Knitted device for treating skin conditions and subcutaneous conditions, comprising a plurality of protuberances

Abstract

The knitted device for treating skin conditions and subcutaneous conditions comprises a plurality of protuberances (4) connected to one another by a ply (2), said ply (2) and said protuberances (4) being knitted from at least two knit yarns (12, 14) and a weft yarn (16), the two knit yarns (12, 14) being knitted together to form the ply (2), the weft yarn (16) being laid in said ply (2). The knit yarns (12, 14) are knitted separately and are spaced apart to form each protuberance (4), the weft yarn (16) being laid in each protuberance (4) so as to fill out each protuberance (4).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Knitted skin and subcutaneous condition treatment device comprising a plurality of protrusions

[0002] The present invention relates to a knitted device for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions, of the type comprising a plurality of protuberances connected to each other by a sheet, said sheet 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 sheet, the weft yarn being deposited in said sheet.

[0003] It is known to produce a device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions in the form of a strip or sleeve of textile material formed from two textile sheets holding between them a plurality of foam blocks forming protuberances in the treatment device. These protuberances are arranged to generate a massaging effect on the skin of a patient 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.

[0004] 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 textile sheets which are then assembled together to ensure the holding of the elements, as described in the document mentioned above.

[0005] One of the aims of the invention is to provide a knitted treatment device comprising several protruding zones which can be integrated in a simple manner into the treatment device.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a knitted device for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions of the aforementioned type, in which the knitted yarns are knitted separately and are spaced apart from each other to form each protuberance, the weft yarn being deposited in each protuberance so as to pad each protuberance.

[0007] Thus, in the knitted treatment device for 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 provide additional elements to be fixed on or in the knitted treatment device. A finished knitted treatment device can thus be obtained in a single knitting step with a single knitting machine. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, location and / or number of protrusions can be simply adjusted by an adjustment of the knitting machine or by means of a control program of the knitting machine for changing the number of needles and / or the number of knitting rows, thereby changing the size of the protrusion(s) in the knitted article.

[0008] The knitted treatment device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination: the weft yarn is elastic to make the treatment device deformable applying a substantially constant level of pressure when it is applied to a part of a user's limb having a substantially constant volume; the weft yarn is inelastic to make the treatment device restraint applying a variable level of pressure when it is applied to a part of a user's limb having a substantially constant volume; the weft yarn is laid tautly in said sheet and freely and loosely in each protuberance; at least one of the two knitted yarns is elastic; the treatment device has an alternation of hollow zones, formed by the sheet, and raised zones, formed by the protuberances;a first knitting yarn of the knitting yarns is knitted in a 1-and-1 rib structure and a second knitting yarn of the knitting yarns is knitted in a reverse stockinette structure or in a 1-and-1 rib structure in the web; the first knitting yarn is knitted in a reverse stockinette structure and the second knitting yarn is knitted in a front stockinette structure in each protrusion; the treatment device further comprises a third knitting yarn, said third knitting yarn being knitted with both knitting yarns in the web and being knitted with only one of the knitting yarns in each protrusion or being freely and loosely laid with the weft yarn in each protrusion; and the treatment device comprises a back side having a first hardness and a front side having a second hardness different from the first hardness.;

[0009] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: [Fig. 1] - Fig. 1 is a schematic representation from above of a device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions according to the invention,

[0010] [Fig. 2] - Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional representation of a portion of the knitted processing device of Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention showing a protrusion,

[0011] [Fig. 3] - Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the knitting of the knitted treatment device of Fig. 2 in a part forming the web of the knitted treatment device,

[0012] [Fig. 4] - Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the knitting of the knitted processing device of Fig. 2 in a protrusion-forming portion of the knitted processing device,

[0013] [Fig. 5] - Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional representation of a portion of a knitted processing device according to a second embodiment of the invention showing a protrusion,

[0014] [Fig. 6] - Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the knitting of the knitted processing device of Fig. 5 in a protrusion-forming portion of the knitted processing device,

[0015] [Fig. 7] - Fig. 7 is a schematic sectional representation of a portion of a knitted processing device according to a third embodiment of the invention showing a protrusion,

[0016] [Fig. 8] - Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the knitting of the knitted treatment device of Fig. 7 in a part forming the web of the knitted treatment device, and

[0017] [Fig. 9] - Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of the knitting of the knitted treatment device of Fig. 7 in a protrusion-forming portion of the knitted treatment device.

[0018] With reference to Fig. 1, a knitted device 1 for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions (referred to as treatment device in the remainder of the description) is described, comprising a sheet 2 connecting together a plurality of protuberances 4.

[0019] Such a device for treating skin conditions is for example in the form of a strip having alternating hollows, formed by the sheet 2, and raised areas formed by the protuberances. In this case, the sheet 2 is substantially flat when the strip is placed flat on a flat surface. Alternatively, the treatment device may be shaped to form a sleeve that can surround part of a user's limb. In this case, the sheet 2 forms a tubular body. The sheet 2 defines a back face 6, intended to be applied against the user's skin and a front face 8, opposite the back face 6 and facing outwards. The thickness of the treatment device 1 is defined in the direction from the back face 6 to the front face 8, called the thickness direction, as being the distance separating the back face 6 and the front face 8.

[0020] The protrusions 4 project from the sheet 2 in the thickness direction. More particularly, as can be seen in Figs. 2, 5 and 7, the protrusion projects from the reverse side 6 and / or the right side 8 of the sheet 2. The protrusions 4 are more particularly arranged to form pads projecting mainly from the reverse side 6 of the treatment device 1 so as to be applied against the skin of a user using the treatment device. The pads can have various dimensions and shapes by adjusting the knitting machine as well as according to the knitting and weft yarns chosen, these yarns being characterized in particular by their count, their elastic or non-elastic behavior, or even their tension under a given elongation, as will be described in more detail later.

[0021] Those skilled in the art may refer to documents EP 1 926 458 and EP 3 128 968 to obtain different arrangements and different uses of such a device for treating cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions.

[0022] The sheet 2 has, for example, a thickness substantially between 0.5 mm and 3 mm and the protrusions 4 have, for example, a thickness substantially between 5 mm and 25 mm.

[0023] Several embodiments of the knitted structure of the knitted treatment device according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 9.

[0024] 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 sheet 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 spaced apart 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 meant that the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 cross in the body. At a protrusion 4, the first knitting yarn 12 forms the wrong side 6 of the protrusion 4 and the second knitting yarn 14 forms the right side 8 of the protrusion 4.

[0025] In the figures, the first knitting yarn 12 is shown in regular lines, the second knitting yarn 14 in dotted lines and the weft yarn 16 in bold lines. The first knitting yarn 12 may be an elastic or non-elastic yarn having 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 stress intended to lengthen the yarn and regaining its initial length when this stress ceases to be applied. An elastic yarn has, for example, a maximum elongation before breaking greater than or equal to 300%. By non-elastic, we mean a yarn that is substantially inextensible under the effect of an external stress intended to stretch the yarn. A non-elastic yarn has, for example, a maximum elongation before breaking less than or equal to 100%.

[0026] A non-elastic thread is, for example, a thread made from one or more of the following textile materials:

[0027] Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.;

[0028] Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.;

[0029] Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, etc.

[0030] An elastic yarn is, for example, a single-spun yarn, a double-spun yarn or a “core spun yarn” type structure.

[0031] In the case of a single or double covered yarn, the covering operations are carried out by a spiral winding technique around an elastic core yarn, or by intermingling by air jet around an elastic core yarn. The core yarn is for example made of one or more elastane or latex filaments, the count of which is for example between 17 dtex and 475 dtex. The covering yarn(s) are made of one or more of the following textile materials:

[0032] Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.;

[0033] Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.;

[0034] Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, elastane, etc.

[0035] In the case of a "core spun yarn" type structure, the core yarn is, for example, made of an elastane or latex filament, with a yarn count 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:

[0036] Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.;

[0037] Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.; Fibers made of synthetic materials, such as polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, etc.

[0038] The second knitting yarn 14 may also be an elastic or non-elastic yarn, examples of which are given above.

[0039] According to various embodiments, the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 may be the same or different from each other. However, it should be noted that at least one of the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 is an elastic yarn.

