Orthopedic device for distributing pressure

• US 20050150133A1
• Filed: 01/13/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Group K Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Khoury M. Steven
• Inventors: Khoury, M. Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,020,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/29
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/188 Differential cushioning regions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/206 provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/003 characterised by the material made of wood A43B17/12, made of sponge, rubber or plastic materials A43B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/142 situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/144 situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/145 situated under the toes, i.e. the phalanges
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/148 Recesses or holes filled with supports or pads
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/226 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/14 Special medical insertions for shoes for flat-feet, club-feet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/34 Pressure pads filled with air or liquid valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; valves per se F16K

Abstract

The present invention alleviates pain and discomfort from a limb of a patient by redistributing pressure on the limb. The present invention involves an orthopedic device for redistribution of pressure exerted on a limb of a patient. The device comprises a pressure-absorbing member and a breakable container disposed in the pressure absorbing member. The pressure absorbing member is contoured to cooperate with the shape of the limb. The pressure absorbing member has a pressure receiving cavity formed therein. The breakable container is disposed in the pressure receiving cavity and includes a reactant molding material. The breakable container has a predetermined elastic threshold to allow the breakable container to break at a high pressure area and to allow the reactant molding material to disperse from the high pressure area upon pressure exertion on the breakable container by the limb.

Claims

1. An orthopedic device for redistribution of pressure exerted on a limb of a patient, the device comprising:

a pressure absorbing member contoured to cooperate with the shape of the limb, the pressure absorbing member having a pressure receiving cavity formed therein; and

a breakable container disposed in the pressure receiving cavity and including a reactant molding material, the breakable container having a predetermined elastic threshold to allow the breakable container to break at a high pressure area and to allow the reactant molding material to disperse from the high pressure area upon stress on the breakable container beyond the predetermined elastic threshold.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure absorbing member includes:

a contact layer for engaging the limb of the patient; and

a base layer including an inner surface having a stress portion formed thereon, the base layer being aligned with the top layer and cooperating therewith to form the pressure receiving cavity adjacent the stress portion.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure absorbing member includes:

a base layer; and

a top layer for engaging the limb of the patient, the top layer including an inner surface having a pressure receiving portion formed thereon, the top layer being lined with the base layer and cooperating therewith to form the pressure receiving cavity at the pressure receiving portion.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure absorbing member is made of a polyethylene foam, a polyurethane foam, or a synthetic rubber.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure receiving cavity is formed at one or more of a rear foot portion, a mid-foot portion, and a fore-foot portion.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the rear foot portion is in alignment with one of the medial tubercle or lateral tubercle of the calcaneal tubercle of the patient.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the mid-foot portion is in alignment with the fifth metatarsal base of the patient.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein the fore-foot portion is in alignment with the first metatarsal head, the second metatarsal head, the third metatarsal head, the fourth metatarsal head, and the fifth metatarsal head of the patient.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the breakable container is made of a low density polymer.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the elastic threshold is defined by a rupture tension of about 15 pounds per square inch.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the elastic threshold is defined by a 10% stretch threshold.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the reactant molding material is made of latex.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure receiving cavity is a plurality of pressure receiving cavities formed at a rear foot portion, a mid-foot portion, and a fore-foot portion.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the rear foot portion is in alignment with the calcaneal tubercle, the mid-foot portion is in alignment with the fifth metatarsal base, and the fore-foot portion is in alignment with one of the metatarsal heads of the patient.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the breakable container is a plurality of breakable containers disposed in the plurality of pressure receiving cavities.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure receiving cavity is a plurality of pressure receiving cavities formed at the distal end of one of the tibia or fibula of the patient.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure receiving cavity is a plurality of pressure receiving cavities formed at the distal end of the femur of the patient.

18. An orthopedic device for redistribution of pressure exerted on a limb of a patient, the device comprising:

a pressure absorbing member contoured to cooperate with the shape of the limb, the pressure absorbing member having a plurality of pressure receiving cavities formed therein; and

a breakable container disposed in one of the pressure receiving cavities and including a reactant molding material, the breakable container having a predetermined temperature threshold to allow the breakable container to break at a high temperature area and the reactant molding material to disperse from the high temperature area upon heat on the breakable container beyond the predetermined temperature threshold.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the pressure receiving cavities are formed at a rear foot portion, a mid-foot portion, and a forefoot portion.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the rear foot portion is in alignment with one of the medial tubercle or lateral tubercle of the calcaneal tubercle of the patient.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein the mid-foot portion is in alignment with the fifth metatarsal base of the patient.

22. The device of claim 19 wherein the fore-foot portion is in alignment with the first metatarsal head, the second metatarsal head, the third metatarsal head, the fourth metatarsal head, and the fifth metatarsal head of the patient.

23. The device of claim 18 wherein the breakable container is made of a low density polymer.

24. The device of claim 18 wherein the reactant molding material is made of latex.

25. The device of claim 18 wherein the pressure absorbing member includes:

a contact layer for engaging the limb of the patient; and

a base layer including an inner surface having a stress portion formed thereon, the base layer being aligned with the top layer and cooperating therewith to form the pressure receiving cavity adjacent the stress portion.

26. The device of claim 18 wherein the pressure absorbing member includes:

a base layer; and

a top layer for engaging the limb of the patient, the top layer including an inner surface having a pressure receiving portion formed thereon, the top layer being lined with the base layer and cooperating therewith to form the pressure receiving cavity at the pressure receiving portion.

27. The device of claim 18 wherein the predetermined temperature threshold is greater than 100°

Fahrenheit.

28. The device of claim 18 wherein the predetermined temperature threshold is greater than 120°

Fahrenheit.

29. The device of claim 18 wherein the predetermined temperature threshold is greater than 140°

Fahrenheit.

30. A method of redistributing pressure on a limb of a patient for orthopedic therapy, the method comprising:

providing a pressure absorbing member having a pressure receiving cavity formed therein and a breakable container disposed in the pressure receiving cavity, the breakable container having a reactant molding material and a predetermined elastic threshold;

receiving pressure on the breakable container at the predetermined elastic threshold to define a high pressure area; and

dispersing the reactant molding material from the high pressure area to redistribute the pressure on the limb.

31. A method of redistributing pressure on a limb of a patient for orthopedic therapy, the method comprising:

providing a pressure absorbing member having a pressure receiving cavity formed therein and a breakable container disposed in the pressure receiving cavity, the breakable container having a reactant molding material and a predetermined temperature threshold;

heating the pressure absorbing member to the predetermined temperature threshold to define a high temperature area of the breakable container; and

dispersing the reactant molding material from the high temperature area to redistribute the pressure on the limb.