U.S. patent application number 17/066437 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-15 for expansion sock.
This patent application is currently assigned to HEEL-IT, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Heel-lt, LLC. Invention is credited to JASON R. HANFT.
Application Number | 20210106070 17/066437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005293297 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-15 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210106070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HANFT; JASON R. |
April 15, 2021 |
EXPANSION SOCK
Abstract
An expansion sock includes one or more expansion zones formed of
a different type of knitted fabric than adjacent zones. The
expansion zones permit the sock to be used on a person's bandaged
foot because the bandaged portions of the foot can be accommodated
without either increased pressure on the bandages while minimizing
excess, bunched material adjacent thereto.
Inventors: |
HANFT; JASON R.; (South
Miami, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Heel-lt, LLC |
South Miami |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HEEL-IT, LLC
South Miami
FL
|
Family ID: |
1000005293297 |
Appl. No.: |
17/066437 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15821273 |
Nov 22, 2017 |
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17066437 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 2400/34 20130101;
A41B 11/003 20130101; A41B 2500/10 20130101; A41D 2500/10 20130101;
A41D 2400/32 20130101; A41B 2400/60 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41B 11/00 20060101
A41B011/00 |
Claims
1. An expansion sock for use with a bandaged foot of a patient, the
sock comprising: a calf portion configured and sized to expand
circumferentially around a leg of the patient having the bandaged
foot, the calf portion extending from a top edge proximate to the
calf of the patient toward the foot of the patient and adapted to
terminate in a bottom edge located above the malleoli when the sock
is worn by the patient; a foot portion having a top edge extending
from the bottom edge of the calf portion; wherein the foot portion,
when worn by the patient, is sized and shaped to circumferentially
enclose the foot of the patient; wherein the foot portion includes
a heel-ankle section, a midfoot section, and a forefoot section,
the heel-ankle section sized to cover at least the heel and both of
the malleoli, the forefoot section having a closed end located and
dimensioned to cover the metatarsal heads and the toes, and the
midfoot section located and extending between the heel-ankle
section and the forefoot section; wherein the sock consists
essentially of knitted fabric enclosing a first volume in the calf
portion and a second volume in the foot portion when the sock is in
an unworn, relaxed state; wherein the calf portion, the heel-ankle
section, and the midfoot section consist essentially of a first
type of the knitted fabric, the first type of the knitted fabric
characterized by a first force at specified elongation (FASE) at
100% selected and configured to generate a first compressive force
less than 20 mmHg when any of portion, the heel-ankle section, or
the midfoot section is expanded to 15% of the first volume of the
relaxed state, whereby, when the sock is worn, the calf portion
fits the leg and the heel-ankle section and midfoot section fit the
heel-ankle and midfoot, respectively; and wherein the forefoot
section consists essentially of a second type of knitted fabric to
define an expansion zone, the second type of knitted fabric
characterized by a second force at specified elongation (FASE) at
100% less than the first FASE, the second type of knitted fabric
configured to generate a second compressive force less than 20 mmHg
when the expansion zone is expanded beyond 15% of the second
volume, whereby, when the sock is worn, the forefoot portion fits
the bandaged foot of the patient.
2. The sock of claim 1, wherein the second type of knitted fabric
is selected to generate less than 20 mmHg compressive force when
the expansion zone is expanded to any volume in the range of
between 50% and 200% of the relaxed state.
3. The sock of claim 1, wherein the forefoot section is adapted to
extend circumferentially around the forefoot to overlie the top of
the foot above the metatarsal heads, and upper and lower surfaces
and sides of the toes, when worn by the patient.
4. The sock of claim 1, wherein the calf portion includes an upper
calf portion located at the top edge of the calf portion, and
wherein the knitted fabric of at least one of the upper calf
portion, the heel-ankle portion, and the forefoot portion further
comprises padded fabric.
5. The sock of claim 1, wherein the calf portion includes an upper
calf portion located at the top edge of the calf portion, wherein
the calf portion comprises a forward calf portion comprising padded
fabric and extending longitudinally and substantially from the
upper calf portion to the bottom edge of the calf portion, and
wherein the forward calf portion has a transverse width and is
located on the circumference of the calf portion to overlie the
antibial crest when worn by the patient.
