U.S. patent application number 11/220203 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-09 for locking therapeutic device.
Invention is credited to Peter R. Cavanagh, Jan S. Ulbrecht.
Application Number | 20060048344 11/220203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35994740 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060048344 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cavanagh; Peter R. ; et
al. |
March 9, 2006 |
Locking therapeutic device
Abstract
An improved locking therapeutic device for use in connection
with a foot injury or other wound which is locked by a medical care
provider. The locking therapeutic device may only be removed by the
medical care provider or other authorized party in the event
removal is necessary. The locking therapeutic device may be used in
connection with medical applications where it is desired that the
healing/protective environment remain in place for a prolonged
period.
Inventors: |
Cavanagh; Peter R.;
(Bratenahl, OH) ; Ulbrecht; Jan S.; (Boalsburg,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEANNE E. LONGMUIR
2836 CORYDON ROAD
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
OH
44118
US
|
Family ID: |
35994740 |
Appl. No.: |
11/220203 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60607330 |
Sep 3, 2004 |
|
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11220203 |
Sep 6, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/16PB |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/0195 20130101;
Y10T 24/1498 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/016.0PB |
International
Class: |
B65D 67/02 20060101
B65D067/02 |
Claims
1. A protective device for an injured body part having a locking
device, so that the protective device is locked into position
covering the injured body part.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking device is a
combination lock.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking device is an
electronic lock which may be unlocked remotely or from a position
adjacent the device.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the locking device is easily
opened but cannot be relocked without a specific key, code or
another unique mechanism.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective device is a shoe or
boot-like device for wearing on a foot.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective device is an
orthopedic brace-like device for wearing on a foot and ankle.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective device is an
orthopedic brace-like device for wearing on a foot and up the leg
near the knee.
8. The device of claim 1 having a waterproof protective cover.
9. The device of claim 1 having a cover to resist interference of
the device with bedclothes or other coverings used by the wearer of
the device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/607,330 filed Sep. 3, 2004, the entire
subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to creation of a healing
environment for an injured foot or other body part that cannot be
removed by the patient, and more specifically to a locking
therapeutic device for a foot or other body part.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] Particularly in patients with diabetes related foot
problems, maintaining a continuous healing protective environment
for the foot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is key to successful
healing of skin, soft tissue and bone injuries. In order to
accomplish the desired healing, mechanical bracing/protection of
the foot, dressings, topical therapies and other healing products
must be consistently used by the wounded patient. Consistent use of
such devices, products or dressings by the patient can be difficult
to obtain or maintain, particularly where the device, product or
wound dressing is removable. Recent research studies have shown
that even the most compliant patients do not wear a removable
protective device for more than 60% of their daily steps and that,
for most patients, wearing it for 30% of their steps is the
norm.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present application discloses a therapeutic footwear
device or other body part product ("locking therapeutic device or
footwear device") that covers the patient's foot for use in
connection with a foot injury or other wound, which is locked by a
medical care provider. The locking therapeutic device or footwear
device and the underlying or incorporated bracing, dressing or
other therapeutic product may only be removed by the medical care
provider, or by another party in the event the medical care
provider supplies the appropriate unlocking information for the
therapeutic device or footwear device to enable removal. The
locking therapeutic device footwear device may be used in
connection with orthopeadic, dermatologic, vascular and other
medical applications, where it is desired that the
healing/protective environment remain in place for a prolonged
period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 provides a schematic side view of a protective device
of the present application for a wound, which is a footwear device
with a foot having a wound shown in phantom within the footwear
device.
[0008] FIGS. 2A and 2B provide schematic views of alternate locking
therapeutic devices for a wound, which are locking footwear braces
which extend above the ankle in FIG. 2A and to below the knee in
FIG. 2B.
[0009] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the locking therapeutic
device of the present application with an outer cover and a remote
release mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present application provides a simple and effective
improved locking therapeutic device. In the first illustrated
embodiment of FIG. 1, a locking therapeutic footwear device 12 for
use by a patient P with a foot wound W is provided. The illustrated
device has numerous improved features. The device is "shoe like"
and as light weight as possible to improve patient acceptance over
other bulky prior approaches. It is preferably about the height of
a high top sports shoe.
