Sleeve and micro-encapsulated topical analgesic for pain relief

1. A sleeve having a first end and a second end and a sleeve wall extending therebetween and defining a lumen wherein the sleeve wall has an interior side with a therapeutic section having a moisture management system dosed with a pharmaceutical composition and an opposite exterior side, and wherein the sleeve is elastically stretchable so that in an extended state the lumen is sized to receive a human extremity, and in a relaxed state the sleeve provides effective contact between the therapeutic section and the human extremity.

2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic section is dosed with a topical analgesic pharmaceutical composition.

3. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the topical analgesic pharmaceutical composition comprises a microencapsulated active ingredient.

4. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein a thumbhole cavity in the sleeve is proximate the first end.

5. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve wall is knit from yarns.

6. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve wall provides compression of between about 7 and about 30 mmHG upon a human extremity received in the lumen.

7. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the first end comprises an elasticized welt.

8. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the moisture management system comprises moisture management yarns.

9. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the moisture management system is selected from the group of hydrogels and foams.

10. The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of local anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, counter-irritants and mixtures thereof.

11. The sleeve of claim 10 , wherein the local anesthetic is selected from the group consisting of lidocaine.

12. The sleeve of claim 10 , wherein the anti-inflammatory is selected from the group consisting of salicylates and NSAIDS.

13. The sleeve of claim 10 , wherein the counter-irritant is selected from the group consisting of capsaicin, menthol, oil of wintergreen, camphor, eucalyptus, mustard plasters and turpentine oil.

14. The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein the active ingredient comprises menthol and menthol derivatives.

15. The sleeve of claim 14 , wherein the active ingredient comprises between about 1.25% to 16% by weight menthol.

16. The sleeve of claim 14 , wherein the active ingredient comprises between about 0.5% to 20% by weight menthyl lactate.

17. The sleeve of claim 13 , wherein the active ingredient comprises between about 0.025% to 0.25% by weight capsaicin.

18. The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein the active ingredient is micro-encapsulated utilizing a liposome technology.

19. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is flattened and positioned in an inside-out orientation so that the interior side with a therapeutic section is outwardly facing, and an insert is received within the lumen.

20. The sleeve of claim 19 wherein the insert is scored to facilitate folding.

21. The sleeve of claim 19 wherein the sleeve is folded so that the therapeutic section is folded upon itself.

22. The sleeve of claim 19 wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a micro-encapsulated active ingredient.

23. The sleeve of claim 19 wherein the sleeve is formed from the group of knit fabrics and stretchable nonwoven fabrics.

24. The sleeve of claim 19 wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a topical analgesic.

25. The sleeve of claim 19 further comprising a sealed pouch encompassing the sleeve.

26. The sleeve of claim 20 further comprising a sealed pouch encompassing the sleeve.

27. The sleeve of claim 21 further comprising a sealed pouch encompassing the sleeve.

28. The sleeve of claim 22 further comprising a sealed pouch encompassing the sleeve.

29. The sleeve of claim 23 further comprising a sealed pouch encompassing the sleeve.

30. The sleeve of claim 24 further comprising a sealed pouch encompassing the sleeve.

31. The sleeve of claim 25 wherein the pouch is formed of plastic and foil laminate film.