Patent Application
20220346462
The mobility and strength of our lower extremities tend to diminish as we age. Particularly joints, such as our knees, are comprised of bones, muscles, ligaments, arteries, and veins that all individually and in concert serve special functions towards our ability to walk or run. The deterioration of our lower extremities, whether through lack of blood circulation, stiffness of the lateral and medial collateral ligaments, injury, or age often require invasive corrective surgery. Invasive corrective surgery is not an option for many. Therefore, providing continuous support to an underperforming joint or group of muscles without invasive surgery is a challenge.
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these embodiments without undue experimentation. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments and examples described herein are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and rearrangements may be made that remain potential applications of the disclosed techniques. Therefore, the description that follows is not to be taken as limiting on the scope of the appended claims. In particular, an element associated with a particular embodiment should not be limited to association with that particular embodiment but should be assumed to be capable of association with any embodiment discussed herein.
The mobility and strength of our lower extremities tend to diminish as we age. Particularly joints, such as our knees, are comprised of bones, muscles, ligaments, arteries, and veins that all serve special functions in our ability to walk or run. For example, the knee is a joint that is comprised of bones, muscles, and ligaments. The bones provide structure, shape, and support, whereas the muscles provide strength and movement. The ligaments are the connective tissue components that stabilizes the knee and allow the bones and joints to move without collapsing or giving out. As individuals age, the ligaments, such as the lateral and medial collateral ligaments become stiff and weak. These changes make the joints more susceptible to injury. Normal aging may contribute to decreased blood circulation in the leg, which can result in further joint deterioration or worse, such as blood clots. The deterioration of our legs, whether through lack of blood circulation, stiffness of the lateral and medial collateral ligaments, injury, or age may often result in the need for invasive corrective surgery. Invasive surgery at any age is risky, but especially risky for those who are aging. The embodiments described herein provides non-surgical options to individuals by providing a mobility support sock with support straps and compression material that aid in compensating reduced strength, compromise blood flow, and stiff ligaments of the lower extremities. In addition, this device provides stability and support to maintain mobility, which could reduce the need for invasive surgery.
In one or more embodiments, the mobility sock 105 includes a femur section 110. The femur section 110 is the section of the leg 100 commonly known as the thigh. The femur section 110 of the mobility sock 105 may have a height of between three inches to six inches. The femur section may include compression material that compresses the femur section of the leg 100. The compression rate of the compressed material may have a range of between five to thirty mmHg (i.e, millimeters of mercury). The femur section 110 may include a suspender strap 115. The suspender strap 115 is used to provide additional support for the mobility sock 105 such that the mobility sock 105 does not slide down the individual's leg 100 while in operation. The suspender strap 115 is coupled to the femur section 110 by a clamp, snap button, or other similar coupling apparatus. The other end of the suspender strap 115 (i.e., opposite the femur section 110) is coupled to the individual's briefs, undergarment, or other similar undergarments (not illustrated).
The mobility sock 105 may include a patella section 120. The patella section 120 is the section of the leg 100 commonly known as the knee. The patella section 120 may have a height ranging between two inches to four inches. In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in
The compression strap 140 may be positioned between the inner layer 130 and outer layer 125 and extending through a slit 145 located at the patella section 120 as illustrated in
As further illustrated in
In one aspect, the apparatus includes a sock having a femur section and a patella section. The patella section has an outer layer, an inner layer, and a slit on the outer layer. The sock includes a compressed tibia section. The sock includes a compression strap positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer. The compression strap has a first end extending through the slit and a second end extending through the slit.
Implementation may include one or more of the following. The first end and the second end may include Velcro patches such that the first end couples to the second end. The first end may include a double ring set. The femur section may be compressed. The inner layer may include a sip seam coupling the first layer to the second layer such that the compression strap travels along the slip seam. The femur section may include a suspender strap.
In one aspect, the method includes inserting a leg of a person into a sock. The sock has a femur section and a patella section. The patella section has an outer layer, an inner layer, and a slit on the outer layer. The sock includes a compressed tibia section. The sock includes a compression strap positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer. The compression strap has a first end extending through the slit and a second end extending through the slit. The first end of the compression strap is pulled. The second end of the compression strap is pulled. The first end is coupled to the second end.
Implementation may include one or more of the following. The first end and the second end may include Velcro patches such that the first end couples to the second end. The first end may include a double ring set. The femur section may be compressed. The inner layer may include a sip seam coupling the first layer to the second layer such that the compression strap travels along the slip seam. The femur section may include a suspender strap.
The operations of the flow diagrams are described with references to the systems/apparatus shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of systems and apparatus other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with reference to the systems/apparatus could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams.
The word “coupled” herein means a direct connection or an indirect connection.
The text above describes one or more specific embodiments of a broader invention. The invention also is carried out in a variety of alternate embodiments and thus is not limited to those described here. The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
