U.S. patent application number 12/433360 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for accessory device for an orthopedic fixator.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Taylor.
Application Number | 20100280516 12/433360 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43030956 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100280516 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Jeffrey |
November 4, 2010 |
Accessory Device for an Orthopedic Fixator
Abstract
An accessory device for an external orthopedic fixator where the
fixator has an external frame made up of frame components which
surround the lower leg and ankle of a patient with one or more
transfixation wires fixed thereto. The accessory device includes a
foot plate which connects to one of the fixator frame components
for supporting the sole of a patient's foot. The accessory device
also includes a companion shroud which is wrapped about the fixator
with the fixator being received within the interior of the shroud.
The shroud has a width and height which are sufficient to conceal
the fixator within the shroud interior. The shroud has fabric hook
and loop fastener regions which allow it to be easily installed and
removed from about the fixator.
Inventors: |
Taylor; Jeffrey; (Southlake,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHITAKER, CHALK, SWINDLE & SAWYER, LLP
3500 CITY CENTER TOWER II, 301 COMMERCE STREET
FORT WORTH
TX
76102-4186
US
|
Family ID: |
43030956 |
Appl. No.: |
12/433360 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/59 ;
606/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/59 ;
606/57 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/00 20060101
A61B017/00 |
Claims
1. An accessory device for an external orthopedic fixator used to
stabilize a patient's foot and ankle, where the fixator has an
external frame made tip of a plurality of frame components which
surround the lower leg and ankle of a patient with one or more
transfixation wires fixed thereto, the accessory device comprising:
a foot plate having an upper surface used for supporting the sole
of a patient's foot and having an oppositely arranged lower surface
and an intermediate thickness, the foot plate having a plurality of
connector elements mounted thereon, the connector elements having
exposed upper extents extending upwardly from the upper surface of
the foot plate, the upper extents being matingly engageable with at
least one of the frame components of the fixator for securing the
foot plate to the fixator and for supporting the patient's foot,
the foot plate also having a peripheral outer edge which includes a
connector region; a flexible shroud having an overall width and
height, an exterior and an interior and a longitudinal seam which
allows the shroud to be wrapped about the fixator with the fixator
being received within the interior of the shroud, the shroud width
and height being sufficient to conceal the fixator when the fixator
is so received, the shroud having a lower peripheral edge which is
provided with a connector region for matingly engaging the
connector region of the foot plate, the longitudinal seam of the
shroud also including a connector region for securing the shroud
about the fixator.
2. The accessory device of claim 1, wherein the footplate connector
region and the shroud connector region are hook and loop type
fabric connector regions.
3. The accessory device of claim 2, wherein the connector region
provided along the longitudinal seam of the shroud is a mating
region of hook and loop type fabric connector fabric, the hook
region being present along one exposed edge of the longitudinal
seam and the loop region being provided along an oppositely
arranged exposed edge of the seam.
4. The accessory device of claim 3, wherein the shroud includes a
shroud body which is formed of a synthetic fabric material, the
interior of the shroud being provided with a layer of protective
plastic which reinforces and protects at least a portion of the
interior surface thereof.
5. The accessory device of claim 4, wherein the connector elements
which are provided on the footplate are threaded bolts which have
exposed threaded extents which protrude upwardly from the upper
surface of the foot plate, and wherein the frame component of the
fixator which is used for securing the foot plate to the fixator
and for supporting the patient's foot comprises at least one
support collar having a plurality of openings therein, the openings
being spaced in alignment with the exposed extents of the threaded
bolts for receiving the bolts to thereby attach the foot plate to
the fixator collar.
6. The accessory device of claim 5, wherein the assembled foot
plate and shroud completely enclose the fixator from beneath and on
all sides.
7. In combination, a fixator and accessory shroud, the combination
comprising: an external orthopedic fixator used to stabilize a
patient's foot and ankle, the fixator having an external frame made
up of a plurality of frame components which surround a lower leg
and ankle of a patient with one or more transfixation wires fixed
thereto; and an accessory device made up of a foot plate and a
shroud, the foot plate having an upper surface used for supporting
the sole of a patient's foot and having an oppositely arranged
lower surface and an intermediate thickness, the foot plate having
a plurality of connector elements mounted thereon, the connector
elements having exposed upper threaded extents extending upwardly
from the upper surface of the foot plate, the upper extents being
matingly engageable with at least one of the frame components of
the fixator for securing the foot plate to the fixator and for
supporting the patient's foot, the foot plate also having a
peripheral outer edge which includes a connector region; the shroud
having an overall width and height, an exterior and an interior and
a longitudinal seam which allows the shroud to be wrapped about the
fixator with the fixator being received within the interior of the
shroud, the shroud width and height being sufficient to conceal the
fixator when the fixator is so received, the shroud having a lower
peripheral edge which is provided with a connector region for
matingly engaging the connector region of the foot plate, the
longitudinal seam of the shroud also including a connector region
for securing the shroud about the fixator.
