Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02689243 2014-01-24
STABILIZATION WEDGE FOR ULCER PREVENTION AND
THERAPEUTIC/TREATMENT BOOT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to stabilization of a limb in a patient setting, and in
particular to a device for use as an adjunct for limb stabilization.
In co-pending U.S. 7,798,984 a heel ulcer prevention and cushioning boot
is disclosed and described. The boot provides heel elevation, support and
comfort, as well as proper positioning of a patient's leg to avoid creating
other
problems, such as ulcers.
Sometimes, for whatever reasons, including inability of the patient to
maintain proper orientation of a limb, the heel ulcer prevention and
cushioning
boot may need additional stabilization to maintain the proper limb
orientation. The
present invention provides that additional stabilization
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a stabilized prevention and
therapeutic/treatment boot comprising a boot shaped to engage a foot and lower
leg, a stabilization block, and a tether secured to and extending from the
block
and secured to and extending from the boot. A fastener may be provided for
temporarily affixing the stabilization block in place on the boot.
In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the stabilization
block is elongated and generally triangular in cross-section. The tether
comprises
an elongated strap. The fastener comprises a first fastener element on the
stabilization block and a second fastener element on the boot. Preferably, the
fastener elements comprise hook-and-loop elements.
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PPH REQUEST
Preferably, the first fastener element comprises one fastener segment on one
face of the stabilization block and a second fastener segment on a second face
of the
stabilization block. The tether is secured to the block between the faces.
Also,
preferably, the second fastener element comprises one fastener segment on one
side of
the boot and a second fastener segment on the opposite side of the boot, with
the tether
being secured to the boot between the fastener segments on the boot.
In accordance with the method of the invention, as described above, the
therapeutic boot includes at least one fastener segment on the boot, and the
method
comprises tethering the stabilization block to the boot at a fixation location
proximate the
fastener segment with a strap of a length at least sufficient to extend from
the fixation
location to the fastener segment. Then, the stabilization block is pivoted
about the strap
to engage a fastener segment on the stabilization block with a fastener
segment on the
boot. Preferably, the tethering of the stabilization block to the boot at the
fixation location
is at a point approximately equidistance between the first and second fastener
segments on opposite sides of the boot.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
stabilized prevention and therapeutic/treatment boot, comprising: a. a boot
shaped to
engage a foot and lower leg, b. a stabilization block, and c. a tether secured
to and
extending from said block and secured to and extending from said boot.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
stabilized prevention and therapeutic/treatment boot, comprising a. a boot
shaped to
engage a foot and lower leg, b. an elongated, triangular stabilization block,
c. a tether
secured to and extending from said block and secured to and extending from
said boot,
and d. a fastener for temporarily affixing said stabilization block in place
in one of two
orientations on said boot, said fastener comprising i. a first fastener
element on said
stabilization block, and ii. a second fastener element on said boot, wherein
iii. said first
fastener element comprises one fastener segment on one face of said
stabilization
block and a second fastener segment on a second face of said stabilization
block, and
iv. said second fastener element comprises one fastener segment on one side of
said
boot and a second fastener segment on an opposite side of said boot.
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CA 02689243 2013-06-03
PPH REQUEST
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a
method of stabilizing a prevention and therapeutic/treatment boot, in which
the boot
includes at least one fastener segment on the boot, the method comprising a.
