Compression Garments And A Method Of Manufacture

1 . A compression garment for clothing a body part which includes a muscle ridge, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein at least part of the seam is adapted to correspond to at least part of the muscle ridge.

2 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein a substantial part of the seam is vertical when the garment is worn.

3 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein the first or second panel substantially defines a muscle group.

4 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein the garment is an upper body garment and the muscle ridge is chosen from the following:

a) a lateral edge of the serratus anterior muscle group;

b) a lateral edge of the serratus anterior and external deltoid muscle group;

c) a lateral edge of the latisimis dorsi muscle group; and

d) a ridge in the biceps brachii.

5 . The compression garment of claim 3 , wherein the first or second panels substantially defines a muscle group chosen from:

a) the serratus anterior muscle group;

b) the serratus anterior and external deltoid muscle groups;

c) the latissimus dorsi muscle group; and

d) part of the biceps brachii.

6 . The compression garment of claims 1 , wherein the garment is a lower body garment and the muscle ridge is chosen from the following:

a) a ridge between the long head of the rectus femoris and the semitendinosus muscle group;

b) a lateral edge of the gluteus maximus near the greater trochanter;

c) a lateral edge of the gluteus maximus near the sacrum;

d) an area over the popliteal fossa between the heads of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius; and

e) a ridge of the vastus lateralis and a ridge of the vastus medialis.

7 . The compression garment of claim 3 , wherein the first or second panel substantially defines a muscle group chosen from:

a) the tibialis anterior muscle group;

b) the hamstring tendon muscle group; and

c) the gluteus maximus.

8 . The compression garment of claim 6 , wherein the seam is adapted to avoid any one of the following:

a) the anterior superior iliac spine;

b) the greater saphenous vein;

c) the superficial inguinal gland;

d) the small saphenous vein; and

e) the fossa ovalis.

9 . The compression garment of claims 1 , wherein the seam is stitched.

10 . The compression garment of claim 9 , wherein the seam is a flat stitched seam.

11 . The compression garment of claim 10 , wherein the seam is flat stitched using a four or six needle process.

12 . The compression garment of claim 1 , which includes a line of stitching for providing anchor points without joining panels.

13 . The compression garment of claims 1 , which is adapted to effect a compression of between 5 mmHg and 40 mmHg.

14 . The compression garment of claim 13 , wherein the compression is between 5 mmHg and 25 mmHg.

15 . The compression garment of claims 1 , which includes a panel of variable compression fabric within or over part of the first or second panels.

16 . The compression garment of claim 1 , which includes means to increase compression of the first or second panel or of a third panel.

17 . The compression garment of claim 16 , wherein the means includes a tab attached to one side of the first, second or third panel and removably attachable to the other side of the first, second or third panel respectively.

18 . The compression garment of claim 17 , which includes a plurality of such tabs.

19 . The compression garment of claims 1 , wherein the garment is adapted to provide static compression.

20 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein the garment is adapted to provide gradient compression.

21 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein the material is a fabric with a warp stretch of 160% to 195% and is cut across the fabric grain.

22 . The compression garment of claim 21 , wherein the warp stretch is an average of 177.5%.

23 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein the material is an elastomeric material with a denier range between 40 and 120, combined with nylon, polyester or a mixture of nylon and polyester.

24 . The compression garment of claim 23 , wherein the material is a microfibre or 12 filament material.

25 . The compression garment of claim 1 , wherein at least one panel is of material oriented at about 45° to the warp of the material.

26 . A compression garment for clothing a body part, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam and a third panel of stretchable material within or over part of the first or second panel, wherein the garment includes means to increase compression of the third panel.

27 . The compression garment of claim 26 , wherein the means includes a tab attached to one side of the third panel and removably attachable to the other side of the third panel.

28 . The compression garment of claim 27 , which includes a plurality of such tabs.

29 . A method of manufacturing a compression garment for clothing a body part, the method including the steps of:

a) cutting a first panel to mimic the body part;

b) using an algorithm based on a body mass index to calculate a size of the first panel appropriate to create a chosen static or gradient compression for the body part; and

c) adjusting size of the first panel in accordance with the calculated size.

30 - 31 . (canceled)

32 . The method of claim 29 , which includes the step of cutting the first panel to mimic the body part prior to use of the algorithm.

33 . A compression garment for clothing a body part having at least one muscle or muscle group, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein in use the seam is adapted to anchor the muscle or muscle group.

34 . A compression garment for clothing a body part having at least one muscle or muscle group, the garment including fabric providing compression in relation to the muscle or muscle group at an angle of about 45° to the fabric warp.

35 . A compression garment for clothing a body part having at least one muscle or muscle group, the garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein:

at least the first panel is adapted in use to form an encasement of the body part or the muscle or the muscle group; and

the seam of the panel does not intersect the muscle or the muscle group.