# US 4,399,815 A · Pneumatic therapeutic heel and ankle guard

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- Number: US 4,399,815 A
- Document ID: US4399815A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/263,304
- Filed: 1981-05-13
- Granted: 1983-08-23
- Earliest claimed: 1981-05-13
- Inventors: Joan E. Bachorik
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4399815A

## CPC

- A61F 13/06: specially adapted for feet or legs; Corn-pads; Corn-rings
- A61F 5/012: {inflatable}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A pneumatic therapeutic heel and ankle guard is provided. The heel and ankle guard is comprised of an elongated inflatable base member. An inflatable elongated "U"-shaped tube comprised of two elongated leg members and a "U"-shaped member connects one end of each member. The leg members are mounted in spaced apart relationship to the top surface of the base member. The "U"-shaped member extends beyond the front of the base member. A patient's leg is rested on the base member surrounded by the "U"-shaped tube. The sole of the foot may rest upon the "U"-shaped member connecting each of the leg members. The leg protector prevents heel and ankle contact pressure allowing for the quick healing of heel sores, known more specifically as decubitus ulcers.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pneumatic therapeutic heel and ankle guard for bed ridden patients comprising:
(a) an elongated inflatable base member having a top and bottom surface and front and rear ends;
(b) an inflatable elongated "U"-shaped tube comprised of two elongated leg members and a "U"-shaped member connecting one end of each leg;
wherein each leg member is mounted along the length of the top surface of the base member with sufficient space between the leg members to surround the patients leg so that the leg rests securely on the top surface of base member and between the leg members, and
wherein the "U"-shaped member extends beyond the front of the base member a sufficient distance to provide free air circulation around the ankle while the sole of the patients foot rests upon "U"-shaped member and permits the free range of motion of the foot.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The heel and ankle guard of claim 1, wherein the base member is comprised of a plurality of elongated inflatable tubes joined longitudinally side-by-side to each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The heel and ankle guard of claim 2, wherein the base member is comprised of two side tubes joined to a central tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The heel and ankle guard of claim 3, wherein each of the elongated leg members is mounted to an opposed side tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ankle guard of claim 1, wherein an elongated restraining band is connected at each of its ends to an opposed side tube for restraining lateral expansion of the base member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The heel and ankle guard of claim 5, wherein the restraining band is juxtaposed against the bottom surface of the base member at the front end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The heel and ankle guard of claim 1, wherein a plurality of tie means connect the tops of leg members along their lengths for securing the heel and ankle guard to the leg of the patient.