Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-07-03
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C128S845000, C128S882000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254561
ABSTRACT:
The present invention generally relates to radiation therapy and more particularly to a method and apparatus for positioning a patient for radiation therapy, particularly radiation therapy of a patient in a “frogleg” position.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is well known in the art of radiation therapy to position a patient in the “frogleg” position for radiation therapy to be performed at the pelvic region. In the frogleg position, the patient lies on his back with his/her legs bent at the knees and spread apart and with the bottoms of the feet touching each other. This frogleg position is characterized also by the raised knees. This position is so beneficial in radiation therapy, because it decreases the amount of skin folds at or near the treatment field and places as much of the femur as possible out of the treatment area. One of the problems in positioning a patient in the frogleg position is that it is difficult to obtain a consistent frogleg position from the patient because the legs must be held spread apart while being bent at the knees and with the feet touching each other. Another problem is that it is difficult to stabilize the patient in the desired position throughout the duration of the radiation therapy treatment. Finally, repeatability is important in radiation therapy where multiple treatments are common. It is difficult to position a patient in a repeatable position over multiple radiation treatments.
Several prior art references teach abduction devices that may be fitted on patients with various orthopedic conditions. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,558,628; 5,362,305 and 1,230,512. Devices for accomplishing simple leg abduction, however, are not acceptable in creating the frogleg position for radiation therapy. The knees must also be elevated to be most effective in radiation therapy.
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to overcome the above problems and provide a novel method and apparatus for positioning a patient in the frogleg position for radiation therapy at the pelvic region or other regions associated with the legs and hips.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus which can be used to consistently reproduce the same frogleg position and which moreover will stabilize the position throughout the duration of the radiation therapy.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus that will achieve the foregoing objects and yet may be economically manufactured and implemented for use in radiation therapy practice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a patient is first placed in a supine position, and is then asked to flex the hips and bend the knees and draw the feet up as much as possible. The next step is that the patient abducts the thighs and turns the feet inward to brace the soles of the feet against each other. The next step is that the feet are strapped together. Finally, a stabilizing strut such as a stabilizing bar is placed between the legs at the femoral, patella junction, to thus maintain the legs apart and then the strut is fastened such as by straps to hold the desired position. Radiation therapy may then be conducted upon the patient in conventional fashion during which the patient is always positioned in the desired frogleg position.
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patent: 5681270 (1997-10-01), Klearman et al.
Brown Michael A.
Diversified Marketing Association, Inc.
Millen White Zelano & Branigan P.C.
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