Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – For lower body portions
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-01-23
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
For lower body portions
C005S651000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175979
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an orthopedic device for providing support to an upper or lower extremity and particularly relates to an inflatable device for isolating the heel to mediate the resolution of heel ulcers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of patients populate the cohort of those at increased risk for the development of chronic lower extremity ulcerations. Among these are patients having impaired microcirculation to the lower extremities secondary to disease, e.g. diabetes, autoimmune diseases which attack the endothelium, Raynaud's disease, etc.; those patients suffering from decreased circulation due to cardiac insufficiency, for example congestive heart failure, those patients suffering a reduction in arterial perfusion due to abnormally high venous pressure and edema; and those who have suffered trauma to the lower extremities as a result of surgery or accident.
A common problem with all such patients is difficulty in the healing process. Due to the decreased perfusion of oxygenated blood, tissue breakdown occurs and ultimately results in the formation of ulcers. Of particular concern is the formation of decubitus ulcers of the heel, which are especially refractory to treatment due to the difficulty in removing contact pressure from the heel area. Whether walking about, wearing shoes and stockings, or merely lying in bed, the heel maintains virtually constant physical contact with an adjacent surface, e.g. a shoe, a stocking, a bed sheet or a footstool.
Medical professionals counsel their patients that healing of such ulcerations requires both elevation of the extremity and isolation of the wound area from the trauma of physical contact. Elevation is necessary for mediating chronic edema and abnormally high venous pressure, thereby encouraging an increase in the perfusion of oxygenated arterial blood flow to the area. Isolation of the area from physical contact promotes healing by reducing surface trauma and further debriding of the area due to friction. Isolation is also important since it allows medications to remain on the dermal and epidermal tissues thus reducing the incidence of infection.
Various apparatus have been used in an effort to accomplish the goals of isolation and elevation of the lower extremity, e.g. variously shaped foam pillows, stools, and slings or similar devices which wrap around the area allowing it to be hung from an overlying support. All of these devices have inherent drawbacks which result in a lack of compliance and increased morbidity. For example, pillows slip and change position and fall away or are pushed aside by the patient. Propping the extremity on a stool or similar device, or alternatively hanging the extremity in a sling leads to the manifestation of secondary problems, since there is always an area adjacent to the wound site which experiences increased pressure and physical trauma due to the device itself.
Thus, the prior art lacks a device which has the ability to provide elevation of a lower extremity, is capable of isolating a wound site from physical trauma, and is designed to maximize compliance and thereby increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an orthopedic pillow which is fully adjustable by inflation or deflation thereof, having both a size and shape effective to maintain elevation of one or both of a patient's extremities to a position favorable for the reduction of chronic edematous swelling. The shape and construction of the device provides an area effective for the isolation of a patient's foot so that the heel and surrounding area is floating in midair. At the same time, the entire leg is cradled upon an inflated surface which yields to pressure and thus minimizes the formation of secondary ulcers due to prolonged periods of contact of the surrounding tissues with the device. The device is light and easily maneuverable by both the patient and attending health professional or care giver. Furthermore, due to its inflatable design, the device is easily adjusted to a particular individual by increasing or decreasing the degree of inflation. The devices ease of use and simplicity assures increased compliance, comfort and effectiveness. The device is both exchangeable and reversible and can be used to prop up an individual's head or back, or to elevate legs or feet. The device is useful in bed or when lying on a couch or chair. The device has further utility in a surgical setting where it can be used to position an extremity so that operating room personnel may clean and isolate an area in preparation for surgery.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to teach an adjustable device for elevating a lower extremity resulting in a reduction of swelling, increase in circulation and removal of all pressure from the heel and foot
It is a further objective of the instant invention to teach a device for post-surgical treatment of a lower extremity to reduce post-operative pain and swelling and promote healing.
It is yet another objective of the instant invention to teach an orthopedic inflatable device for the treatment of chronic decubitus heel ulcers which isolate the ulcerated area from all pressure and physical contact.
These and other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3315282 (1967-04-01), Lowery et al.
patent: 3644949 (1972-02-01), Diamond
patent: 4278079 (1981-07-01), Simhoni et al.
patent: 5095569 (1992-03-01), Glenn
patent: 5173979 (1992-12-01), Nennhaus
patent: 5745939 (1998-05-01), Flick et al.
patent: 5997491 (1999-12-01), Harris
McHale & Slavin
Trettel Michael F.
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