Tube sock-shaped covering

Abstract

A tube-sock shaped polymeric covering for wearing over an amputation stump. The covering has an open end for receiving the amputation stump and a closed end opposite the open end. The covering includes a docking means for attachment of an external device to the covering. The covering may also include one or more areas of reinforcing material that can be present in the form of a strip or rod, for example. The reinforcing material is comprised of a material that is less stretchable than the polymeric material forming the covering, and acts to reduce stretching and/or movement of the covering

1 . A tube-shaped covering for enclosing an amputation stump, said covering comprising a polymeric material capable of forming an air tight seal with the limb of a wearer when said covering is donned, and including a docking means for attachment of an external device to said covering, said covering configured to have an open end for introduction of said stump and a closed end opposite said open end.  
   
   
       2 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said docking means comprises one or more of: 
 a pin, cable, strap, hook, snap, or buckle.    
   
   
       3 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said docking means is located along a side of said covering.  
   
   
       4 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said docking means is located at said closed end of said covering.  
   
   
       5 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering has a seamless interior.  
   
   
       6 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering has a thickness profile that is thicker at a closed end thereof than at an open end.  
   
   
       7 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering has an uneven distribution of polymeric material that results in a thinner posterior middle and upper portion, and a thicker distal anterior medial and anterior lateral portion.  
   
   
       8 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering is arranged in a recessed Achilles configuration.  
   
   
       9 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering further includes mineral oil.  
   
   
       10 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , having a length from closed end to open end of from 10-25 inches.  
   
   
       11 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering has a thickness varying from 0.150-0.500 inches.  
   
   
       12 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering further includes a biocide.  
   
   
       13 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said covering further includes a vitamin.  
   
   
       14 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric material has a Shore A hardness of between about 1-20.  
   
   
       15 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric material has a Shore 00 hardness of between about 1-100.  
   
   
       16 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing material that is less stretchable than said polymeric material.  
   
   
       17 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 16 , wherein said reinforcing material is substantially non-stretchable.  
   
   
       18 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 17 , wherein said reinforcing material extends longitudinally along an outer surface of said tube-shaped covering.  
   
   
       19 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 17 , wherein said reinforcing material is embedded in said polymeric material.  
   
   
       20 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 17 , wherein said reinforcing material comprises one or more strips or rods.  
   
   
       21 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 20 , wherein said reinforcing material is permanently secured to said tube-shaped covering.  
   
   
       22 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 20 , wherein said reinforcing material extends continuously from or near said closed end to or near said open end.  
   
   
       23 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       24 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 23 , wherein said fabric is a fiber-on-end fabric.  
   
   
       25 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 23 , wherein said fabric comprises a stretchable nonwoven.  
   
   
       26 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 23 , further comprising a reinforcing material that is less stretchable than said polymeric material and said fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       27 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 26 , wherein said reinforcing material is substantially non-stretchable.  
   
   
       28 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 27 , wherein said reinforcing material extends longitudinally along said fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       29 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 27 , wherein said reinforcing material comprises one or more strips or rods.  
   
   
       30 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 29 , wherein said reinforcing material is permanently secured to said fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       31 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 29 , wherein said reinforcing material extends continuously from or near said closed end to or near said open end.  
   
   
       32 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric material is a block copolymer.  
   
   
       33 . A tube-shaped covering for enclosing an amputation stump, said covering comprising a block copolymer material capable of forming an air tight seal with the limb of a wearer when said covering is donned, and including a docking means for attachment of an external device to said covering, said covering configured to have an open end for introduction of said stump and a closed end opposite said open end.  
   
   
       34 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said docking means comprises one or more of: 
 a pin, cable, strap, hook, snap, or buckle.    
   
   
       35 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said docking means is located along a side of said covering.  
   
   
       36 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said docking means is located at said closed end of said covering.  
   
   
       37 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said covering has a thickness profile that is thicker at a closed end thereof than at an open end.  
   
   
       38 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said covering has an uneven distribution of block copolymer material that results in a thinner posterior middle and upper portion, and a thicker distal anterior medial and anterior lateral portion.  
   
   
       39 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said covering is arranged in a recessed Achilles configuration.  
   
   
       40 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said covering further includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of a mineral oil, a biocide, and a vitamin.  
   
   
       41 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said block copolymer material has a Shore A hardness of between about 1-20.  
   
   
       42 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , wherein said block copolymer material has a Shore 00 hardness of between about 1-100.  
   
   
       43 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , further comprising a reinforcing material that is less stretchable than said polymeric material.  
   
   
       44 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 44 , wherein said reinforcing material is substantially non-stretchable.  
   
   
       45 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 44 , wherein said reinforcing material extends longitudinally along an outer surface of said tube-shaped covering.  
   
   
       46 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 44 , wherein said reinforcing material is embedded in said polymeric material.  
   
   
       47 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 44 , wherein said reinforcing material comprises one or more strips or rods.  
   
   
       48 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 47 , wherein said reinforcing material is permanently secured to said tube-shaped covering.  
   
   
       49 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 47 , wherein said reinforcing material extends continuously from or near said closed end to or near said open end.  
   
   
       50 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 33 , further comprising a fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       51 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 50 , further comprising a reinforcing material that is less stretchable than said polymeric material and said fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       52 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 51 , wherein said reinforcing material is substantially non-stretchable.  
   
   
       53 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 52 , wherein said reinforcing material extends longitudinally along said fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       54 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 52 , wherein said reinforcing material comprises one or more strips or rods.  
   
   
       55 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 54 , wherein said reinforcing material is permanently secured to said fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       56 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 54 , wherein said reinforcing material extends continuously from or near said closed end to or near said open end.  
   
   
       57 . A tube-shaped covering for enclosing an amputation stump, said covering comprising a polymeric material capable of forming an air tight seal with the limb of a wearer when said covering is donned and configured to have an open end for introduction of said stump and a closed end opposite said open end, said covering including a docking means for attachment of an external device to said covering and one or more longitudinally extending reinforcing strips of a material that is less stretchable than said polymeric material, said reinforcing strips for reducing stretching and movement of said covering.  
   
   
       58 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 57 , wherein said one or more longitudinally extending reinforcing strips extend continuously along an outer surface of said covering.  
   
   
       59 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 58 , wherein said reinforcing strips extend from or near said closed end to or near said open end.  
   
   
       60 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 57 , wherein said reinforcing material is substantially non-stretchable.  
   
   
       61 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 57 , further comprising a fabric outer surface.  
   
   
       62 . A tube-shaped covering according to  claim 61 , wherein said reinforcing material is permanently secured to said fabric outer surface.