Ventilated garments

Abstract

 Disclosed is a garment for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production. The garment includes a mesh material configured to encompass at least a portion of the male testes and a support structure attached to the mesh material. The support structure includes a belt having a length suitable for encircling a male torso.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to garments and methods for maintaining body temperature and, more particularly, but not exclusively, garments for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production.

[0002] In man and in most other mammalian species, testicular temperature is lower than the core body temperature by several degrees. Elevated temperature has been widely documented to impair sperm production. In man and most mammals, an elevation of scrotal temperature to normal core body temperature results in a failure of spermatogenesis.
"Testicular heating and its possible contributions to male infertility: a review"; Mieusset R. et al, International Journal of Andrology 1995; 18: 169-184.

[0003] Decreased semen quality and delayed conception have been related to occupations that involve prolonged sitting such as taxi-driving; and occupations that involve heat exposure such as welding or the ceramics industry are also associated with a significant reduction in sperm production and quality.
"Occupational heat exposure and male fertility: a review"; Thonneau P. et al, Human Reproduction 1998; 13: 2122-2125.

[0004] Even everyday life driving influences scrotal temperature. A study involving the continuous monitoring of scrotal temperature showed that within 2 hours of starting to drive a car, scrotal temperature was increased by 1.7 - 2.28°C.
"Increase in scrotal temperature in car drivers"; Bujan L. et al, Human Reproduction 2000; 15: 1355-1357.

[0005] In another study scrotal temperature was continuously measured, demonstrating a significant relationship between average daily scrotal temperature and sperm count. This study has demonstrated that even a moderate and physiological elevation in scrotal skin temperature was consistently associated with a substantial reduction in sperm concentration.

[0006] An important finding is a 0.7°C average increase in median scrotal skin temperature among men with predominantly sedentary work compared with other men at work. A well-defined threshold for harmful effects could not be determined, but in general men with a scrotal skin temperature above 35°C for more than half of the daytime may be especially at risk.
"Diurnal scrotal skin temperature and semen quality"; Hjollund N. et al & the Danish First Pregnancy Planner Study Team, International Journal of Andrology 2000; 23: 309-318.

[0007] Raising the scrotal temperature may not only reduce sperm concentration but also increase the numbers of morphologically abnormal sperm, decrease sperm motility and/or decrease the number of sperm in the ejaculate. There is also concern whether scrotal temperature elevation can affect implantation and early embryo development as the miscarriage rate is significantly increased in female animals after mating with an 'affected' male.
"Heat and the testis"; Setchell BP., Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 1998; 114: 179-184.

[0008] Sperm count in men is consistently poorer in the summer than in the winter. In long-term studies the sperm count in the same men showed an average 30% reduction in summer compared with winter.

[0009] Similarly, a cross-sectional study of the male partners of pregnant women in four European countries, which utilized standardized methods for recruitment and semen analysis, showed a uniform approximately 30% lower sperm count in those men providing semen samples in the summer than in the winter.
"New data confirming a circannual rhythm in spermatogenesis"; Polito L. et al, Fertility and Sterility 1989; 52: 486-489.

[0010] Background related to the effect of temperature on inter alia sperm count and quality, include the following articles, herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.

i) Mieusset R. & Bujan L. "The Potential Of Mild Testicular Heating As A Safe, Effective And Reversible Contraceptive Method For Men", International Journal of Andrology 1995; 17: 186-191;

ii) Figa-Talamanca I. et al, "Effects Of Prolonged Auto Vehicle Driving On Male Reproductive Function: A Study Among Taxi Drivers", American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1996; 30: 750-758;

iii) Bonde, J. P. "Semen Quality In Welders Exposed To Radiant Heat", British Journal of Industrial Medicine 1992; 49: 5-10;

iv) Figa-Talamanca, I., et al, "Fertility And Semen Quality Of Workers Exposed To High Temperatures In The Ceramics Industry", Reproductive Toxicology 1992; 6: 517-523;

v) Thonneau, P. et al, "Heat Exposure As A Hazard To Male Fertility", The Lancet 1996; 347; 204-205;

vi) Bonde, J. P. et al, "A Follow-Up Study Of Environmental And Biologic Determinants Of Fertility Among 430 Danish First Pregnancy Planners: Design And Methods", Reproductive Toxicology 1998; 12: 19-27;

vii) Bujan L. et al, "Increase In Scrotal Temperature In Car Drivers", Human Reproduction 2000; 15: 1355-1357;

viii) Gyllenborg J. et al, "Secular And Seasonal Changes In Semen Quality Among Young Danish Men - A Statistical Analysis Of Semen Samples From Donor Candidates during 1977-1995", International Journal of Andrology 1999; 22: 28-36;

ix) Levine R.J. et al, "Differences In The Quality Of Semen In Outdoor Workers During Summer And Winter", New England Journal of Medicine 1990; 323: 12-16; and

x) Jorgensen N. et al, "Regional Differences In Semen Quality In Europe", Human Reproduction 2001; 16:1012-1019.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a garment for maintaining body temperature to enhance effective sperm production.

[0012] The garment includes a mesh material configured to encompass at least a portion of the male testes and a support structure attached to the mesh material.

