Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the joint area of a limb, in particular wherein the limb has undergone an amputation below the joint, for example a below-the-knee amputation of a leg. A generally tubular member, preferably fabricated from a resiliently stretchable material is provided. The tubular member may have both ends open, or a lower end may be closed. At one or more of the ends, an cuff is provided. The protector apparatus is configured to have a progressively variable capacity for resilient stretching, which capacity varies along the length of the apparatus.

Abstract: A laminated tape/bandage comprising a layer of transversely-spaced, longitudinally-extending elastic strands between a pair of outer layers, at least one of which is a warp-knitted (weft insertion) fabric oriented with the knit yarns extending longitudinally and generally parallel to the orientation of the elastic strands.

Abstract: An elastic bandage comprises a knitted or woven fabric containing both inelastic and elastic yarns in which the ratio of inelastic yarns to elastic yarns is from 1:1 to 12:1 and in which the bandage achieves an effective compressive force at an extension of between 20 to 60% after which any further extension of the bandage is accompanied by only a small increase in compressive force. Suitable polymers for the elastic yarns include block copolymers such as styrene-butylene-ethylene-styrene block copolymers. Woven or knitted elastic bandages made of such yarns exhibit good stress retention properties.

Abstract: There are described bandages which comprise a cohesive coated open cellular polymeric foam material which has a cellular surface area, at least 15% of the total surface area of the surface of the bandages comprise open cells of said open cellular polymeric foam material.

Abstract: A surgical dressing comprises a slab or strip of open-cell synthetic foam material sandwiched between layers of gauze. The foam slab provides good absorption capacity and homogeneity to the dressing while reducing adherence to dried wounds. The foam slab also adds some rigidity to a strip of dressing which can then be used to form compressing and stabilizing bandages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a woven bandage which exhibits a crepe effect and which contains elastomeric yarns and composite warp yarns (1) wherein the composite yarns comprise a staple fibre yarn (2) and a textured filament yarn (3) twisted together. The staple fibre yarn (2) forms loops (4) which gives the bandage a crepe effect. There is also described a process for manufacture of such bandages.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic bandage for medical use. A base part of the bandage is made of pure cotton cloth or other fabric with a cloth cover on a transverse side in which a drainage aperture is defined. On opposite transverse sides of the base part there are respectively provided two outlying parts of the bandage with a drainage aperture in each of them. On opposite transverse sides of the base part there are respectively two safety bands and two suspenders on a longitudinal side of base part. The safety bands and the outlying parts are fastened together with fasteners.

Abstract: This application describes devices which have a first softer formable state, and the second stiffer shape-retaining shape and which are capable of repeatable transition from the first state to the second state (or vice versa) on demand.

Abstract: There is described a woven bandage which exhibits a crepe effect and which contains composite warp yarns (1) and weft filaments (7) wherein the composite warp yarns (1) are formed by twisting a staple fiber yarn (2) and a textured filament yarn (3) together. The staple fiber yarn (2) forms loops (4) which gives the bandage a crepe effect. There is also described a process for the manufacture of such woven bandages and an article of manufacture which includes the composite warp yarns used in the woven bandage.

Abstract: A dressing holder for a patient with an abdominal dressing, has a back panel made of at least partly elastic material such as LYCRA material. The panel extends around the back and along the flanks of the patients, leaving an exposed abdominal area. The area is spanned by elastic straps leaving at least some of the abdomen exposed for the passage of drains or for the exposure of ostomies and the like. Hook and loop tape is used at the edges of the back panel and at the ends of the straps to hold the straps to the back panel.

Abstract: A bandage for use to apply pressure to the wound area of a patient who has undergone a mastectomy includes a main body panel formed from a fabric that is non-elastic and breathable. The bandage is secured adjacent the side of the body of the patient to avoid the formation of a seam adjacent the wound area, yet allow application and removal of the bandage by the patient without assistance and with minimal pain and discomfort. An elastic member enables adjustment of the bandage for proper fit around the torso of the patient and ensures the application of adequate pressure. The bandage is configured so that the material that contacts the person's skin is non-elastic and breathable for increased comfort.

