APPARATUS FOR FOOT DORSIFLEXION AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for dorsiflexion of a seated user's foot, the apparatus (1) including a rigide base (2) with heel restraining means (3) and foot restraining means (4) for restraining the user's foot on the base (2); forefoot elevation means (6) underlying the foot's front portion alternately disposable between a first state whereby the foot's front portion lies adjacent to the base (2) and a second state whereby the foot's front portion is elevated relative to the base (2) thereby effecting its dorsiflexion.

Description: APPARATUS FOR FOOT DORSIFLEXION AND METHOD THEREFOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION. The invention relates to apparatus for dorsiflexion of a user's foot and a method therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Foot dorsiflexion supports venous blood flow return in a subject's lower limbs and is particularly useful for prevention of venous thrombosis. Apparatus for effecting foot dorsiflexion has been proposed for able bodied subjects in US Patent 5,186,700 to Wang and for supine anesthetized patients in US Patent 4,003,374 to Mizrachy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dorsiflexion of a seated user's foot, the apparatus comprising a rigid base with heel restraining means and foot restraining means for restraining the user's foot on said base; forefoot elevation means underlying the foot's front portion alternately disposable between a first state whereby the foot's front portion lies adjacent to said base and a second state whereby the foot's front portion is elevated relative to said base thereby effecting its dorsiflexion. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suitable for use as an accessory to wheelchairs, the apparatus being provided as a stand alone unit thereby facilitating dorsiflexion of a wheelchair bound user's feet in a convenient and comfortable manner whilst not impairing his mobility to perform everyday activities. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dorsiflexion of a seated user's foot, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rigid base with heel restraining means and foot restraining means for restraining the user's foot on the base; and forefoot elevation means underlying the foot's front portion; (b) restraining a seated user's foot on the base; and (c) alternately disposing the forefoot elevation means between a first state whereby the foot's front portion lies adjacent to the base and a second state whereby the foot's front portion is elevated relative to the base thereby effecting its dorsiflexion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and how it is used, a preferred embodiment will now be described by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of apparatus for dorsiflexion in a seated user's foot in accordance with the present inevntion; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable member of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figs. 3A and 3B are side views of the apparatus of Figure 1 during operation; and Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of a wheelchair fitted with the apparatus of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In Figure 1, apparatus 1 for dorsiflexion of a seated user's foot includes a rigid platform 2 with a heel support 3 and a foot strap 4, and an inflatable member 6. The inflatable member 6 is connected to a compressor 7 under the control of a controller 8 controlling the inflatable member's maximum degree of inflation and its cyclic rate of inflation and deflation. The inflatable member 6 assumes a generally flat configuration (dashed lines) when deflated and a generally wedge-shaped configuration (solid lines) having its leading edge 6A directed toward the heel support 3 when inflated, the latter configuration adapted for raising the front portion of a user's foot relative to the platform 2 for its dorsiflexion. In Figure 2, the inflatable member 6 includes a three sectioned cover 9 having sections 9A, 9B and 9C, the sections 9A and 9B being formed as a pouch 11. The pouch 11 contains a generally square single inflatable cell 12 divided into two equal sized compartments 12A and 12B by two seams 13A and 13B lateral of a central portion 14 enabling flow communication between the two compartments 12A and 12B. Each compartment 12A and 12B has a rigid member 16 disposed therein and one of the compartments 12A and 12B is provided with an inlet port 18 which also serves to inflate the other compartment. The cover 9 is formed into a closed generally equilateral shape whereby the section 9B is adjacent the platform 2 whereby the section 9C acts as a restraining member for limiting the maximum height of the inflatable member 6 when fully inflated. By virtue of this configuration, the inflatable member 6 requires a relatively small volume of compressed air to assume its wedge-shaped configuration thereby facilitating a relatively rapid cyclic rate of inflation and deflation. In Figures 3A and 3B, a user's foot is placed on the platform 2 and strapped in using the foot strap 4. The user sets the controller 8 to his preferred settings for maximum inflation height of the inflatable member 6 and cyclic rate of inflation and deflation. Typically, the maximum inflation height is about 7 cm from the platform 2 whereby the user's foot subtends an angle of about 20 degrees relative thereto. Typically, the cyclic rate of inflation and deflation can be set between 1 to 3 cycles per minute. In operation, the inflatable member is cyclically inflated and deflated by intermittent operation of the compressor 7, deflation being assisted by the natural downward tendency of a