Post-operative vest

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable tension chest support for use by patients having undergone thoracic surgery. The chest support may be worn directly on the skin of a patient and comprises a band of stretchable material ( 1 ) and one or more grips ( 6 ) which are wholly or partially concealed within pockets ( 4 ) with which the patient may alter the tension of the chest encircling band. The device allows a patient to modify the level of tension applied to the chest, thus managing their recovery process, while providing a basic level of support at all times the support is in use.

1 . A post-operative chest support comprising a chest encircling band having at least a portion of stretchable material, characterised in that the band further comprises means for manually varying the tension of the band which are wholly or partially concealed within pockets.  
   
   
       2 . The support according to  claim 1 , wherein the band has shoulder straps mounted thereon.  
   
   
       3 . A support according to  claim 1  wherein the band is secured around the chest of a patient with Velcro tabs.  
   
   
       4 . A support according to  claim 1  wherein the means for manually varying the tension comprise handles or grips.  
   
   
       5 . A support according to  claim 1  which is constructed from a flexible material.  
   
   
       6 . A support according to  claim 1  which lacks a mechanical moving part such as a pulley or other such drawstring elements for mechanically adjusting its tension or any other such skin irritating feature.  
   
   
       7 . A support according to  claim 1  which is non-irritating to the skin of a patient such that it can be worn next to the skin.  
   
   
       8 . A support according to  claim 1  which is sterile.  
   
   
       9 . A method of altering the tension applied to a patient's chest following surgery, comprising wearing a post-operative chest support according to  claim 1  and increasing or decreasing the tension of the band by applying pressure to the means for manually varying the tension of the band.