AU2021218216A1

AU2021218216A1 - Limb elevation support

Info

Publication number: AU2021218216A1
Application number: AU2021218216A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Leigh Marie Bryant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-10-30
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2022-05-19

Abstract

A limb elevation support device (10) to elevate the leg of a patient, the device comprises a first support piece (20) to elevate an upper portion of the patient's leg and a second support piece (30) to elevate a lower portion of the patient's leg. The first support piece (20) includes a base (21), and a thigh support surface (22) extending between a top (23) and bottom end (24). In use, elevation of the patient's leg by the device (10) provides a space between the upper and lower portions of the patient's leg to allow for medical access to said leg. Fig 1 114 K o C) co CN c C) CoN CNC

Description

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Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a limb support device for supporting and elevating the limb of a patient.

Background

[0002] The present invention is particularly concerned with devices that are suitable for supporting at least one limb of a patient.

[0003] In the medical field it is often necessary to raise part of a patient's body, for example one limb. This may be done to raise the limb above a surface when the patient is in a seated or lying position. When a patient is lying, for example, it may be required to raise or elevate the patient's limb to allow access thereto for medical treatment. Examples of when elevation of the patient's limb may be required are where it is desirable to wash the limb, apply a preparation thereto and/or apply a covering, for example a bandage or cast, about the limb.

[0004] A caregiver is often faced with the situation of having to lift the patient's leg whilst the leg is treated. This situation places a greater risk of injury on the caregiver. Furthermore, for people with severe conditions, the amount of fluid in their leg can be high and thus the overall weight of the leg, can be great. This makes it more difficult for the caregiver to lift the leg, especially if the caregiver must assume an awkward posture when lifting the leg. Additionally, a caregiver's career longevity may be compromised due to musculoskeletal injury and repetitive strain.

[0005] What is needed is a device that allows for at least one limb of a patient to be suspended and take over the role of a person holding the limb in a suitable position to execute a procedure safely, whilst the limb is in an elevated position.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages.

Summary of Invention

[0007] An aspect of the present invention provides a limb elevation support device to elevate the leg of a patient, the device comprising: a first support piece having a base, and a thigh support surface extending between a top and bottom end of the first support piece to elevate an upper portion of the patient's leg; a second support piece to elevate a lower portion of the patient's leg; wherein in use, elevation of the patient's leg by the device provides a space between the upper and lower portions of the patient's leg to allow for medical access to said leg.

[0008] Preferably, the top end of the first support piece has a knee locator and a knee support surface, the first support piece thereby providing support under the thigh and knee of the patient.

[0009] Preferably, the second support piece has an ankle locator opposite a base to allow the lower portion of the patient's leg to rest therein on an ankle support surface, and to provide support under the ankle or area around the ankle of the patient.

[0010] Preferably, the first support piece and second support piece are separate parts. Alternatively, the limb elevation support device includes a connection member connecting the first support piece to the second support piece in an operative spaced configuration. More preferably the connection member is adjustable to provide for adjustment of the spacing between the first support piece and the second support piece.

[0011] Preferably, the perpendicular distance between the knee support surface and the bottom end of the first support piece is the same as the perpendicular distance between the ankle support surface and the base of the second support piece, thereby allowing a patient's leg to be supported in a generally horizontal position.

[0012] Preferably, the angle between the base and the thigh support surface of the first support piece is about 40 degrees.

[0013] Preferably, the first support piece and the second support piece are made from foam, said foam being inserted into a pre-shaped 3-way stretchable and breathable material.

[0014] A method of supporting a patient's limb using the limb elevation support device described herein, the method comprising the steps of (a) laying a patient on their back; (b) raising their knee and locating said knee on said knee support surface; and (b) raising a lower portion of their leg and locating said lower portion of their leg on said ankle support surface.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention provides a limb elevation device to elevate a leg of a patient seated or supine on a patient support surface, the device comprising: a first support piece having a first base to be supported by said patient support surface, a thigh support surface for supporting the thigh of the patient and an elevated knee support surface for supporting a portion of the patient's leg at or adjacent the knee, wherein the thigh support surface extends from the base at an acute elevation angle toward the elevated knee support surface such that in use, said first support piece supports the patient's thigh so that the knee is elevated at afirst height above the patient support surface; a second support piece having a second base to be supported by said patient support surface and an elevated ankle support surface for supporting a portion of the patient's leg at or adjacent the ankle at a second height above the patient support surface; wherein in use, the first and second support pieces are disposed such that the knee support surface and the ankle support surface are spaced from each other to allow for medical access to said lower portion of the patient's leg.