person's foot. In Figure 4, a wheelchair 19 having left and right foot supports 21 A and 21B is provided with a system 22 for effecting dorsiflexion of wheelchair bound user's both feet, the system 22 including a rechargeable battery operated compressor 23, a controller 24 and two apparatus 26A and 26B for his left and right feet, respectively. The compressor 23 and the controller 24 are carried on a rack 27 and the apparatus 26A and 26B are respectively mounted on the wheelchair's foot supports 21 A and 2 IB whereby the system 22 is fully portable and therefore does not preclude the user from continuing with his everyday activities. Various modifications and changes may be made in the configuration described above that come within the spirit of the invention. The invention embraces all such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the forefoot elevation member can be implemented by other mechanical or hydraulic devices, for example, a motorized eccentrically mounted wheel, and the like. The apparatus is primarily designed for use by users wearing shoes whereupon the inflatable member can be disposed underneath a user's metatarsals and/or toes. Alternatively, the apparatus can be used by barefooted users whereby the inflatable member is disposed underneath a user's metatarsals.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for dorsiflexion of a seated user's foot, the apparatus comprising a rigid base with heel restraining means and foot restraining means for restraining the user's foot on said base; forefoot elevation means underlying the foot's front portion alternately disposable between a first state whereby the foot's front portion lies adjacent to said base and a second state whereby the foot's front portion is elevated relative to said base thereby effecting its dorsiflexion. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said forefoot elevation means includes an inflatable member alternately disposable between a generally flat configuration when deflated and a generally wedge-shaped configuration having its leading edge directed toward said heel support when inflated. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said inflatable member includes two inflatable compartments, a first inflatable portion being adjacent to said base and a second inflatable portion being hingedly connected to said first inflatable portion along said leading edge. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said two inflatable portions include a single inflatable cell. 5. A method for dorsiflexion of a seated user's foot, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rigid base with heel restraining means and foot restraining means for restraining the user's foot on the base; and forefoot elevation means underlying the foot's front portion; (b) restraining a seated user's foot on the base; and (c) alternately disposing the forefoot elevation means between a first state whereby the foot's front portion lies adjacent to the base and a second state whereby the foot's front portion is elevated relative to the base thereby effecting its dorsiflexion. 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the user is seated in wheelchair. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 18 January 1999 (18.01.99); original claims 1-6 replaced by new claims 1-5 (2 pages)] 1. Apparatus for dorsiflexion of a user's foot having a heel and a front portion, the apparatus comprising a base and an inflatable member mounted thereon and disposed to underlie the foot's front portion, said inflatable member being cyclically inflatable from a deflated generally flat configuartion to an inflated generally wedge shaped configuration tapering towards the user's heel in a side view of the apparatus for elevating the foot's front portion relative to said base from a normal position thereatop, said inflatable member having a support surface overlying said base and a foot bearing surface inclined relative to said support surface in its inflated state, characterized in that said foot beating surface meets said support surface whereby said inflatable member has an inflated generally triangular configuration in said side view of the apparatus. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said inflatable member includes a first inflatable compartment with said support surface, a second inflatable compartment with said foot beating surface and limiting means for limiting the inflation of said inflatable member. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said inflatable compartments are constituted by a single inflatable cell. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and further comprising restraining means for restraining the user's foot on said base. 5. A method for dorsiflexion of a wheelchair bound user's feet each having a front portion, the wheelchair having a pair of foot supports for supporting the user's feet, the method comprising the steps of: (a) deploying an inflatable member on each of the wheelchair's foot supports whereupon the user's feet supported thereon overlie the inflatable members; and (b) providing the wheelchair with a rechargeable battery operated compressor and a controller for cyclically inflating the inflatable members between a generally flat configuration to a generally upright configuration in a side view of the wheelchair for elevating the feets' front portions relative to their associated foot supports.

Inventors: BIBI RONI, LEVY ELI, MANOR DAN, BIBI, RONI, LEVY, ELI, MANOR, DAN
Applicants: BIBI RONI, LEVY ELI, MANOR DAN, MEDICAL DYNAMICS ISRAEL 1998 L, BIBI, RONI, LEVY, ELI, MANOR, DAN, MEDICAL DYNAMICS (ISRAEL) 1998 LTD.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61H1
IPC codes: A61H1