NL2035037B1

NL2035037B1 - Medical garment for lymphedema

Info

Publication number: NL2035037B1
Application number: NL2035037A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Johanna Maria Schimmel Anita; Huizinga Sarena
Original assignee: Didert B V
Priority date: 2023-06-08
Filing date: 2023-06-08
Publication date: 2024-12-19

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical garment having an inner surface (2) configured for residing against a wearer’s skin. The medical garment is at least partially formed by knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of knitting stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern. The knitted fabric (1) comprises a plurality of elongated raised parts (4) on the inner surface, wherein the elongated raised parts (4) are made of tunnel parts (5) of the knitted fabric pleated to form elongated tunnels. The tunnel parts (5) of the knitted fabric (1) comprise a plurality of floats (6) positioned on the inside of the elongated tunnels.

Description

Medical garment for lymphedema

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to medical garment, knitted fabric and a method of manufacturing such a medical garment.

BACKGROUND

The lymph system filters and drains excess fluid in your body.

Lymphedema, which is also known as lymphoedema and lymphatic oedema, is a condition of localized swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system and returns interstitial fluid to the bloodstream.

Lymphedema often occurs as a complication of cancer treatment, such as after lymph node dissection, surgery and/or radiation therapy. These treatments may damage the lymphatic system. Lymphedema occurs in particular as a result of treatment of breast cancer. Lymphedema may also have other causes, such as certain diseases or infections. Lymphedema is incurable, but treatments are available to relieve the symptoms.

One known type of treatment involves compression garments to apply pressure on the body parts effected by lymphedema to push the interstitial fluid out of the effected body parts, thereby preventing or reducing swelling.

For instance, US10596764 describes a medical garment for channelling edema from a body region, that include at least one stretchable fabric substrate and multiple, separate elements secured to the at least one stretchable fabric substrate with substantially uniform spacing between the elements in a first zone such that the elements extend substantially parallel to one another in the first zone. According to this document, elements are secured to an outer material, that create when urged against a limb of a patient areas of higher pressure. Areas in between the elements may be of lower pressure. Accordingly, the elements may form channels that help direct lymph flow up the limb and reduce swelling.

When viewed in cross-section, one or more elements may have a height and width and be spaced a selected distance from one another. In selected embodiments, one or more elements may have a height in the range of about 0.2 cm to about 2.5 cm, a width in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 3.0 cm, and spacing (e.g., on center spacing or spacing from edge to edge) in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 4 cm.

Currently, knitted bras are available on the market that help to relieve the symptoms of lymphedema. These bras are sold under the brand Bratelle. These bras comprise two layers of knitted fabric which are used to create a rather coarse ribbed structure. As a result of the technique used, the ribbed structure is formed on the inside as well as on the outside, which comes with a couple of disadvantages. For instance, the bras are relatively thick and therefore difficult to wash and do not dry fast. This is inconvenient for users. Also, the bras become too elastic, which reduces the effect of relieving the symptoms of lymphedema. The bras are also not as dimensionally stable over time as needed for an optimal effect in terms of relieving the symptoms of lymphedema. To overcome this problem, these bras have to be adjusted over time and are provided with a relatively large closure mechanism, including many hooks, to enable compensation for the dimension instability. Finally, the ribbed structure on the outside makes the bras less aesthetic for the user, as the ribbed structure will be visible even when covered by other clothes.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved medical garment for relieving the symptoms of lymphedema.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is solved by a medical garment having an inner surface configured for residing against a wearer's skin, wherein the medical garment is at least partially formed by knitted fabric comprising a plurality of knitting stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the knitted fabric comprises a plurality of elongated raised parts on the inner surface, wherein the elongated raised parts are made of tunnel parts of the knitted fabric pleated to form elongated tunnels, wherein the tunnel parts of the knitted fabric comprise a plurality of floats positioned on the inside of the elongated tunnels.

In particular, the medical garment is for relieving the symptoms of edema.

The elongated raised parts interspaced with non-raised parts together form channels to channel edema from a body part thereby relieving the symptoms. Depending on the type of medical garment, the elongated raised parts may be oriented to point in the suitable direction to best channel edema away.

The elongated raised parts are made of tunnel parts of a single layer of knitted fabric pleated to form elongated tunnels.

