초록 ▼

Here is disclosed a garment a device and a method for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part, e.g. the greater trochanter near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region

Here is disclosed a garment a device and a method for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part, e.g. the greater trochanter near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region lacking a bone part near the skin surface. The garment comprises at least one protective device shaped in accordance with anatomical features of the vulnerable region and the soft tissue region so that the impact energy is shunted for the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where such energy may be safely dissipated and mounting means for removable mounting the at least one protective device on the subject in a manner permitting the shunting of impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region. The protective device is shaped for partly or totally surrounding the vulnerable region and has a thickness establishing a protective free space that will not transfer energy above the vulnerable region and comprises a soft and elastic material having a suitable elasticity and hardness, so that in the case of a fall the impact force will partly compress the device against the soft tissue region and as the elastic material rigidifies during its compression, it will gradually transfer the energy to the surrounding soft tissue, whereby a substantial portion of the impact energy is absorbed and retransmitted to the soft tissue region. The garment provides a lightweight, soft and less bulky protective device which is comfortable for the wearer and which maintain a stable form and which still makes it possible to transmit sufficient impact energy to the soft tissue region surrounding a vulnerable region.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A garment, for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region and lacking a bone part near the skin

The invention claimed is: 1. A garment, for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region and lacking a bone part near the skin surface, the garment comprising:at least one protective device shaped in accordance with anatomical features of the vulnerable region and the soft tissue region so that impact energy is at least partly shunted from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where the impact energy may be safely dissipated;mounting means for removably mounting the at least one protective device on the subject in a manner permitting the shunting of impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region;said protective device comprising:one or more portions of spacer fabric, the one or more portions being shaped to partly or totally surround the vulnerable region when mounted on the skin surface of the subject, the one or more portions having a thickness ranging between 10-20 mm;one or more open protective spaces disposed within the protective device, such when the one or more portions are mounted on the skin surface of the subject, the one or more open protective spaces are disposed above the vulnerable region to prevent contact between the protective device and the vulnerable region,wherein the one or more protective spaces have a suitable height which, in combination with the spacer fabric of the one or more arm portions, ensures said at least partly shunting of the impact energy directed against the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region as it is at least partly absorbed in the spacer fabric whereby a substantial portion of the impact energy be shunted to and dissipated in the soft tissue region.