tethering
a stabilization block to the boot at a fixation location proximate said
fastener segment
with a strap of a length at least sufficient to extend from said fixation
location to said
fastener segment, and b. pivoting said stabilization block about said strap to
engage a
fastener segment on said stabilization block with said fastener segment on the
boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of
examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with
the
drawing figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prevention and therapeutic/treatment boot
for
which the invention of the present application is particularly suitable,
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the boot of Figure 1, having the
stabilization
wedge of the invention in place,
Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, with the stabilization
wedge in
place and showing how a patient's leg is supported,
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the stabilization wedge,
Figure 5 is an elevational view of the wedge of Figure 4,
2a
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Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second form of the invention with the
stabilization block temporarily affixed to the boot,
Figure 7 is a partial bottom perspective view of the form of the invention
shown in Figure 6, illustrating how the stabilization block is tethered to the
boot,
and
Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view similar to Figure 7, showing the
stabilization block temporarily affixed to the side of the boot, in the same
fashion
as illustrated in Figure 6.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING
THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
The stabilization wedge according to the invention is particularly suitable
for use in combination with a prevention and therapeutic/treatment boot, such
as
the boot 10 illustrated in Figure 1. The boot 10 is described in greater
detail in co-
pending U.S. 7,798,984. Greater detail can be obtained from that application.
Of
the many features of the boot 10, hook-and-loop fastener segments 12 and 14
are
particularly useful in combination with the stabilization wedge of the present
invention, as will become evident from the description below. While the boot
10 is
a preferred form of boot to be stabilized, other boots can be employed, as
well.
The stabilization wedge of one form of the invention is shown in Figures 2
and 3, with a slightly different form shown in Figures 4 and 5. The wedge 20
shown in Figures 2 and 3 differs from the wedge 22 shown in Figures 4 and 5
only
in the particular cross-sectional configuration. As shown in Figure 3, the
wedge
20 is generally trapezoidal in cross-section, while the wedge 22 shown in
Figures
4 and 5 is generally triangular in cross section. Other shapes of the wedges
20
and 22 will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is not
limited to
simply a trapezoidal or triangular cross-section.
No matter the cross-section of the wedge 20 or 22, the wedge comprises a
stabilization block, and has a tether secured to and extending from the
stabilization block. The tether preferably comprises an elongated strap 24,
and
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may be secured to the respective wedge 20 or 22 by any means, such as sonic
welding, adhesives, or any other means of forming a permanent connection
between the wedge 20 or 22 and the elongated strap 24. The strap 24 is
preferably quite flexible, and can be made of any suitable material, such as
plastic
or fabric. The wedge 20 or 22, on the other hand, is significantly robust to
orient
the boot 10, and can be formed of any suitable material, such as high density
foam, plastic or the like, which has sufficient body to properly orient the
boot 10 in
its desired position.
As shown in the drawing figures, the wedges 20 and 22 are elongated and
for fastening to the boot 10, a fastener is provided in the form of a pair of
spaced
fastener elements 26 and 28 on the strap 24. The fastener elements 26 and 28
complement the fastener segments 12 and 14, thus one of the segments 12 and
14 or elements 26 and 28 is preferably a hook element, while the other of the
fastener segments 12 and 14 and fastener elements 26 and 28 is a loop element.
Thus, when the wedge 20 or 22 is applied to the boot 10 as illustrated in the
drawing figures, the hook and loop elements engage and hold the wedge 20 or 22
in place.
As illustrated, the fastener elements 26 and 28 are located substantially at
opposite ends of the strap 24. The spacing of the fastener elements 26 and 28
is
such to advantageously engage the fastener segments 12 and 14. As illustrated,
the fastener element 26 is located proximate the stabilization wedge 20 or 22,
and
the fastener element 28 is located on the elongated strap 24 opposite the
fastener
element 26.
While the fastener elements 26 and 28 are preferably hook-and-loop
fastener segments to advantageously engage the hook-and-loop fastener
segments 12 and 14, other types of fastener elements can be employed, as will
be evident to one skilled in the art. Permanent fasteners, such as adhesives,
can
be utilized, as well as other types of temporary connection to the boot, such
as
various kinds of fasteners or adhesive strips or adhesive elements. The type
of
connection will be dictated by whether the user wishes a more permanent type
of
connection, or a readily removable type of connection.
