INTEGRAL PROTECTOR FOR A LIVING BEING MEMBER

Abstract

The integral protector comprises a tubular assembly (16) obtained from a textile tubular stockinette (14), covering the member and an external tubular jacket (10) coaxially joined and providing protection and padding effects. The textile stockinette (14) has an elastic longitudinal portion (15) extending along a generatrix thereof and the tubular jacket (10), receiving placed therein said textile stockinette (14) is made of a 3D spacer fabric

Claims

1. Integral protector for a living being member including a foot for prevention of pressure ulcers, comprising a one-piece tubular assembly (16) consisting of: a textile tubular stockinette (14) providing a tubular envelope intended to be in contact with the skin of the living being, said textile stockinette (14) comprising at least an elastic longitudinal portion (15) extending along a whole generatrix thereof, and a tubular jacket (10) made of a 3D spacer fabric providing an external sleeve, said tubular jacket receiving placed therein said textile stockinette (14), arranged coaxially and covering an inner surface thereof, said textile stockinette (14) being attached to said tubular jacket, wherein said tubular jacket (10) operating as padding by decreasing the pressure acting on the cited living being member when in rest against a surface, said stockinette (14) acting as a skin protector and the one-piece tubular assembly providing a total protection of all the potential living member areas at risk against pressure ulcers.

2. Integral protector, according to claim 1, wherein said attachment between said stockinette (14) and said tubular jacket (10) is obtained at least by means of a seam of the mouthpiece area of both elements so that the integral protector remaining in place while the living member is moving.

3. Integral protector according to claim 2, wherein the cited seam of the mouthpiece is done on an external peripheral zone of the tubular jacket (10).

4. Integral protector according to claim 1, wherein said textile stockinette is either knitted, woven or braided.

5. Integral protector, according to claim 1 wherein said tubular jacket (10) is obtained from a flat piece with two opposite cut-out portions (11, 12) by joining two opposite major edges of the flat piece, said cut-out portions (11, 12) when joined providing an angled portion corresponding to an elbow of the tubular jacket (10) suitable to accommodate against the external surface of a foot.

6. Integral protector, according to claim 1 wherein said tubular jacket (10) is obtained from a flat piece with two opposite cut-out portions (11, 12) by joining to said elastic longitudinal portion (15) of the stockinette (14), two opposite major edges of the flat piece, said cut-out portions (11, 12) providing an angled portion corresponding to an elbow of the tubular jacket (10) suitable to accommodate against the external surface of a foot.

7. Integral protector, according to claim 5, wherein said angled portion is obtained by means of a seam of the edges of said cut-out portions (11, 12) around a middle region of the tubular jacket (10) forming an angle with the axis thereof.

8. Integral protector, according to claim 1, wherein said elastic longitudinal portion (15) is provided while knitting said stockinette.

9. Integral protector, according to claim 1, wherein said elastic longitudinal portion (15) is a strip of regular width.

10. Integral protector, according to claim 1, wherein said tubular assembly (16) has an end portion wider than the opposite end.

11. Integral protector, according to claim 9, wherein one of the ends of the tubular assembly (16) includes a mark providing an indication of an introduction area of the member to protect.

12. Integral protector, according to claim 1, wherein the fabric of the textile stockinette (14) is washable and breathable.

13. Integral protector, according to claim 1, wherein the 3D spacer fabric of said tubular jacket (10) is washable and breathable.

14-19. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the flat 3D spacer fabric intended to provide an external sleeve or tubular jacket by joining the two major edges thereof, and with two opposite cut-out portions that then provide a bent portion.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the textile tubular stockinette including an elastic longitudinal portion along the whole generatrix thereof.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the 3D spacer fabric with the cut-out portions sewn forming an angle o with the axis thereof, providing an elbow portion.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the textile tubular stockinette positioned for assembly.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the integral protector of the invention with the textile stockinette attached to the external 3D spacer fabric sleeve.

