ORTHOTIC COVER
A cover for an orthotic device is provided. More specifically, a cover for an orthotic device is provided that provides one or more useful benefits to a wearer's skin. Such cover may also provide one or more aesthetic and/or functional benefits to a wearer when used.
A cover for an orthotic device is provided. More specifically, a cover for an orthotic device is provided that provides one or more useful benefits to a wearer's skin. Such cover may also provide one or more aesthetic benefits to a wearer when used.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUse of orthotic devices for the recovery or protection of a wearer's limbs is well known. Such use covers the legs and arms of a wearer. Such devices today are ubiquitous in both genders and at all ages, especially for those ages in which heavy sports participation occurs, about 6 to 18.
Some manufacturers have produced covers for the orthotic devices that are aesthetic in nature but provide little or no utilitarian purpose. One manufacturer, Myrecovers, Inc., uses a cover that covers, completely, the walking boot or orthotic that a wearer wears. These covers appear to be merely aesthetic in nature and do not provide any known benefits to the wearer. Also, because they cover the entire orthotic, i.e., walking boot, such covering inhibits use by a wearer in any sports training, sport or rigorous use.
Many wearers of orthotic devices have one or more skin related issues which go untreated during the wear of an orthotic device. Such skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, edema and the like are often coupled with use of orthotics. When such orthotics are applied, their use mitigates a muscle, joint and/or bone injury but can exacerbate an existing skin condition.
What is therefore needed is a cover for an orthotic device that mitigates a wearer's skin conditions while also allowing a wearer's full unrestricted use of the orthotic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the invention provides a cover to a stabilizing device for a limb. The invention provides a cover attachable to the stabilizing device whereby the cover provides additional attributes to the stabilizing device.
Preferably, the cover herein comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof. Covers herein may aesthetically match a wearer's dress, favorite sports team and the like. Especially for athletes who are injured, a cover can be match an injured wearer's favorite sport or even their own team, e.g., their high school team and colors.
In most embodiments herein, the cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof. It is important to note that the cover herein held in close proximity to a wearer's skin, i.e., actually touching it whereby its attributes are immediately felt.
For example, the cover may be configured to wick or remove moisture away from a wearer's limb positioned within the stabilizing device. This is especially comforting for wearer's during the hotter months and for wearer's that remain engaged in physical training or a sports activity while wearing the stabilizing device.
The cover herein may be used to cool a wearer's said limb positioned within the stabilizing device. It may also be used to warm a wearer's limb by insulation and/or a warming effect of the cover itself.
Importantly, the cover is preferably moisture-resistant. That is, it operates to resist the absorption of fluid and may also provide a barrier against fluid absorption.
The cover herein may fully cover the stabilizing device. It may substantially cover the stabilizing device. Or, it may partially cover the stabilizing device.
The stabilizing device herein may come in multiple configurations and fit different parts of a wearer's body. For example, stabilizing device may be configured to fit a wearer's forearm. It may be configured to a wearer's lower leg including the foot and ankle.
The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The invention provides a cover that at least partially covers an orthotic device for a limb. The invention provides a cover attachable to the stabilizing device whereby the cover provides additional attributes to the stabilizing device.
Preferably, the cover herein comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof. Covers herein may aesthetically match a wearer's dress, favorite sports team and the like. Especially for athletes who are injured, a cover can be match an injured wearer's favorite sport or even their own team, e.g., their high school team and colors.
In most embodiments herein, the cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof. It is important to note that the cover herein held in close proximity to a wearer's skin, i.e., actually touching it whereby its attributes are immediately felt.
For example, the cover may be configured to wick or remove moisture away from a wearer's limb positioned within the stabilizing device. This is especially comforting for a wearer during the hotter months and for wearers that remain engaged in physical training or a sports activity while wearing the stabilizing device.
The cover herein may be used to cool a wearer's limb positioned within the stabilizing device. It may also be used to warm a wearer's limb by insulation and/or a warming effect of the cover itself.
Importantly, the cover is preferably moisture-resistant. That is, it operates to resist the absorption of fluid and may also provide a barrier against fluid absorption.
The cover herein may fully cover the stabilizing device. It may substantially cover the stabilizing device. Or, it may partially cover the stabilizing device.
The stabilizing device herein may come in multiple configurations and fit different parts of a wearer's body. For example, stabilizing device may be configured to fit a wearer's forearm. It may be configured to a wearer's lower leg including the foot and ankle.
Cover 25 is designed to help relieve the irritating symptoms resident in common skin conditions. Some of those skin conditions include, but are not limited to, eczema, dry skin, dermatitis, skin rashes, and psoriasis.
Eczema is a “grab-bag term,” which Alexiades-Armenakas said comes from the Greek word for “boils over.” There are three common forms of eczema. For example, Atopic dermatitis is the most common and is seen most often in children. One to three percent of adults compared to 10 to 20 percent of children have this long-term genetic disease, which causes itchy rashes in the crux of the elbows and behind the knees. Allergic contact dermatitis begins to show in adulthood and is caused by environmental factors such as cosmetic agents, fragrances, irritating cloth or clothing and the metals in jewelry. Lastly, nummular dermatitis looks like red and flaky coin-shaped patches of skin and is due to dry skin. This can be very itchy and easily irritable when abutted in close contact to an irritating surface, e.g., cloth. Typically, treatment of any of the above skin conditions provides that one moisturizes the skin, builds up the skin barrier and avoid drying out the skin, and then perhaps use corticosteroids if prescribed.
