Protective Anti-fungal bandage and toe protection method

Abstract

A protective anti-fungal bandage is configured in the form of a flat tape made of plant, animal or synthetic fibres that are joined together by weaving, knitting, sewing, splicing, tangling or fusion such that the tape allows air and water vapour to pass through and is able to absorb and retain moisture; in a working position, the bandage is wrapped around the part of the body that is to be protected; in the wrapped working position, the bandage is fastened without the use of additional built-in or attachable clasps, clips, fasteners or applied sticky or adhesive coatings. The bandage is characterized in that in the working position it is snuggly wrapped, with a slight degree of tension and no gaps, in one or more flat turns around the toe to be protected at the site of the joint between the first proximal phalanx of said toe and the metatarsal portion of the foot; the side part, i.e. edge, of the flat web of the bandage is pressed against the skin of the metatarsal portion of the foot; the turns of the bandage prevent the toe to be protected from coming into contact with the neighbouring toes at the site of the joint between the first proximal phalanx of said toe and the metatarsal portion of the foot; and the width of the bandage is greater than or equal to the length of the first proximal phalanx of the toe to be protected so that on the underside of the toe to be protected, the turns of the bandage prevent the formation of skin folds at the bend between the first and second phalanx of said toe. A toe protection method using this protective bandage is characterized in that the protective bandage is snuggly wrapped, with a slight degree of tension and no gaps, in one or more flat turns around the toe to be protected at the site of the joint between the first proximal phalanx of said toe and the metatarsal portion of the foot; the side part, i.e. edge, of the flat web of the bandage is pressed against the skin of the metatarsal portion of the foot; the turns of the bandage are positioned at the site of the joint between the first proximal phalanx of the toe to be protected and the metatarsal portion of the foot; and the width of the bandage is selected so as to be equal to or greater than the length of the first proximal phalanx of the protected toe.

Description

[0001] Protective antifungal bandage and a way to protect your toes

[0002] Field of technology

[0003] The invention relates to the field of orthopedic products placed in the spaces between the toes, and can be used to protect the skin of the toes from fungal diseases during long-term wearing of work, service, tactical, sports, and trekking shoes.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The prior art includes orthopedic products such as interdigital inserts, spacers, partitions, separators, straighteners, fixators, hallux valgus correctors, insoles, cuffs, bandages, tubular dividers, and other products placed in the spaces between the toes.

[0006] Taping of toes is known to prevent injury and dislocation of the joints of the toes during sudden loads in high-impact sports (volleyball, boxing, taekwondo, etc.), as well as when doing ballet dancing.

[0007] Protective covers and toe cots are known from patent documents RU2007.000.040, RU2.280.426, RU2.264.146, RU2006.130.554, RU2.549.324, US7.012.169.

[0008] Orthopedic separators, dividers, and toe correctors are known according to patent documents RU2.120.260, RU2.179.423, RU2.173.118, US2019.013.3803A1.

[0009] Also known are plasters, bandages, and dressings of various classes, types and purposes.

[0010] A technical solution (analogue) similar to the claimed one is “A flexible bandage for wrapping a toe on each side of the toe, and a method for using it” according to patent RU2.514.547.

[0011] The closest to the claimed technical solution (prototype) is the "Foot wrap and wrapping method" according to patent document RU2021.125.407, which includes a fabric tape, the placement of this tape around the area of ​​the joints of the toes, and the placement of the free remaining end segments of the tape outside the shoe.

[0012] The disadvantage of known solutions is the lack of protection of the skin of the toes from fungal diseases that occur in places most favorable for the occurrence and development of fungal infections, namely, in the folds of the skin in the interdigital space between adjacent toes, and on the lower plantar side of the toes (at the bends of the phalanges).

[0013] The essence of the invention

[0014] The purpose of the claimed technical solution is to eliminate the shortcomings of known solutions.

[0015] The goal is achieved by placing turns of a protective antifungal bandage in the folds of skin on the lower plantar side of the toes where the phalanges bend, and in the interdigital spaces between adjacent toes, preventing the formation of folds of skin isolated from access to atmospheric air.

[0016] In this case, the placement of the bandage is carried out in such a way that:

[0017] - in the working position, the bandage is wound in one or more flat turns around the protected finger at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of this finger with the metatarsal part of the foot;

[0018] - the wound coils form a protective ring-tube tightly surrounding and covering the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger without gaps;

[0019] - the side part, the end of the bandage cloth is tightly pressed to the skin of the metatarsal part of the foot;

[0020] - the turns of the bandage prevent the protected finger from coming into contact with the adjacent fingers at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger with the metatarsal part of the foot;

[0021] - the width of the bandage is greater than or equal to the length of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger, so that on the lower plantar side of the protected finger the turns of the bandage prevent the formation of a fold of skin at the bend between the first and second phalanx of the protected finger;

[0022] - the minimum length of the bandage is equal to the sum of the circumference of one flat turn wound around the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger, and double the length of the free end sections of the bandage, sufficient to ensure tension of the bandage and prevent the wound turn from unraveling;

[0023] - when protecting several toes, the bandage in the working position is sequentially and alternately, with the turns moving from toe to toe, wound with one or more flat turns around each protected toe at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of each protected toe with the corresponding place on the metatarsal part of the foot.

