Apparel – Guard or protector – Hand or arm
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-04-17
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Guard or protector
Hand or arm
C128S881000, C128S892000, C602S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216268
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of medical devices for the prevention and treatment of ulcers suffered by bed patients. More particularly, the invention relates to an elbow protection device for bed patients that prevents contact with bed linens or other objects thereby preventing elbow ulcers or treating existing elbow ulcers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Elbow protection devices for bed patients to prevent ulcers of the elbow are known. Persons who are confined to a bed for an extended period of time may develop ulcers, specifically decubitus ulcers, of the elbow. The primary causes of elbow ulcers are pressure exerted on the elbow of the bed patient from the weight of the patient's arm when the arm is resting in an extended or semi-extended position, and friction and shear resulting from the sliding movement of the patient's elbow across a bed surface. Elbow protection devices typically include an elbow support pad having inwardly extending full convolutions and peaks. The elbow protection devices typically a fixed amount of base support padding under the patient's elbow. Elbow protection devices also typically include tubular sleeves upon which the support pad is attached. The sleeves are typically supplied in more than one size to accommodate the varying sizes of bed patient's arms.
Existing elbow protection devices, however, have a number of drawbacks. The padding with inwardly extending full convolution include a plurality of complete amplitude peaks and valleys. The padding with inwardly extending convolutions and peaks can not be used on all patients. In particular, edematous patient's may be unable to comfortably use the devices without negatively affecting the patient's circulation or irritating the patient's swollen tissue. Also, a fixed amount of base support padding, often either a fixed single layer or a fixed double layer, does not provide sufficient flexibility for supporting the elbow of all patients. A larger patient with a larger or heavier elbow may require additional base padding support than a smaller sized patient with a smaller, lighter elbow. Also, the tubular sleeve must be pulled over the patient's arm to correctly position the device. The installation of the tubular sleeve can interfere with other medical devices such as dressings and intravenous (IV) lines attached to a patient arm at or below the elbow. The installation of the tubular sleeve may require IV lines to be removed and reattached to the patient. Also, the tubular sleeve often covers the entire elbow and a portion of the patient's forearm and upper arm limiting the accessibility of the patient's arm for IV lines, drug injections, and other medical procedures. Moreover, the pulling of the tubular sleeve may cause pain and discomfort to some patients. Once applied, the patient may find the tubular sleeve to be restricting and uncomfortable. The tubular sleeves can be difficult to align and have a tendency to move out of position, particularly following movement of the patient's elbow, thereby not providing proper support to the patient's elbow. The tubular sleeves must be designed and stocked in multiple sizes in order to accommodate the different sized arms of the patients in a hospital, nursing home, or care center.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an elbow protection device that overcomes these and other disadvantages of existing elbow protection devices. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide an elbow protection device having at least one support pad without full convolutions and inwardly extending peaks that can be worn by all patients including edematous patients. What is needed is an elbow protection device having an additional support pad for supporting patient's with larger or heavier elbows. What is also needed is an elbow protection device for bed patients that can be applied without having to be pulled up a patient's arm. It would also be advantageous to provide an elbow protection device for bed patient's that adjusts to fit all patients. What is also needed is an elbow protection device for bed patients that correctly positions, cradles and suspends the patient's elbow above the bed surface. Further, it would be advantageous to provide an elbow protection device for bed patients that allows for full flexing of the patient's arm without causing the elbow protection device to become misaligned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an elbow protection device for an elbow of a bed patient. The elbow protection device includes a body having first and second side panels connected to and spaced apart by a base having a forearm section and an upper arm section, the base being made of a flexible, compressible material, first and second elevation pads connected to the fore arm and upper arm sections, respectively, the base and the first and second elevation pads configured to support the elbow above a bed surface, and an attachment strap connected to the body and configured to secure the body to the elbow.
According to another aspect of the invention, an elbow protection device includes a covering connected to an outer surface of the body, the covering including a friction reducing material for permitting free sliding movement of the device over the bed surface with minimal resistance.
According to another aspect of the invention, an elbow protection includes a body being made of a flexible, compressible, breathable foam material, the body including an inner surface having a plurality of flat areas spaced apart from each other in two dimensions by a plurality of dimples extending into the body from the flat areas, the body contoured to receive the elbow and configured to support the elbow above a bed surface.
The present invention of a heel protection boot, in operation, provides sliding a body of the device under the elbow of the bed patient, placing the bed patient's elbow on first and second elevation pads connected to an inner surface of the body, aligning the elbow with an opening within a body of the device and the first and second elevation pads, grasping a first end of a strap, the strap connected to the body at a second end, wrapping the strap around the elbow, and releasably connecting the strap to the body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2550461 (1951-04-01), Fick
patent: 3458867 (1969-08-01), Moore et al.
patent: 4198708 (1980-04-01), Fugere et al.
patent: 4315504 (1982-02-01), Drennan et al.
patent: 5123113 (1992-06-01), Smith
patent: 5168576 (1992-12-01), Krent et al.
patent: 5687422 (1997-11-01), Wurst et al.
patent: 5887277 (1999-03-01), Lohman
patent: 5891079 (1999-04-01), Barnes
Calvert John J.
Foley & Lardner
Patel Tejash
SMR Products, Inc.
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