Compression Garments And A Method Of Manufacture

Abstract

The invention provides a compression garment ( 50 ) for clothing a body part, such as a lower torso and the legs. The body part includes a muscle ridge, such as a lateral edge of the gluteus maximus ( 49 ). Compression garment ( 50 ) has first and second panels of stretchable material joined by a seam ( 32 ). At least part of the seam ( 32 ) is adapted to correspond to at least part of the muscle ridge, being at the edge of the gluteus maximus ( 49 ). The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a compression garment, using an algorithm to calculate size changes to produce desired compression.

1 . A compression garment for clothing a body part which includes a muscle ridge, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein at least part of the seam is adapted to correspond to at least part of the muscle ridge. 
   
   
       2 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein a substantial part of the seam is vertical when the garment is worn. 
   
   
       3 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second panel substantially defines a muscle group. 
   
   
       4 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is an upper body garment and the muscle ridge is chosen from the following:
 a) a lateral edge of the serratus anterior muscle group;   b) a lateral edge of the serratus anterior and external deltoid muscle group;   c) a lateral edge of the latisimis dorsi muscle group; and   d) a ridge in the biceps brachii.   
   
   
       5 . The compression garment of  claim 3 , wherein the first or second panels substantially defines a muscle group chosen from:
 a) the serratus anterior muscle group;   b) the serratus anterior and external deltoid muscle groups;   c) the latissimus dorsi muscle group; and   d) part of the biceps brachii.   
   
   
       6 . The compression garment of  claims 1 , wherein the garment is a lower body garment and the muscle ridge is chosen from the following:
 a) a ridge between the long head of the rectus femoris and the semitendinosus muscle group;   b) a lateral edge of the gluteus maximus near the greater trochanter;   c) a lateral edge of the gluteus maximus near the sacrum;   d) an area over the popliteal fossa between the heads of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius; and   e) a ridge of the vastus lateralis and a ridge of the vastus medialis.   
   
   
       7 . The compression garment of  claim 3 , wherein the first or second panel substantially defines a muscle group chosen from:
 a) the tibialis anterior muscle group;   b) the hamstring tendon muscle group; and   c) the gluteus maximus.   
   
   
       8 . The compression garment of  claim 6 , wherein the seam is adapted to avoid any one of the following:
 a) the anterior superior iliac spine;   b) the greater saphenous vein;   c) the superficial inguinal gland;   d) the small saphenous vein; and   e) the fossa ovalis.   
   
   
       9 . The compression garment of  claims 1 , wherein the seam is stitched. 
   
   
       10 . The compression garment of  claim 9 , wherein the seam is a flat stitched seam. 
   
   
       11 . The compression garment of  claim 10 , wherein the seam is flat stitched using a four or six needle process. 
   
   
       12 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , which includes a line of stitching for providing anchor points without joining panels. 
   
   
       13 . The compression garment of  claims 1 , which is adapted to effect a compression of between 5 mmHg and 40 mmHg. 
   
   
       14 . The compression garment of  claim 13 , wherein the compression is between 5 mmHg and 25 mmHg. 
   
   
       15 . The compression garment of  claims 1 , which includes a panel of variable compression fabric within or over part of the first or second panels. 
   
   
       16 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , which includes means to increase compression of the first or second panel or of a third panel. 
   
   
       17 . The compression garment of  claim 16 , wherein the means includes a tab attached to one side of the first, second or third panel and removably attachable to the other side of the first, second or third panel respectively. 
   
   
       18 . The compression garment of  claim 17 , which includes a plurality of such tabs. 
   
   
       19 . The compression garment of  claims 1 , wherein the garment is adapted to provide static compression. 
   
   
       20 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is adapted to provide gradient compression. 
   
   
       21 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein the material is a fabric with a warp stretch of 160% to 195% and is cut across the fabric grain. 
   
   
       22 . The compression garment of  claim 21 , wherein the warp stretch is an average of 177.5%. 
   
   
       23 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein the material is an elastomeric material with a denier range between 40 and 120, combined with nylon, polyester or a mixture of nylon and polyester. 
   
   
       24 . The compression garment of  claim 23 , wherein the material is a microfibre or 12 filament material. 
   
   
       25 . The compression garment of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel is of material oriented at about 45° to the warp of the material. 
   
   
       26 . A compression garment for clothing a body part, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam and a third panel of stretchable material within or over part of the first or second panel, wherein the garment includes means to increase compression of the third panel. 
   
   
       27 . The compression garment of  claim 26 , wherein the means includes a tab attached to one side of the third panel and removably attachable to the other side of the third panel. 
   
   
       28 . The compression garment of  claim 27 , which includes a plurality of such tabs. 
   
   
       29 . A method of manufacturing a compression garment for clothing a body part, the method including the steps of:
 a) cutting a first panel to mimic the body part;   b) using an algorithm based on a body mass index to calculate a size of the first panel appropriate to create a chosen static or gradient compression for the body part; and   c) adjusting size of the first panel in accordance with the calculated size.   
   
   
       30 - 31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , which includes the step of cutting the first panel to mimic the body part prior to use of the algorithm. 
   
   
       33 . A compression garment for clothing a body part having at least one muscle or muscle group, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein in use the seam is adapted to anchor the muscle or muscle group. 
   
   
       34 . A compression garment for clothing a body part having at least one muscle or muscle group, the garment including fabric providing compression in relation to the muscle or muscle group at an angle of about 45° to the fabric warp. 
   
   
       35 . A compression garment for clothing a body part having at least one muscle or muscle group, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein:
 at least the first panel is adapted in use to form an encasement of the body part or the muscle or the muscle group; and   the seam of the panel does not intersect the muscle or the muscle group.