[0016] Preferably, the first and second heights are substantially the same. More preferably the lower portion of the patents leg is supported substantially horizontal.

[0017] Preferably, the first support piece includes a knee locating formation at or adjacent the knee support surface. More preferably the knee locating formation includes a pair of laterally spaced knee locating projections for receiving and locating the patient's leg therebetween. More preferably, the knee locating projections and knee support surface form a U-shaped locating channel.

[0018] Preferably, the second support piece has an ankle locating formation at or adjacent the ankle support surface. More preferably the ankle locating formation includes a pair of laterally spaced ankle locating projections for receiving and locating the patient's leg therebetween. More preferably ankle locating projections and ankle support surface form a U-shaped ankle channel for receiving and locating a lower-portion of the patient's leg therebetween.

[0019] Preferably the elevation angle is the angle between the plane of the thigh support surface and a horizontal plane such as the surface of a bed, gurney, mat or floor on which the limb elevation support device is placed, measured in the vertical plane.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a side view of a limb elevation device according to a preferred embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is another side view of the limb elevation device shown in Figure 1, in use.

[0023] Figure 3 is a top view of the limb elevation device shown in Figure 1, in use.

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the limb elevation device shown in Figure 1.

Description of Embodiments

[0025] Figures 1 to 4 show a limb elevation support device 10 according to a preferred embodiment. The device 10 is comprised of a first support piece 20 which has a base 21. The first support piece 20 also has a thigh support surface 22 extending between a top end 23 and a bottom end 24 of the first support piece 20 to elevate an upper portion of the patient's leg. Also shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a second support piece 30 to elevate a lower portion of the patient's leg. In use, elevation of the patient's leg by the device 10 provides a space between the upper and lower portions of the patient's leg to allow for medical access to said leg.

[0026] The thigh support surface 22 extends upwardly and away from the base 21 toward top end 23. An angle 0 is formed between the base 21 and the thigh support surface 22 of about 30 degrees to 50 degrees. Angle 0 is preferably 40 degrees.

[0027] Turning to Figures 2 and 3, a knee locator 25 is more clearly shown in the top end 23 of the first support piece 20. The knee locator 25 includes a pair of spaced projections between which the leg may be located. Preferably, the knee locator 25 provides a generally and has a knee support surface 26 provide a generally U-shaped channel for receiving and locating the patient's knee. The first support piece 20 serves to elevate an upper portion of a patient's leg, by elevating and supporting the patient's thigh on the thigh support surface 22 and the knee support surface 26, when the patient is in a lying position.

[0028] The second support piece 30 is shown in Figures 1 to 3. The second support piece 30 has a base 33 and an ankle locator 31 opposite the base 33, which is similar in shape to the knee locator 25. The ankle locator 31 has a lower limb support surface 32 to accommodate and support the calf, ankle, and/or heel of a patient. As the lower limb of a person is usually slimmer than the upper limb, the ankle locator 31 is smaller than the knee locator 25. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the knee locator 25 has a depth of 9cm and a width of 8.5cm. The ankle locator 31 however, has a depth and width of 6cm. It is also envisaged that the knee and ankle locators 25 and 31 can be of the same dimensions. The perpendicular distance between the knee support surface 26 and the bottom end 24 of the first support piece is the same as the perpendicular distance between the lower limb support surface 32 and the base 33 of the second support piece. This arrangement allows for the person's limb to be generally horizontal to the surface the person is lying on, provided that surface is flat and not curved.

[0029] The first support piece 20 has a length of about 27cm, a width of about 29cm and a height of about 24cm. The second support piece 30 has a length of 11.5cm, a width of about cm and a height of about 24cm. These exemplary dimensions are depicted in Figure 4.

[0030] When the device 10 is in use, the first support piece 20 and the second support piece 30 are placed on a flat surface such as the floor or on a mat or on a bed. The support pieces 20 and are spaced apart from each other so that the first support piece 20 supports the thigh and knee of the patient, and the second support piece 30 supports the foot or ankle of the patient. The second support piece 30 may be located fore or aft of the ankle to optimize the comfort of the patient and even avoid placing pressure on an existing wound or injury. The distance between the support pieces 20 and 30 will vary depending on the length of the patient's tibia. For example, a longer tibia will mean that the distance between the support pieces 20 and 30 is greater as compared to a patient with a shorter tibia. It is envisaged that the support surfaces 26, 32 of the knee and ankle locators 25 and 31 are aligned and coplanar during use, so that the patient's tibia is substantially parallel to the surface upon which the patient and device 10 rest.

