Orthopedic protection device

• US 5,980,475 A
• Filed: 08/07/1995
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gibbons, Patrick J.
• Original Assignee: Gibbons, Patrick J.
• Inventors: Gibbons, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): POTHIER, DENISE M
• Application Number:
  US08/511,757
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 602/3, 602/5, 602/11-14, 602/23, 602/30, 602/60, 602/62, 602/63, 602/65, 128/882, 623/29, 623/33, 623/36, 623/53, 2/239, 2/DIG. 3, 36/110, 36/93, 36/29, 36/71, 36/72 R, 36/77 R, 36/77 M
• US Class Current: 602/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0195 Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations

Abstract

An orthopedic protective device to protect limb extremities against injury. The device is typically used in conjunction with a cast, and encloses the limb extremity, while providing airflow within the device to reduce the risk of infection. A combination of gripping strips and gripping straps provide an easy means to attach and remove the device from the extremity. The device can also be used in combination with a surgical boot to protect the device and the cast from damage that may occur when the patient walks.

Claims

1. An orthopedic protection device for protecting the extremity of a limb comprising:

a. an open-ended bubble;

b. gripping means for removably securing said bubble in place on the limb during use of said bubble with the limb extremity within said bubbles,

wherein said open-ended bubble comprises;

c. an end having an opening for inserting the limb extremity into said bubble, said opening having a right and a left substantially vertical edge, a substantially horizontal top edge and a substantially horizontal bottom edge;

d. a longitudinally elongated, generally planar bottom portion extending from said bottom edge;

e. two longitudinally elongated sides extending from said right and left vertical edges in a generally vertical orientation and connected to said bottom portion;

f. a front portion extending transversely from said sides in a generally vertical orientation connecting said sides and connected to said bottom portion;

g. a longitudinally elongated top portion extending from said top edge in a generally horizontal orientation and connected to said front portion and said sides;

wherein said gripping means comprise;

h. bubble gripping strip means connected to said bubble;

i. sinuous bubble gripping strap means for removably connecting with said bubble gripping strip means,

said bubble gripping strip means being positioned to retain said bubble in place on the limb extremity when in use, and connecting to a surgical boot to retain said bubble within said surgical boot;

wherein said surgical boot comprises;

j. a sole with a generally planar top surface;

k. an enclosure extending substantially vertically and joining said sole along the perimeter of said sole;

l. means for securing said bubble in place within said surgical boot, comprising;

i. boot gripping strap means connected to said enclosure, and

for removably connecting with said bubble gripping strip means to secure said bubble within said surgical boot.

2. The protection device of claim 1 wherein said bubble gripping strip means comprise a first gender hook and loop connector and said boot gripping strap means comprise a second gender hook and loop connector.

3. The protection device of claim 2 wherein said bubble gripping strip means are substantially the same length.

4. The protection device of claim 3 wherein one bubble gripping strip means extends longitudinally adjacent said open end along said top portion.

5. The protection device of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of said bubble gripping strip means of substantially the same width.

6. An orthopedic protection device for a limb extremity comprising:

a. an open-ended bubble comprising;

i. an end having an opening for inserting the limb extremity into said bubble, said opening end having two substantially vertical edges, a substantially horizontal top edge and a substantially horizontal bottom edge;

ii. a longitudinally elongated, generally planar bottom portion extending from said bottom edge with an end remote from said opening end curving in the shape of a parabola;

iii. two longitudinally elongated sides extending from said vertical edges in a generally vertical orientation, curving continuously from vertical to horizontal orientation and curving transversely generally following the perimeter of said bottom portion;

iv. a front portion extending transversely from said sides in a generally vertical orientation connecting said sides, curving continuously upward from vertical to horizontal orientation and curving laterally generally following the perimeter of said bottom portion remote from said opening;

v. a joining region connecting said bottom portion to said sides and said front portion curving continuously upward from horizontal to vertical orientation along the perimeter of said bottom portion adjacent said sides and said front portion;

vi. a longitudinally elongated top portion extending from said top edge in a generally horizontal orientation, curving continuously downward from horizontal to vertical orientation joining said sides and said front portion; and

b. gripping means for securing said bubble in place on the limb extremity when said bubble is in use with the limb extremity within said bubble,

wherein said bubble further comprises stiffening means;

wherein said stiffening means extend longitudinally along said sides;

wherein said stiffening means are curved ridges protruding from said sides, wherein said bubble is transparent.