8. The combination fixator and shroud of claim 7, wherein the
footplate connector region and the shroud connector region are hook
and loop type fabric connector regions.
9. The combination fixator and shroud of claim 8, wherein the
connector region provided along the longitudinal seam of the shroud
is a mating region of hook and loop type fabric connector fabric,
the hook region being present along one exposed edge of the
longitudinal seam and the loop region being provided along an
oppositely arranged exposed edge of the seam.
10. The combination fixator and shroud of claim 9, wherein the
shroud includes a shroud body which is formed of a synthetic fabric
material, the interior of the shroud being provided with a layer of
protective plastic which reinforces and protects at least a portion
of the interior surface thereof.
11. The combination fixator and shroud of claim 10, wherein the
connector elements which are provided on the footplate are threaded
bolts which have exposed extents which protrude upwardly from the
upper surface of the foot plate, and wherein the frame components
of the fixator which are used for securing the foot plate to the
fixator and for supporting the patient's foot include at least one
support collar having a plurality of openings therein, the openings
being spaced in alignment with the exposed extents of the threaded
bolts for attaching the foot plate to the fixator collar.
12. A method of temporarily concealing an external fixator of the
type used to stabilize a patient's foot and ankle, where the
fixator has an external frame made up of a plurality of frame
components which surround the lower leg and ankle of a patient with
one or more transfixation wires fixed thereto, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a foot plate having an upper
surface used for supporting the sole of a patient's foot and having
an oppositely arranged lower surface and an intermediate thickness,
the foot plate having a plurality of connector elements mounted
thereon, the connector elements having exposed upper extents
extending upwardly from the upper surface of the foot plate, the
upper extents being matingly engageable with at least one of the
frame components of the fixator for securing the foot plate to the
fixator and for supporting the patient's foot, the foot plate also
having a peripheral outer edge which includes a connector region;
providing a flexible shroud having an overall width and height, an
exterior and an interior and a longitudinal seam which allows the
shroud to be wrapped about the fixator with the fixator being
received within the interior of the shroud, the shroud width and
height being sufficient to conceal the fixator when the fixator is
so received, the shroud having a lower peripheral edge which is
provided with a connector region for matingly engaging the
connector region of the foot plate, the longitudinal seam of the
shroud also including a connector region for securing the shroud
about the fixator; attaching the foot plate to at least a selected
one of the fixator frame components so that the foot plate supports
a patient's foot; wrapping the shroud about the fixator and the
patient's lower leg, whereby the fixator is concealed within the
interior of the shroud, the shroud being afixed to the foot plate
by matingly engaging the connector region on the lower peripheral
edge of the shroud with the connector region of the footplate, and
securing the shroud about the fixator by matingly engaging the
connector regions running along the longitudinal edges of the
shroud seam.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to therapeutic devices used
for fixating and immobilizing limbs, particularly a patient's foot
and ankle and, more specifically, to an Ilizarov-type external
fixator and to an accessory cover or shroud for a fixator of this
general type.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There are many types and classes of braces and other
orthopedic devices for fixating and immobilizing a patient's limbs
due to various medical conditions. For example, when a bone is
fractured, it is often necessary to hold the fragments of the bone
together to allow for correct healing. If this is not done,
problems such as misalignment or poor healing can occur.
[0005] In the field of foot and ankle surgery and recovery,
multiple options exist for stabilizing a patient's foot after
surgery. One option, referred to in the field as a "fixator," has
transfixation wires, pins or screws that extend into and through
bone segments in order to stabilize the bones. The external fixator
typically takes the form of a steel rod, collar, or other external
frame element spanning across the fracture which is fixed to the
bone fragments using the wires, pins or screws. The frame elements
are located outside the body, while the pins or similar elements
penetrate the skin and are fixed in the bone. Other external braces
including a wide range of removable casts and ankle braces are also
known.
[0006] One preferred class of external fixators is referred to in
the field of orthopedics as the "Ilizarov" device, named for the
inventor of the device. This device uses thin wires and external
fixator frame components to properly place segments of bone for
purposes of reconstruction of fractured or deformed extremities
following orthopedic surgery. Frames used in these types of
procedures are arranged crosswise in pairs or individually in each
ring or ring-section level, whereby the various rings are connected
to each other by means of rods and bolts. The intervals of the ring
levels can be adjusted by rods whose lengths can be varied
telescopically, or by bolts that can be adjusted. Frames of this
type are now commonly in use for a variety of orthopedic
applications including limb lengthening, stabilization and
positioning of open fractures, and in the structural correction of
a multitude of lower extremity deformities such as the correction
of angulation, rotation and translation.