6. The sock of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and
second compressive forces generated by the first and second types
of fabric, respectively, is 15 mm HG or less.
7. The sock of claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric comprises at
least one material selected from the group consisting of (1)
antimicrobial material; (2) machine-washable material; (3)
multilayer material; (4) low-friction material; (5) heat-retaining
material; (6) heat-resisting material; (7) insulating material; and
(8) wicking material.
8. An expansion sock for use with a bandaged foot of a patient, the
sock comprising: a calf portion configured and sized to expand
circumferentially around a leg of the patient having the bandaged
foot, the calf portion extending from a top edge proximate to the
calf of the patient toward the foot of the patient and adapted to
terminate in a bottom edge located above the malleoli when the sock
is worn by the patient; a foot portion having a top edge extending
from the bottom edge of the calf portion; wherein the foot portion,
when worn by the patient, is sized and shaped to circumferentially
enclose the foot of the patient; wherein the foot portion includes
a heel-ankle section, a midfoot section, and a forefoot section,
the heel-ankle section sized to cover at least the heel and both of
the malleoli, the forefoot section having a closed end located and
dimensioned to cover the metatarsal heads and the toes, and the
midfoot section located and extending between the heel-ankle
section and the forefoot section; wherein the sock consists
essentially of knitted fabric enclosing a first volume in the calf
portion and a second volume in the foot portion when the sock is in
an unworn, relaxed state; wherein the calf portion, the heel-ankle
section, and the midfoot section consist essentially of a first
type of the knitted fabric, the first type of the knitted fabric
characterized by a first force at specified elongation (FASE) at
100% selected and configured to generate a first compressive force
less than 20 mmHg when any of the calf portion, the heel-ankle
section, or the midfoot section, is expanded to 15% of the first
volume of the relaxed state, whereby, when the sock is worn, the
calf portion fits the leg and the heel-ankle section and midfoot
section fit the heel-ankle and midfoot, respectively; wherein the
forefoot section consists essentially of a second type of knitted
fabric to define an expansion zone, the second type of knitted
fabric characterized by a second force at specified elongation
(FASE) at 100% less than the first FASE, the second type of knitted
fabric configured to generate a second compressive force less than
20 mmHg when the expansion zone is expanded to any volume in the
range of between 50% and 200% of the second volume of the relaxed
state, whereby, when the sock is worn, the forefoot portion fits
the bandaged foot of the patient; wherein the forefoot section is
adapted to extend circumferentially around the forefoot to overlie
the top of the foot above the metatarsal heads, and upper and lower
surfaces and sides of the toes, when worn by the patient; wherein
the calf portion includes an upper calf portion located at the top
edge of the calf portion, and wherein the knitted fabric of at
least one of the upper calf portion, the heel-ankle portion, and
the forefoot portion further comprises padded fabric; wherein the
calf portion comprises a forward calf portion comprising padded
fabric and extending longitudinally and substantially from the
upper calf portion to the bottom edge of the calf portion, and
wherein the forward calf portion has a transverse width and is
located on the circumference of the calf portion to overlie the
antibial crest when worn by the patient; and wherein the knitted
fabric of the foot portion comprises at least one material selected
from the group consisting of an anti-microbial material, a
low-friction material, an insulating material, and a wicking
material.
9. The sock of claim 8, wherein the knitted fabric of the foot
portion includes a plantar area sized and located to underlie the
plantar surface of the foot and incorporating all of the sock
materials.
10. The sock of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and
second compressive forces generated by the first and second types
of fabric, respectively, is 15 mm HG or less.
11. The sock of claim 8, wherein the knitted fabric of the foot
portion comprises the at least one anti-microbial material, the
material having at least one composition selected from the group
consisting of PTFE, silver, phenolic compounds, copper metals,
heavy metals, QAC, ammonium compounds, hydrophilic coatings,
polymers, biocides, fungicides, antiviral compounds.
12. The sock of claim 8, wherein the knitted fabric of the foot
portion comprises the at least one low-friction material, the
low-friction material selected from the group consisting of PTFE,
nylon, TEFLON, polyesters, LYCRA, SPANDEX, silicone, rayon, wool,
and bamboo.
13. The sock of claim 8, wherein the knitted fabric of the foot
portion comprises the at least one insulating material, the
insulating material selected from the group consisting of
polyester, wools, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs),
polyurethanes, and technical fabric.
