Limb elevation device with securement straps

A limb elevation device comprising a base having a proximal section with an angled upper surface and a distal section with a planar upper surface. The bottom surface of the distal section having one or more recesses with anchor points disposed within the one or more recesses. Securement straps may be selectively attached to the anchor points and the securement straps may be utilized to secure the limb elevation device to a table, bed, or other surface and/or to secure the patient's leg to the securement device itself.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure generally relates to limb elevation devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to limb elevation devices including limb stabilization features.

Related Technology

Limb elevation is beneficial in a number of treatment plans related to injured limbs. For example, it is often recommended that post-injury or post-surgery, a patient's leg should be elevated in order to maximize fluid drainage away from injured tissue, and to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation which can help the leg to recover faster. Elevation of the leg typically requires a patient to be in a sitting or lying position and then elevating the leg above the level of the patient's heart.

In order for the therapeutic effects of elevation of the leg to be effective, the leg may be required to remain elevated for an extended period of time. The devices currently available for leg elevation are cumbersome, heavy, and lack the proper combination of shape and material to support leg elevation for an extended period of time.

Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages with limb elevation devices that can be addressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure solve one or more of the foregoing or other problems in the art with limb elevation devices. In particular, one or more implementations can include a limb elevation device comprising a base having a proximal section with an inclined upper surface, and a distal section with a substantially flat or planar upper surface.

Apparatuses of the present disclosure can also include one or more anchor points disposed and fixed within recesses on the bottom surface of the distal section of the base. Limb-securing straps, or securement straps, may be selectively attached to the anchor points.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing various embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the parameters of the particularly exemplified systems, methods, apparatus, products, processes, and/or kits, which may, of course, vary. Thus, while certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference to specific configurations, parameters, components, elements, etc., the descriptions are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention.

Furthermore, it is understood that for any given component or embodiment described herein, any of the possible candidates or alternatives listed for that component may generally be used individually or in combination with one another, unless implicitly or explicitly understood or stated otherwise. Additionally, it will be understood that any list of such candidates or alternatives is merely illustrative, not limiting, unless implicitly or explicitly understood or stated otherwise.

In addition, unless otherwise indicated, numbers expressing quantities, constituents, distances, or other measurements used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about,” as that term is defined herein. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the subject matter presented herein. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the subject matter presented herein are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Any headings and subheadings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims.

Overview of Limb Elevation Devices

FIG.1illustrates an exemplary limb elevation device100supporting and elevating a patient's leg10. The limb elevation device100may comprise a base11having a proximal section12and a distal section13and one or more securement straps14. The securement straps14may be selectively attached to the base11in various configurations based on user preference or need to accommodate specific injuries or conditions. The securement straps14may be used to secure the limb elevation device100to a surface9. The surface9may be a location for a medical procedure, such as a surgical table, or a pre- or post-operative location such as a hospital bed or physical therapy apparatus. The example embodiment shown inFIG.1features elevation of a patient's leg10, however, the device may be configured to support different limbs or extremities as needed.

FIG.2illustrates the base11of the limb elevation device100. The proximal section12of the base11may have a sloped, inclined, or angled upper surface8, and may comprise at least about 5%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 23%, 25%, 28%, 30%, 35%, or 40% of the total length of the base11, or may have a length that is a percentage of the total length of the base11within a range having endpoints selected from any two of the foregoing percentages.

The base11may have an overall height (at the highest planar surface) of about 4.5 inches, about 5 inches, about 5.5 inches, about 6 inches, about 6.5 inches, about 7 inches, about 7.5 inches, about 8 inches, about 8.5 inches, about 9 inches, about 9.5 inches, or about 10 inches, or a height within a range with endpoints selected from any two of the foregoing values. The base may have an overall length of about 24 inches, about 27 inches, about 30 inches, about 33 inches, about 36 inches, about 39 inches, or about 42 inches, or a length within a range with endpoints selected from any two of the foregoing values.

The proximal section12may serve as a wedge or a ramp to gradually elevate a limb. The proximal section12may provide support to a limb as it is elevated. The support provided by the angled upper surface8of the proximal section12may advantageously prevent fatigue and discomfort when a limb is elevated for an extended period of time. The proximal section12may be placed underneath the base of the limb, or the portion of the limb closest to the center of the patient's body.