Abstract: A multisection composite material useful in forming compression braces for orthopedic support of a body part includes a user contacting fabric section, an outermost fabric section formed from bonding two dissimilar fabrics and an intermediate section formed from a closed cell foam. The user contacting fabric section is a fabric having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers and bonded to a surface of the intermediate foam section. The outermost section includes a first fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophilic fibers and a second fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers. The intermediate foam section has a first surface and a second surface and a multiplicity of perforations therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. The foam has multidimensional elastic properties sufficient for providing compressive strain useful for supporting the body part.

Abstract: A warp-knit casting bandage fabric is provided which comprises a first group of a plurality of individual continuous multifilament fiberglass yarns which form lengthwise extending chains of spaced-apart loops and a second group of a plurality of individual continuous multifilament fiberglass yarns which are separately interspersed with a plurality of individual continuous thermoplastic yarns forming a widthwise extending and lengthwise spaced-apart inlay which is interlaced with the spaced-apart loops forming an open-knit construction wherein the continuous thermoplastic yarns comprise from about 50% to about 100% of the total number of individual yarns forming the inlay. An elongated, resin-impregnated bandage, having a leading edge and a trailing edge, made from the warp-knit casting bandage fabric is also provided as well as a method for forming such resin-impregnated bandages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The dehydrated hydrogel material is formed from an aqueous mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) 0% to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. The present wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted since it does not adhere to such a wound.

Abstract: A soft tissue support is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a two-ply garment adapted to provide support for hip and shoulder wounds. The garment itself comprises a suspension portion and a tissue support wrap portion adapted to encircle the traumatized parts, and further provides support for the buttocks and the deltoid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound dressing in the form of a gauze or similar absorbent material having dehydrated hydrogel material impregnated therein for absorbing wound exudate. The dehydrated hydrogel material is formed from an aqueous mixture comprising: (a) from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethylene oxide based polyamine; (d) 0% to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water. The present wound dressing is capable of absorbing large amounts of wound exudate without inhibiting the healing of the wound to which it is contacted since it does not adhere or stick to the wound.

Abstract: An improved insulation wrap is provided with consists of a first layer of flexible material. A second layer of flexible material is secured to the first layer, so as to form a bubble sheeting having a plurality of cavities therebetween. A liquid with reflective particles is carried within the cavities. In one instance cold can be induced into the liquid and in another instance heat can be induced into the liquid, to maintain a desired temperature therein, depending on application and use of the bubble sheeting.

Abstract: A breathable, comfortable, elastic pressure sensitive, permanent tacky, adhesive bandaging material is disclosed. The material includes a fabric formed of stretch and non-stretch filling and warp yarns which are coated with a release agent, a stiffening agent, and an adhesive material. Both the agents and adhesive material are applied to the backside of the fabric, with a small amount of the release agent being absorbed through the fabric to the face surface thereof. The adhesive material may include a solvent which tends to plasticize the stiffening agent to a small degree when applied thereto. The resulting bandaging material exhibits characteristics of good tearability along with a relatively soft face surface and an improved hand. The material is manufactured by applying the agents and adhesive to the fabric when the fabric is in a relaxed state. When subsequently stretched, the adhesive is pulled into a random, nonuniform and discontinuous layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic bandage for medical use. A base part of the bandage is made of pure cotton cloth or other fabric with a cloth cover on a transverse side in which a drainage aperture is defined. On opposite transverse sides of the base part there are respectively provided two outlying parts of the bandage with a drainage aperture in each of them. On opposite transverse sides of the base part there are respectively two safety bands and two suspenders on a longitudinal side of base part. The safety bands and the outlying parts are fastened together with fasteners.

Abstract: An eight ply surgical wrap used for wrapping over and around a bandage to secure it in place, after it has been applied to a patients limb. The surgical wrap is formed from a single ply gauze fabric which is first bleached and washed, then folded into a four ply and then the fabric is overfed into a hot bath which agitates the fabric to make the yarns absorbent, fluffy, and elastic. The fabric is then passed through embossing rolls. The hot bath and the embossing roll causes the yarns to distort into an oblique and serpentine arrangement. The four ply fabric is then folded in a series of folds to create an eight ply fabric, that is highly absorbent, and because of the manner in which the fabric is folded, the surgical wrap is free of exposed selvege edges eliminating any chance of the selvege edges forming or causing a binding effect in the wrap.

