Removable Sleeve for Facilitating the Application of Compression Stockings

Abstract

An inexpensive sleeve and method of use are disclosed for easing application of a compression stocking onto a foot and leg. By reducing the friction usually encountered when applying a compression stocking or sock, the sleeve protects the foot and leg from injury, and helps to avoid the need for sophisticated stocking or sleeve manipulation. The sleeve is made from a low friction material, such as plastic, silk, Tyvec, or nylon, and therefore is easy to pull over the foot and leg while closely conforming thereto so as to avoid folding and bunching. The sleeve can be disposable and/or closed at one end. The method of use includes pulling the sleeve over the foot and leg, pulling the stocking over the sleeve, and then removing the sleeve through an open stocking toe or through the top of the stocking, leaving the stocking in place.

1 . A device for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient's foot and leg, the device comprising:
 a sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while being sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion;   the sleeve being constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is one of open at both ends and closed at one end. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is open at both ends and includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is disposable. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of disposable sleeves. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of sleeves including a variety of shapes and sizes. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the construction of the sleeve includes at least one of plastic, silk, tyvec, and nylon. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is constructed so as not to tear and not to become significantly distorted when a pulling force of up to 4 pounds is applied to the sleeve. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is at least one of:
 hypoallergenic;   non-porous;   seamless; and   harmless to the environment.   
   
   
       11 . A method for facilitating application of a compression stocking with an open toe to a patient's foot and leg, the method comprising:
 providing a sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve;   sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion;   sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg; and   sliding the sleeve through the open toe of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is one of open at both ends and closed at one end. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sleeve is disposable. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a plurality of disposable sleeves is provided. 
   
   
       15 . A method for facilitating the application of a compression stocking to a patient's foot and leg, the method comprising:
 providing a disposable sleeve having a shape and size that approximate the shape and size of a portion of the foot and leg, while allowing the sleeve to be easily slid over the foot and up the leg so as to surround and cover the foot and leg portion, the sleeve being open at both ends and constructed using a material that minimizes friction between the sleeve and the stocking when the stocking is pulled over the sleeve;   sliding the sleeve over the foot and up the leg so as to cover the foot and leg portion;   sliding the compression stocking over the sleeve so as to cover a desired region of the foot and leg;   sliding the sleeve through an open top of the compression stocking, thereby removing the sleeve while leaving the compression stocking applied to the foot and leg; and   removing the sleeve from the leg by at least one of sliding the sleeve over the compression stocking and foot, tearing the sleeve along its length, and cutting the sleeve along its length.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is one of open at both ends and closed at one end. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is open at both ends and includes a perforation extending between both ends of the sleeve so as to facilitate tearing of the sleeve along its length. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is sufficiently large to allow the sleeve to be easily slid over the compression stocking for removal when the compression stocking is in place on the foot and leg. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve is disposable. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the a plurality of disposable sleeves is provided.