Pressure pad comprising variously distributed raised portions

Abstract

The present invention relates to pressure pads for orthopaedic aids or compression clothing, comprising a pressure pad main part having an upper side and a lower side, wherein on its upper side the pressure pad main part has at least one group of raised portions, each group having at least four such raised portions, characterized in that the at least four raised portions of each of the at least one groups are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line, there being one imaginary line per group. The invention also relates to orthoses, bandages or compression clothing comprising a pressure pad of this kind.

Description

[0001] Pelotte comprehensive differently distributed elevations

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to pads for orthopedic aids or compression garments, comprising a pad base body with an upper side and a lower side, wherein the pad base body has on the upper side at least one grouping of at least four elevations each, characterized in that the at least four elevations of the at least one grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line, and orthoses, bandages or compression garments comprising such a pad.

[0004] It is known to provide pads for orthopedic aids or compression garments with elevations, such as knobs, on the upper side of the pad body, i.e., the side of the pad body facing the body of the person wearing the orthopedic aid or compression garment, which are intended to provide a massage effect. Such pads, as in EP 0 598 291 A1, EP 1 688 107 A2, or DE 10 2020 203 999 A1, have a plurality of elevations, in particular knobs, which are arranged symmetrically, in particular in a row, on the upper side of the pad base body.

[0005] The technical problem underlying the present invention is the provision of improved pads, in particular pads that can exert a specific, precise pressure on a muscle strand in addition to a flat pressure. In particular, the technical problem underlying the present invention is the provision of a pad that leads to an improved massage effect, in particular a massage effect through movement of the elevations or the muscle.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention is solved by providing a pad according to claim 1.

[0007] The technical problem underlying the invention is solved by providing a pad for orthopedic aids or compression garments, comprising a pad base body with an upper side and a lower side, wherein the pad base body has on the upper side at least one grouping of at least four elevations each, characterized in that the at least four elevations of the at least one grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0008] According to the invention, the groupings of at least four elevations are not distributed linearly, but rather non-linearly due to the different distances from the imaginary line. Surprisingly, it was found that when elevations, especially knobs or cones, are not distributed at the tip of a muscle strand, but rather partly at the tip and partly just next to it, the muscle strand is massaged more effectively. Without being bound by theory, this appears to be caused by a displacement of the strand in several dimensions.

[0009] A skeletal muscle consists of several bundles of muscle fibers that converge at the tendon bone insertion and are connected to the bone there. From the tendon bone insertion, the muscle fibers usually diverge at a slight angle before spreading out and then continuing to run roughly parallel.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, a pad is understood to mean in particular a pressure pad, the shape of which is formed in particular by the pad base body. The pad base body can have any suitable shape. Conventional pads typically have flat base surfaces. Projections can then protrude from such a base surface. A pad according to the invention has in particular a first base surface or base surface which faces the user when the pad is in use, i.e. the upper side. A pad is preferably designed to be essentially flat. Such a pad then preferably has a second base surface or base surface which faces away from the user when the pad is in use, i.e. the underside. The peg-shaped elevations point from the pad base body towards the user.

[0011] An imaginary line is understood in particular to be a straight line which does not have to be present on the surface of the plate, i.e. it does not have to be drawn in or present as an elevation or depression, but which is mentally present for the expert when designing a pad.

[0012] The typical use of a pad is known to those skilled in the art. Pads, including the pads according to the invention, are used in particular to exert pressure on specific parts of the body, for example, in the back area or around the kneecap.

[0013] It can also relieve pressure on the patella, for example. Therefore, depending on the intended use, the pad can either exert pressure in a specific area, distribute it more effectively, or reduce it.

[0014] The pads are positioned and pressed onto the corresponding area of ​​the body using other devices, particularly bandages or orthoses.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad base body has at least two groupings of at least four elevations each on the upper side, characterized in that the at least four elevations of a grouping are each positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0016] Preferably, the at least two imaginary lines do not run parallel.

[0017] The area of ​​at least four elevations of at least two groups in the pad serves to attach to the muscle fiber area, especially near the tendon bone insertion, where the muscle fibers do not run parallel but diverge.

[0018] Because the ridges are aligned with the course of the muscle fibers, they may run parallel to each other laterally, exerting pressure on the muscle fibers they are associated with at equal distances. Several groups of ridges may therefore also run parallel to each other in certain areas, so that the ridges in the parallel areas exert pressure on the muscle fibers that run roughly parallel.

