Abstract:
An external fixator leg assist apparatus utilizes a rigid frame structure having a base and a support. The base comprises a two-prong shaft mechanism in pivotal connection with the support. The support is a similar shaft mechanism. The apparatus is placed on a table or other flat surface with the base abutting a top surface of the table. The medical fixator is placed on top or inside the support portion of the apparatus. The apparatus assists a medical professional in keeping the appendage of the patient steady while attempting to install, adjust, or remove the fixator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/923,012, filed Jan. 2, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a support apparatus for an appendage of a patient during removal of an external fixator. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     External fixators are often used as a method of immobilizing leg and other limb bones to allow a fracture to heal. These devices utilize pins or screws that are placed into the bone on all sides of the fracture. The pins and screws are then secured together outside the skin with clamps and rods within an external skeletal frame. As the bones mend back together, the external fixator can be adjusted such that the bones remain in an optimal position during the healing process. While fixators perform their intended function very well, such devices are difficult to install, adjust, and remove while the bone mending process is being conducted or has been completed. A typical process requires two (2) or more people to support the user&#39;s appendage while installing, adjusting, or removing the various pins and screws. Furthermore, the patient is often extremely uncomfortable due to the adverse pressure placed upon the appendage, as well as the difficulty of holding the appendage in place in an elevated position for a long period of time. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which an external fixator upon a patient&#39;s appendage may be supported for easy installation, adjustment, or removal in order to avoid the problems as described above. The development of the apparatus fulfills this need. 
     The apparatus of the present invention is an aid to assist in the installation, adjustment, and removal of an external fixator that has been placed on patient&#39;s leg or other limb. The apparatus is an adjustable “X”-shaped support frame forming a holding cradle for supporting a user&#39;s appendage in an elevated position. In a fixator removal situation for example, the apparatus is slid along the user&#39;s appendage from an upper portion of the fixator, nearest a user&#39;s torso. In such a position, the apparatus provides support for the user&#39;s appendage while supporting the appendage and fixator in an elevated position. The apparatus is adjustable in height, width, and length, and is provided with friction pads to add to the stability of the apparatus during use. 
     Prior art in this field consists of fixators that have supporting configurations, but these supporting configurations assist with ambulatory functions of the appendage while the fixator is attached, as opposed to supporting the fixators in an elevated position while installing, adjusting, or removing the fixator. Other prior art are supplemental supports for fixators, but again these are configured to assist with ambulatory functions of the appendage while the fixator is attached to an appendage. Other related prior art consists of articulating appendage supports that provide a means to hold an appendage aloft while performing work functions in non-salutary and compromising positions, such as operating on a patient for hours or performing mechanical work on an elevated object while lying on one&#39;s back. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a scaffold to support an appendage having a fixator attached thereto in an elevated position so that installation, adjustment, or removal of the fixator can be accomplished in a more efficient and effective manner by a single medical professional and with minimal discomfort experienced by a person having the fixator. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a low-profile configuration of the scaffold so as to minimally interfere with the installation, adjustment, or removal process of the fixator. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to have this scaffold adjustable so as to provide optimal support. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide friction surfaces to a bottom portion of the scaffold to obviate inadvertent movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus of the present invention is an appendage support device that is used to support a user&#39;s limb, having a fixator attached thereto, in an elevated position while undergoing a procedure to install, adjust, or remove the fixator. The apparatus comprises a scaffold having a configuration of a pivotally connected “X”-shaped structure. The “X”-shaped structure comprises two (2) “U”-shaped members pivotally attached, where each “U”-shaped member provides two (2) horizontal leg portions. There are two (2) lower legs forming the base of the apparatus, and two (2) upper legs forming the cradled support of the apparatus. The lower legs are further provided with friction pads to assist with stabilization of the apparatus while in use. 
     A width adjustment mechanism is provided and connected to the lower legs to provide with adjustment and securement of the legs, thereby enabling varying the width of the spatial volume defined between the upper legs, as well as the lower legs. This width adjustment mechanism also provides a means to vary the height of the apparatus. Each upper leg portion is further provided with length adjustment mechanisms that comprise tube extensions located at distal ends of each leg. The apparatus presents a low-profile configuration that does not interfere with the installation, adjustment, or removal process of the fixator. During installation, adjustment, or removal of the fixator, a user&#39;s appendage remains comfortably supported by the apparatus, while affording the performance the work of installation, adjustment, or removal to be conducted by one (1) person. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a limb support apparatus for an external fixator  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an end perspective view of the limb support apparatus for an external fixator  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental view of the limb support apparatus for an external fixator  10  depicting an in-use state upon a limb  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  limb support apparatus for an external fixator 
               20  first tubular member 
               21   a  first lower leg 
               21   b  first upper leg 
               22  friction device 
               30  second tubular member 
               31   a  second lower leg 
               31   b  second upper leg 
               32   a  first extension tube 
               32   b  second extension tube 
               34   a  first extension tube cap 
               34   b  second extension tube cap 
               40  pivot fastener 
               42  fastener aperture 
               44  nut fastener 
               46  spacer 
               50  adjusting assembly 
               52  rod 
               53  aperture 
               54  first bracket 
               55  first pin 
               56  second bracket 
               57  second pin 
               58  clamp cylinder 
               60  thumb screw 
               90  fixator 
               100  limb 
               105  foot 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a limb support apparatus  10  for an external fixator  90  (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , configured to provide an aid to assist in procedures associated with the application of an external fixator  90  upon a patient&#39;s injured limb  100 . The apparatus  10  is depicted herein being applied to a lower leg portion for illustration sake. The apparatus  10  provides support for the user&#39;s injured limb  100  so as to position a mounted external fixator  90  above a surface of a medical exam table or other subjacent surface. The apparatus  10  is envisioned being introduced in various sizes for use on different sizes of limbs  100  and portions of limbs  100  such as an upper leg, a lower leg, an ankle, an arm, a wrist, and the like. Such positioning of the limb  100  reduces undesirable movement during installation and removal of the fixator  90 ; enables removal of the fixator  90  by one (1) person; and, aids in the removal of pins and screws associated with the fixator  90 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , front and end perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides a tubular “X”-shaped structure including pivotingly connected first tubular member  20  and a second tubular member  30  portions. The tubular members  20 ,  30  are envisioned being made using a suitable metal material such as polished stainless steel or the like. Additionally, it is envisioned that a disposable version of the apparatus  10  may be constructed using plastic portions of sufficient strength to bear a load from a patient&#39;s limb  100 . Each tubular member  20 ,  30  comprises a “U”-shaped form with extending leg portions  21   a ,  21   b ,  31   a ,  31   b  being positioned at a horizontal orientation. The tubular members  20 ,  30  are pivotally attached to each other via a pivot fastener  40 , such as a shoulder bolt, which passes through respective web portions along proximal ends of the “U”-shaped tubular members  20 ,  30 . The tubular members  20 ,  30  include respective first lower leg  21   a  and second lower leg  31   a  portions, which act as a base while the apparatus  10  is resting upon a flat surface. The tubular members  20 ,  30  also include respective, and first upper leg  21   b  and second upper leg  31   b  portions, which cradle and support a user&#39;s limb  100  (a leg shown here), at an elevated position. The legs  21   a ,  21   b ,  31   a ,  31   b  extend in a parallel manner having cantilevered distal end portions, thereby allowing controlled installation and removal of the external fixator  90  (see  FIG. 3 ). The pivot fastener  40  is envisioned to pass through aperture portions  42  of the tubular members  20 ,  30  and engage a nut fastener  44 , or equivalent securing means. The pivot fastener  40  also passes through a spacer  46  such as a nylon or TEFLON® washer being positioned between the first tubular member  20  and second tubular member  30 . The spacer  46  is intended to protect said members  20 ,  30  from possible damage resulting from relative movement during adjustment and/or use. 
     The lower legs  21   a ,  31   a  further provide a plurality of preferably rectangular friction pads  22  being adhesively or otherwise affixed along bottom surfaces to stabilize the apparatus  10  when placed upon a flat surface. Additionally, the lower legs  21   a ,  31   a  are adjustably connected to each other at distal end portions by a width adjusting assembly  50  which provides a means to adjust and lock a distance between the lower legs  21   a ,  31   a , and consequently between the corresponding upper  21   b ,  31   b  leg portions as well. Adjustment of the distance between the lower  21   a ,  31   a  and upper  21   b ,  31   b  legs enables the apparatus  10  to be selectively configured and positioned against a user&#39;s limb  100 , as well as conforming to variously configured fixators  90  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The adjusting assembly  50  includes first bracket  54  and second bracket  56  portions being permanently affixed to respective first lower  21   a  and second lower  31   a  legs. The brackets  54 ,  56  comprise “U”-shaped fixtures having perpendicularly extending side surfaces. The first bracket  54  provides a pivoting and anchoring means to a rod portion  52  via a first pin  55 . The rod  52  in turn passes through an aperture portion  53  of the second lower leg  31   a  and is subsequently clamped in a selective manner along its length via a clamp cylinder  58 , which is pivotally affixed to the aforementioned second bracket  56  via a second pin  57 . The clamping cylinder  58  comprises a hollow cylindrical construction having a center opening portion being sized to enable the rod  52  to be slidingly motioned within, thereby obtaining a desired distance between the first lower leg  21   a  and the second lower leg  31   a . The clamping cylinder  58  further includes a threaded thumb screw  60 , which threadingly engages a side portion of the clamping cylinder  58 , and in turn impinges and secures the rod  52  in position. 
     An embodiment of the apparatus  10  is shown here being approximately ten to twelve inches (10-12 in.) in length, five inches (5 in.) in width, and five inches (5 in.) in height; however, it is understood that the apparatus  10  may be introduced in other sizes for utilization with different sizes and models of external fixators  90  upon various user limbs  100 . 
     Each upper leg portion  21   b ,  31   b  of the apparatus  10  provides a length-adjusting means via respective first extension tube  32   a  and second extension tube  32   b  portions which are inserted into open distal end portions of the upper legs  21   b ,  31   b  in a telescoping manner. The extension tubes  32   a ,  32   b  further provide integral first extension tube cap  34   a  and second extension tube cap  34   b  portions, respectively. The tube caps  34   a ,  34   b  have a equal, or larger, outer diameter as the legs  21   b ,  31   b , thereby acting as a mechanical stopping means when the extension tubes  32   a ,  32   b  are fully inserted to a stowed position. Lengthening the upper legs  21   b ,  31   b  using the extension tubes  32   a ,  32   b , enables quick configuration of the apparatus  10  for use on variously sized limbs  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10  depicting an in-use state upon a limb  100 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  consists of a pair of upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  which may be installed while the fixator  90  is in position upon the limb  100  (a leg shown here). The upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  of the apparatus  10  are to be slid along the bottom surface of the user&#39;s limb  100  starting from the user&#39;s knee area. In such a position, the apparatus  10  provides support for the user&#39;s limb  100  while holding the fixator  90  up off of the medical exam table. The apparatus  10  presents a low-profile design that does not interfere with the installation or removal process, as well as the removal of pins and screws. To remove the fixator  90 , following removal of all pins and screw portions, remaining portions of the external fixator  90  are simply slid downward over the user&#39;s foot  105  while the leg remains comfortably supported by the apparatus  10 . These features allow external fixators  90  to be removed by only one (1) person, while ensuring that the user&#39;s limb  100  is comfortably supported throughout the entire process. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by qualified medical personnel in a simple manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  to enable one (1) person to remove a fixator  90  from a patient&#39;s limb  100  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  being made of a desired material and being particularly sized to support a user&#39;s limb  100  or limb portion being treated; lifting the patient&#39;s limb  100  in a manual fashion slightly above a flat surface of an examination table or the like such that the portions of the external fixator  90  are positioned above the examination table; sliding the upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  of the apparatus  10  along a bottom surface of the user&#39;s limb  100  starting from the upper portion nearest the user&#39;s knee while coincidentally inserting the upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  through any spatial rings, struts, or other portions of the fixator  90 ; adjusting a distance between the upper legs  21   b ,  31   b  as necessary to comfortably support the limb  100  and to obtain clearance from the portions of the fixator  90  by loosening the thumb screw  60 ; sliding the rod  52  within the clamp cylinder  58  until obtaining a desired position of the upper legs  21   b ,  31   b ; tightening the thumb screw  60 ; resting the limb  100  upon the upper legs  21   b ,  31   b  to provide support for the user&#39;s limb  100 ; removing all pins, screws, and other attachment portions of the fixator  90  in a normal manner; removing the external fixator  90  from the limb  100  by sliding the remaining portions of the fixator  90  downward over the user&#39;s limb  100  while the limb  100  remains comfortably supported by the apparatus  10 ; and, benefiting from reduction of undesirable movement of a patient&#39;s limb  100  during removal of an external fixator  90  afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     Although the use of the apparatus  10  is shown and described by inserting the upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  through any spatial rings, struts, or other portions of the fixator  90 , it is understood that the fixator  90  may also be simply rested upon the upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  so that they cradle the fixator  90 , if such a situation provides better or more convenient support. 
     It is further envisioned that a soft fabric covering or pad may be applied to the upper leg portions  21   b ,  31   b  during use to provide additional comfort and protection to the patient&#39;s limb  100 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.