[0007] Another general type of orthopedic device that may be used
as a therapeutic or surgical recovery brace is sometimes referred
to informally as the "cam boot" and may resemble a ski boot in
outward appearance. However, the cam boot functions as a type of
functional splint or cast which holds the foot in a neutral
position while healing takes place after a surgery. A cam boot is
noninvasive and can, in some instances, successfully immobilize the
extremity during the healing process. Also, cam boots are
removable. While appropriate in many situations and for multiple
types of surgeries, a cam boot is not an option when performing
surgeries to correct many foot injuries or deformities.
[0008] While the Ilizarov-type device provides a much more stable
platform for recovery in many surgical situations than the cam
boot, the appearance of the external fixator with its cross wires,
pins and ring elements can be embarrassing or unsightly to some
wearers or observers. Additionally, the exposed nature of the
embedded pins and the rings and other external fixator elements
presents the added danger of accidentally bumping these components,
causing pain and discomfort, or even additional injury to the
patient.
[0009] What is needed is an effective cover or shroud for the
Ilizarov fixator which would essentially conceal the fixator while
the fixator is in place on a patient, especially in public
situations.
[0010] The cover or shroud should be easily removable, as at night,
and should be made of materials which provide adequate concealment,
while also being durable and long lasting and which also add an
element of additional protection to the wearer from accidental
bumps or jolts.
[0011] The cover should also include a foot plate component which
attaches to an element of the Ilizarov fixator frame to provide
added stability for the entire assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a cover or shroud and companion foot plate for an Ilizarov
type fixator which meets the aforementioned needs. More
specifically, the accessory device of the invention is designed for
use with an external orthopedic fixator used to stabilize a
patient's foot and ankle, where the fixator has an external frame
made up of a plurality of frame components which surround the lower
leg and ankle of a patient with one or more transfixation wires
fixed thereto.
[0013] The foot plate, which forms one element of the combination
accessory device of the invention has an upper surface used for
supporting the sole of a patient's foot and has an oppositely
arranged lower surface and an intermediate thickness. The foot
plate has a plurality of connector elements mounted thereon. The
connector elements have exposed upper extents extending upwardly
from the upper surface of the foot plate, the upper extents being
matingly engageable with at least one of the frame components of
the fixator for securing the foot plate to the fixator and for
supporting the patient's foot. The foot plate also has a peripheral
outer edge which includes a connector region.
[0014] The other component of the accessory device of the invention
comprises a flexible shroud having an overall width and height, an
exterior and an interior. A longitudinal seam, running vertically
from the top to the bottom of the shroud, allows the shroud to be
wrapped about the fixator with the fixator being received within
the interior of the shroud and then secured in place. The shroud
width and height are sufficient to conceal the fixator when the
fixator is so received. In one preferred form, the shroud has a
lower peripheral edge which is provided with a connector region for
matingly engaging the connector region of the foot plate. The
longitudinal seam of the shroud also includes a connector region
for securing the shroud about the fixator. The footplate connector
region and the shroud connector region can conveniently comprise
hook and loop type fabric connector regions.
[0015] The shroud body can be formed of a number of commercially
available materials, but is preferably formed of a synthetic fabric
material, the interior of the shroud being provided with a layer of
protective plastic which reinforces and protects at least a portion
of the interior surface thereof from the components of the
fixator.
[0016] In one form of the invention, the connector elements which
are provided on the footplate are threaded bolts which have exposed
threaded extents which protrude upwardly from the upper surface of
the foot plate. The frame component of the fixator, which is used
for securing the foot plate to the fixator and for supporting the
patient's foot, comprises at least one support collar having a
plurality of openings therein, the openings being spaced in
alignment with the exposed extents of the threaded bolts for
receiving the bolts to thereby attach the foot plate to the fixator
collar.
[0017] The assembled foot plate and shroud completely enclose the
fixator from beneath and on all sides.
[0018] Additional objects, features and advantages will be apparent
in the written description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a human leg
showing an Ilizarov-type orthopedic fixator in place on the ankle
and lower leg of the patient.
[0020] FIG. 2 is another view of an Ilizarov-type fixator showing
the cross pins which penetrate the bone of the patient, with the
bone being exposed for ease of illustration.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the accessory device of the
invention with the shroud portion thereof shown exploded from the
base portion thereof.
