Patent ID: 7507216

Claim:
An apparatus adapted for generating traction on a limb comprising: a proximal limb support member comprising: a proximal limb support inflatable structure configured to surround a limb of a patient; a proximal inflation port affixed to the proximal limb support inflatable structure for inflating the proximal limb support inflatable structure; a proximal limb support opening configured to be disposed along the axis of the limb, said proximal limb support opening configured to allow the limb to be inserted into the proximal limb support; a proximal limb support closure device for closing the proximal limb support opening; and a proximal inner wall that causes frictional forces to exist that prevent relative motion of the inflated proximal limb support member relative to the limb; a distal limb support member, comprising: a distal limb support inflatable structure configured to surround the limb of the patient; a distal inflation port affixed to the distal limb support inflatable structure for inflating the distal limb support inflatable structure; a distal limb support opening configured to be disposed along the axis of the limb, said distal limb support opening configured to allow the limb to be inserted into the distal limb support; a distal limb support closure device for closing the distal limb support opening; and a distal inner wall that causes frictional forces to exist that prevent relative motion of the distal support member relative to the limb; a traction bellows disposed between the proximal limb support member and the distal limb support member, comprising: an inflatable, flexible cavity, wherein at least one wall of the inflatable, flexible cavity comprises undulations; and a bellows inflation port affixed to the traction bellows for inflating the traction bellows, wherein inflation of the traction bellows causes the undulations in the traction bellows to straighten out generating a length increase of the traction bellows along a longitudinal axis of the limb; and an inflation device configured to separately inflate the proximal limb support member, the distal limb support member, and the traction bellows; wherein the proximal limb support member is affixed to a first side of the traction bellows and the distal limb support member is affixed to a second side of the traction bellows; and wherein the proximal inflatable structure, the distal inflatable structure, and the traction bellows are not operably connected with regard to inflation.