By creating this from a knitted fabric, a channeled knitted fabric can be created in one go by knitting. The garments can be made tailored to the shape of the wearer's body and the number and size of the raised parts can easily be adjusted to the needs of a wearer.

Also, the elasticity and pressure exerted by the garment on the body can be varied by varying the type of yarn (thickness, material), the number of stitches and/or rows per square unit of the fabric. The garment can be formed by a single layer of knitted fabric, without the need for applying multiple layers that need to be secured to each other.

Alternatively, the garment may comprise an additional layer provided on an outside of the garment.

Knitted fabric is formed by knitted stitches provided in a matrix-like pattern, comprising a plurality of rows, each row comprising a plurality of stitches in different stitch columns.

A float is a strand of yarn that is carried behind the knitted fabric for a number of stitches.

So, a float is carried behind the knitted fabric over a number of stitch columns. A float may have a length of for instance 5 or 6 stitches. The start and end of a float may be secured to the knitted fabric by a knitted stich, in this text referred to as a float securing stitch. The stitch column of the float securing stitch is referred to as a float securing stitch column.

By filling the inside of the elongated tunnel with floats, it is possible to create elongated raised areas that are relatively small, durable and able to apply sufficient pressure on the wearer's body, with a relatively finer knitted fabric. This way, medical garment is obtained that is comfortable to wear and easy to wash and dry. The garment can also be tailored with increased accuracy and has a good dimension stability.

Preferably, the inside of the elongated tunnels is completely filled with floats.

According to an embodiment, the knitted fabric comprises an outer surface that is free from elongated raised parts formed as elongated tunnels.

The knitted fabric is used to form elongated tunnels on the inner surface, but these elongated tunnels are formed such that no raised parts are formed on the outer surface.

So, the outer surface is smooth in comparison to the inner surface. Of course, the elongated raised parts formed by the elongated tunnels created on the inner surface may result in visible elongated pattern on the outer surface, reflecting the structure on the inner surface. However, the pattern on the outer surface has an amplitude which is much smaller than the pattern on the inner surface, i.e. at least a factor 5 or even 10 smaller.

This is advantageous, as the absence of channels or ribs on the outer surface, make it possible for a wearer to wear the medical garment underneath ordinary clothing, without showing through. This is in particular relevant when the medical garment is a bra, which is often combined with clothing of light fabric (blouse, t-shirt). Manufacturing the medical garment from knitted fabric is an advantageous solution to obtain this esthetic effect.

According to an embodiment tunnel parts of the knitted fabric comprise one or more sets of float tunnel rows, each float tunnel row comprising a plurality of stitch columns, wherein in each float tunnel row a series of floats are provided between equally interspaced float securing stitch columns.

Floats are present between non-neighboring, float securing stitch columns within the float tunnel row. So, by way of example, a first float may stretch between a first float securing stitch column and a second float securing stitch column, a second float between the second float securing stitch column and a third float securing stitch column, a third float between the third float securing stitch column and a fourth float securing stitch column, etc.. The float securing stitch columns may be positioned at regular float securing stitch column intervals, thereby creating a regular series of floats in the float tunnel row. For instance, float securing stitch columns may be present each s + (i*n) float securing stitch column, s being a certain float securing stitch column indicated by a column number, i =0,1,2, 3, 4, … and n being an integer having a value of 2 or greater. N may for instance be 6. In a first float tunnel row float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 1%, 7th 130, 19th. stitch column (s = 1, n = 6). The term non-neighboring is used to indicate that n is greater than 1, in which case there would not be a float.

According to an embodiment, the float securing stitch columns are different for each float tunnel row within a set.

For instance, in a first float tunnel row of a set s = 1, in the second float tunnel row of a set s = 3, in the third float tunnel row of a set s = 5, etc. , where n is the same for each float tunnel row in the set. 5 This provides the advantage that float securing stitch columns are spread among the stitch columns, creating an even tunnel part.

According to an embodiment wherein the float securing stitch columns in any float tunnel row within a set are in a stitch column neighboring the float securing stitch columns in any neighboring float tunnel row.

For instance, in a first float tunnel row of a set s = 1, in the second float tunnel row of a sets = 2, in the third float tunnel row of a set s = 3, etc. , where n is the same for each float tunnel row in the set.