14. The sock of claim 8, wherein the knitted fabric of the foot
portion comprises the at least one wicking material, the wicking
material selected from the group consisting of polyester, wools,
microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs), polyurethanes, and
technical fabric.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 15/821,273 filed on Nov. 12, 2017.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to socks, and in particular, to an
expansion sock for use by patients having a bandaged foot.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A person's foot may undergo any number of injuries, sprains,
wounds, or other disorders and afflictions, whether caused by
direct accident, or as secondary effects of other trauma, heart
conditions, blood conditions, diabetes, or any number of other
medical conditions (collectively referred to herein as "foot
injuries"). When people with foot injuries become patients under
the care of medical practitioners, there are any number of
treatments which the patient's foot may undergo. Such treatments
may include, without limitation, surgical procedures, such as to
correct bunions, orthopedic or other foot conditions, tissue or
bone repair procedures, wound or ulcer treatment, and the like, or
medical procedures may involve bracing or other supportive and
corrective orthoses.
[0004] Inevitably, treatment of foot injuries may involve bandaging
all or portions of the foot, whether for short or extended periods
of time. Treatment of foot injuries generally involves bandages
beyond the mere surface application of an adhesive bandage that
substantially remains within the planar contours of the foot.
Bandages for foot injuries may instead involve multiple layers,
often with gauze, casting material and the like, and thereby the
bandaged foot assumes a profile which extends beyond the normal
outer surfaces of a healthy or unbandaged foot. Feet recovering
from treatments or from foot injuries may also assume an expanded
profile by mere swelling alone.
[0005] Generally, during treatment or convalescence, the bandaged
foot needs to be placed either in any number of immobilizing
devices, such as boots, cam walkers, casts, splints, surgical shoe,
and other limb orthoses, or in suitable footwear, depending on the
nature of the foot injury.
[0006] The increased dimensions of the bandaged foot, as opposed to
its normal profile, pose challenges to covering the foot (including
the toes) with a sock, when such sock coverage is necessary or
desirable.
[0007] Frequently, the patient winds up having exposed portions of
the foot during convalescence or treatment, even when such foot is
received in a suitable walker, brace, or other convalescent or
therapeutic footwear, not to mention the challenges of such
bandaged foot being placed in a regular shoe.
[0008] There are numerous drawbacks and disadvantages to having
portions of the foot uncovered by a suitable sock, ranging not only
from exposure to the elements, but also including potential for a
re-injury of the foot, or even injured self-esteem as the exposed
foot may be visible to the public. In a similar vein, enclosing the
bandaged foot with a suitable sock often aids in healing and
convalescence, improved self-esteem, and may keep the foot from
excess cold or heat. Suitable enclosure of the bandaged foot may
isolate the foot from microbes, bacteria or infectious agents, as
well as adding to comfort, in that exposed portions of the foot or
the bandage itself do not experience uncomfortable pressure from
the brace, boot or other immobilizing device potentially associated
with convalescence.
[0009] Neither traditional socks nor compression socks are suitable
to accommodate the needs or address the challenges of appropriately
accommodating a bandaged foot having increased dimension compared
to a non-bandaged one. A traditional sock large enough to
accommodate the expanded foot bandage may gather, crease, or
otherwise form discontinuities adjacent the bandage, or may not fit
the patient's calf. Compression socks generally constrict the foot
portion more than the calf portion and thus constrict the bandaged
foot area. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to address the
foregoing challenges, drawbacks and disadvantages.
SUMMARY
[0010] In one possible implementation, an expansion sock for use
with a bandaged foot has a calf portion which goes around the leg
of the patient and extends down to join with a foot portion which
is sized and shaped to enclose the foot of the patient. For
purposes of this disclosure, the foot portion can be conceptually
divided into a heel-ankle section, a mid-foot section, and a
forefoot section. For the sock to fit the patient's calf, the calf
portion is configured to have knitted material that generates a
comfortable amount of compressive force, less than 20 mmHg when the
calf portion is expanded stretching by about 15% in volume from its
relaxed state.
