Heel Protection Device

Abstract

A heel protection method and device for the protection of heel ulcers includes an inflatable bladder adapted to be positioned adjacent a calf of a patient and a sensor adapted to be positioned adjacent a heel of the patient for detecting pressure at the heel. A microprocessor is adapted to receive a signal related to pressure at the heel, from which it determines whether an allowable level has been exceeded. If an excessive pressure level is sensed, the microprocessor transmits a signal to a separate device that alerts the caregiver to inflate the inflatable bladder or automatically by way of a pump operatively connected to the microprocessor. The method and device avoids excessive pressure at the heel by sensing the pressure at the heel, and redistributing the pressure from the heel to the calf if an allowable pressure level has been exceeded.

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