[0019] It may therefore be intended that individual elevations run parallel and / or that further elevations run parallel on imaginary lines.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad base body has at least three groups of at least four elevations each, wherein the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad base body has at least four groups of at least four elevations each, wherein the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad base body has four to ten groupings of at least four elevations each, wherein the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad base body has three to six groupings of at least four elevations each, wherein the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad base body has a plurality of groupings of at least four elevations each, wherein the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0024] The number of elevations can be adjusted to the area and / or the course or size of the muscle strand to be treated. For example, 4 to 12 or 4 to 25 elevations can be planned.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that each group comprises four to 25 elevations, each positioned at different distances from an imaginary line. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that each group comprises four to 12 elevations, each positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the elevations of a grouping are arranged partly to the right and partly to the left of the imaginary line. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that approximately half of the elevations of a grouping are arranged to the right and approximately half to the left of the imaginary line. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that 25% to 75% of the elevations of a grouping are arranged to the right and 75% to 25% to the left of the imaginary line. One elevation of the grouping can also lie on the imaginary line. However, two or more elevations can also lie on the imaginary line.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that two of the imaginary lines run at an angle of at least 1° and at most 89° to each other.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the distance between a grouping of at least four elevations and the associated imaginary line is at most half the distance between two imaginary lines, each of which is associated with a grouping of at least four elevations.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the at least one imaginary line, in particular at least two imaginary lines, are positioned in the pad base body such that they are localized in the area of ​​muscle strands, in particular along muscle strands, when the pad is in place.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the at least two imaginary lines run at an angle of at least 3° to each other, in particular that in the case of a plurality of imaginary lines, two adjacent imaginary lines run at an angle of at least 3°.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the at least one imaginary line, in particular at least two imaginary lines, are positioned in the pad base body such that, when the pad is in place, they extend at an angle of 1° to 90°, in particular of 5° to 85°, from another imaginary line that is located along muscle strands.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the at least one imaginary line, in particular at least two imaginary lines, are positioned in the pad base body such that, when the pad is in place, they branch off at an angle of 75° to 105° from another imaginary line that is located along muscle strands. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the at least one imaginary line, in particular at least two imaginary lines, are positioned in the pad base body such that, when the pad is in place, they branch off at an angle of 91° to 179°, in particular of 95° to 175° from another imaginary line that is located along muscle strands.

[0033] The specialist can easily determine the appropriate angle of the adjacent imaginary lines because he knows the individual muscle fiber courses of different muscle groups.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two imaginary lines in the pad base body are positioned in such a way that, when the pad is in place, they are located in the area of ​​muscle strands and can exert pressure on them.

[0035] When manufacturing the pad, the specialist can determine the appropriate positioning and dimensioning of the pad and the elevations in the pad base body depending on the intended use, i.e. depending on the muscle on whose muscle fiber strands pressure is to be exerted by the elevations.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the at least two imaginary lines, in particular at least three imaginary lines, especially in the case of a plurality of imaginary lines, do not converge at a single point. Alternatively, the imaginary lines may converge at a single point.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized by the elevations being cone-shaped or knob-shaped. Preferably, the elevations are cones or knobs, particularly preferably knobs.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the elevations have a height of at least 1 mm and a maximum of 10 mm, for example, approximately 3 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the elevations have a height of at least 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the elevations have a height of at least 3 mm. The height is measured from the top of the pad. The pad is preferably at least partially viscoelastic, thus preferably having at least one viscoelastic subregion.

[0039] Preferably, the pad base body is viscoelastic at least in a partial area. Preferably, the pad base body is viscoelastic. Preferably, the pad base body is made of a viscoelastic material.

[0040] The material of the pad base body is preferably plastic, silicone, or rubber. However, a person skilled in the art will also be familiar with other suitable materials for a pad base body.

[0041] For example, the material could be thermoplastic elastomers. Polyurethanes, for example, are also suitable.

[0042] Preferably, the material of the pad base body is flexible and / or stretchable so that the pad base body can adapt to the user's body shape when the pad is put on.

[0043] Preferably, the pad base material is not a textile material. However, in an alternative embodiment, the pad base can also be additionally surrounded by a textile sheath or coated in another way.

[0044] The pad base material can of course also consist of mixtures of materials, in particular of at least two of the materials mentioned.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the pad base body has a Shore hardness of at least 10 Shore 00 and at most 50 Shore 00.