[0011] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, one or more parts
of the foot portion have a second type of knitted fabric which is
more expandable than the fabric in the calf portion. By "more
expandable" it is meant that, in one possible implementation, the
fabric in the foot portion defines an expansion zone and it is able
to maintain a compressive force of less than 20 mmHg, even when the
expansion zone is required to stretch beyond 15% of the volume of
the foot portion in the relaxed state, such as when accommodating a
bandage in such foot portion.
[0012] In other implementations, the fabric of the foot portion can
generate less than 20 mmHg of compressive force even when the
expansion zone is expanded to a volume ranging between 50% and 200%
of the volume of the relaxed state.
[0013] In various implementations, the knitted fabric which expands
more easily to form the expansion zone may be located in the
heel-ankle section, the mid-foot section, the forefoot section, or
any combination of the foregoing. The location of the expansion
zones may be adapted to anticipated uses with patients suffering
from particular types of bandaged feet.
[0014] Certain foot injuries may benefit from avoiding excess
friction between overlying portions of the sock material, may also
benefit from having the sock material be anti-microbial,
insulative, or having enhanced wicking properties to reduce foot
perspiration. Accordingly, in various implementations, the
expansion sock of the present disclosure may have knitted fabric
which comprises materials exhibiting one or more of the foregoing
properties.
[0015] In still further implementations, the expansion sock may
include padded fabric at various locations to aid in convalescence,
protection or comfort or combinations of any of the foregoing. For
example, padding may be provided in the forefoot region to deal
with metatarsal surgery, injury, support, or other medical
conditions, or convalescence from associated medical procedures.
Similarly, orthopedic or other medical conditions, wounds, ulcers,
and the like afflicting the heel may be addressed by suitable
padding, and injuries to the calf, especially to the shin area, may
be addressed by padded portions located on the expansion sock to
correspond to the antibial crest when worn by the patient.
[0016] These and other features of the foregoing inventions are
further appreciated by reference to the following drawings, in
which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing one implementation of an
expansion sock according to the present disclosure worn by a
patient with a bandaged foot in a suitable mobilizing or
therapeutic device;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of another possible
implementation of the present disclosure of an expansion sock;
[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 are front- and rear-elevational views of the
implementation shown in FIG. 2;
[0020] FIGS. 5 and 6 are front- and side-elevational views of
another possible implementation of an expansion sock according to
the present disclosure, shown when the sock is being worn by the
patient over a bandaged foot.
DESCRIPTION
[0021] Certain implementations of an expansion sock according to
this disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1-6 herein. Referring to FIG. 1,
an expansion sock 21 is shown being worn by a patient on a bandaged
foot a, including leg b. The sock may have a calf portion 23
configured and sized to expand circumferentially around a
corresponding calf of a leg b of the patient having bandaged foot
a. Calf portion 23 extends toward the foot a of the patient and
terminates in a bottom edge 25, which bottom edge 25 is located so
that, when the sock 21 is worn by the patient, the bottom edge 25
is proximate to, but above, malleoli c.
[0022] A foot portion 27 has a top edge 29 extending from bottom
edge 25 and is sized and shape to circumferentially enclose
bandaged foot a of the patient. As described in further detail
below, foot portion 27 includes one or more expansion zones 43,
which include areas of knitted fabric in which the knitted fabric
is more expandable than that of calf portion 23. By "more
expandable" it is meant that foot portion 27 is able to stretch
where necessary to accommodate the larger profile or volume caused
by a bandage which extends away from the normal outer surface of
the foot, and such expansion is accomplished without significantly
increasing the compressive force felt by the foot, and in a way
that does not cause excessive bunching of fabric in non-expanded,
adjacent areas of such foot portion 27. Accordingly, in the example
illustrated in FIG. 1, the increase in profile or volume to an
otherwise normal foot is in the form of a bulge caused by a bandage
over the great toe d. The areas of foot portion 27 overlying the
bulge have expanded to accommodate such bulge without significantly
increasing compressive force on such bulge beyond that otherwise
felt in normal areas of the foot, and without causing excess
material or bunching of material in non-bandaged areas as well.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, another possible implementation
of an expansion sock according to this disclosure is shown and will
be described hereinafter. Expansion sock 121 includes calf portion
123 sized and configured to fit over an unbandaged calf of a
patient, and foot portion 127 is configured to fit over a bandaged
foot, the portions 123, 127 adjoining each other at opposing,
respective bottom and top edges 125, 129.
