EP0760642A1

EP0760642A1 - Device for the external fixation of extremities and extremity zones and pad for lining the device

Info

Publication number: EP0760642A1
Application number: EP95922476A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Dr. Habermeyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-25
Filing date: 1995-05-23
Publication date: 1997-03-12
Also published as: DE9408537U1; WO1995031951A1; AU2736095A

Abstract

A deformable, vacuum-tight and evacuable pad contains a plurality of small filling grains movable in relation to each other. The pad is particularly useful for lining an external fixation device for extremities and extremity zones, in particular for treating extremity fractures in the area of the legs, thighs, forearms and upper arms. The device has at least two shells that may be clamped together to surround the extremity to be enclosed. The pad (20), which comprises a calf part (21) and a foot part (22), is arranged between the shells and the extremity. The wall surface (20) of the pad (20) that faces the extremity has a layer (30) of the same shape as the pad (20) made of a woven or knitted fabric, or of a woven or knitted terry fabric, or of a nonwoven fabric. The layer (30) is secured in a fixed or removable manner to the wall surface (20a) of the pad (20).

Description

Device for enclosing extremities and extremity areas and pillows as an insert for the device.

field of use

The invention relates to a pillow with a plurality of small-grained fillings arranged in its interior, which is deformable, vacuum-tight and evacuatable, in particular as an insert in a device for enclosing extremities and extremity areas, in particular for treatment of extremity fractures in the area of the lower leg, thigh, forearm and upper arm, in which at least two shell parts can be braced against one another, which surround the extremity to be enclosed, and in which the cushion and a device are arranged between the shell parts and the extremity for enclosing extremities and extremity areas.

State of the art

DE-A-42 17 061 discloses such a device, described at the outset, for enclosing the fixation of extremities and extremity areas. The air passage openings are combined to form island areas, which means in particular in the area of a calf of a lower leg to be enclosed for improved ventilation of this area of the extremity and for an almost immediate application of this muscle area to the associated area, which is only interrupted by the wall of the pillow Shell part is taken care of. The absence of the filling elements in this island region means that the thermal insulation effect exerted by the filling elements is eliminated in this region and the tendency to sweat in this muscle region is reduced. It also reduces the total volume of the pillow and the size of the pillow in that area. In spite of this configuration of the pillow with air passage openings combined into island areas in special extremity areas, heat build-up, the formation of moisture and good ventilation of the extremity cannot be avoided.

Gypsum bandages or their modern variants in the form of plastic bandages are usually applied to treat extremity fractures. The application of such bandages not only requires considerable skill and a corresponding effort for the staff, but often also leads to extremely annoying pressure points for the patient due to edges or protrusions on the inside of the plaster or plastic bandage. After the reduction of the respective franking, the patient is exposed to the painful phase of rewrapping the bandages and waiting for the plaster to set. Finally, in the case of the known plaster or plastic bandages, it is generally necessary to change this plaster or plastic bandage if the limbs in question swell in the course of the fracture treatment. This is also a complex process that is again unpleasant for the patient.

WO 92/04880 thus describes a device for closing fixation of extremities and extremities areas is known, which is provided in particular for the treatment of extremity fractures in the area of the lower leg, thigh, forearm and upper arm. This device has at least two shell parts which can be braced against one another and which surround the extremity to be closed. Provided between the shell parts and the extremity are two moldable, vacuum-tight, evacuable cushions provided with at least one valve, in which there are a large number of relatively small, in particular small-sized packing elements.

Task, solution, advantage

The object of the present invention is to provide a pillow and a device for receiving the pillow as an insert of the type described at the beginning, with which good climatic conditions in the area of the extremity are created when the device is in place, heat build-up avoided and moisture absorption and derivative can be achieved.

This object is achieved in the case of a cushion of the type described at the outset by the features specified in claim 1 and for a device by the features specified in claim 13.

On the basis of the configuration according to the invention, the pillow comprises a calf part and a foot part and is on the wall surface facing the extremity with a layer having a shape corresponding to the shape of the pillow, made of a flat structure made of a woven, knitted or crocheted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or one Provided fiber fleece, the pad is fixed or releasably connected to the cushion wall surface.