[0049] FIGS. 6 to 10 illustrate several spacer textiles known in the art that have been tested in order to find a best 3D fabric for the production of the tubular jacket or the integral protector of this invention, using fabrics with following weights and thicknesses:

[0050] FIG. 6: Spacer fabric 1 Weight 330 g/m.sup.2 Thickness 3.5 mm

[0051] FIG. 7: Spacer fabric 2 Weight 220 g/m.sup.2 Thickness 6 mm

[0052] FIG. 8: Spacer fabric 3 Weight 230 g/m.sup.2 Thickness 4.2 mm

[0053] FIG. 9: Spacer fabric 4 Weight 270 g/m.sup.2 Thickness 3.2 mm

[0054] FIG. 10: Spacer fabric 5 Weight 310 g/m.sup.2 Thickness 3.5 mm

[0055] FIG. 11 is a photography of the one-piece tubular assembly according to an alternative embodiment in which the textile tubular stockinette is longer than the tubular jacket, being a protruding segment of said textile tubular stockinette collapsed and sealed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] FIG. 1 details a flat piece of a 3D-spacer fabric 10 including a double layer fabric 10a, 10b with an open-work of filaments or fibres 10c interconnecting said layers 10a, 10b, The flat piece of 3D-spacer fabric 10 includes along two opposite major edges two opposite cut out portions 11, 12, that when these major edges and the edges of the cut out portions 11, 12 are joined (see FIG. 5) by stitching o sewing provide a bent part 13 conforming an elbow.

[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates a textile tubular stockinette 14 which makes the interior part of the tubular assembly constituting the proposed integral protector. In the figure it has been indicated an elastic longitudinal portion 15, extending along a whole generatrix of the stockinette 14, provided while knitting the stockinette, in the form of a strip of regular width. This elastic strip provides a means allowing that the stockinette acts as a tubular envelope tightly overlapped on the section of the member to be protected, for example a joint region of a foot.

[0058] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the 3.D-spacer fabric 10, preconfigured in a non closed tubular shape prepared to receive inside the stockinette 14, and with the edges of the cut out portions 11, 12, already joined by stitching providing a bent of and elbowed portion. The stockinette 14 is arranged inside the tubular jacket or external sleeve 10, so that extending coaxially within thereof, and joined by sewing of the major edges of the external sleeve 10 along the elastic longitudinal portion 15, providing in this way an elastic adaptation of the one-piece tubular assembly 16 (see FIG. 5) surrounding the part of the member to be covered procuring a cushioning effect (3-D-spacer fabric 10) and a protection of the skin of the patient by the inner textile tubular stockinette 14.

[0059] In addition to the joining by means of the cited sewing of the major edges of the external sleeve 10 along the elastic longitudinal portion 15, a further union between both stockinette 14 and tubular jacket 10 can be provided by providing a seam of the mouth piece area of both elements 10, 14 when shaped as a tubes. The joining is performed preferably on an external peripheral zone of the tubular jacket 10 to avoid any incidence on the skin of the patient. Thereby it is ensured that the textile tubular stockinette 14 will remain attached to the inner wall of the tubular jacket 10, without forming wrinkled areas, and then providing a suitable protection of the patient skin.

[0060] Moreover both said 3-D spacer fabric of the tubular jacket 10 and the knitted fabric of the stockinette 14 are washable and breathable so that providing a reusable integral protector.

[0061] At least when the proposed integral protector is intended for a foot and heel pressure ulcers protection, the one-piece tubular assembly of the two joined elements 10 and 14 will have an end portion wider that the other end and a suitable mark will be included in the protector to indicate the area of insertion of the member to protect.

[0062] FIG. 11 shown an alternative embodiment in which the textile tubular stockinette is longer than the tubular jacket, being the a tubular jacket end, corresponding with one of its mouthpiece area, collapsed and sealed by sewing.

Experimental Tests

[0063] Five 3D spacer textiles known in the art (see corresponding pictures and technical details on FIGS. 6 to 10) have been tested in order to finding a best 3D fabric for the production of the integral protector.

[0064] Two methods have been used to perform the test, a direct method using real patients and a dynamometric method using a series of weights (simulating a foot) programmed on a dynamometer.

[0065] The process consisted in marking the foot (real or artificial) with an iodine solution and then letting it rest during 4 seconds over a friseline sheet resting over the 3D fabric.

[0066] This process is repeated 29 times on each one of the 3D spacer textiles initially tested (also without a textile) and in random order. A foot mark appears visible on the friseline sheet depending on the cushioning of the texted 3D spacer.