Universal chap-style compression stocking

Abstract

There is provided a chap-styled therapeutic gradient compression stocking that includes a foot portion, a leg portion having a lower leg portion extending from the foot portion upward above the knee to an upper leg portion, a waist support and a hip portion extending between the waist support and the upper leg portion may be made with stretchable yarn to provide a compressive force against the lower leg and thigh of a patient and constructed so as to be worn on either leg. The hip portion is formed between the thigh portion and the waist support and covers the area below the waist of the patient to the upper leg portion. The hip portion is formed around the lower waist of the patient and has cutouts on each side of the hip portion, sized to accommodate the crotch area of the patient so that the stocking may be worn on either leg. The therapeutic stocking is held in place on the patient's leg by a waist support or waistband that includes a strap-engaging loop formed at the top of the hip portion. The strap-engaging loop extends around that portion of the circumference the hip portion at the front and rear of the portion but not above the cutouts. Through the strap-engaging loop is waist strap. The strap has Velcro®-type fasteners on either side so that the strap may be easily opened and closed from either side depending upon which leg the stocking is being worn.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a therapeutic compression stocking. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chap-style therapeutic gradient compression stocking that can be worn on either leg of a patient. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Therapeutic gradient compression stockings have been used on a relatively wide scale to assist in the medical management of venous diseases and / or help prevent occurrence of deep vein thrombosis in patients. The purpose of such stockings is to overcome the elevated internal pressures within a human extremity caused by gravity or disease. Many forms of pressure gradient stockings have been constructed in a variety of lengths and styles. Also the degree of compression delivered by stockings covers a relatively large range and is dependent on the indication for use. To be classified as a gradient stocking the pressure profile of a properly fitted stocking sho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a therapeutic gradient compression stocking that can be worn on either leg of a patient. The stocking has a foot portion, a leg portion, a waist support, and a hip portion and is made with stretchable yarn to provide a compressive force against the lower leg and thigh of a patient. The stocking can be knit so that the pressure in the ankle area is greatest and gradually decreases from the patient's ankle (distal end) through the thigh portion (proximal end). The hip portion is formed between the thigh portion and the waist support and covers the area below the waist of the patient to the upper leg portion. The foot portion may be closed or have a toe opening to inspect the toes without removal of the stocking. The stocking is held in place on the patient's leg by a waist support or waistband with a strap-engaging loop and a waist strap. The therapeutic gradient compression stocking has a defined heel and can be worn on either leg of a patient with a venous inflammatory disease. The elastomeric and non-elastomeric yarns are knit on a circular knitting machine in conjunction with non-elastomeric yarn to provide a compressive force on the leg of a patient and an opening in the upper portion of the stocking so that it can be worn on either leg of a patient."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, therapeutic stockings, in order to provide the necessary compression, are often thick and rather unsightly, difficult to maintain in proper position on the patient's leg or have a number of other drawbacks.

As noted, a drawback of each of the prior art stockings described above require a differently constructed stocking for each leg if the stocking is to be supported by a waistband.

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