According to a first embodiment, the pillow is formed in one piece with a calf part and a foot part connected to it. According to a further embodiment, the pillow consists of two individual blanks, one of which is the calf part and the other is the foot part. The two blanks forming the calf part and the foot part can also be releasably connected to one another. The pad attached to the pillow has a cutting shape that corresponds to the shape and cut of the pillow in its one-piece embodiment, the pads corresponding to the cut shapes of the calf part and the foot part in the two-part design of the pillow.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the pillow is surrounded by a pocket or envelope-shaped covering made of a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry woven fabric or knitted fabric or a non-woven fabric. This cover is envelope-shaped and provided with a closable insertion opening. In the one-piece design of the pillow, a single cover is attached to the pillow, which corresponds to the shape of the pillow. In the two-part design, both the calf part and the foot part are each covered with a covering made of a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or a non-woven fabric.

By designing the pillow with a pad or a covering made of a tissue feed improves the wearing comfort of such a device for enclosing fixation of extremities and extremity areas. The fabric cover or cover made of a fabric blank helps to prevent heat build-up. Moisture absorption by the fabric is possible, the moisture being diverted to the outside area with the possibility that the moisture can be dissipated to the outside and evaporate due to the lattice structure of the shell parts of the shell body of the device, since good ventilation is due to This lattice structure of the shell body is guaranteed. The climatic and hygienic conditions are significantly improved by such an inventive design of the pillow.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawing

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. Show it

1 shows an advantageous, one-piece design of the pillow with a contiguous calf part and a foot part in a top view with a covering made of a fabric section,

2 is an enlarged section along line II

II in Fig. 1, 3 shows a further embodiment of a two-part pillow with coverings made of fabric sections,

4 is a top view of a one-piece design of the cushion with an envelope-like covering made of a fabric blank,

5 is an enlarged section along line V-V in Fig. 4,

6 shows a top view of a two-part design of the pillow with envelope-like covers made of fabric sections and

7 and 8 each show different embodiments of a device consisting of two shell parts in a perspective view.

Detailed description of the invention and best way to carry out the invention.

In Fig. 1, a flat, evacuable cushion is shown, the valve being on the invisible back. The pillow has a plurality of interconnected vacuum-tight regions 200 filled with packing elements, between which webs 210 and islands 220 are formed. The webs 210 and the islands 220 are provided with air passage openings 211, 221. The webs 210 preferably run in a zigzag shape or straight in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the cushion 20. In the evacuated state of the pillows, the webs form ventilation channels. Further ventilation channels are formed by negative folds in the pillow which arise during the evacuation of the pillow, so that channels 210 also form between the islands 220 and the webs. Through these channels and the air passage openings 211, 221, an air exchange can take place between the surface of the enclosed body part and the outside of the cushion enclosing this body part. The uneven surface of the pillow in the evacuated state caused by the fillers also ensures the formation of the smallest ventilation channels.

In the upper section of the cushion 20, in the area of the calf of a lower leg to be enclosed, an island area 230 is provided which has air passage openings 231. In the area of the heel of the extremity to be enclosed, an island area 240 is provided in the cushion 20, which marks the point of contact with the heel and is provided with air passage openings 241.

The cushion 20 is arranged in the shell parts of the chalet body 100, which are described in more detail below, in such a way that at least the channels formed by the webs 210, but preferably also the islands 220, 230 and 240, have a grid in the area of the openings in the associated one ¬ structure-containing shell part 120, 130 are located. This ensures the exchange of air between the enclosed body parts and the outside of the device.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 3 includes the cushion 20 has a calf part 21 and a foot part 22. In the one-piece configuration of the cushion, the calf part 21 is connected to the foot part 22; the calf part 21 and the foot part 22 then form the pillow cut (FIG. 1).

3, the pillow consists of two individual blanks 20b, 20c, of which the blank 20b forms the calf part 21 and the blank 20c forms the foot part 22. In the second embodiment of the cushion 20, there is also the possibility of releasably connecting the two blanks 20b, 20c forming the calf part 21 and the foot part 22 to one another. A button connection or a connection in the manner of the Velcro fastener can be used as the connecting means.

The calf part 21 consists of an approximately rectangular cut with conically tapering or beveled edge regions 21a, 21b extending towards the foot part 22. The foot part 22 is formed by two inclined, approximately rectangular sections 22a, 22b and an approximately rectangular central section 22c connecting both sections 22a, 22b. In the one-piece design of the cushion, the cut forming the calf part 21 adjoins the central part 22c of the cut for the foot part 22 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

The cushion 20 has on its wall surface 20a facing the extremity a support 30 made of a flat structure made of a woven, knitted or crocheted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or a non-woven fabric, this support 30 being fixed or detachable with the cushion wall surface 20a connected is. In the one-piece design of the cushion 20 corresponding to FIG. 1, the support 30 has a cut shape which corresponds to the shape of the cut of the one-piece cushion 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In the two-part design of the cushion 20, the blank 20b forming the calf part 21 and the blank 20c forming the foot part 22 are each provided with a support 30 ', SO'', these supports also being made of the same material as the fabric support 30 .