[0011] Sizing of the device is intended to provide sufficient room
for even a bulky dressing, shown schematically at reference 13,
and/or for accepting a footbed 14 or other plantar load-relieving
method (having openings 16 of the type shown to provide specific
pressure relief locations) determined to provide optimal
therapeutic benefit for treating wounds on the plantar surface.
[0012] The footwear device has an upper 18 that is very breathable
(broad weave nylon mesh) so that the microclimate of the foot would
not be adverse. Ideally the upper material has an outer surface 19
which is not permeable to external water--but an optional over
garment or overshoe can be provided to prevent external water from
entering the boot, as shown schematically in FIG. 3. The footwear
device 12 could include a rigid rocker sole 30 as illustrated.
[0013] A locking closure mechanism 20 is provided on the outside of
the ankle, which can only be opened by the medical care provider
(personally or remotely, using appropriate electronic
communications). Alternatively, the lock 20 can be such that it can
be easily unlocked by the patient, but cannot be relocked, so that
any "breach" is apparent (similar to a "seal" on an electric access
panel). The forefoot tabs 22 may be brought into the locking
mechanism 20 via a loop system, as shown in FIG. 1 generally at
reference 24, or the loop system 24 may include only the ankle "Y"
portion of the looping indicated at reference 26. As shown in FIG.
1, the locking mechanism 20 includes an attachment section 21A, to
which the loop system 24 is secured, and a lock section 21B, which
engages with the attachment section to secure the device 12 in a
locked position.
[0014] A tensioning mechanism 28 (as shown by the buttons in FIG.
1) could be provided in the straps to properly position the loop
system 24 of the device 12 prior to locking.
[0015] The lock section 21A may be provided as a very simple
device, such as a conventional key or press fit lock--similar to
the way that alarm tags are attached to clothing in a store.
Alternatively, the lock could be more sophisticated, for example,
in the illustration of FIG. 1, the attachment section 21B is
engaged with a combination lock by a conventional shackle-like
mechanism. Alternatively, the combination lock portion of the lock
section 21A may be provided with a password or cell phone/remote
activated device 40 for use in releasing the device in an
emergency.
[0016] An optional cover 33, similar to that provided for water
protection in FIG. 3, could be provided for use in bed that would
prevent the bed linens catching on the device. Sensors 30, shown
schematically in FIG. 1, could be provided within the locking
therapeutic device or footwear device to monitor conditions, such
as pressure between the foot and footwear device or foot
temperature, inside the device as may be desired. Data collected
from such sensors 30 may be stored within a conventional electronic
chip module 32, or transmitted from such a device 32 via wireless
communications to a health care provider.
[0017] In the second illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B,
the preferred device 121 is provided as a locking footwear brace 34
for use by a patient with a foot wound. The illustrated devices 34
have essentially the features of conventional orthopaedic walker (a
brace or a cam boot), but with the additional locking mechanism 20
previously described. In particular, the illustrated locking cam
boot embodiment could be provided at any desired height. For
example, to a height above the ankle to mid-calf, or to a height
just below the knee. Again, the lock section 21A of the locking
mechanism 20 may be mounted on the brace for locking engagement
with the attachment section 21A which is secured to the brace, and
when engaged, prevents removal of the brace from the patient. Such
a lock section 21A may be in addition to conventional "joint angle"
positioning mechanisms for fixing the ankle in a specific position,
and could be very simple (a key or press fit), or more
sophisticated (a combination lock, which could have a password or
be unlocked by a cell phone or other remote signal in an emergency,
as shown in FIG. 3.)
[0018] While different embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that various modifications and alternatives to the
embodiments could be developed in light of the overall teachings of
the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular devices and
arrangements are illustrative only and are not limiting as to the
scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of any
and all equivalents thereof.
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