Body conforming shirt-like holder and therapeutic article
A body conforming, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one article in close bodily contact. The holder may be a wrap or tube constructed to enclose a portion of the body where the article is to be held. The article may be a therapeutic article, such as a heat generating thermal pack, a cooling pack, or other article comprising a therapeutic agent; an absorbent article; a sensing article; or a filter article. The invention also relates to a system comprising the body conforming holder and an article for use therewith, and a method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the holder.
1 . A therapeutic delivery system comprising:
a) a body conforming, shirt-like, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one therapeutic article in close bodily contact, said holder being constructed to enclose a portion of the body in need of treatment, and comprising an elastic region having a Holding Force (HF-4.0) of greater than about 0.1 kgf and a Holding Force (HF-2.5) of less than about 1.0 kgf; and
b) at least one therapeutic article capable of being removably held in close bodily contact by said holder, said article comprising a body facing side, a side opposite the body facing side, and a therapeutic agent, said article being capable of delivering an effective amount of the therapeutic agent to the portion of the body in need of treatment.
2 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the side opposite the body facing side of the therapeutic article is liquid impervious.
3 . A system according to claim 1 wherein both the therapeutic article and the holder are vapor permeable.
4 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic article is disposable.
5 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder comprises knit material and elastomeric fiber material.
6 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the elastic region of the holder has a Holding Force (HF-3.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf.
7 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the elastic region of the holder has a Holding Force (HF-5.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf.
8 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder is constructed to hold the therapeutic article in a selected location.
9 . A system according to claim 8 wherein the holder comprises at least one pocket for receiving and supporting the therapeutic article.
10 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder comprises a first fastening material and the therapeutic article comprises a second fastening material that cooperatively engages the first fastening material and enables the therapeutic article to be removably affixed to the holder.
11 . A system according to claim 10 wherein the first and second fastening materials comprise mechanical fastening material.
12 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic article is removably affixed to the holder using adhesive material.
13 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder comprises at least two cooperating fastening materials affixed to opposed surfaces of the holder that can be positioned to removably enclose the portion of the body in need of treatment.
14 . A system according to claim 13 wherein the fastening materials comprise mechanical fastening material.
15 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder comprises arm extensions.
16 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the holder has a vest-like design without arm extensions.
17 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic agent is transferable to the wearer's body in an effective amount to provide a desired therapeutic benefit.
18 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an aromatic compound, a pharmaceutical active, a lotion, an emollient, a moisturizing agent, or mixtures thereof.
19 . A system according to claim 18 wherein the therapeutic article further comprises a heating article.
20 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic article comprises a heating article.
21 . A system according to claim 20 wherein the heating article comprises a heat producing source that delivers heat upon activation.
22 . A system according to claim 21 wherein the heat producing source is activated by exposure to oxygen.
23 . A system according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic article comprises a cooling article.
24 . A therapeutic delivery system comprising:
a) a body conforming, shirt-like, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one therapeutic article in close bodily contact, wherein the holder is a wrap comprising at least two cooperating fastening materials affixed to opposed surfaces of the holder that can be positioned to removably enclose a portion of the body in need of treatment, and comprising an elastic region having a Holding Force (HF-4.0) of greater than about 0.1 kgf and a Holding Force (HF-2.5) of less than about 1.0 kgf; and
b) at least one therapeutic article capable of being removably held in close bodily contact by said holder, said article comprising a body facing side, a side opposite the body facing side, and a therapeutic agent, said article being capable of delivering an effective amount of the therapeutic agent to the portion of the body in need of treatment.
25 . A system according to claim 24 wherein the holder comprises at least one pocket for receiving and supporting the therapeutic article.
26 . A system according to claim 24 wherein the elastic region of the holder has a Holding Force (HF-3.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf.
27 . A therapeutic delivery system comprising:
a) a body conforming, shirt-like, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one therapeutic article in close bodily contact, wherein the holder is a tube that can be positioned to enclose a portion of the body in need of treatment, and comprising an elastic region having a Holding Force (HF-4.0) of greater than about 0.1 kgf and a Holding Force (HF-2.5) of less than about 1.0 kgf; and
b) at least one therapeutic article capable of being removably held in close bodily contact by said holder, said article comprising a body facing side, a side opposite the body facing side, and a therapeutic agent, said article being capable of delivering an effective amount of the therapeutic agent to the portion of the body in need of treatment.
28 . A system according to claim 27 wherein the holder comprises at least one pocket for receiving and supporting the therapeutic article.
29 . A system according to claim 27 wherein the elastic region of the holder has a Holding Force (HF-3.0) of less than about 1.0 kgf.