously.
[0041] According to this embodiment, in the layer 2 whose knitting is shown in [Fig. 3], the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted in a 1x1 rib pattern and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted in a reverse stockinette stitch pattern. The third knitting yarn 18 is also knitted in a reverse stockinette stitch pattern. This pattern is produced using a knitting machine with n needles in the front bed and n needles in the back bed. "n" represents an integer number of needles, and choosing this number allows the width of the layer 2 to be adjusted. As previously stated, the weft yarn 16 is laid taut in the layer thus formed by being placed between the front and back beds of the knitting machine.
[0042] In each protrusion 4, the knitting of which is shown in [Fig. 4], the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted in a reverse stockinette stitch pattern, and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted in a front stockinette stitch pattern. The third knitting yarn 18 is knitted in a back stockinette stitch pattern and, together with the first knitting yarn 12, forms the wrong side of the processing device 1 in each protrusion 4. In each protrusion 4, the first knitting yarn 12 and the third knitting yarn 18 are knitted using n' needles from the back bed, and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted using n' needles from the front bed. "n" corresponds to an integer number of needles other than n, and the choice of this number allows the width of each protrusion to be adjusted. protrusion 4. The length of each protrusion 4 depends on the number of successive knitting rows. As previously stated, the weft yarn 16 is laid loosely and freely in the pocket 20 thus formed by being placed between the front and rear bed frames of the knitting machine.
[0043] Such an embodiment allows the size of the protrusions on one side to be varied thanks to the presence of an elastic knitting yarn. Furthermore, when three knitting yarns are used, it is possible to have yarns of different colors to give the knitted orthosis a particular appearance.
[0044] According to a second embodiment, the knitting of a protuberance 4 is shown in [Fig.6], the processing device 1 comprises three knitting yarns 12, 14 and 18, the third knitting yarn 18 forming the padding of the pocket 20 in each protuberance 4 with the weft yarn 16 as described previously.
[0045] According to this second embodiment, the knitting of tablecloth 2 is identical to that of tablecloth 2 of the first embodiment described above.
[0046] In each protrusion 4, the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted in a reverse stockinette stitch pattern, and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted in a stockinette stitch pattern. The third knitting yarn 18 is loosely and freely laid with the weft yarn 16 in the pocket 20 thus formed by being placed between the front and back bed frames of the knitting machine. In each protrusion 4, the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted using n' needles from the back bed frame, and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted using n' needles from the front bed frame. The choice of n' allows the width of each protrusion 4 to be adjusted. The length of each protrusion 4 depends on the number of successive knitting rows.
[0047] Such an embodiment makes it possible to increase the thickness of the protrusions, or even their hardness.
[0048] According to a third embodiment, shown in Figs 7 to 9, the processing device 1 comprises only the first knitting yarn 12, the second knitting yarn 14 and the weft yarn 16. In other words, the processing device 1 does not include the third knitting yarn 18 described previously.
[0049] According to this embodiment, in the layer 2 whose knitting is shown in [Fig. 8], the first knitting yarn 12 and the second knitting yarn 14 are knitted in a 1x1 rib pattern. This pattern is created using a knitting machine with n needles in the front bed and n needles in the back bed. The choice of n allows the width of the layer 2 to be adjusted. As previously stated, the weft yarn 16 is laid taut in the layer thus formed by being placed between the front and back beds of the knitting machine.
[0050] In each protrusion 4, the knitting of which is shown in [Fig. 9], the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted in a reverse stockinette stitch structure and the second yarn of Knitting 14 is knitted in a stockinette stitch pattern. The first knitting yarn 12 is knitted using n needles from the back bed, and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted using n needles from the front bed. The choice of n' allows for adjusting the width of each protrusion 4. The length of each protrusion 4 depends on the number of successive knitting rows. As previously mentioned, the weft yarn 16 is laid loosely and freely in the pocket 20 thus formed by being placed between the front and back beds of the knitting machine.
[0051] Having only two knitting yarns makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the sheet 2 and to lighten the knitted treatment device 1 obtained.
[0052] When the weft yarn 16 is elastic, the treatment device is deformable and exerts a relatively constant level of pressure if the volume of the user's limb covered by the treatment device varies little. When the weft yarn 16 is inelastic, the treatment device is constrictive, that is, it exerts pressure that can vary greatly even with a small variation in the volume of the user's limb covered by the treatment device.
[0053] The reverse side 6 may have the same hardness as the front side 8. However, according to one embodiment, the reverse side 6 has a first hardness and the front side 8 has a second hardness, different from the first hardness. Such an embodiment allows for the application of a different type of treatment depending on which side is applied against the user's skin, as will now be described.
[0054] In the case of a compression sleeve, the treatment device more specifically has a substantially trapezoidal shape with spherical or randomly shaped pads with different front and back faces. The hardness of each face is adjustable. For example, the compression sleeve has a front face with a hardness of 36 sh 00 and a back face with a hardness of 52 sh 00. Alternatively, the front face has a hardness of 40 sh 00 and the back face has a hardness of 37 sh 00. The hardness and volume of the protrusions have a direct effect on the massage effect provided by the treatment device on the user's limb covered by this treatment device. More specifically, the higher the hardness and the larger the volume of the protrusions, the more significant the massage effect will be on the edema being treated by the treatment device.Depending on the edema to be treated, one can choose which side (front and back) is applied against the user's skin in order to apply more or less firmness to the edema.
[0055] In the case of a compression band, the knitted treatment device more specifically has a substantially rectangular shape and the pads have a spherical or rectangular shape with rounded edges. The front face of a such a strip has, for example, a hardness of 36 sh 00 and the reverse side has, for example, a hardness of 52 sh 00.
Claims
Demands
1. A knitted device for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions comprising a plurality of protrusions (4) connected to each other by a layer (2), said layer (2) and said protrusions (4) being knitted from at least two knitting yarns (12, 14) and one weft yarn (16), the two knitting yarns (12, 14) being knitted together to form the layer (2), the weft yarn (16) being deposited in said layer (2), characterized in that the knitting yarns (12, 14) are knitted separately and are separated from each other to form each protrusion (4), the weft yarn (16) being deposited in each protrusion (4) so as to pad each protrusion (4).
2. Treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the weft yarn (16) is elastic to make the treatment device deformable applying a substantially constant level of pressure when applied to a part of a user's limb having a substantially constant volume.
3. Treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the weft yarn (16) is inelastic to make the restraint treatment device apply a variable level of pressure when applied to a part of a user's limb having a substantially constant volume.
4. Processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the weft yarn (16) is deposited in a taut manner in said web (2) and in a free and loose manner in each protrusion (4).
5. Processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the two knitting yarns (12, 14) is elastic.
6. Treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having an alternation of hollow areas, formed by the sheet (2), and raised areas, formed by the protrusions (4).
7. Processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first knitting yarn (12) of the knitting yarns is knitted in a 1 and 1 rib structure and a second knitting yarn (14) of the knitting yarns is knitted in a reverse stockinette structure or in a 1 and 1 rib structure in the layer (2).
8. Processing device according to claim 7, wherein the first knitting yarn (12) is knitted in a reverse stockinette structure and the second knitting yarn (14) is knitted in a stockinette structure in each protrusion (4).
9. Processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a third knitting yarn (18), said third knitting yarn (18) being knitted with the two knitting yarns (12, 14) in the web (2) and being knitted with only one of the knitting yarns (12) in each protrusion (4) or being laid loosely and freely with the weft yarn (16) in each protrusion (4).
10. Processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a reverse face (6) having a first hardness and a front face (8) having a second hardness different from the first hardness.