[0024] Foot portion 127 may be conceptually divided into three
sections, a heel-ankle section 131, a mid-foot section 133, and a
forefoot section 135. Heel-ankle section 131 is sized to cover at
least the heel and extend above the malleoli c (FIG. 1). Forefoot
section 135 has a closed end 137 and is located and dimensioned to
cover metatarsal heads and toes of the patient's foot, and mid-foot
section 133 extends between heel-ankle and forefoot sections 131,
135.
[0025] In one possible implementation, the expansion sock consists
essentially of knitted fabric, with the word "knitted" intended to
encompass any number of natural, synthetic, polymeric, rubberized,
elastic, or other types of fabric, whether knitted in the
conventional sense of having a woven pattern, or knitted in the
sense of being imprinted or formed so as to be capable of varying
in dimension or orientation in response to force
[0026] Calf portion 123, in one suitable implementation, may
consist essentially of a first type of the knitted fabric 190. This
fabric 190 is selected so as to have the normal feel and comfort of
a sock worn on the unbandaged calf of the patient. In such case,
the knitted fabric 190 may be characterized by a corresponding
force at specified elongation (FASE) at 100% to accomplish such
normal fit. Although those skilled in the art may define
compression, comfort and fit in slightly different ways, one
suitable metric used in therapeutic circles is to express sock fit
is in terms of compressive force measured in mmHg. Compressive
forces of less than 15 or 20 mmHg have been considered as being
normal comfort or non-medical compression suitable for wearing
under normal circumstances over a normal unbandaged calf, as
contemplated by the present disclosure. In other possible
implementations, there are other alternative ways to referencing
compressive force, in which it is appropriate to express normal
sock fit as a percentage of expansion from its relaxed state.
According to such, those skilled in the art may consider that
expansion to no more than 15% of the relaxed volume is a suitable
design for a knitted sock to "fit."
[0027] In terms of Force at Specified Elongation, various testing
methods for yarns of may be employed in the selection of fabrics
for calf and foot portions. One suitable testing method is set out
in ASTM D2731-15, "Standard Test Method for Elastic Properties of
Elastomeric yarns (CRE Type Tensile Testing Machines)."
[0028] While the calf portion 23, 123 and its knitted fabric 190
are configured to expand by amounts within the normal range and
exert normal compression suitable to keep a sock up on a calf, foot
portion 127 includes one or more portions or areas having knitted
fabric 199 which defines one or more expansion zones 143 capable of
expanding more readily than the knitted fabric 190 of calf portion
23, 123. Expansion zones 143 are capable of expanding to
accommodate the increased bulk of a bandage on the foot, without
either causing excess compressive force on the bandage and thereby
causing discomfort or further injury, and also without having
excess material susceptible to bunching or folding, which likewise
might abrade or otherwise cause blistering or other discomforts to
the foot. In the implementation illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, at least
one of or more of heel-ankle section 131, mid-foot section 133, and
forefoot section 135 may consist essentially of a more expandable,
second type of knitted fabric and define one or more corresponding
expansion zones 143 thereby. In the example illustrated in FIGS.
2-4, all three of sections 131, 133 and 135, comprising the entire
foot portion 127, are formed out of the more expandable fabric, and
define a single continuous expansion zone 143. Discontinuous
expansion zones 143, occupying all or portions of sections 131,
133, and 135, may likewise be formed by defining areas of differing
fabric expansion properties.
[0029] When the knitted fabric 199 of expansion zone or zones 143
is described herein as being different from the fabric 190 of the
calf portion, or being "a second type" of fabric, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that such descriptions
refer to the different properties of such fabric 199, as compared
to fabric 190 in calf portion 123. Thus, for example, the more
expandable properties of knitted fabric 199 in expansion zone(s)
143, as opposed to that in calf portion 23, 123, may arise from
threads of the same material in the expansion zones as in the calf
portions, but the threads of fabric 199 are thinner (have a lower
denier), or have looser or different weaves, or are treated,
combined with, or alternated with polymeric or other types of
fibers. Fabric 199 in expansion zones 143 may likewise be
considered different, or of second type, compared to that in calf
portions in the sense of being formed of fibers of a different
material, fiber, or of a non-woven but flexible material.
