Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Bandage structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-27
2001-08-14
Lewis, Kim M. (Department: 3761)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Bandage structure
C602S042000, C602S060000, C128S888000, C128S889000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06274786
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many people suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Gastroesophageal reflux disorder is a reflux, or backward or return flow, of fluid of gastric or intestinal contents into the esophagus. Heartburn is a symptom of this disorder.
This condition arises when the lower esophageal sphincter, between the stomach and esophagus, becomes lax or spastic. This allows gastric acid to move from the stomach into the esophagus. The gastric juices irritate the esophagus lining.
Possible causes of the disorder include scleroderma, pregnancy, improper diet, autoimmune disorders or a hiatal hernia. Treatment for this disorder typically includes a change in diet and the use of non-prescription antacids or prescription medications. Severe cases may require anti-reflux surgery. Recurrence is common.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide relief for gastroesophageal reflux disorder, in particular gastroesophageal reflux disorder caused by a hiatal hernia.
It is another object of the invention to provide a low cost treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disorder.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that closes the cardiac sphincter, aids the stomach in lowering away from and out of the esophageal hiatus and aids in esophageal relaxation.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a device that corrects and possibly prevents a hiatal hernia by applying sustained pressure on the stomach.
It is a further object of the invention to treat gastroesophageal reflux disorder in a non-chemical, non-surgical manner.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cure for GERD that is both simple to use and inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Chiropractors treat hiatal hernias by manually pressing down on the patient's abdomen. This mechanical pressure serves to return the stomach to its correct position, assist in closing the cardiac sphincter and help induce esophageal relaxation. The invention is a bandage having a protrusion that creates and maintains pressure on the stomach. The bandage maintains the protrusion in a position where it is applying pressure to the user's abdomen. For the relief of GERD, and hiatal hernias in particular, the device is applied to an area immediately to the right or left of the solar plexus, by the rib cage. This area is by the esophageal/gastric junction where the symptoms of GERD are felt.
The bandage has a semirigid portion allowing the protrusion to apply pressure. If the bandage did not have the semirigid portion, it would be pushed outwardly, and no pressure would be maintained. The semi-rigid portion is an endoskeleton of semi-rigid material that is sandwiched between pieces of a gauze-like material. The protrusion is a semidense plastic foam attached to the endoskeleton. Both the protrusion and endoskeleton are placed between layers of the gauge-like material.
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Hoffman Wasson & Gitler
Lewis Kim M.
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