Abstract: A composite stretch fabric is disclosed that is comprised of a laminate of three layers, the center layer being comprised of a web of a nonwoven polyurethane resin with a basis weight in the range of 50-250 g/m.sup.2 and an air permeability of at least 10 cc/sec/cm.sup.2 with stretchable fabric layers adhered to each side thereof, one of which can be a nylon pile and the other of which is a double knit fabric that can be of porous, hollow fiber for sweat absorption, the composite can also be embossed.

Abstract: The invention creates an elastic variable tension medical device that relieves pain due to injury, disease, ailment, infirmity, condition, or the like. The elastic variable tension medical device is comprised of multiple strips of elastic material stacked one on top of another and forming a stack of elastic strips. Hook and loop fasteners are attached to each end of the elastic variable tension medical device for securing the elastic variable tension medical device around a part of the body. Reinforcing ribs on the elastic variable tension medical device provide increased strength and reduce folding and binding of the elastic material. The elastic variable tension medical device is wrapped around an appropriate part of the body with sufficient tension to relieve the targeted pain. It is adjusted by the user to achieve the desired pain relief.

Abstract: A multi-layer moisture management elastic fabric including a moisture transport fabric layer constructed of hydrophobic yarns and defining a first fabric face for residing in skin contact during garment wear and for wicking moisture away from the skin. A moisture dispersal fabric layer is constructed of hydrophilic yarns and defines a second fabric face for residing in spaced-apart relation from the skin during garment wear and for receiving moisture from the hydrophobic moisture transport layer. Elastic yarns are integrated with the yarns of the moisture transport fabric layer and the yarns of the moisture dispersal fabric layer to form a single, integrated fabric which is highly elastic. The fabric is useful as waistband material and as athletic headbands, wristbands and as medical bandages and braces.

Abstract: An adjustable facial dressing for compression and/or support of facial features for medical treatment is disclosed. A main band elastic can be positioned on the face (head or neck) in various positions by adjusting the position of an integral hook tape tab at any position along the main band. A separate anchor strap has hook tape tabs at its ends. The hook tape tabs each engage one of two generally opposite sides of the main band around only one side of the face (head or neck). The anchor strap hook tape tabs can engage the main band at any position along the main band, to thereby provide compression or support of the face/head/neck area covered and assist in maintaining the position of the main band on the face. More than one anchor strap may be used.

Abstract: An elongate bandage that is predominantly stretchable in the longitudinal direction enables readily applied development of an elastic surgical limb sleeve that can be rendered locally inextensible. The bandage features multiple longitudinally spaced rows of transverse slits which are in staggered offsetting interlace, from one to the next-adjacent row, such that when a circumferential wrap of the bandage completes a sleeve, the multiple slits are arrayed parallel to the axis of the limb. The limb sleeve gently conforms to the shape of an affected or injured joint or other body part, and the gentle conformance is operative to convert slits into ventilation openings. One or more strips of relatively inelastic hook material applied to the outer surface of a developed sleeve not only complete the sleeve but, when desired by the surgeon, can exert localized pressure to the injured area either directly or indirectly as in the treatment of swelling or in the control of bleeding.

Abstract: A bladder-less counterpressure garment primarily used in the treatment of a victim suffering from hypovolemic shock. The garment is made of a compressible material, like foam, with a device for compressing the material. The garment is adapted to be positioned about the legs and abdomen of the victim by an adjustable fastener. The adjustable fastener or a separate pressure engagement device is engaged, compressing the foam and supplying the requisite counterpressure to increase blood circulation to the vital organs.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method of forming a low cost, breathable, light weight, soft, disposable elastic structure with surface properties that are characterized by a controlled irregularity of the pleats or shirrs that make up the broad surfaces of the structure. The structure is a layered structure with outer layers of low basis weight breathable material, a central elastic layer, and an adhesive layer that serves to join all the layers together to form a unitary elastic structure.

Abstract: The compression bandage with calibration means has visual marks (1) arranged according to a variable and gradually increasing distance (X), (X+1), (X+2), . . . (X+n) in order to correspond to a decreasing pressure applied as and when the bandage is wrapped.

Abstract: A compression band including male and female connectors and a length of compression band integrally connected to one of the connectors so that the compression band can be quickly and easily applied and removed by preassembling the male and female connectors so that the preassembled compression band can be encompassed about a body, limb or object and fastened in place by adhering inner fastening surfaces of the preassembled connectors to the outer fastening surface of the compression band. The desired tension can then be applied by separating free ends of the connectors, tensioning the band and reapplying the free ends against the outer fastening surface of the band.