The distal section13may have a flat or planar upper surface15with opposing sidewalls16extending downward to a bottom surface17. The total length of the distal section13may be dictated by the length of the limb to be elevated. The bottom surface17of the distal section13may have at least one recess18extending transversely across the bottom surface17through the opposing sidewalls16. The width of the recess may depend on the width of the securement straps14. Recesses having widths of about 1 to about 3 inches have been found to function effectively.

Turning now toFIG.3, one or more anchor points19may be disposed within each recess18. The anchor points19may be configured to accommodate the width of a securement strap14. The anchor points19may comprise a hook, loop, buckle, hitch, or similar fastening point. The anchor points19may be formed of substantially rigid materials such as metal or hard plastics which may provide stability and support to the limb elevation device when in use in addition to providing a secure structure for attachment of a corresponding strap and for distributing forces applied via the straps so that the material (e.g., foam) of the base itself is not sheared or otherwise ruined.

In some embodiments, the anchor points19may has radiolucent properties and may be formed of materials such as thermoplastic polymers, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. Furthermore, the substantially rigid materials forming the anchor points19may allow the securement straps14to be fastened securely to a surface9without overextending and displacing the anchor point19.

The anchor points19may each include an exposed end24which may be visible when fixed within the recess18, and a stabilizing end23fixed within the base11and not visible when the limb elevation device100is assembled. The stabilizing end23may provide additional support when the securement straps14are selectively secured to a surface9. The anchor points19may not extend out of the recess18beyond the level of the bottom surface17of the distal section13of the base11. In other words, the height of the exposed end24of the anchor point19may terminate before or at the bottom surface17providing a continuous or even “flush” bottom surface17for stability.

FIG.4Aillustrates an example of the recess18in the bottom surface17of the distal section13of the base11of the limb elevation device100. In some embodiments, it may be preferred to have the anchor points19set inside of the edge20of the recess for added stability. A strap14A,14B may be attached to an anchor point19as shown inFIG.4B. A securing end7A,7B of the strap14A,14B may be attached to an anchor point19using hook and loop fasteners, clips, snaps, buttons, buckles or the like. In some embodiments, the securement straps14A,14B may include corresponding fasteners so that a securing end22A of a first securement strap14A may be selectively attached to a complementary securing end22B of a second securement strap14B when the securement straps are selectively secured to a surface9.

FIGS.5A and5Billustrate an example of a limb elevation device100selectively attached to a surface9. The straps14may be used to secure the base11to the surface9by selectively attaching the first securement strap14A to the second securement strap14B via the corresponding fasteners of securing end22A and22B.

In another embodiment of a limb elevation device200, as shown inFIGS.6A-6B, the opposing sidewalls24of the base21may extend downward from the upper surface25of the distal section23of the base21at an angle. The angled opposing sidewalls24may be advantageous in providing added stability to the limb elevation device. This may be desirable on soft or uneven surfaces such as on hospital beds. The distal section23of the base21may include a substantially flat or planar upper surface25and may include one or more anchor points27disposed within a recess29on the bottom surface of the distal section23. The proximal section22of the limb elevation device200may include a sloped or inclined upper surface26forming a ramp providing for the gradual elevation of a limb placed thereon. Securement straps28may be selectively attached to the anchor points and selectively secured to a surface9as shown above inFIGS.5A and5B.

In another embodiment, a limb elevation device300, as illustrated inFIG.7A, may include a base31having a proximal section32and a distal section34. The proximal section32may include a sloped or inclined upper surface33, and the distal section may include a substantially flat or planar upper surface35. The distal section34may include one or more anchor points36disposed within one or more recesses37of the bottom surface of the distal section34. The proximal section32may comprise 20%-45% of the total length of the base, more preferably 25%-40% of the total length of the base, more preferably 30%-40% of the total length of the base.

