Patent Application
20190307596
The invention herein resides in the art of medical appliances and, more particularly, to support devices such as those for limbs, ruptures, organs and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a support appliance for testicles, giving support, aid and comfort to men suffering from illnesses that impact the genitals or testicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a medical appliance for testicles support adapted to cradle and support significantly enlarged testicles of men resulting from medical conditions to allow the men to be ambulatory with minimal or no testicular pain.
When men are stricken by certain maladies, their genitals or testicles are often affected. For example, liver diseases, kidney failure, heart transplant and the like typically require rehabilitation that focuses on getting the patient upright and walking. Problems often arise in this effort with fluid entering the testicles and scrotum, significantly adding to their size and weight, with the enlargement thereof actually blocking or inhibiting any fluid exit path from the testicles, aggravating the swelling.
Each testicle has a top tube and a bottom tube for the entry and exit of fluid. Both must remain open. However, the bottom tube may become pinched shut. When that happens, fluid buildup occurs, and the added weight of the testicles exacerbates the problem as the fluid continues to build up.
Not only does the enlargement and weight of the testicles cause excruciating pain to the patient when attempting to walk, but also that same weight continues to effect the closure of the bottom drain tube from the testicles, causing the enlargement and increased weight to continue.
In the past, hospitals have often employed bed sheets, pillow cases, and similar materials to fashion makeshift slings for holding or supporting the testicles while the patient is positioned upright and encouraged to walk. This sling or hammock allows the testicles and scrotum to drain by holding these structures high enough so that the drainage tubes are open and no longer pinched shut, thus reducing the swelling problem.
As is readily apparent, the makeshift appliances used in the past were neither reliable nor effective, but given to slipping, misalignment, and inadvertent removal, each of which would typically be attendant with pain, discomfort, and increased swelling.
There is a need in the art for a remedial appliance and its method of use to provide testicular support to accommodate drainage and facilitate mobility and exercise of recovering patients.
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a therapeutic testicle support appliance, comprising a support cradle having a pouch, said pouch having first and second ends; a leg extending from each of said first and second ends of said pouch; and a belt having first and second end sections, said belt receiving and retaining said support cradle.
Other aspects of the invention are attained by the process for applying a therapeutic testicle support appliance to a patient, comprising attaching a support cradle to a belt, said support cradle having a pouch; wrapping said belt about the waist and above the hips of the patient, causing said support cradle to suspend from said belt; and placing the scrotum and testicles of the patient within said suspended cradle and adjusting an elevation of said cradle to provide support to the scrotum.
For a complete understanding of the various aspects, structures, and methods of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
A draw-cord bungee 26 passes through a hemmed edge 28 of the side 18 of the pouch 16. The draw-cord bungee 26 is adjustably secured by cord locks 30, 32 at opposite ends of pouch 16. Similarly, a draw-cord bungee 34 passes through a hemmed edge 36 of the side 20 of pouch 16 and is adjustably secured by cord locks 38, 40. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the draw-cord bungees 26, 34 along the opposed top edges of the pouch 16 and in selective locking engagement with respective cord locks 30, 32 and 38, 40 allow for adjustment of the physical size and comfort of the pouch 16. This allows the support cradle 10 to be adjusted to accommodate testicles of various sizes resulting from particular ailments. It is known in the art that the pouch 16 may be of a “small” size to accommodate testicles of the size of grapefruit, a “medium” size on the order of cantaloupes, and a “large” size on the order of honeydew melons, for lack of a more precise definition.
At the ends of each of the legs 14 is a patch of Velcro-type hook-and-loop material. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pads 42 comprise the hook portions of hook-and-loop closures. As will become apparent hereinbelow, these hook patches are adapted to securedly interconnect with a loop material forming a support belt.
With reference now to
It is contemplated that the belt 56 will be provided in at least two sizes, although additional sizes may be found to be necessary. A small size will typically have a length on the order of approximately 45 inches, while a large belt would be on the order of 70 inches in length. It is contemplated that the back or center portion of the belt will have a width of 5-8 inches, and most preferably on the order of 6 inches, while the ends will have a width of 4-6 inches, and most preferably 5 inches. As is apparent from the drawings, the belt tapers from the back to each end.
With reference to
As shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, the patient may draw on the legs 14, pulling them through the associated apertures 64 to the elevation of desired comfort and support of the cradle 10, thereafter attaching the associated hook patches 42 to the outer loop surface of the belt 56 for supporting engagement of the support cradle 10. It is contemplated that the length of the leg 14 drawn by the right hand of the patient 52 will be of such length as to attach to the belt 56 beyond the side section 52 to effect an integral interconnection of the belt 56 with itself and with the cradle 10.
As shown in
It will be appreciated that the method and apparatus of the invention allows the patient to adjust the therapeutic testicle support appliance as necessary to meet his needs, assuring a comfort level that will give him the confidence to assume the mobility necessary for recovery from the malady causing the swelling. The appliance is given to ease of application and removal, as well as adjustment during use.
Thus it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been satisfied by the apparatus and method presented and described above. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best known and preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.