[0013] The support structure includes a belt of a size that is suitable for encircling a male torso.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mesh material has fibers of a diameter between about 0.1 and about 5.0 millimeters.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mesh material includes apertures of between about 1.0 and about 100 square millimeters.

[0016] According to another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a garment for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production, the method including producing a mesh material, forming the mesh material into a form configured to encompass at least a portion of a male testes and attaching the mesh material to a support structure including a belt having a length suitable for encircling a male torso.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes forming the mesh material from fibers having of a diameter between about 0.1 and about 5.0 millimeters.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes forming apertures in the mesh material, the apertures having an area of between about 1.0 and about 100 square millimeters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

[0021] In the drawings:

Figure 1-3 show examples of garments for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production, according to embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to garments and methods for maintaining body temperature and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to garments for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production.

[0023] As used herein, the phrases "enhance sperm production" and/or "enhance effective sperm production" refer to, inter alia, an increase in sperm count associated with maintaining a temperature reduction of, inter alia, the male testes with respect to the core body temperature.

[0024] As used herein, the term "male testes" refers to a portion of the male body, including at least one of:

i) a scrotum;

ii) a pubic area; and

iii) all organs and organelles associated with the production, storage and ejaculation of sperm.

[0025] Optionally, the garment includes a mesh material, allowing air flow to the skin associated with the male testes, thereby reducing the temperature of the male testes.

[0026] As used herein, "reducing the temperature of the male testes", means maintaining or reducing the temperature of the male tests below the core body temperature; wherein such maintenance contributes to in increase sperm count and quality in an ejaculate above that produced when the temperature of the male testes approaches the core body temperature.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mesh may cover the testicular area alone, for example the scrotal sac. Alternatively, the garment may include a larger mesh area that covers, for example, the scrotum, and the pubic area.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present invention, the garment may be designed in any one of a variety of garment styles known in the art, such garment styles including:

i) a regular bikini;

ii) a strip-bikini;

iii) a mini-slip;

iv) a thong;

v) a trunk;

vi) a full-rise brief;

vii) a low-rise brief; and

viii) a mid-rise brief.

Referring to the Drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 shows a garment 100 for maintaining body temperature to enhance effective sperm production that includes a mesh material 106 that allows the above-noted air flow to the skin associated with the male testes, thereby reducing the temperature of the male testes.

[0030] According to embodiments of the invention, garment 100 includes a belt 102 which optionally includes an elastic material. Alternatively, belt 102 includes a Velcro™ material that the wearer fastens around the torso area.

[0031] Garment 100 includes a scrotal sac 104 configured for supporting a male scrotum that includes mesh material 106. Additionally, garment 100 includes a pubic area 108 extending upward from scrotal sac 104. Pubic area 108 optionally includes mesh material 106 in addition to mesh material 106 of scrotal sac 104.

[0032] Figure 2, shows a garment 120 for maintaining body temperature to enhance effective sperm production in which pubic area 108 includes a material having a denser area, meaning an area of smaller apertures, than mesh material 106.

[0033] Additionally, belt 102 includes strips 112 including a rubberized material, optionally to provide additional snugness to belt 102.

[0034] Figure 3 shows a garment 130 for maintaining body temperature to enhance effective sperm production, in which pubic area 108, scrotal sac 104 and belt 102 include mesh material 106.

Materials

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, materials included in garment 100 are characterized by a mesh material 106 that allows movement of air through apertures in mesh material, thereby ventilating portions of the male testes as noted above. Examples of the fibers of mesh material 106 include:

natural fibers;

synthetic fibers; and

a combination of synthetic and natural fibers.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, mesh material 106 is characterized by apertures of any one of a variety of aperture areas. Optionally, mesh material 106 includes a variety of sizes of apertures sizes, for example, with aperture size increasing from the pubic area towards the testes area.

[0037] It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application, many relevant garment configurations and materials will be developed and the scope of the term garment is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

[0038] As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %.

[0039] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates, mean "including but not limited to".

[0040] The term "consisting of" means "including and limited to".

[0041] The term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

[0042] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0043] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0044] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

[0045] As used herein, the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical, and medical arts.

[0046] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0047] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

[0048] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

1. A garment for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production, said garment comprising:

a mesh material configured to encompass at least a portion of the male testes; and

a support structure attached to said mesh material, said support structure including a belt having a length suitable for encircling a male torso.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said mesh material has fibers of a diameter between about 0.1 and about 5.0 millimeters.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said mesh material includes apertures of between about 1.0 and about 100 square millimeters.

4. A method of manufacturing a garment for maintaining body temperature to enhance sperm production, the method comprising:

i) producing a mesh material;

ii) forming said mesh material into a form configured to encompass at least a portion of a male testes; and

iii) attaching said mesh material to a support structure including a belt having a length suitable for encircling a male torso.

5. The method according to claim 4, including forming said mesh material from fibers having a diameter between about 0.1 and about 5.0 millimeters.

6. The method according to claim 4, including forming apertures in said mesh material, said apertures having an area of between about 1.0 and about 100 square millimeters.

Drawing