This creates a diagonal pattern of float securing stitch columns within a set. Preferably, each stitch column is used once as float securing stitch column within a set. Using the example provided above, with n = 6, + float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 1st, 7th, 13th 19% …. stitch column in a first float tunnel row, e float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 2", 8th, 14% 20%. stitch column in a second float tunnel row, e float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 3d, 9th 156 21st stitch column in a third float tunnel row, se float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 4% 10th, 16% 227d … stitch column in a fourth float tunnel row, e float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 5, 11th, 17th 23d … stitch column in a fifth float tunnel row, e float securing stitch columns may be positioned at the 61, 12th, 186 24th stitch column in a sixth float tunnel row.

This further helps to create a tunnel part which has constant characteristics along its length.

According to an embodiment a set of float tunnel rows comprise a plurality of float tunnel rows, preferably in the range of 2 — 12 float tunnel rows. A set may for instance comprise 6 float tunnel rows.

According to an embodiment a tunnel part of the knitted fabric comprises a plurality of sets, preferably in the range of 2 — 12 sets. A tunnel part may for instance comprise 6 sets.

According to an embodiment a set of float tunnel rows comprise a first number of float tunnel rows and the float securing stitch columns within a float tunnel row are spaced apart by a second number of stitch columns, wherein the first number and the second number are equal.

The term spaced apart is used as follows: two float securing stitch columns are spaced apart by n stitch columns if one stitch column has column number a and the other stitch column as column number (a + i). So, in between those float securing stitch columns are (n-1} stitch columns without a stitch in that particular row.

According to an embodiment the tunnel parts are knitted according to the knitting patterns depicted in Fig. 3.

According to an embodiment the tunnel parts are knitted with 8 - 20 stitches per inch (1 inch = 2.54 cm).

The garment may for instance be manufactured on a knitting machine with a gauge of 12 per inch, wherein gauge means the amount of knitting needles per inch.

According to an embodiment the knitted fabric comprises elongated non-raised parts connecting neighboring raised parts.

The non-raised parts may also be referred to as intermediate parts when positioned in between two elongated raised parts. Non-raised parts only adjacent a single elongated raised parts may form a hem.

According to an embodiment e alast tunnel row of a non-raised part and/or a first tunnel row of a tunnel part and e a last tunnel row of a tunnel part and/or a first tunnel row of a non-raised part are connected over the length of the respective tunnel rows to form an elongated raised part.

This connection creates a pleat in the tunnel part thereby creating an elongated raised parts in the form of a tunnel. The connection may be formed by any suitable knitting stitch or other technique.

According to an embodiment the garment is one of a bra, a shirt, underpants, underwear, singlet, stockings.

According to an embodiment the garment is entirely formed by knitted fabric, preferably a single layer of knitted fabric. According to an alternative, the garment comprises an additional layer provided on the outside of the garment. This additional layer preferably is smooth, i.e. without elongated raised parts or elongated tunnels. This additional layer may be a knitted layer. The knitted fabric from which the raised parts are formed may be attached in a pleated manner to the additional layer to form the tunnel parts.

According to an aspect there is provided a knitted fabric comprising a plurality of knitting stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the knitted fabric comprises a plurality of elongated raised parts, wherein the elongated raised parts are made of tunnel parts of the knitted fabric pleated to form elongated tunnels, wherein the tunnel parts of the knitted fabric comprise a plurality of floats positioned on the inside of the elongated tunnels.

The knitted fabric is suitable to be used for making medical garment, the medical garment having an inner surface configured for residing against a wearer's skin, wherein the medical garment is at least partially formed by knitted fabric, wherein the elongated raised parts are provided on the inner surface. The medical garment may be medical garment for relieving the symptoms of edema.

According to an embodiment the elongated raised parts are provided on a first surface of the knitted fabric, where a second surface, opposite the first surface, is free from elongated raised parts formed as elongated tunnels.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a medical garment having an inner surface configured for residing against a wearer’s skin, wherein the medical garment is at least partially formed by knitted fabric comprising a plurality of knitting stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the knitted fabric comprises a plurality of elongated raised parts on the inner surface, wherein the method comprises i) knitting an elongated non-raised part, ii) knitting a tunnel part, wherein the tunnel part of the knitted fabric comprises a plurality of floats and pleating the tunnel part to form an elongated raised part formed as an elongated tunnel, with the plurality of floats positioned on the inside of the elongated tunnel, wherein the method further comprises alternatingly repeating i) and ii) a predetermined amount of times.