[0030] In its relaxed (unworn) state, as seen in FIGS. 2-4, the
sock 121 and its knitted fabric may be thought of as enclosing a
first volume 139 by means of calf portion 123, and a second volume
141 by means of knitted fabric in foot portion 127. Although any
number of knitted fabrics may be suitable to provide the additional
expansion contemplated herein, one suitable implementation has a
foot portion 127 with an FASE at 100% which is less than the FASE
at 100% of the calf portion 123, such foot portion 127 being
configured to generate a compressive force less than 20 mmHg when
expansion zone 143 is expanded beyond 15% of second (relaxed state)
volume 141. In other implementations, the knitted fabric of
expansion zone 143 may be configured so that the compressive force
remains less than 20 mmHg when expansion zone 143 is expanded to
any volume in the range of between 50% and 200% of the relaxed
state of second volume 141 of the foot portion.
[0031] In still further implementations, only one or two sections
of 131, 133 and 135 are configured with the more expandable fabric.
Such implementations may be more suitable when the expansion sock
121 is contemplated for use with foot injuries located in one of
those sections 131, 133 and 135, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The
more expandable areas of knitted fabric defining corresponding
expansion zones 43, 143 may extend completely about the foot
circumference of sections 131, 133, or 135; or may occupy only a
patch, a portion, or other circumscribed area in the sections 131,
133, or 135, or in any area of foot portion 127 in which a bandage
may need to be accommodated.
[0032] Forefoot section 135 defines an expansion zone extending
circumferentially around the forefoot and thereby overlies the top
of bandaged foot a (FIG. 1), as well as the upper and lower
surfaces and sides of the toes, when worn by the patient. Still
further variations may be contemplated in terms of the location of
more expandable types of fabric relative to portions of the foot
within the expansion sock 21, 121. So, for example, expandable
knitted fabric 199 of foot portion 127 may include an upper area
145 sized and located to underlie the upper surface of bandaged
foot a, whereas the opposite, lower, plantar section of foot
portion 127 is formed of another, less expandable type of fabric,
such as fabric 190.
[0033] In those embodiments where only portions of foot portion 127
comprise the more expandable, knitted fabric 199, the increased
expandability may be determined or expressed in any suitable
manner. For example, fabric 199 may have an FASE at 100%, 200% or
other suitable tensile test percentage which is less than the
comparable FASE of fabric 190 at adjacent areas of foot portion 127
made of the first type of (less expandable) fabric. The expansion
zones in such embodiments may likewise be expressed as allowing
expansion beyond 15%, or between 50% and 200%, or between 75% and
300%, while not increasing the compressive force beyond 50% of the
compressive force of "normal fit." The expansion percentages of
this disclosure, such as beyond 15%, between 50% and 200%, and
between 75% and 300%, are determinable, in one possible
implementation, by base reference to the surface area of the second
type of knitted fabric when in its relaxed state. Alternatively,
expansion of an area of the second type of knitted fabric may be
measured with base reference to a sock volume corresponding to the
expansion area.
[0034] Given the tubular or cylindrical nature of socks in general,
expansion socks according this disclosure may have expansion zones
143 located on areas of the foot portion 127 which may not directly
overlie or align with the bandaged portions of the foot, but which
zones may nonetheless expand as described to allow displacement of
the fabric overlying the bandage within the volume parameters
described herein. For example, such implementation may have an
expandable area at one longitudinal location along the length of
the socks, located adjacent the plantar surface of a foot inserted
therein. As such, if bandaging is located at the same longitudinal
location along the length of the sock, but on the upper surface of
the foot rather than the plantar surface, then the expansion zone
on the plantar surface will expand in area, permitting the fabric
adjacent to the upper to be displaced by the bandage, the resulting
net expansion of volume or expansion zone area of such location
exceeding 15% from its relaxed state, while not significantly
increasing compression on such bandage.
[0035] Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 5-6, another
possible implementation of the disclosure includes expansion sock
221, which makes use of the more expandable type of knitted fabric
299 in heel-ankle section 231 and forefoot section 235, to form
corresponding expansion zones 243. The other portions of the sock
are as described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 with
the exception of mid-foot section 233, which is formed of less
expandable knitted fabric 290 adapted to fit unbandaged portions of
the patient's foot. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the injury at the big
toe has been accommodated by expansion of knitted fabric in
forefoot section 235 beyond 15% of its relaxed volume and without
increasing compressive force beyond 20 mmHg.