In the case of the non-detachable arrangement of the fabric overlay 30 on the wall surface 20a of the cushion 20 or on the cushion sections 20b, 20c, the fabric overlay 30 is fastened by means of an adhesive. If cleaning of the tissue pad 30 is required, it must be cleaned together with the entire pillow.

When the fabric support 30 or 30 ', 30 "is releasably attached to the wall surface 20a of the cushion 20 or to the wall surfaces of the blanks 20b, 20c in the two-part configuration of the cushion 20, the support is by means of a push-button connection, a button connection or by means of a Velcro connection held on the wall surface of the cushion. An attachment can also be carried out by means of an adhesive, the adhesive then being designed such that it can be detached and fastened several times.

According to a further embodiment according to FIG. 4, the pillow 20 is surrounded by a pocket-shaped or sleeve-shaped covering 40 made of a flat structure made of a woven, knitted or crocheted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or a nonwoven fabric. In the two-part design of the Each pillow blank 20b, 20c is provided with a cover 40 * ", 40", which is designed in accordance with the cover 40. The fabric covers 40, 40 ″, 40 ″ are envelope-shaped and provided with a closable insertion opening on the side (FIG. 6).

A device for enclosing extremities is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as a shell body 100 for the foot / lower leg area of a patient. The shell body 100 consists of two shell parts which can be braced against one another, namely a rear shell part 120 and a front shell part 130, both shell parts 120, 130 being approximately L-shaped. Each shell part 120 or 130 consists of a shaft 121 or 131 and a foot part 122 or 132, the foot parts 122, 132 of the two shell parts being connected to one another by their shafts 121, 131 via lateral swivel joints 125, 135 , so that the foot parts 122, 132 can be pivoted to the shafts 121, 131 about pivot axes 125a, 135a. Both the shell parts 120, 130 and their swivel joints 125, 135 are expediently made of plastic.

The foot parts 122, 132 and the shafts 121, 131 of the two shell bodies are designed to be open on one side in the form of a shell, so that a receptacle for the foot and the lower leg is created in the rear shell part 120. The front shell body 130 is designed in the same way, so that it can be placed with its shaft 131 and its foot part 132 on the shaft 121 and the foot part 122 of the rear shell part 120. On the underside of the foot part 122 of the rear shell part les 120, an outsole 123 is provided, the outer shape of which is adapted to the rolling movement of the foot when walking. For this purpose, the outsole 123 is designed as a cradle or provided with a walking lug 124.

The foot parts 122, 123 and the shafts 121, 131 of the two shell parts 120, 130 of the shell body 110 are designed in the shape of a shell in the direction of the foot and the lower leg, the design being such that the front shell part 130 is in the rear shell part 120 can be used in such a way that the side wall sections of the rear shell part 120 overlap sections of the side wall sections of the shell part 130.

Both the shell part 120 and the shell part 130 have an approximately semicircular cross section, so that when the shell parts are placed one on top of the other, the side wall sections of the two shell parts 120, 130 overlap. In order to be able to grasp the lower leg and the foot laterally, the shell parts 120, 130 have a certain elasticity, the elasticity of the side walls of the two shell parts 120, 130 expediently increasing from their central regions of the shaft parts to their front free edges of each shell part .

The difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and that corresponding to FIG. 8 is that in FIG. 7 the shell parts 120 and 130 have a (closely meshed) lattice structure than is caused by the ribs 111, 112. The longitudinal ribs are designated by 111 and the transverse ribs by 112, the Shaft parts 121 and 131 of the rear part 120 and of the front part 130 each have a continuous longitudinal rib purple and 112a, which are more stable than the transverse ribs 112 and the other longitudinal ribs. At the connection points 113 between the continuous longitudinal ribs purple and the transverse ribs, the transition area is made wider or larger in diameter. With regard to the structure which can be reached by longitudinal ribs 111, transverse ribs 112 including inclined ribs, no fixed contours are required as long as the required inherent rigidity and strength or bending strength of the shell parts is achieved. In any case, the essential idea of the invention is based on the fact that material can be saved considerably by means of a lattice or rib-shaped design, and that the air supply is also improved.