Preferably, the method starts and ends with i) to create a hem on both ends.

This method may be applied using a flat knitting machine or circular knitting machine.

Further provided is the use of knitted fabric according to the above to manufacture garment, in particular medical garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures, the subject-matter of the invention is schematically shown, wherein identical or similarly acting elements are usually provided with the same reference signs.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the knitted fabric according to an embodiment,

Figure 2 schematically shows a tunnel part of the knitted fabric according to an embodiment,

Figure 3 schematically shows a knitting pattern of the tunnel part shown in Fig. 2,

Figure 4 schematically shows a view of the outer surface of the knitted fabric, and

Figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of the knitted fabric according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a piece of knitted fabric 1 according to an embodiment.

The knitted fabric 1 comprises a plurality of knitting stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern. Such a pattern is formed by a plurality of rows, each row comprising a predetermined number of stitch columns. In Fig. 2, a few stitch columns are referred to by reference 31.

The knitted fabric comprises a plurality of elongated raised parts 4. When the knitted fabric 1 is used to form a garment, the plurality of elongated raised parts 4 are provided on the inner surface 2 of the garment, such that when worn by a user the elongated raised parts reside against the skin of the user to help mitigate the symptoms of edema.

The outer surface 3 of the knitted fabric 1 or garment is free from elongated raised parts formed as elongated tunnels.

The elongated raised parts 4 are formed by creating pleats in parts of the knitted fabric 1, so-called tunnel parts 5, thereby creating elongated tunnels forming the elongated raised parts 4. The knitted fabric 1 comprises a plurality of floats 6 on the inside of the tunnels to provide filling for the tunnels and thereby providing the tunnels with a desired firmness needed to relieve the symptoms of edema.

Fig. 2 shows the knitting pattern in more detail. It is noted that Fig. 2 shows the knitting pattern of the knitted fabric in a flat plane, i.e. before the tunnel parts 5 are pleated to form the elongated raised parts 4. Fig. 2 also doesn’t show the stitches or technique used to secure the pleats. One tunnel part 5 is shown in Fig. 2 by way of example. The tunnel part 5 is connected to non-raised parts 7, only partially shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 2, the tunnel part 5 comprise one or more sets 10 of float tunnel rows 11 — 18. A float tunnel row is a row in which floats 6 are present between float securing stitches 8. The example of Fig. 2 shows a tunnel part 5 comprising six sets 10, each set 10 comprising six float tunnel rows 11 — 16. In between adjacent sets, a suitable number of intermediate tunnel rows 17 may be provided.

Fig. 2 shows that float tunnel rows 11 — 16 each comprise a series of floats 6. The floats are provided between a series of equally interspaced float securing stitch columns 8.

The float securing stitch columns 8 are different for each float tunnel row 11 - 16 in a set 10, and preferably, are in a stitch column that is neighboring the float securing stitch columns in the one or two neighboring float tunnel rows. Preferably, the float securing stitch columns 8 are positioned in a diagonal pattern within a set 10, as can be seen in

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred example with a tunnel part 5 comprising six sets 10, each set comprising six float tunnel rows 11 — 16.

Fig. 3 shows the knitting pattern corresponding to Fig. 2 in a more schematic way, as will be understood by the person skilled in the art.

In order to pleat the tunnel part 5 to form an elongated raised part 4, a last tunnel row of a non-raised part 21 and/or a first tunnel row of a tunnel part 22 may be connected to a last tunnel row of a tunnel part 23 and/or a first tunnel row of a non-raised part 24 are connected over the length of the respective tunnel rows to form an elongated raised part 4. These connections, referred to as tunnel connections 9, are made relatively short, i.e. much shorter than the length of the tunnel part 5 (in a direction perpendicular to the tunnel rows), to create a permanent pleat, i.e. the elongated tunnel.

An example of such a tunnel connection 9 is schematically shown in Fig. 4, although it is noted that for reasons of clarity, the tunnel connection 9 is depicted equally long as the tunnel part 5 in Fig. 4 to enable clear visualization in a plane. In reality, the tunnel connection 9 is shorter, thereby pleating the tunnel part 5 to form the elongated raised part 4, as shown in Fig. 1.