[0036] In addition to the features described above with reference
to expansion sock 21, 121, and 221, any of the foregoing
embodiments may include within, or in addition to, the knitted
fabrics additional materials to impart additional desirable
properties to the expansion sock. Thus, for example, calf portion
123 (FIGS. 2-4) may include padded material or fabric 147, and
similar padded material 147 may be provided in heel-ankle section
131 and forefoot section 135.
[0037] In certain implementations, it is desirable to provide
padding in the expansion sock 21, 121, and 221 corresponding to the
shin when worn by the patient. To that end, calf portion 123 may
include a forward calf portion 149 sized and configured to include
padded material overlying the antibial crest when worn by the
patient.
[0038] Certain foot disorders and conditions, such as ulcers,
wounds, and other foot injuries, can be found in diabetics, and
these and other patients may benefit from still further material
properties being included in expansion socks in this disclosure.
Thus, for example, knitted material in foot portion 127 may
comprise antimicrobial material, low friction material, heat
retaining material, heat resisting material, insulating material,
and wicking material. Alone or in in any combination, such
materials may assist in healing of the foot injury and avoiding
complications of infection or other undesirable delays in
recovering or convalescence. With regard to antimicrobial material,
suitable properties may include active ingredients that kill or
otherwise reduce the spread of bacteria, fungus, yeasts, or
viruses. Examples include, but are not limited to, PTFE, silver,
zinc, phenolic compounds, copper metals, heavy metals, QAC, QUAT
(ammonium compounds), hydrophilic coatings, polymers, biocides,
fungicides, antivirals, and any compositions, materials, or
treatments that inhibit growth, attachment, or attraction of
bacteria, fungus, yeasts, or viruses.
[0039] Low friction sock materials may be used in expansion sock 21
and have properties that reduce the coefficient of friction between
any or all of the foot and sock 21 relative to each other; the sock
21 and the adjacent device, floor, ground or other support surface;
and, ultimately, the foot relative to such support surfaces (where
sock 21 is intermediate or serves as a contact layer between the
two). Low-friction materials suitable for sock 21 may include PTFE,
nylon, TEFLON, polyesters, LYCRA, SPANDEX, silicone, rayon, wool,
bamboo, and multiple layers of these or other fabrics.
[0040] Sock materials may be used in expansion sock 21 that
insulate the foot received therein from being either to hot or too
cold, and/or which minimize accumulation of perspiration through
wicking. Such materials include, without limitation, polyester,
wools, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs),
polyurethanes, and a variety of technical fabrics. Materials and
fabrics may also provide the foregoing properties by virtue of
weave density (denier), material infusion, blending, coating,
spinning of one fabric over a core of another fabric, and technical
fabrics with any and all of the foregoing customized to meet
requirements related to insulation and wicking.
[0041] Although expansion sock 21 has been illustrated with
reference to a particular immobilizing device, it would be
appreciated that expansion socks according to the present
disclosure may serve as a contact layer between the bandaged foot
received in or retained by any number of other healing
environments, such as with an overlying cast, splint, or other
immobilizing devices; the expansion socks of the present disclosure
may likewise be used in CAM walkers, boots, or similar limb
orthopedic devices, or may be worn in therapeutic or regular
footwear.
[0042] In addition to the broadly declined knitted fabrics suitable
for the expansion socks of the present disclosure, still further
expansion sock implementations may comprise knitted. material on
either one layer, or may use multiple layers of knitted fabric of
the same or differing properties, material, denier, thread-types
and the like.
[0043] Having described the features of the expansion sock in the
present disclosure, its advantages will be readily apparent. The
bandaged foot of a patient may be enclosed with all its attendant
advantages of substantially isolating it from further contaminants
and undesirable elements, while minimizing the discomfort which
might be associated with excessive pressure on the bandage portion
of the foot, as well as the discomfort resulting from ill-fitting
material at or adjacent to the bandaged portion of the foot.
[0044] Having described implementations of the expansion sock
herein, it will be appreciated that this disclosure is not limited
to the precise details, methodologies, materials, or geometries set
forth herein, nor is this disclosure limited to the illustrated
implementations or variations thereof described herein.
Accordingly, still further variations and implementations are
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
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