7. The protection device of claim 6 wherein said bubble is one piece.

8. The protection device of claim 7 wherein said bubble is made from plastic.

9. The protection device of claim 8 wherein said bubble has at least one ventilation hole.

10. The protection device of claim 9 wherein said bubble has at least two ventilation holes and at least one of said ventilation holes is through one of said sides.

11. The protection device of claim 10 wherein the length from said open end is approximately twice the height from said top portion to said bottom portion.

12. The protection device of claim 11 wherein the width from left edge to right edge is approximately fifty percent greater than said height.

13. The protection device of claim 12 wherein said length is approximately seven inches.

14. The protection device of claim 13 wherein said height is approximately three and a quarter inches.

15. The protection device of claim 14 wherein said width is approximately four and three-quarters inches.

16. An orthopedic protection device for a limb extremity comprising:

a. an open-ended bubble;

b. a surgical boot connected to said bubble;

c. gripping means for securing said bubble in place on the limb extremity when said bubble is in use with the limb extremity within said bubble;

wherein said open-ended bubble comprises;

i. an end having an opening for inserting the limb extremity into said bubble interior, said opening having two substantially vertical edges, a substantially horizontal top edge and a substantially horizontal bottom edge;

ii. a longitudinally elongated, generally planar bottom portion extending from said bottom edge;

iii. two longitudinally elongated sides extending from said vertical edges in a generally vertical orientation and connected to said bottom portion;

iv. a front portion extending transversely from said sides in a generally vertical orientation connecting said sides and said bottom portion; and

v. a longitudinally elongated top portion extending from said top edge in a generally horizontal orientation and connected to said sides and said front portion;

wherein said gripping means comprise;

d. bubble gripping strip means connected to said bubble;

e. sinuous bubble gripping strap means for removably connecting with said bubble gripping strip means;

wherein said surgical boot comprises;

f. a sole with a generally planar top surface;

g. an enclosure extending substantially vertically and joining said sole along the perimeter of said sole;

h. means for securing said bubble in place within said surgical boot, comprising;

i. boot gripping strip means connected to said enclosure and

having a gripping means for removably retaining said bubble within said surgical boot by said bubble gripping strip means.

17. An orthopedic protection device for a limb extremity removably connectable with a cast on the limb, comprising:

a. a transparent, plastic, single-piece, open-ended bubble having at least one ventilation hole formed therein and comprising;

i. an end having an opening for inserting the limb extremity into said bubble, said opening having two substantially vertical edges, a substantially horizontal top edge and a substantially horizontal bottom edge;

ii. a longitudinally elongated, generally planar bottom portion extending from said bottom edge, with an end remote from said opening curving in the shape of a parabola;

iii. two longitudinally elongated sides extending from said vertical edges in a generally vertical orientation, curving continuously from vertical to horizontal orientation and curving transversely generally following the perimeter of said bottom portion;

iv. a front portion extending transversely from said sides in a generally vertical orientation connecting said sides, curving continuously upward from vertical to horizontal orientation and curving transversely, generally following the perimeter of said bottom portion remote from said opening;

v. a joining region connecting said bottom portion to said sides and said front portion, curving continuously upward from horizontal to vertical orientation along the perimeter of said bottom portion adjacent said sides and said front portion;

vi. a longitudinally elongated top portion extending from said top edge in a generally horizontal orientation, curving continuously downward from horizontal to vertical orientation joining said sides and said front portion;

vii. stiffening means in the form of curved ridges protruding from said sides, extending longitudinally along said sides;

b. bubble gripping strips comprising a first gender hook and loop connector, fixedly attached to said bubble, and positioned to retain said bubble in place on the limb extremity during use of said bubble with the limb extremity within said bubble;

c. a sinuous elastic bubble gripping strap comprising a second gender hook and loop connector removably connected to said bubble gripping strips, having a central portion that wraps around the limb to secure said bubble in place on the limb during use of said bubble with the limb extremity within said bubble; and

d. a surgical boot attached to said bubble comprising;

i. a sole with a generally planar top surface;

ii. an enclosure extending substantially vertically and joining said sole along the perimeter of said sole;

iii. a boot gripping strip comprising first gender hook and loop connector, fixedly attached to said enclosure and positioned to retain said bubble within said enclosure;

iv. a sinuous boot gripping strap comprising second gender hook and loop connector removably connected to said boot gripping strips and adaptable for connection with said bubble gripping strips to secure said bubble within said enclosure.