Different medical garments may be made using the knitted fabric. The garment may be entirely formed by the here described knitted fabric. Alternatively, only parts of the garments are formed by the here described knitted fabric. Examples of garments are a bra, a shirt, underpants, underwear, singlet, stockings.

Fig. 5 shows a picture of the knitted fabric according to an embodiment, showing the inner surface of the knitted fabric with elongated raised parts 4 and elongated non-raised parts 7.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore, which may be varied in different manners within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents.

Reference Signs 1. Knitted fabric 2. Inner surface 3. Outer surface 4. Elongated raised part 5. Tunnel part 6. Float 7. Elongated non-raised part 8. Float securing stitch 9. Tunnel connection 10. Set of float tunnel rows 11-16. Float tunnel rows 21. Last tunnel row of a non-raised part 22. First tunnel row of a tunnel part 23. Last tunnel row of a tunnel part 24. First tunnel row of a non-raised part 31. Stitch columns

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. A medical garment having an interior (2) configured to lie against the skin of a wearer, the medical garment being formed at least in part from a knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of knitted stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern, the knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of elongated raised portions {4} on the interior (2), the elongated raised portions (4) being made from tunnel portions (5) of the knitted fabric (1) which are pleated to form elongated tunnels, the tunnel portions (5) of the knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of floats (6) positioned on the interior of the elongated tunnels.

The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric comprises an outer side (3) free of elongated raised portions shaped as elongated tunnels.

Medical garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tunnel parts (5) of the knitted fabric (1) comprise one or more series (10) of float tunnel rows (11-16), each float tunnel row (11 - 16) comprising a number of stitch columns, each float tunnel row (11 - 18) having a series of floats provided between fixedly spaced float securing stitch columns.

The medical garment of claim 3, wherein the float securing stitch columns are different for each float tunnel row (11 - 186) within a series (10).

5. Medical garment according to any of claims 3 - 4, wherein the float securing stitch columns in each float tunnel row (11 - 16) within a row (10) in a stitch column are adjacent to the float securing stitch columns in each adjacent float tunnel row (11 - 16)

16).

6. Medical garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a series (10) of float tunnel rows (11 - 16) comprises a number of float tunnel rows, preferably in the range of 2 - 20 float tunnel rows.

Medical garment according to any one of the preceding claims 3 - 6, wherein a tunnel part (5) of the knitted fabric (5) comprises a number of rows (10), preferably in the range of 2 - 12 rows.

The medical garment of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein an array (10) of float tunnel rows (11 to 18) comprises a first plurality of float tunnel rows and the float securing stitch columns within a float tunnel row are spaced apart from a second plurality of stitch columns, the first plurality and the second plurality being equal.

9. A medical garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the tunnel portions are knitted according to the knitting pattern shown in Fig. 3.

10. Medical garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tunnel parts (5) are knitted with 6 - 20 stitches per inch.

Medical garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knitted fabric comprises elongated non-raised portions (7) connecting adjacent raised portions.

Medical garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein + a last tunnel row of a non-raised portion (21) and/or a first tunnel row of a tunnel portion (22) and e a last tunnel row of a tunnel portion (23) and/or a first tunnel row of a non-raised portion (24) are connected along the length of the respective tunnel rows to form an elongated raised portion (4).

13. A medical garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment is one of a bra, a shirt, underpants, underwear, vest, stockings.

14. A medical garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment is formed entirely from knitted fabric, preferably a single layer of knitted fabric.

15. Knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of knitting stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern, the knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of elongated raised portions (4), the elongated raised portions (4) being made of tunnel portions (5) of the knitted fabric (1) which are pleated to form elongated tunnels, the tunnel portions (5) of the knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of floats (6) positioned on the inside of the elongated tunnels.

18. A method of making a medical garment having an interior (2) configured to lie against the skin of a wearer, the medical garment being formed at least in part from a knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of knitted stitches arranged in a predetermined pattern, the knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of elongated raised portions (4) on the interior (2), the method comprising i) knitting an elongated non-raised portion (7), i) knitting a tunnel portion (5), the tunnel portion (5) of the knitted fabric (1) comprising a plurality of floats (6), and pleating the tunnel portion (5) to form an elongated tunnel, the floats being positioned on the interior of the elongated tunnel, the method further comprising alternating a predetermined number of times of i) and ii).

17. Use of the knitted fabric of claim 15 for making clothing.