Donning Assist Device For Stockings and Other Compression Garments

Abstract

An extremity garment donning assist device, includes a rigid structure that, in one embodiment, contains no handles or other extending members. The device has an open cylindrical configuration that is well suited to placing compression garments on a user or patient. For instance, the device is well suited to placing a stocking on the foot of a wearer. When using the device, a compression garment is turned partially inside out over a top edge of the device forming an outstretched opening. A user then inserts one's foot into the outstretched opening. In a pivoting motion, the foot is then pushed down through the device causing the compression garment to at least partially or entirely release from the device for placement on a person's foot and leg. In order to assist in the pivoting motion, the garment donning assist device can include a flattened area, an indentation and/or an anti-skid member.

1 . An extremity garment donning assist device comprising:
 a rigid structure having a pair of side walls that extend outwardly to define an open cylindrical configuration, the rigid structure having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a length therebetween, the side walls extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, the rigid structure being comprised of a material comprising a polymer, the top edge having a rounded profile while the bottom edge having a flat profile, the rigid structure having a size such that a compression garment can be slid over the top edge leaving an outstretched opening, the opening for receiving a user's extremity for donning the compression garment.   
     
     
         2 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is relatively smooth and the exterior surface is relatively rough in relation to each other. 
     
     
         3 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a flattened area adjacent the bottom edge, the flattened area being located in between the side walls. 
     
     
         4 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the flattened area extends substantially the entire length of the rigid structure. 
     
     
         5 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the flattened area extends less than about ½ the length of the rigid structure. 
     
     
         6 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the flattened area extends less than about ¼ the length of the rigid structure. 
     
     
         7 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an indentation that projects outwardly from the interior surface, the indentation being positioned adjacent the bottom edge. 
     
     
         8 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the flattened area has a width from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches and has a length from about 0.75 inches to about 1.75 inches. 
     
     
         9 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-skid member comprised of a compressible material, the anti-skid member being located on the exterior surface adjacent to the bottom edge. 
     
     
         10 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the anti-skid member is positioned between the pair of side walls, the anti-skid member being comprised of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         11 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the side walls of the rigid structure are curved such that the rigid structure has an arcuate-shaped cross section, the arcuate-shaped cross section of the rigid structure extending from about 120° to about 210° in defining the open cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         12 . An extremity garment donning assist device comprising:
 a rigid structure having a pair of side walls that extend outwardly to define an open cylindrical configuration, the rigid structure having a top edge, a bottom edge and a length therebetween, the side walls extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, the rigid structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   an anti-skid member comprised of a compressible material located on the exterior surface of the rigid structure, the anti-skid member being positioned adjacent to the bottom edge; and   wherein the rigid structure has a size such that a compression garment can be slid over the top edge leaving an outstretched opening, the opening for receiving a user's extremity for donning the compression garment.   
     
     
         13 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 12 , further including a flattened area positioned adjacent the bottom edge of the rigid structure, the anti-skid member being located on the flattened area. 
     
     
         14 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the rigid structure further includes an indentation that projects outwardly from the interior surface, the indentation being located opposite the flattened area. 
     
     
         15 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the flattened area has a width of from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches and a length from about 0.75 inches to about 1.75 inches. 
     
     
         16 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the anti-skid member is comprised of an elastomer. 
     
     
         17 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the top edge of the rigid structure is rounded. 
     
     
         18 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the bottom edge of the rigid structure is flat. 
     
     
         19 . An extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the device does not include any handles that extend from the rigid structure. 
     
     
         20 . A process for donning a compression garment comprising:
 placing a compression garment over the top edge of the extremity garment donning assist device as defined in  claim 12 , the compression garment being placed over the top edge of the garment donning assist device and pulled down on the rigid structure so as to form an outstretched opening;   placing the extremity garment donning assist device on a flat surface such that the outstretched opening is perpendicular to the surface;   inserting a foot into the outstretched opening; and   pivoting the extremity garment donning assist device into a vertical position while inserting the foot into the compression garment.