[0031] The device 10 elevates the patient's lower leg so that a caregiver can provide medical treatment such as washing, applying a covering, bandage or cast, about the leg. The device 10 eliminates the need for a second caregiver to lift and continuously hold the patient's leg whilst the leg is receiving treatment, which reduces the fatigue and injury risk of said caregiver. The dimensions of the device 10 have been sized to accommodate a wide range of patients, and it is envisaged that the device 10 will suit most people. However, the device 10 can be downsized for smaller patients or children or upsized to cater for taller people. The smaller version for children may not be as important because the weight of a child's leg is much less than an adult. However, a smaller device 10 would make life more comfortable for both the care giver and the child. The device 10 may also be used in situations where the leg must be elevated for a semi-extended period of time to reduce swelling, for example. A skilled person would understand that extended use may lead to deep vein thrombosis or pressure injury of the second support piece 30 is left insitu. The first and second support pieces 20, 30 are made from either an open cell foam. A 24 160 open cell foam could be used or even a 27-200 open cell foam. A 24-160 open cell foam will generally have a density of about 24 kg/m 3 . A 27-200 open cell foam will have a greater density than a 24-160 foam. Each support piece 20, 30 may be made from a single piece of foam, or multiple pieces of foam joined together by a suitable adhesive.

[0032] The foam used in the support pieces 20, 30 forms an insert, which is inserted into a pre shaped 3-way stretchable and breathable material cover 40 and 42. Each cover is preferably manufactured from a material that can be disinfected easily and/or is resistant or repellant to fluid. This not only prevents ingress of fluids into the cover and foam insert, but also allows for convenient and effective cleaning/disinfecting by means of a damp and/or disinfectant containing cloth. Preferably any seams of the covers are adapted to prevent moisture absorbance and subsequent chemical and/or bacterial breach or ingress of fluid inside the device 10. For instance, the cover may include heat welded seams and/or additional external bonded stitched seams. Each cover 40, 42 has a zip 44, through which the foam inserts are inserted to assemble the device 10, as shown in Figure 4. Preferably the zips 44 are covered of concealed by a flap of material. One suitable material is a hygienic fabric known as Warwick Lustrell @. This material is 82% PVC and 18% Polyester. Further material properties are shown in the table below.

Abrasion Martindale (ISO 12947, 12kPal 150,000 Cycles Seam slippage (mm] (ISO 13936-2, Load 1801 Warp 2.00, Weft 1.90 Pilling resistance (ISO 12945-2) Colourfastness to light Xenon arc (ISO 105-B02, blue std 6 >6 Colourfastness to rubbing (ISO 105-X12) Dry 5, Wet 4/5 Free and Hydrolysed formaldehyde (ISO 14184-1:1998) Not Detectable FlammabilityAS/NZS 1530.3-1999 Ignitability 10 - 201 18 Spread of flame (0 - 101 0 Heat evolved (0 - 101 0 Smoke developed (0 - 101 4|

[0033] Whilst it is envisaged that the foam used in the device 10 will retain its shape, an internal framework may be provided to give additional support. The framework may be on the base 21 and 33 of the first and second support pieces 20 and 30 only. Or the framework may extend upwardly along the sides of the first and second support pieces 20 and 30. The framework may be in the form of a skeletal structure or a flat supportive piece. The framework may be made from higher density foam or other suitable materials such as metal, wood or plastic.

[0034] A bariatric version of the device 10 is also envisaged. Whilst the bariatric version of the device 10 functions in the same way as the "standard" device 10, the bariatric version of the device 10 requires higher density foam and larger dimensions for the knee locator 25 and optionally the ankle locator 31. The semi-annular knee locator 25 has an increased depth from 9cm to 11.5cm and an increased width from 8.5cm to about10cm. Similar dimensional increases may be applied to the ankle locator 31. This means that the sides supporting the knee reduce in width from 7.5cm to 3cm, resulting in a slightly different appearance. The overall shape and concept however, is the same.

[0035] A second embodiment is also envisaged where the first and second support pieces 20, 30 are connected to each other by a connection member such as a piece of fabric or the like. Alternatively, the device 10 can be mounted to a portable surface, such as an elongate piece of MDF. The first and second support pieces 20, 30 may be slidably attached to the surface on one or more rails to maintain adjustability of the space between the support pieces 20, 30. A locking mechanism may be included to retain the support pieces 20, 30 in position and prevent them from inadvertently sliding along said rail when in use. The surface may also have a hinge to fold the entire device 10 in half for transport.