FIG.7Billustrates another embodiment of a limb elevation device300, where the proximal section32is shortened to create a steeper angle for the inclined or sloped upper surface33of the proximal section32. Where the proximal section is shortened relative to the distal section34, the proximal section32may comprise 2%-10% of the total length of the base31, more preferably 3%-8% of the total length of the base, more preferably 4%-6% of the total length of the base. The angle of the inclined upper surface of the proximal section may depend on the preferred course of treatment. For example, some injuries may require that a limb be elevated at a steep angle (i.e. an angle greater than 45°), while others may require a moderate or gradual angle (i.e. an angle less than 45°.

FIGS.8A-8Cdemonstrate an additional or alternative use of the securement straps14of embodiments of limb elevation devices100,200,300as described above. InFIGS.8A-8C, the embodiment shown is limb elevation device200, though this additional use of the securement straps14may be incorporated into any of the embodiments described above. In some embodiments, the securement straps14may also be used to secure a leg10in position on the upper surface25of the base21of a limb elevation device200. The securement straps14may be positioned in various configurations to achieve the preferred securing effect. The configuration of the securement straps may depend, for example, on the injury or procedure performed on the leg10. The additional use of the securement straps14to secure a leg10may be advantageous in situations where a patient may first have a procedure performed on a leg10. During the procedure, the limb elevation device200may be secured to a surface9such as a surgical table. Once the surgery is complete, the straps14may be removed from the surface and secured over the leg10in order to maintain the leg10in an elevated position post-surgery. This may allow patients to be moved while maintaining the limb in an elevated position.

The limb elevation device of the various embodiments described above may be formed of a foam polymer material. The foam polymer material may be optionally coated with a water-impermeable polymer (e.g., vinyl-based) to protect the foam and provide for easier cleaning. The polymer foam may cushion the limb and provide the user with a comfortable experience when the limb of the user is secured on the limb elevation device for an extended period of time. The foam polymer may cushion the limb while maintaining the limb on the top surface of the base. In other words, the limb may not sink into the foam and cover the sides of the limb. This may be advantageous in situations where medical professionals or caregivers need to access the side of a limb to assess wounds or provide treatment. Users may also prefer this configuration to provide more airflow to the sides of the limb.

Various aspects of the present disclosure, including devices, systems, and methods may be illustrated with reference to one or more embodiments or implementations, which are exemplary in nature. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments disclosed herein. In addition, reference to an “implementation” of the present disclosure or invention includes a specific reference to one or more embodiments thereof, and vice versa, and is intended to provide illustrative examples without limiting the scope of the invention, which is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the following description.

As used throughout this application the words “can” and “may” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Additionally, the terms “including,” “having,” “involving,” “containing,” “characterized by,” as well as variants thereof (e.g., “includes,” “has,” “involves,” “contains,” etc.), and similar terms as used herein, including within the claims, shall be inclusive and/or open-ended, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”), and do not exclude additional un-recited elements or method steps, illustratively.

It will be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a singular referent (e.g., “widget”) includes one, two, or more referents. Similarly, reference to a plurality of referents should be interpreted as comprising a single referent and/or a plurality of referents unless the content and/or context clearly dictate otherwise. For example, reference to referents in the plural form (e.g., “widgets”) does not necessarily require a plurality of such referents. Instead, it will be appreciated that independent of the inferred number of referents, one or more referents are contemplated herein unless stated otherwise.

As used herein, directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “proximal,” “distal” and the like are used herein solely to indicate relative directions and are not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the disclosure and/or claimed invention.

Specific language will be used herein to describe the exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Rather, it is to be understood that the language used to describe the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure (unless such language is expressly described herein as essential).

Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims.

Various aspects of the present disclosure can be illustrated by describing components that are bound, coupled, attached, connected, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “bound,” “coupled”, “attached”, “connected,” and/or “joined” are used to indicate either a direct association between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect association with one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly bound,” “directly coupled”, “directly attached”, “directly connected,” and/or “directly joined” to another component, no intervening elements are present or contemplated. Furthermore, binding, coupling, attaching, connecting, and/or joining can comprise mechanical and/or chemical association.

Conclusion

Various alterations and/or modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, only certain components and methods are described herein.

It will also be appreciated that systems, devices, products, kits, methods, and/or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached disclosure for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods, products, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.