Surgical binder and methods of use

Abstract

A binder for application of pressure to the wound area of a patient who has undergone a mastectomy or other type of chest surgery. The binder includes an elasticized main body portion formed from a fabric that is substantially nonelastic, yet breathable, with gathering, elastic stitching therein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A surgical binder comprising: 
 an elasticized main body portion configured to encircle the torso of a patient, the main body portion comprising breathable material and gathering, elastic stitching therein; and    a fastener system attached to the main body portion.    
     
     
         2 . The surgical binder of    claim 1    wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated and generally rectangular in shape having an inner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends.  
     
     
         3 . The surgical binder of    claim 2    wherein the fastener system is attached to the two opposing ends of the main body portion.  
     
     
         4 . The surgical binder of    claim 3    wherein the fastener system comprises a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         5 . The surgical binder of    claim 1    further comprising at least one strap attached to the main body portion for holding the binder in place.  
     
     
         6 . The surgical binder of    claim 1    wherein the gathering, elastic stitching is in the form of a plurality of rows.  
     
     
         7 . The surgical binder of    claim 1    wherein the gathering, elastic stitching is in the form of a random pattern.  
     
     
         8 . The surgical binder of    claim 1    wherein the fastener system comprises a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         9 . The surgical binder of    claim 1    wherein the breathable material is substantially nonelastic.  
     
     
         10 . A surgical binder comprising: 
 an elasticized main body portion comprising breathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering, elastic stitching therein; wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated with an inner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends; and    a fastener system attached to the two opposing ends of the main body portion.    
     
     
         11 . The surgical binder of    claim 10    wherein the breathable material is substantially nonelastic.  
     
     
         12 . A surgical binder comprising: 
 an elasticized main body portion comprising substantially nonelastic, breathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering, elastic stitching substantially uniformly distributed therein; wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated and generally rectangular in shape with an inner side, an outer side, two generally parallel opposing edges, and two generally parallel opposing ends; and    a fastener system comprising a hook and loop fastener attached to the two generally parallel opposing ends of the main body portion.    
     
     
         13 . A method of binding a patient after surgery comprising applying a surgical binder comprising: 
 an elasticized main body portion configured to encircle the torso of a patient, the main body portion comprising breathable material and gathering, elastic stitching therein; and    a fastener system attached to the main body portion.    
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 13    wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated and generally rectangular in shape having an inner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 13    wherein the gathering, elastic stitching is in the form of a plurality of rows.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 13    wherein the gathering, elastic stitching is in the form of a random pattern.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 13    wherein the breathable material is substantially nonelastic.  
     
     
         18 . A method of binding a patient after surgery comprising applying a surgical binder comprising: 
 an elasticized main body portion comprising breathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering, elastic stitching therein; wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated with an inner side, an outer side, two opposing edges, and two opposing ends; and    a fastener system attached to the two opposing ends of the main body portion.    
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 18    wherein the breathable material is substantially nonelastic.  
     
     
         20 . A method of binding a patient after surgery comprising applying a surgical binder comprising: 
 an elasticized main body portion comprising substantially nonelastic, breathable material and a plurality of rows of gathering, elastic stitching substantially uniformly distributed therein; wherein the elasticized main body portion is elongated and generally rectangular in shape with an inner side, an outer side, two generally parallel opposing edges, and two generally parallel opposing ends; and    a fastener system comprising a hook and loop fastener attached to the two generally parallel opposing ends of the main body portion.