[0022] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the accessory device
of the invention in place on the lower leg of a patient, a portion
of the shroud thereof being shown broken away for ease of
illustration.
[0023] FIG. 5 is view of a prior art cam boot of the type used to
stabilize the lower leg of a patient.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view of another prior art device used to
stabilize the lower leg of a patient.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The preferred version of the invention presented in the
following written description and the various features and
advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with
reference to the non-limiting examples included in the accompanying
drawings and as detailed in the description which follows.
Descriptions of well-known components and processes and
manufacturing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily
obscure the principle features of the invention as described
herein. The examples used in the description which follows are
intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the
invention may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in
the art to practice the invention. Accordingly, the examples should
not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed
invention.
[0026] Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown one form of an external
fixator of the type under consideration, designated generally as
11, the fixator being received about the lower leg 13 of a patient.
As will be evident from FIG. 1, the fixator 11 includes a plurality
of frame components which take the form of stacked rings or collar
elements 15, 17, 19, which, in this case, are held together by
means of a series of threaded bolts 21. The collar elements 15, 17,
19, span across a fracture of the lower leg and are fixed to the
bone fragments using wires, pins or screws, in this case wires 23.
While different fixators may use, for example, various wires, pins,
screws or like transfixation or cross-elements, in this discussion
the term "wires" will be understood to mean any of these commonly
used transfixation cross-elements. As shown in FIG. 1, the frame
elements are located outside the body, while the wires or similar
elements penetrate the skin and are fixed in the bone.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a simplified view of another Ilizarov-type fixator
25 which has upper and lower collar elements 27, 29, the collars
being connected and supported by means of connecting bolt
assemblies (e.g., assembly 31). The bone is shown exposed to
illustrate the fact that the cross pins 33 actually penetrate the
bone itself. It will be appreciated that there are a variety of
Ilizarov-type devices that are arranged somewhat differently from
those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, but which all operate in a
generally similar fashion.
[0028] Thus, with reference to FIG. 2, the intervals or spacing of
the collar elements 27, 29 can be adjusted by movement of the
adjusting bolt assemblies 31. As mentioned in the Background
Discussion, frames of this type are now commonly in use for a
variety of orthopedic applications including limb lengthening,
stabilization and positioning of open fractures, and in the
structural correction of a multitude of lower extremity deformities
such as the correction of angulation, rotation and translation, and
these general types of devices will be well known to those involved
in the field of orthopedic surgery, as well as being described in a
number of different medical texts and journal articles.
[0029] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown an orthopedic fixator
accessory device of the invention, designated generally as 35. The
accessory device 35 is intended to be used with an external
orthopedic fixator of the type previously described which is used
to stabilize a patient's foot and ankle, the fixator having an
external frame made up of a plurality of frame components which
surround the lower leg and ankle of a patient with one or more
transfixation wires fixed thereto.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the accessory device 35 of the invention
is comprised of two cooperating components, a foot plate 37 and a
shroud 39. Turning first to the foot plate 37, it will be seen to
be a generally planar member having an upper surface 41 used for
supporting the sole of a patient's foot and having an oppositely
arranged lower surface 43 and an intermediate thickness (shown as
"t" in FIG. 3). In one preferred form, the foot plate 37 is
constructed with a 4-ply configuration with 1/8 inch high grade
rubber with grooves for the lower surface 43, then a 1/4 inch layer
of semi-rigid polypropylene, then a 1/8 inch flat layer of rubber,
and finally a 1/8 inch layer of Plastozote.TM. as the top layer 41.
Plastozote.TM. is a high quality, lightweight closed-cell
cross-linked polyethylene "memory foam", manufactured by Zotefoams,
PLC and is available commercially from a number of sources.
[0031] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the foot plate 37 has a plurality
of connector elements, e.g., elements 45, 47, mounted thereon. The
connector elements 45, 47 have exposed upper extents 49 extending
upwardly from the upper surface 41 of the foot plate. The upper
extents 49 are matingly engageable with at least one of the frame
components of the fixator for securing the foot plate 37 to the
fixator and for supporting the patient's foot. This is best
illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings which shows a connector
element upper extent 49 which is received within an opening in the
frame collar element 51 and retained in position by the nut 53.