[0024] In this case, the protective bandage is made in the form of a flat tape made from fibers of plant, animal or artificial origin, connected by textile weaving, knitting, stitching, sewing, tangling or fusing, so that the tape is able to pass atmospheric air and water vapor, and absorb and retain moisture.

[0025] In this case, in the working wound position, the protective bandage is fixed without additional built-in or attached ties, fasteners, latches, fasteners, adhesive or glue coatings, and the free end sections of the bandage, not used to form the coils-rings and intended to facilitate the winding and subsequent removal of the bandage, are placed in the spaces between the toes of the foot, and possibly additionally placed on top of the metatarsal or below the plantar part of the foot, so that they are held in their position and provide a slight tension of the bandage preventing the unwinding of the flat coils-rings due to pressing against the metatarsal or plantar part of the foot with a textile sock worn over the foot, and shoes worn over the sock.

[0026] List of drawing figures

[0027] Figure 1 shows the most common places of fungal infection of the toes in places where skin folds form due to contact between areas of skin of adjacent toes (little finger-ring finger, ring finger-middle finger, middle finger-index finger).

[0028] Fig. 2 shows the most common places of fungal infection of the toes in places where skin folds form, caused by contact between areas of the skin of the lower plantar side of the toe at the bend of its phalanges (little finger, ring finger, middle finger).

[0029] Fig. 3 shows the process of eliminating skin folds formed by contact between areas of skin on adjacent fingers.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows the process of eliminating the fold of skin areas from the lower plantar side of the finger at the bend of the phalanx.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a well-known and generally accepted in medicine, orthopedics and related fields scheme for numbering the toes (where No. 1 is the big toe (I, hallux), No. 2 is the index toe (II, index), No. 3 is the middle toe (III, digitus medius), No. 4 is the ring toe (IV, digitus annularis), No. 5 is the little toe (V, digitus minimus)).

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a single protective ring around the toe, where view “a” is the view from the top / bottom of the foot, and view “b” is the view from the end of the foot.

[0033] Fig. 7 shows the order and sequence of stages of winding a protective bandage to protect three fingers (little finger, ring finger, and middle finger).

[0034] Implementation of the invention

[0035] The claimed technical solution can be implemented as follows.

[0036] The most common cause of fungal skin infection of the toes, caused by prolonged and intensive use of the feet (walking and running) and the use of closed shoes (work, service, tactical, sports and trekking), is the accumulation of moisture in the folds of the skin and the formation of areas of skin isolated from access to atmospheric air.

[0037] The most problematic areas are the folds of skin between adjacent toes and the folds of skin on the underside of the toes where the phalanges bend.

[0038] The skin cells in these isolated areas do not receive the oxygen they need to breathe, and cannot secrete and transfer sweat produced in the sweat glands and water vapor into the environment.

[0039] To eliminate the above-mentioned negative factors, it is necessary to prevent the formation of skin folds in areas isolated from access to atmospheric air as much as possible.

[0040] To do this, wraps of protective antifungal bandage are placed in the most problematic areas, on the underside of the toes where the phalanges bend, and in the spaces between adjacent toes, preventing the formation of folds of skin isolated from access to atmospheric air.

[0041] In this case, the placement of the bandage is carried out in such a way that:

[0042] - in the working position, the bandage is tightly wound without gaps in one or more flat turns around the protected finger at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of this finger with the metatarsal part of the foot;

[0043] - the lateral part, the end of the bandage cloth is pressed to the skin of the metatarsal part of the foot;

[0044] - the turns of the bandage prevent the protected finger from coming into contact with the adjacent fingers at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger with the metatarsal part of the foot;

[0045] - the width of the bandage is greater than or equal to the length of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger, so that on the lower plantar side of the protected finger the turns of the bandage prevent the formation of a fold of skin at the bend between the first and second phalanx of the protected finger;

[0046] - the minimum length of the bandage is equal to the sum of the circumference of one flat turn wound around the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger, and double the length of the free end sections of the bandage, sufficient to ensure tension of the bandage and prevent the wound turn from unraveling;

[0047] - when protecting several toes, the bandage in the working position is sequentially and alternately, with the turns moving from toe to toe, wound with one or more flat turns of one single and unbreakable flat tape around each protected toe at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of each protected toe with the corresponding place on the metatarsal part of the foot.

[0048] A protective bandage is made in the form of a flat tape made from fibers of plant, animal or artificial origin, connected by textile weaving, knitting, stitching, sewing, tangling or fusing, so that the tape is able to pass atmospheric air and water vapor, and absorb and retain moisture.

[0049] In the working wound position, the protective bandage is fixed without additional built-in or attached ties, fasteners, latches, fasteners, adhesive or glue coatings.

[0050] The turns of the bandage are kept from unraveling by pressing adjacent toes of the foot placed in the shoe against each other, and by mutual friction of adjacent sections of the bandage.

[0051] The free end sections of the bandage, not used to form coils and intended to facilitate the winding and subsequent removal of the bandage, can be placed in the spaces between the toes (both the toes being protected and the adjacent ones).

[0052] Additionally, the free end sections of the bandage can be placed over the metatarsal or below the plantar part of the foot, where they will be held in their position and provide a slight tension on the bandage, preventing the flat coils-rings from unwinding due to pressing against the metatarsal or plantar part of the foot with a textile sock worn over the foot and shoes worn over the sock.

[0053] A bandage can be made from a tape made of a hydrophilic and hygroscopic material capable of absorbing and retaining moisture, with spaces between the fibers sufficient for the passage of atmospheric air and water vapor.

[0054] The preferred material for making a protective bandage is cotton; the preferred bandage design is a flat cord without core threads, or with a core thread count that does not alter the overall flat shape of the cord; the preferred bandage manufacturing technology is a "Classic" or "Turkish" weave.

[0055] The preferred length of the bandage is the sum of the circumferences of the single protective turns of the bandage rings wound around the fingers most often susceptible to fungal damage, such as the middle and ring fingers, and the lengths of the free sections of the bandage necessary to maintain the tension of the bandage and keep the turns of the bandage from unraveling.

[0056] An additional turn wrapped around the little finger will provide additional protection for the little finger itself and will provide additional tension to the bandage to prevent the turns from unraveling.

[0057] The preferred width of the bandage is the length of the first proximal phalanx of the little finger, which is approximately equivalent to the distance from the metatarsal part of the foot to the ball of the little finger.

[0058] To more reliably isolate problem areas of the skin of the fingers, the coils can be wound in several layers, one on top of the other, with the coils in contact with a wide, flat surface, which will additionally prevent the coils from unraveling.

[0059] The material, size of the bandage, and number of turns-rings can be selected in accordance with the condition of the skin of the fingers, the size and shape of the interdigital spaces, the presence and extent of deformation of the fingers, and the properties and characteristics of the shoes used.

Claims

Formula 1. Protective antifungal bandage such that: - is made in the form of a flat tape made from fibers of plant, animal or artificial origin, connected by textile weaving, knitting, stitching, sewing, tangling or fusing, so that the tape is capable of passing atmospheric air and water vapor, and absorbing and retaining moisture, - in the working position it is placed by winding around the protected part of the body, - in the working wound position, it is fixed without additional built-in or attached fasteners, latches, fasteners, or applied adhesive or glue coatings, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT - in the working position, tightly with slight tension and without gaps, wound with one or more flat turns around the protected finger at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of this finger with the metatarsal part of the foot; - the lateral part, the end of the flat bandage cloth is pressed to the skin of the metatarsal part of the foot; - the turns of the bandage prevent the protected finger from coming into contact with the adjacent fingers at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger with the metatarsal part of the foot; - the width of the bandage is greater than or equal to the length of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected finger, so that on the lower plantar side of the protected finger, the turns of the bandage prevent the formation of a fold of skin at the bend between the first and second phalanx of the protected finger.

2. A bandage according to paragraph 1 CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT that it is made in the form of a standard textile cotton flat cord without central core threads, or with the presence of these threads in a quantity that does not change the overall flat shape of the cord of the “Classic” or “Turkish” type of weave.

3. The bandage according to paragraph 1 CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT that when protecting several toes, in the working position, sequentially and alternately with the transition of turns from toe to toe, one or more flat turns of one single and unbreakable flat tape are wound around each protected toe at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of each protected toe with the corresponding place of the metatarsal part of the foot.

4. The bandage according to item 3 is DIFFERENT IN THAT it is wound in single turns around the little, middle, and ring fingers.

5. A method of protecting toes by using a protective bandage, including: - placement by winding around the part of the body to be protected of a bandage in the form of a flat tape made of fibers of plant, animal or artificial origin, connected by textile weaving, knitting, stitching, sewing, tangling or fusing, so that the tape is capable of passing atmospheric air and water vapor and absorbing and retaining moisture; - fixation of the bandage in the working wound position without additional built-in or attached fasteners, latches, fasteners, adhesive or glue coatings, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT - the protective bandage is tightly wound with slight tension and without gaps in one or more flat turns around the protected toe at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of this toe with the metatarsal part of the foot; - the side part, the end of the flat bandage, is pressed to the skin of the metatarsal part of the foot; - the turns of the bandage are placed at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of the protected toe with the metatarsal part of the foot; - the width of the bandage is chosen equal to or greater than the length of the first "proximal" phalanx of the finger being protected.

6. The method according to paragraph 5 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the bandage is made in the form of a standard textile cotton flat cord without central core threads, or with the presence of these threads in a quantity that does not change the overall flat shape of the cord of the “Classic” or “Turkish” type of weave.

7. The method according to paragraph 5 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT when protecting several toes, the bandage is wound sequentially and alternately, with the turns moving from toe to toe, with one or more flat turns of one single and unbreakable flat tape around each protected toe at the junction of the first “proximal” phalanx of each protected toe with the corresponding place on the metatarsal part of the foot.

8. The method according to paragraph 5, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the bandage is wound in single turns around the little, middle, and ring fingers.

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