US 3,955,565 AGranted

Orthopedic apparatus

OwnerGlenn W. Johnson, Jr.inventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a pair of complementary shaped half-shell members fabricated from a tough, relatively thin material such that each half-shell member is substantially flexible about its longitudinal axis yet is substantially rigid about a transverse axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The half-shell members are adapted to be receivably engaged with respect to each other in a diametrically opposed concentric nesting fashion and due to their inherent radial flexibility may be adjusted relative to each other to form a radially telescoped generally cylindrically shaped outer shell structure of selective inside diameter generally conforming to the shape of an injured limb such as, for example, a leg or arm. Disposed interiorly of the outer shell structure is a series of air bags or similar means capable of assuming a normally flattened configuration but which when inflated with air through a valved inlet port are capable of being radially expanded to conform to the irregular shape of the limb or other body part with which each air bag is intended to engage. Means are provided for firmly releasably securing the radially telescoped half-shell members together after they have been snugly fitted relative to each other about the limb or other body part. In an alternatively preferred form of the invention, the two complementary half-shell members are configured to form an outer shell structure conforming generally to the shape of a pair of articulated or conjoint body limbs whereby the two articulated or conjoined limbs are immobilized with respect to each other.

Claims18

Dependent claims

Orthopedic apparatus for immobilizing a body part comprising:

a pair of complementary half-shell members, each of said half-shell members being generally channel shaped in transverse cross-section and having a pair of radially spaced, longitudinally extending opposed free edges,
said shell members being relatively rigid about an axis lying in planes defining said transverse cross-section and being relatively flexible about an axis substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned axis whereby the opposed radially spaced free edges of each half-shell member are adapted to be flexed relative to one another to selectively decrease or increase the inside diameter of each said half-shell member respectively,
said shell members adapted to be fitted relative to each other about said body part in a substantially diametrically opposed manner with the opposed radially spaced free edges of said half-shell members being concentrically nested to define a radially telescoped tubular outer member surrounding said body part and generally conforming to the shape thereof,
said half-shell members being radially telescopingly adjusted relative to each other about said body part such that separate longitudinally spaced portions of the inner surface of each of said half-shell members are adapted to engage said part in an abutting manner at corresponding longitudinally spaced locations along said body part respectively,
said half-shell members including means for releasably securing same together in said adjusted radially telescoped relation;
and
a plurality of pneumatically inflated cells disposed within said half-shell members in a circumferentially juxtaposed manner, said inflated cells extending longitudinally with respect to said half-shell members and adapted to extend radially inwardly between the interior surface of said tubular outer member and said body part, at least portions of the radially inner extent of said inflated cells adapted to conform to and engage corresponding portions of said body part which are spaced radially inwardly from said interior surface of said tubular outer member and which are not in abutting engagement with said interior surface of said tubular outer member whereby said inflated cells provide immobilizing support for said corresponding portions of said body part, and said radially telescoped tubular outer member provides additional immobilizing support for said body part by virtue of engaging said body part in said abutting manner at said plurality of separate longitudinally spaced locations as hereinaforesaid.

4 more elements

The method of immobilizing a body part with the aid of orthopedic apparatus comprising first and second channel shaped shell members each of which has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said body part, each of said first and said second shell members being relatively flexible about said first-mentioned axis and being relatively rigid about a transverse axis substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned axis, means for releasably securing said first and second shell members together about said body part, and a plurality of individual longitudinally extending inflatable support members disposed interiorly with respect to said first and second shell members in circumferentially juxtaposed relation with respect to each other;

wherein said method comprises the following steps:
a. fitting said first and said second shell members relative to each other about said body part in a substantially diametrically opposed radially telescoping manner with said first and said second channel shaped shell members forming a tubular outer member surrounding said body part and with said plurality of individual support members being disposed in said circumferentially juxtaposed relation between the inner surface of said tubular outer member and the outer surface of said body part in an uninflated substantially flattened condition;
b. adjustably radially telescoping said first and said second shell members relative to each other to cause separate longitudinally spaced portions of the inner surface of each of said first and second shell members to engage said body part in an abutting manner at corresponding longitudinally spaced locations along said body part respectively;
c. employing said releasably securing means to releasably secure said first and second shell members together about said body part and maintain them in said adjusted radially telescoped position;
and
d. inflating said inflatable support members to a predetermined internal pressure to cause said inflatable support members to expand radially between the interior surface of said tubular outer member and the exterior surface of said body part so that said inflatable support members conform to and engage corresponding portions of said body part which are radially inwardly spaced from said interior surface of said tubular outer member and which are not in abutting engagement with said tubular outer member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.