In the upper shaft part 121 two adjacent longitudinal rib pairs are provided, each forming a gap 114, which is bridged by a connecting means, not shown in the drawing. At least one gap 114 is variable in width so that the shaft part of the patient's calf can be adapted.

The cushion 20 described above is arranged between the two mutually clampable shell parts 120, 130 and the extremity, which is provided with a valve and consists of a bladder in which a multiplicity of fillers movable relative to one another is provided. The cushion 20, which can be placed tightly and appropriately on the limb section to be treated, is evacuated in the course of a short period of time during the evacuation The shape created during the application process is hard and dimensionally stable, so that, in conjunction with the hard shell parts, a very firm sleeve is formed, which is well modeled on the respective extremity and which cannot produce any pressure points in the area of the skin, since there is no radial afterward when this structure is consolidated internal pressure is created and no edges or protrusions can be formed on the inside.

A movement in the ankle of the patient can be prevented by setting the angle of inclination of the shaft part with respect to the foot part about the pivot axis 125 or 135. This fixed angle can be selected as a function of the injury to be treated within the entire adjustable swivel angle range. The determination of a certain angle is carried out by means of appropriately designed adjusting devices, wherein in the rear shaft part 120 an angle specification for setting an angle of 90 ° or 120 ° between the foot part 122 and the shaft 121 by means of one not shown in the drawing ¬ angle adapter can be made.

In order to be able to adapt the front shell part 130 to the angular position of the foot part 122 in relation to the shaft 121 of the rear shell part 120, the front shell part 130 is provided with an angle adjustment device 190, by means of which the foot part 132 to the shaft 131 is set in a predetermined manner Angular position can be locked, this angular position corresponding to that angular position of the foot part 122 to the shaft 121 of the rear shell part 122.

Claims

Expectations:

1. Pillow with a large number of relatively granular packing elements that are arranged in its interior and that are deformable, vacuum-tight and evacuatable, in particular as an insert in a device for enclosing fixation of extremities and extremity areas, in particular for treating extremities ¬ Fractures in the area of the lower leg, thigh, forearm and upper arm, in which at least two shell parts (120, 130) can be braced against one another, which surround the extremity to be enclosed, and in which the cushion (between the shell parts (120, 130) and the extremity) 20) is arranged, characterized in that the cushion (20) comprises a calf part (21) and a foot part (22) and on the wall surface (20a) facing the extremity with a cut to size of the cushion (20 ) corresponding form having a support (30) made of a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or a nonwoven fabric is provided, the support (30) being fixed or releasably connected to the cushion wall surface (20a).

2. Pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that the fabric support (30) by means of an adhesive is firmly connected to the wall surface (20a) of the pillow (20).

3. Pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that For the detachable attachment of the tissue support (30) to the wall surface (20a) of the cushion (20), the tissue support (30) is held on the wall surface (20a) by means of a push-button connection, a button connection or by means of a Velcro connection.

4. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pillow (20) is integrally formed with a calf part (21) and a foot part (22).

5. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pillow (20) consists of two individual sections (20b, 20c), of which the section (20b), the calf part (21) and the section (20c ) forms the foot part (22).

6. Pillow according to claim 5, characterized in that the two calf parts (21) and the foot part (22) forming blanks (20b, 20c) are releasably connected to one another and in the connected state form the pillow (20).

7. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the calf part (21) consists of an approximately rectangular cut with the foot part (22) extending conically tapered or beveled edge regions (2la, 21b) .

8. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the foot part (22) of two at an angle approximately rectangular sections (22a, 22b) and an approximately rectangular central part (22c) connecting both sections (22a, 22b).

9. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pillow (20) from a pocket or shell-shaped cover (40) made of a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth fabric or knitted fabric or a fiber fleece is surrounded.

10. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the calf part (21) and the Fuß¬ part (22) in a two-part configuration of the pillow (20) each with a pocket or sleeve-shaped cover (40th ) is provided from a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth fabric or knitted fabric or a nonwoven fabric.

11. Pillow according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the covers (40) are provided with a closable insertion opening.

12. Pillow according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the pillow (20) expediently in the area of a muscle cushion of the extremity to be enclosed, preferably in the area of the calf of a lower leg to be enclosed, with air passage openings (221 , 231) is provided, to which vacuum-tight regions (200) of the cushion (20) adjoin laterally and upwards and downwards.