[0036] Alternatively, the first embodiment may also be described as follows, using like reference numerals. Figures Ito 4 show a limb elevation device 10 to elevate a leg of a patient seated or supine on a patient support surface (not numbered). The device 10 comprises afirst support piece 20 having a first base 21 to be supported by said patient support surface, a thigh support surface 22 for supporting the thigh of the patient and an elevated knee support surface 26 for supporting a portion of the patient's leg at or adjacent the knee.

[0037] The thigh support surface 22 extends from the base 21 at an acute elevation angle toward the elevated knee support surface 26 such that in use, said first support piece 20 supports the patient's thigh so that the knee is elevated at a first height above the patient support surface. The device 10 also has a second support piece 30 which has a second base 33 to be supported by said patient support surface and an elevated ankle support surface 32 for supporting a portion of the patient's leg at or adjacent the ankle at a second height above the patient support surface. When the patient is lying on the patient support surface, the first and second support pieces 20, 30 are disposed such that the knee support surface 26 and the ankle support surface 32 are spaced from each other to allow for medical access to said lower portion of the patient's leg.

[0038] As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the first and second heights of the knee support surface 26 and the ankle support surface 32 are substantially the same. Preferably the lower portion of the patents leg is supported substantially horizontal.

[0039] The first support piece 20 includes a knee locating formation 25 at or adjacent the knee support surface 26. The knee locating formation 25 includes a pair of laterally spaced knee locating projections 27, 28 for receiving and locating the patient's leg therebetween. The knee locating projections 27, 28 and knee support surface 26 form a U-shaped locating channel.

[0040] The second support piece has an ankle locating formation 31, similar to that on the first support piece 20, at or adjacent the ankle support surface 32. As shown in the Figures, the ankle locating formation 31 includes a pair of laterally spaced ankle locating projections 34, 35 for receiving and locating the patient's leg therebetween. The ankle locating projections 34, 35 and ankle support surface 32 form a U-shaped ankle channel for receiving and locating a lower portion of the patient's leg therebetween.

[0041] The elevation angle 0 is the angle between the plane of the thigh support surface 22 and a horizontal plane such as the surface of a bed, gurney, mat or floor on which the limb elevation support device 10 is placed, measured in the vertical plane.

[0042] Preferably, the device 10 is blue and the bariatric version is green to easily discern between the two.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the invention enables the raising of part of a patient's body, for example one limb when the patient is in a seated or lying position.

[0044] In this way the invention may provide advantages over the prior art by supporting the limb in an elevated position whilst allowing the caregiver access thereto for medical treatment, for instance where it is desirable to wash the limb, apply a preparation thereto and/or apply a covering, for example a bandage or cast, about the limb.

[0045] Advantageously, embodiments of invention may reduce the need for a caregiver to adopt an awkward posture when lifting the leg thereby reducing the chance of injury to the care giver. Furthermore the invention allows for at least one limb of a patient to be suspended and take over the role of a person holding the limb in a suitable position to execute a procedure safely, whilst the limb is in an elevated position. Thus the invention may reduce the number of caregivers required to administer treatment thereby minimising movement and close contact so as to reduce chances of spreading viruses etc such as COVID-19.

[0046] Although the limb elevation support device has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in other forms.

Claims

1. A limb elevation support device to elevate the leg of a patient, the device comprising: a first support piece having a base, and a thigh support surface extending between a top and bottom end of the first support piece to elevate an upper portion of the patient's leg; a second support piece to elevate a lower portion of the patient's leg; wherein in use, elevation of the patient's leg by the device provides a space between the upper and lower portions of the patient's leg to allow for medical access to said leg.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the top end of the first support piece has a knee locator and a knee support surface, the first support piece thereby providing support under the thigh and knee of the patient.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second support piece has an ankle locator opposite a base to allow the lower portion of the patient's leg to rest therein on an ankle support surface, and to provide support under the ankle or area around the ankle of the patient.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the first support piece and second support piece are separate parts.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the perpendicular distance between the knee support surface and the bottom end of the first support piece is the same as the perpendicular distance between the ankle support surface and the base of the second support piece, thereby allowing a patient's leg to be supported in a generally horizontal position.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the angle between the base and the thigh support surface of the first support piece is about 40 degrees.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first support piece and the second support piece are made from foam, said foam being inserted into a pre-shaped 3-way stretchable and breathable material.

Leigh Marie Bryant Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON

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10 FIGURE 1