Patent Application
20090216171
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical appliances and support devices for male genitalia, and particularly to a scrotal support garment that provides support for the scrotum for patients having ailments or medical conditions affecting the genitalia or groin in order to relieve pain or discomfort.
2. Description of the Related Art
Diseases such as penile cancer, testicular cancer, or the like and medical conditions resulting from a vasectomy, penectomy, or similar surgery can cause the male scrotum to swell or enlarge to an abnormal size. An enlarged or swollen scrotum is usually very painful and can render such simple activities as walking unbearable. Moreover, the edematous scrotum may distress surrounding tissues and structures, which may lead to further damage, such as tearing of the skin or scrotal sac. Although there are many devices for supporting the male genitalia, none are entirely satisfactory for relieving the pain and discomfort resulting from medical conditions affecting the genitalia or groin.
Thus, a scrotal support garment solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The scrotal support garment includes a fabric material that forms a cup to support a wearer's scrotal sack and contents thereof. The cup has a wide upper end that tapers to a narrow lower end. An elongated thong extends from the lower end of the cup. In one embodiment, the thong bifurcates to form left and right shoulder straps that are unitary members extending to opposite sides of the upper end of the cup. In another embodiment, the thong bifurcates to form a first portion of left and right shoulder straps. Elongated second portions of the left and right shoulder straps extend from opposite sides of the cup. The first and second portions are joined by adjustment straps or releasable fasteners, such as buckles, so that the length of the shoulder straps is adjustable.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
As shown in
An elongate, single thong 30 extends from the lower end of the cup 20a. In one embodiment, the thong 30 bifurcates to form unitary left and right shoulder straps 15 that are attached to opposite sides of the upper end of the cup 20a. The shoulder straps 15 may be made from elastic material. In another embodiment, the thong 30 is elongated to form a single strap to extend up the user's back U′ and bifurcates to form first portions of left and right shoulder straps 15. Second portions of the left and right shoulder straps 15 extend from opposite sides of the cup's upper end. The first and second portions of the left and right shoulder straps 15 are joined by an adjustment strap or releasable fastener 19, such as a buckle or hook and loop fasteners, that permits adjustment of the length of the straps 15. In both embodiments, a diamond-shaped reinforcement 25 is stitched to the junction at which the shoulder straps 15 bifurcate from the thong 30. The shoulder straps 15 may be lined with elastic strips 17 or bands.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