Dermatitis symptoms vary with all different forms of the condition. They range from skin rashes to bumpy rashes or including blisters. Although every type of dermatitis has different symptoms, there are certain signs that are common for all of them, including redness of the skin, swelling, itching and skin lesions with sometimes oozing and scarring. Also, the area of the skin on which the symptoms appear tends to be different with every type of dermatitis, whether on the neck, wrist, forearm, thigh or ankle Although the location may vary, the primary symptom of this condition is itchy skin. Symptoms of this type of dermatitis may be very intense and may come and go. Irritant contact dermatitis is usually more painful than itchy.
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. It is typically a lifelong condition. There is currently no cure, but various treatments can help to control the symptoms. Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, is commonly seen as red and white hues of scaly patches appearing on the top first layer of the epidermis (skin). Some patients, though, have no dermatological signs or symptoms. The name psoriasis is from the Greek language, meaning roughly “itching condition” (psora “itch”+-sis“action, condition”). In plaque psoriasis, skin rapidly accumulates at these sites, which gives it a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area, including the scalp, palms of hands and soles of feet, and genitals. In contrast to eczema, psoriasis is more likely to be found on the outer side of the joint.
The disorder is a chronic recurring condition that varies in severity from minor localized patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) and can be seen as an isolated sign. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Between 10% and 30% of all people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.
Cover 25 is preferably formed from a cloth material or hybrid cloth material that is wrapped about the outer and inner portions of insert 20. Alternatively, cover 25 may be substantially wrapped about the inner portion of insert 20 and partially wrapped about the outer portion of insert 20. Also alternatively, cover 25 may be substantially wrapped about the outer portion of insert 20 and partially wrapped within the inner portion of insert 20.
Cover 25 has a main covering portion 26 and an edged portion 27 that borders covering portion 26. Covering portion 26 covers insert 20 while edged portion 27 clings to insert 20 in a manner that affixes cover 25 to insert 20. Thus, edged portion 27 is preferably made from a stretchable material like rubber or some other suitable elastic. In practice, cover 25 is stretched about edged portion 27 when placing cover 25 onto insert 20.
Covering portion 26 comprises one or more materials that is suitable for placement next to human skin and also human skin that has or is susceptible to one or more skin irritating conditions; e.g., eczema, psoriasis and the like. Suitable materials for covering portion 26 may comprise fabrics from the family of synthetic materials and specifically from the family of polyamides, and most notably nylon. Other suitable synthetic fabrics may include rayon, microfiber, spandex, polyester, and combinations thereof.
Covering portion 26 may also comprise one or more fabrics from the family of natural fibers. Such fibers may include wool, silk, cotton and combinations thereof. Covering portion 26 may also comprise a combination of one or more natural fibers and one or more synthetic materials.
Covering portion 26 of cover 25 may be hypo allergenic. That is, it may be formed from one or more suitable materials that purposely reduces or eliminates allergic reactions to the skin of particularly sensitive wearers. Cover 25 may also be configurable to receive one or more applied layers either during manufacturing or, for example, in post manufacturing in a spray. For example, a Teflon® coating may be applied to covering portion 26 of cover 25, such coating providing a non-stick, moisture resistant surface for the wicking away of moisture and sweat.
Importantly, cover 25 may also comprise agents built into the fabric thereof or separately applied post manufacturing thereof. Such agents may be designed to provide anti-fungal benefit; namely, an anti-fungal agent may be applied to cover 25 that restricts or eliminates the growth of one or more common fungi. Another useful agent that can be applied limits or eliminates foul odors from orthotic device 10. Such an agent may comprise carbon, cyclodextrin, odor maskers and the like.
Exemplary fabrics of the type and kind contemplated herein include those disclosed in WO2011143370, WO2010129923, WO2012151213, WO2011143369, US2011/0314585, US20110016602, WO2005110135, U.S. Pat. No. 8,133,824, WO2005102083, and US20130061366.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims
1. An orthotic device for a limb, comprising:
- a. An insert;
- b. A walking boot; and
- c. A cover attachable to said insert of said orthotic device whereby said cover provides additional benefits to said orthotic device.
2. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof.
3. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof.
4. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover removes moisture from said wearer's limb positioned within said insert of said orthotic device.
5. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover cools said wearer's limb positioned within said orthotic device.
6. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover enables said wearer's limb to be warm.
7. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover is moisture-resistant.
8. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover fully covers said insert of said orthotic device.
9. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover substantially covers said insert of said orthotic device.
10. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said cover partially covers said insert of said orthotic device.
11. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said orthotic device fits about a wearer's arm.
12. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said orthotic device fits about a wearer's leg.
13. A cover for a orthotic device, comprising:
- a. A covering portion;
- b. A fitting portion attached to said covering portion; and
- c. A securing portion for securing said cover to said orthotic device.
14. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover comprises at least one aesthetic feature including but not limited to color, texture, patterns and combinations thereof.
15. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover comprises at least one sensory attribute including but not limited to texture, dryness, softness, and combinations thereof.
16. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover removes moisture from a wearer's said limb positioned within said insert of said orthotic device.
17. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover cools a wearer's said limb positioned within said insert of said orthotic device.
18. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover enables a wearer's said limb to be warm.
19. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover is moisture-resistant.
20. The orthotic device of claim 13 wherein said cover at least partially covers said insert of said orthotic device.
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2014
Inventor: MONIQUE ROLLE (ALEXANDRIA, VA)
Application Number: 13/896,218
International Classification: A43C 19/00 (20060101);