13. Device for enclosing extremities and extremity areas, in particular for treating extremity fractures in the area of the lower leg, thigh, forearm and upper arm, in which at least two shell parts (120, 130) can be braced, which surround the extremity to be enclosed, and in which at least one deformable, vacuum-tight, evacuated cushion (20) is provided between the shell parts (120, 130) and the extremity, in which a multiplicity of relatively movable, in particular small-sized, grains are movable Filling bodies are located, wherein the evacuable cushion (20) is expediently provided with air passage openings (221, 231) in the area of a muscle cushion of the limb to be enclosed, preferably in the area of the calf of a lower leg to be enclosed, to the side and upwards and vacuum tight below adjoin rich (200) of the cushion (20), characterized in that the cushion (20) comprises a calf part (21) and a foot part (22) and on the wall surface (20a) facing the extremity with a cut-to-size of the cushion (20) corresponding form having a support (30) from a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or a nonwoven fabric is provided, the support (30) being fixed or detachably connected to the cushion wall surface (20a) is.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the fabric support (30) by means of an adhesive is fixedly connected to the wall surface (20a) of the cushion (20).

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that for the releasable attachment of the fabric support (30) on the wall surface (20a) of the cushion (20), the fabric support (30) by means of a push-button connection, a button connection or by means of a Klettenver¬ Binding is held on the wall surface (20a).

16. The device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the cushion (20) is integrally formed with a calf part (21) and a foot part (22).

17. Device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the cushion (20) consists of two individual blanks (20b, 20c), of which the blank (20b), the calf part (21) and the blank (20c) forms the foot part (22).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the two, the calf part (21) and the foot part (22) forming blanks (20b, 20c) are detachably connected to each other and form the cushion (20) in the connected state.

19. Device according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the calf part (21) from an approximately rectangular cut with conically tapering or beveled edge regions (21a, 21) extending towards the foot part (22). 21b) exists.

20. Device according to one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the foot part (22) of two inclined, approximately rectangular Ab¬ sections (22a, 22b) and one of the two sections (22a, 22b) connecting to each other, approximately right corner-shaped central part (22c) is formed.

21. Device according to one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the cushion (20) from a pocket or sleeve-shaped cover (40) made of a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth fabric or knitted fabric or a fiber fleece is surrounded.

22. Device according to one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the calf part (21) and the foot part (22) in a two-part design of the cushion (20) each with a pocket or sleeve-shaped cover (40th ) is provided from a flat structure made of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, knitted fabric, a terry cloth or knitted fabric or a nonwoven fabric.

23. Device according to one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that the coatings (40) are provided with a closable insertion opening.

24. Device according to one of claims 13 to 23, characterized in that the shell (100) receiving the cushion (20) receiving shell body (100) from a shell part or consists of two mutually braceable L-shaped shell parts (120, 130) with an approximately semicircular cross-sectional profile, the wall surfaces of the shell body (100) being at least partially grid and / or rib-shaped.

25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that the lattice struts and / or ribs consist of longitudinal (111) and transverse ribs (112).

26. Device according to one of claims 13 to 25, characterized in that the lattice struts or ribs (111, 112) have a width or a diameter between 1.5 cm and 3 cm.

27. The device according to one of claims 13 to 26, characterized in that at least one longitudinal rib (purple) is provided per shell part, which extends essentially over the entire length of the shell part and which is designed at least as wide or with a larger cross section is like the other longitudinal struts, cross struts or ribs (111, 112).

28. Device according to one of claims 13 to 27, characterized in that the lattice struts and / or ribs (111, 112) are each provided with a different width and / or with a different diameter depending on the loads acting on them.

29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in 21

that the connection points (113) of the transverse ribs (112) to the longitudinal rib (11a) extending over the entire length are wider than the adjoining transverse rib part, which is preferably tapered in width or diameter.

30. Device according to one of claims 13 to 29, characterized in that at least the rear upper shaft part (121) of the shell body (100) has a longitudinal slot (114) for width or diameter adjustment.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the longitudinal slot framing the longitudinal ribs are adjustable and fixable to the desired distance via a releasable connecting element.

32. Device according to one of claims 13 to 31, characterized in that the front shell part (130) has a foot part (132) pivotable to its shaft (131) via a joint.

33. Device according to one of claims 13 to 32, characterized in that the rear shell part (120) has a foot part (122) which can be pivoted to its shaft (121) via a joint (125).