[0032] Returning briefly to FIG. 3, the foot plate 37 also has a
peripheral outer edge which includes a connector region,
illustrated in exaggerated fashion as the region 55 in FIG. 3. As
will be explained in greater detail below, the connector region is
used to temporarily afix the companion shroud 35 to the foot plate
37. The connector region can be, for example, covered with a hook
and loop "Velcro.TM." type connector material which connects to a
mating lower peripheral region (57 in FIG. 3) on the shroud.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the
flexible shroud 35 has an overall width 14 ("w" in FIG. 4) and
height ("h" in FIG. 4). The shroud also has an exterior 59, an
interior 61, and a longitudinal seam 63 which allow the shroud to
be wrapped about the fixator with the fixator being received within
the interior 61 of the shroud. The shroud width and height are
sufficient to conceal the fixator when the fixator is so received
with the fixator being completely enclosed on all sides and from
the bottom, by virtue of the foot plate 37. As has been mentioned,
the shroud has a lower peripheral edge 57 which is provided with a
connector region for matingly engaging the connector region of the
foot plate 37. The longitudinal seam 63 of the shroud also includes
a Velcro.TM. connector region for securing the shroud about the
fixator. If desired, the longitudinal seam 63 and the peripheral
edge 57 can be provided with additional connector elements, such as
snap fastener type connector elements to further reinforce the
positioning of the shroud about the fixator.
[0034] The shroud body can itself be formed of a variety of
convenient materials. In one preformed form, the shroud body is
formed of a synthetic fabric material, the interior of the shroud
being provided with a layer of protective plastic (65 in FIG. 3)
which reinforces and protects at least a portion of the interior
surface thereof. Most preferably, the exterior of the shroud is a
light weight, but tear resistant synthetic fabric with a thin sheet
of flexible polypropylene on the interior side facing the
fixator.
[0035] In use, the combination foot plate and shroud of the
invention are used to temporarily conceal an external fixator of
the type previously described. The foot plate is attached to at
least a selected one of the fixator frame components so that the
foot plate supports the patient's foot, as by passing the threaded
bolts 45, 47 through the mating openings in the lower collar of the
fixator and securing the bolts with nuts. The shroud 35 is then
wrapped about the fixator and the patient's lower leg, whereby the
fixator is concealed within the interior of the shroud. The shroud
35 is afixed to the foot plate by matingly engaging the connector
region 57 on the lower peripheral edge of the shroud with the
connector region 55 of the footplate 37. The shroud 35 is then
further secured about the fixator by matingly engaging the
connector regions 63 running along the longitudinal edges of the
shroud seam.
[0036] The advantages of the combination accessory device of the
invention can perhaps best be understood with reference to the
prior art devices shown as FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. FIG. 5 is
intended to represent one form of the "cam boot" style of
protective boot, designated as 65 in FIG. 5, which is sometimes
used as a therapeutic or surgical recovery brace. The cam boot can
be seen to resemble a ski boot in outward appearance. In the case
of the cam boot shown in FIG. 5, however, the boot functions as a
functional splint or cast with a protective sheath and straps 67
which hold the foot in a neutral position while healing takes
place. While this type of appliance has the advantages of
successfully immobilizing the extremity in certain types of medical
situations, and also being removable, the cam boot is not an option
when performing surgeries to correct many foot injuries or
deformities. Among other differences, the cam boot is completely
external and does not feature the internal, transfixation elements
that the Ilazarov-type device utilizes.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates another type of prior art device,
generally described in issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,663, issued Nov.
15, 2005, to Grant et al., and designated as 69 in FIG. 6. The
Grant device has a lower collar element 71 for connection to
elements of an Ilizarov-type device. A substantially rigid leg
support assembly 73 is adapted to receive a patient's leg, the leg
support comprising a cuff and a strap adapted to secure the cuff
around the patient's leg, The leg support is rigidly attached to
the foot plate 75. The function of the rigid leg support in the
device shown in FIG. 6 is obviously to allow the patient's foot to
be fixed, with transfixation wires, or pins or screws and
simultaneously immobilized with respect to the ankle and lower leg.
The rigid leg support is an "internal" feature of the design and
does not function to conceal or completely enclose the Ilizarov
frame components. In fact, the lower collar component with its
associated hardware remains exposed in use. The device would thus
fail to provide the esthetic improvement that Applicant's device
offers, and fail to provide the type of protection from bumps or
other possible injury related occurrences that Applicant's device
is intended to provide.
[0038] In addition to the above advantages, Applicant's device is
simple in design and economical to manufacture. It is comprised of
readily commercially available fabrics and materials. The foot
plate provides added comfort and protection for the patient's foot,
while the shroud completely conceals the Ilizarov fixator
components. The shroud is easily removed, as at night, by simply
pulling apart the Velcro.TM. seams.
[0039] While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms,
it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various modifications
without departing from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *