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.

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&#39;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  21 A, to which the loop system  24  is secured, and a lock section  21 B, 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  21 A 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  21 B is engaged with a combination lock by a conventional shackle-like mechanism. Alternatively, the combination lock portion of the lock section  21 A 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  21 A of the locking mechanism  20  may be mounted on the brace for locking engagement with the attachment section  21 A which is secured to the brace, and when engaged, prevents removal of the brace from the patient. Such a lock section  21 A 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.