[0040] The weft yarn 16 may also be an elastic yarn or a non-elastic yarn depending on the function of the treatment device 1, as will be described in more detail later. According to an embodiment in which the weft yarn 16 is elastic, the weft yarn 16 has, for example, a count substantially between 300 dtex and 1500 dtex. More particularly, the weft yarn 16 is, for example, a double-wrapped yarn, comprising a core formed from 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 between 300 dtex and 1500 dtex and is, for example, a yarn formed from one or more of the following textile materials:

[0041] Natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, etc.;

[0042] Fibers made of artificial materials, such as viscose, etc.;

[0043] Synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, etc.

[0044] According to various embodiments, in particular those shown in Figs. 2 to 6, the treatment device 1 further comprises at least one third knitting yarn 18, which may or may not be elastic. In the case of a third non-elastic 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 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 14. In the figures, the third knitting yarn 18 is shown in thin lines.

[0045] As previously indicated and as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, the web 2 is formed by knitting the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 together. Optionally, when present, the third knitting yarn 18 is also knitted with the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 to form the web 2, as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 3 and 8, in the web 2, the weft yarn 16 is laid tautly, being more particularly held in place in the web 2 by the first knitting yarn 12, as will be described in more detail later. In the protrusions 4, the first and second knitting yarns 12, 14 are knitted separately from each other and spaced apart from each other, so as to define between them a pocket 20, receiving the weft yarn 16.More particularly, the first knitting yarn 12 forms the reverse side 6 of the treatment device 1 in each protrusion 4 and the second knitting yarn 14 forms the right side 8 of the treatment 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" 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 making it possible to adjust the thickness and flexibility of the pocket 20.

[0046] When a third knitting yarn 18 is provided, this 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 1a 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 freely and loosely with the weft yarn 16 in the pocket 20 so as to form a padding of the pocket 20 with the weft yarn 16 in each protrusion 4 of the treatment device 1.

[0047] The knitting of the different yarns of the knitted treatment device will now be described according to different embodiments.

[0048] According to a first embodiment, the knitting of which is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the treatment device 1 comprises three knitting threads 12, 14 and 18, the third knitting thread 18 forming the reverse face 6 of the treatment device in each protuberance 4 with the first knitting thread 12 as described previously.

[0049] According to this embodiment, in the sheet 2, the knitting of which is shown in Fig. 3, the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted according to a 1 and 1 rib structure and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted according to a reverse stockinette structure. The third knitting yarn 18 is also knitted according to a reverse stockinette structure. This structure is produced by means of a knitting machine using n needles of the front needle bed and n needles of the rear needle bed. "n" corresponds to an integer number of needles and the choice of this number makes it possible to adjust the width of the sheet 2. As indicated previously, the weft yarn 16 is laid in the sheet thus formed in a taut manner by being laid between the front and rear needle beds of the knitting machine.

[0050] In each protrusion 4, the knitting of which is shown in Fig. 4, the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted in a reverse stockinette structure and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted in a front stockinette structure. The third knitting yarn 18 is knitted in a back stockinette structure and forms, together with the first knitting yarn 12, the wrong side of the treatment 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 of the back needle bed and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted using n' needles of the front needle bed. "n'" corresponds to an integer number of needles different from n and the choice of number makes it possible to adjust the width of each protrusion 4. The length of each protrusion 4 depends on the number of successive knitting rows.As previously indicated, the weft yarn 16 is deposited freely and loosely in the or each pocket 20 thus formed by being deposited between the front and rear needle beds of the knitting machine.

[0051] Such an embodiment allows the size of the protrusions on one side to be varied thanks to the presence of an elastic knitted yarn. In addition, when three knitted yarns are provided, it is possible to have yarns of different colors in order to give a particular appearance to the knitted orthosis.

[0052] According to a second embodiment, the knitting of a protuberance 4 is shown in Fig. 6, the treatment 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.

[0053] According to this second embodiment, the knitting of the sheet 2 is identical to that of the sheet 2 of the first embodiment described previously.