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As is evident, the stabilization wedge 20 or 22 can be used on either side of
the boot 10. If need be, the wedges 20 or 22 can be doubled, that is, instead
of a
single wedge proximate the fastener element 26, there can be a second wedge
proximate the fastener element 28. Thus, both sides of the boot 10 can be
stabilized if needed.
The shape of the wedge 20 or 22 can vary depending upon the nature of
the boot 10 and the use in connection with the boot. While two types of wedges
20 and 22 have been illustrated and described, it will be evident that other
shapes
will perform the stabilization functions as explained, and the element 20 or
22 can
be just about any shape, including round in cross section, and still have the
desired function.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 6 through 8.
Elements of the invention that are the same as described above bear the same
reference characters.
In this form of the invention, the wedge 30 is another form of the
stabilization block according to the invention and is essentially identical to
the
wedge 22, except that it is permanently secured to the boot 10. The wedge 30,
however, could be another shape. A tether 32 is secured to and extends from
the
wedge 30 and is secured to and extends from the boot 10. The boot 10 typically
has a stitching 34 extending longitudinally, and advantageously, the tether 32
can
be stitched to the boot 10 by the stitching 34, as shown, or by separate
stitching.
However, other means of affixing, such as adhesives, heat staking, sonic
welding,
riveting, or any other typical means of attaching can be used in appropriate
situations, so long as the tether 32 is permanently secured to the boot 10.
The tether 32 preferably comprises an elongated strap, just as the strap 24
of the first form of the invention. While the tether 32 is shown extending the
length
of the wedge 30, it can be shorter, if desired, while still maintaining a
permanent
connection to the boot 10.
In this form of the invention, the fastener comprises a first fastener element
on the wedge 30 and, similar to the first form of the invention, a second
fastener
element on the boot 10, that second fastener element comprising the fastener
segments 12 and 14. The first fastener element comprises one fastener segment
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36 on one face of the wedge 30 and a second fastener segment 38 on a second
face of the wedge 30. The fastener segments 36 and 38 complement the fastener
segments 12 and 14 in that one of either the segments 12 and 14 or the
segments
36 and 38 is preferably a hook element, while the other is a loop element.
Thus,
when the wedge 30 is applied to the boot 10 as illustrated in the drawing
figures,
the hook and loop elements engage and hold the wedge 30 in place on either
side
of the boot 10. For illustration purposes, the fastener segmeht 36 is shown on
a
face 40 while the fastener segment 38 is shown on a face 42, although
obviously
the fastener segments, which are identical, can be reversed.
While it is preferred that the fastener be used, in some instances a fastener
may not be necessary. In those instances, the length of the tether 32 will
dictate
positioning of the wedge 30 for stabilizing the boot 10.
As shown, the tether 32 is secured to the wedge 30 between the faces 40
and 42. Just as in the first form of the invention, the tether 32 is secured
in some
means forming a permanent connection to the wedge 30.
As shown in the drawing figures, the stitching 34 is midway between the
fastener segments 12 and 14 on opposite sides of the boot 10, and therefore
the
wedge 30 can be easily affixed to either side of the boot 10, depending on
where
stabilization is required. While it is preferred that the tether is secured at
a
midpoint between the opposite fastener segments on the boot 10, that is not
mandatory and the dimension of the tether 32 extending between the boot 10 and
the wedge 30 will determine where the tether 32 can be affixed to the boot 10,
with obviously the minimum dimension of the tether 32 being that sufficient to
allow the wedge 30 to be affixed to either side of the boot 10.
In accordance with a method according to the invention for stabilizing the
boot 10 includes, preferably, the fastener segments 12 and 14 on opposite
sides
of the boot, and the wedge 30 is tethered to the boot 10 at a fixation
location
which preferably is the point of the stitching 34. The tether 32 is then of a
length
sufficient to extend from the fixation location to the fastener segment. For
stabilization of the boot, the wedge 30 is pivoted about the tether to engage
either
of the fastener segments 36 or 38 on its respective side of the boot 10.
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PPH REQUEST
Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the
scope thereof.
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