[0046] The material of the pad base body preferably has a hardness of at most 45 Shore 00, preferably at most 40 Shore 00, particularly preferably at most 30 Shore 00. The material of the pad base body preferably has a hardness of at most 25 Shore 00, preferably at most 20 Shore 00, particularly preferably at most 19 Shore 00. The material of the pad base body preferably has a hardness of at least 10 Shore 00, in particular at least 14 Shore 00, particularly preferably at least 15 Shore 00. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad has no further peg-shaped or knob-shaped elevations, in particular no further elevations, between the groupings of elevations.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, a protrusion has a different distance from each adjacent protrusion of a grouping. In a preferred embodiment, a protrusion has a different distance from each adjacent protrusion.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the at least four elevations of the at least one grouping are spaced at different distances from one another. In a preferred embodiment, the at least four elevations of each grouping are spaced at different distances from one another. In a preferred embodiment, all elevations are spaced at different distances from one another.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the distance of the at least four elevations of a grouping to the associated imaginary line is arbitrary.

[0050] The pad can be a single piece, with the raised portions made of the same material as the pad's base. Alternatively, the raised portions can be made of a different, particularly harder, material. This material is preferably enclosed within the pad's base.

[0051] The raised areas can be designed by a specialist to create counterpressure to the muscle's position. Suitable designs for this purpose are known to those skilled in the art, which are neither too rigid nor too elastic. Surprisingly, it has been shown that conventional raised areas, which massage directly at the highest point of the muscle strand, can compress the muscle strand but cannot shift it laterally. This shifting effect improves muscle relaxation because the muscle is stretched in another dimension.

[0052] The raised portions, particularly pegs or knobs, of the at least two rows are preferably not rigid, but rather flexible. This has the advantage that the movement of the joints adjacent to the muscle causes the muscle to shorten or stretch. With a non-rigid design of the raised portions, the muscle moves beneath them, thus beneficially massaging itself.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, the elevations, in particular pegs or knobs, of the at least two rows may be rigid.

[0054] One embodiment is a pad according to the invention comprising a pad base body made of a first material and at least one pad pressure element made of a second material, wherein the pad pressure element is at least partially embedded in the pad base body and wherein the first material of the pad base body is softer than the second material of the pad pressure element, wherein the pad pressure element forms the elevations and wherein the elevations protrude from a base element of the pad pressure element.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is characterized in that the pad is an elbow pad, a shoulder pad, a knee pad, an ankle pad, a back pad, a pad for the arm area, a pad for the leg area, in particular the thigh area or lower leg area, or a pad for the abdominal area.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is an elbow pad or a shoulder pad. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is an extremity pad, in particular an arm pad. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is an elbow pad, a shoulder pad, a knee pad, an ankle pad, a pad for the arm area or a pad for the leg area, in particular the thigh area or lower leg area. In a preferred embodiment, the pad is a In an alternative embodiment, the pad is a back pad or a pad for the abdominal area.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, the pad is a shoulder pad. In another alternative embodiment, the pad is a pad for the hip area or the buttocks area.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is an elbow pad, a shoulder pad, a hip pad, or a pad for the buttocks area. Preferably, the pad is not a foot pad and / or a shoe sole. Preferably, the pad is not a shoe sole. The pad according to the invention is preferably not a shoe insole or foot insole.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is not a back pad.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the pad is an elbow pad, wherein the base body of the pad has a hole for positioning the pad, i.e. a base body positioning hole.

[0061] The hole in the base body is advantageous for defining the position of the pad on the patient's body and for positioning the pad. For example, the hole in the base body can be positioned and dimensioned so that it encompasses the bone attachment in the elbow area, thus securing the position of the pad.

[0062] The present invention also relates to an orthosis, a bandage or compression garment comprising a pad according to the invention.

[0063] The pad is ideal not only for medical products, such as orthoses or supports, but also for other compression garments, such as those used in sports. The pad can also be used in sportswear, especially sports compression garments.

[0064] Further preferred objects of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the auxiliary claims.

[0065] The invention is described in more detail with reference to the following figures, without the embodiments of the invention shown there being understood to be limited.

[0066] Figure 1 shows schematically a pad according to the invention.

[0067] Figure 2 shows schematically an imaginary line with an associated grouping of elevations.

[0068] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a possible embodiment of a pad according to the invention from above. Figure 4 shows a schematic view of another possible embodiment of a pad according to the invention from above.