[0054] In each protrusion 4, the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted in a reverse stockinette stitch structure and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted in a front stockinette stitch structure. The third knitting yarn 18 is laid freely and loosely with the weft yarn 16 in the pocket 20 thus formed by being laid between the front and rear needle beds of the knitting machine. In the or each protrusion 4, the first knitting yarn 12 is knitted using n' needles of the rear needle bed and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted using n' needles of the front needle bed. The choice of n' makes it possible to adjust the width of each protrusion 4. The length of each protrusion 4 depends on the number of successive knitting rows.

[0055] Such an embodiment makes it possible to increase the thickness of the protuberances, or even their hardness.

[0056] According to a third embodiment, shown in Figs 7 to 9, the treatment device 1 comprises only the first knitting yarn 12, the second knitting yarn 14 and the weft yarn 16. In other words, the treatment device 1 does not comprise the third knitting yarn 18 described previously.

[0057] According to this embodiment, in the sheet 2, the knitting of which is shown in Fig. 8, the first knitting yarn 12 and the second knitting yarn 14 are knitted according to a 1 and 1 dimension structure. This structure is produced by means of a knitting machine using n needles of the front needle bed and n needles of the rear needle bed. The choice of n makes it possible to adjust the width of the sheet 2. As indicated previously, the weft yarn 16 is laid in the sheet thus formed in a taut manner by being laid between the front and rear needle beds of the knitting machine.

[0058] 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 knitting yarn 14 is knitted in a front stockinette stitch structure. The first knitting yarn 12 is knitted using n' needles of the back needle bed and the second knitting yarn 14 is knitted using n' needles of the front needle bed. 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. As previously indicated, the weft yarn 16 is deposited freely and loosely in the pocket 20 thus formed by being deposited between the front and rear needle beds of the knitting machine.

[0059] Having only two knitting threads makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the sheet 2 and to lighten the resulting knitted treatment device 1.

[0060] 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 non-elastic, the treatment device is restraining, that is to say, it exerts a pressure which can vary greatly even with a small variation in the volume of the user's limb covered by the treatment device.

[0061] The reverse side 6 may have a hardness equal to that of 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 makes it possible to apply a different type of treatment depending on the side applied against the user's skin, as will now be described.

[0062] In the case of a compression sleeve, the treatment device more particularly has a substantially trapezoidal shape with spherical or random-shaped pads with different front and back faces. The hardnesses of each of the faces are 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 protuberances have a direct effect on the massage effect provided by the treatment device on the user's limb covered by this treatment device. More particularly, the higher the hardness and the larger the volume of the protuberances, the more the massaging effect will have a significant effect on the edema to be treated by the treatment device.Depending on the edema to be treated, it is possible to choose the side (from the front side and the back side) applied against the user's skin in order to apply a greater or lesser hardness to this edema.

[0063] In the case of a compression bandage, the knitted treatment device more particularly has a substantially rectangular shape and the pads have a spherical or rectangular shape with rounded edges, as shown in Fig. 10. The front face of such a bandage has, for example, a hardness of 36 sh 00 and the back face has, for example, a hardness of 52 sh 00.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Knitted device for treating skin and subcutaneous conditions comprising a plurality of protuberances (4) connected to each other by a sheet (2), said sheet (2) and said protuberances (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 sheet (2), the weft yarn (16) being deposited in said sheet (2), characterized in that the knitting yarns (12, 14) are knitted separately and are spaced apart from each other to form each protuberance (4), the weft yarn (16) being deposited in each protuberance (4) so ​​as to pad each protuberance (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. A treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the weft yarn (16) is inelastic to make the restraining treatment device apply a variable level of pressure when applied to a portion of a user's limb having a substantially constant volume.

4. Treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the weft yarn (16) is laid tautly in said sheet (2) and freely and loosely in each protuberance (4).

5. Treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the two knitted yarns (12, 14) is elastic.

6. Treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having an alternation of hollow zones, formed by the sheet (2), and raised zones, formed by the protuberances (4).

7. A treatment 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 jersey structure or in a 1 and 1 rib structure in the web (2).

8. A treatment 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 front stockinette structure in each protrusion (4).

9. A treatment 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 both 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 freely and loosely laid with the weft yarn (16) in each protrusion (4).

10. Treatment 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.

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