[0069] Figure 1 shows a pad (100) according to the invention, comprising a pad base body (103) with a top side (101) and a bottom side (102). A first imaginary line (10) and a second imaginary line (20) are sketched on the top side (101). Seven elevations in the form of knobs (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) are positioned along the first imaginary line (10) as a first grouping, each of these knobs (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) having a different distance from the first imaginary line (10). Also along the second imaginary line (20) six elevations in the form of knobs (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) are positioned as a second grouping, each of these knobs (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) having a different distance from the imaginary second line (20).

[0070] Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of an imaginary line (10) along which eight elevations in the form of studs (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are grouped. The distance (al, al2, al3, al4, al5, al6, al7, al8) of the studs (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) from the imaginary line (10) is different for each individual case. The distance (bl, b2, b3, b4) of a stud (14) to the neighboring studs (12, 13, 15, 16) also varies.

[0071] Figure 3 schematically shows a possible embodiment of a pad (110) according to the invention from above. The upper side (111) of the pad (110) has four groupings of nubs, namely a first grouping (11, 12, 13, 14) of nubs along a first imaginary straight line (10), a second grouping (21, 22, 23, 24) of nubs along a second imaginary straight line (20), a third grouping (31, 32, 33, 34) of nubs along a third imaginary straight line (30), and a fourth grouping (41, 42, 43, 44) of nubs along a fourth imaginary straight line (40). All nubs in a grouping have a different distance from the imaginary straight line belonging to the grouping. The four imaginary lines (10,20,30,40) start at a common point (P) and are not parallel, whereby the respective angle (alpha, beta, gamma) is also different.

[0072] Figure 4 schematically shows a possible embodiment of a pad (120) according to the invention from above. The upper side (121) of the pad (120) has four groupings of nubs, namely a first grouping (11, 12, 13, 14) of nubs along a first imaginary straight line (10), a second grouping (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) of nubs along a second imaginary straight line (20), a third grouping (31, 32, 33, 34) of nubs along a third imaginary straight line (30), and a fourth grouping (41, 42, 43, 44) of nubs along a fourth imaginary straight line (40). All nubs in a grouping have a different distance from the imaginary straight line belonging to the grouping. The four imaginary lines (10,20,30,40) do not start at a common point and run parallel (10,20) or not parallel (20,30,40).

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A pad for orthopaedic aids or compression garments, comprising a pad base body with a top side and a bottom side, wherein the pad base body has on the top side at least one grouping of at least four elevations each, characterized in that the at least four elevations of the at least one grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

2. Pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the pad base body has on the upper side at least two groupings of at least four elevations each, characterized in that the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

3. Pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two imaginary lines do not run parallel.

4. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pad base body has three to six groupings of at least four elevations each, wherein the at least four elevations of a grouping are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

5. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each group has four to 12 elevations which are positioned at different distances from an imaginary line.

6. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations of a grouping are arranged partly to the right and partly to the left of the imaginary line.

7. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two of the imaginary lines run at an angle of at least 1° and at most 89° to each other.

8. Pelotte according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance of a grouping of at least four elevations to the associated imaginary line is at most half as large as the distance between two imaginary lines to which a grouping of at least four elevations is associated.

9. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one imaginary line, in particular at least two imaginary lines, are positioned in the pad base body such that they are localized in the area of ​​muscle strands, in particular along muscle strands, when the pad is in place.

10. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two imaginary lines run at an angle of at least 3° to each other, in particular that in the case of a plurality of imaginary lines, two adjacent imaginary lines run at an angle of at least 3° to each other.

11. Pad according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the at least one imaginary line, in particular at least two imaginary lines, are positioned in the pad base body such that, when the pad is in place, they extend at an angle of 1° to 89° from another imaginary line which is located along muscle strands.

12. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two imaginary lines, in particular that in the case of a plurality of imaginary lines, the imaginary lines do not converge at one point.

13. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevations are cone-shaped or knob-shaped.

14. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pad has no further peg-shaped or knob-shaped elevations between the groupings of elevations.

15. Pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance of the at least four elevations of a grouping to the associated imaginary line is arbitrary.

16. A pad according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pad is an elbow pad, a shoulder pad, a knee pad, an ankle pad, a back pad, a pad for the arm area, a pad for the leg area, or a pad for the abdominal area.

17. An orthosis, bandage, or compression garment comprising a pad according to one of the preceding claims.

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