Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • 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
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
  • A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
  • A61F5/0104—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation
  • A61F5/0111—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation for the feet or ankles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • 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
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
  • A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
  • A61F5/012—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations inflatable

Definitions

• the present invention relates, in general, to the technical field of orthotics, that is to say devices or accessories playing a role of support, immobilization, maintenance, correction or rehabilitation of certain parts of the human body. . More particularly, this invention relates to a splint for stabilizing the ankle and, even more especially, a splint of this kind which is inflatable with air.
• the ankle stabilizing splints are used in particular in the event of an ankle sprain, for posture recall and lateral stabilization of the ankle.
• inflatable splints are already known, that is to say splints which have parts in the form of pockets, filled with air so as to exert a suitable pressure on certain zones of the ankle of the wearer of the splint, each pocket having closable means allowing it to be inflated with air.
• Such embodiments are known, in particular, from European patent No. 0 252 121 (or the equivalent document WO 87/03471), or from US patent No. 4 628 945.
• the inflatable pockets have no particular arrangement, and they form simple air cushions, each inflated pocket thus exerting constant pressure on its ankle over its entire extent, while it is desirable to be able to modulate and adapt this pressure, depending on the support zones.
• the pressure exerted by the upper part of the splint, where there is no edema should be less, since it is not necessary and could create an "tourniquet" side effect.
• the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks or inadequacies of the current inflatable ankle splints, described above, by providing an improved inflatable ankle splint, providing certain balancing and a possibility of adapting pressures, while facilitating the operations of inflation and deflation.
• the invention relates to an inflatable splint for stabilizing the ankle, which comprises two lateral shells with which are respectively associated two inflatable pockets with air, intended to take place respectively on the right and left sides of a peg, said pockets being provided with means for inflating them, and means of the strap type being provided for connecting the two shells and ensuring the tightening of the splint around a peg, this splint being characterized essentially by the fact that the means for inflating the two inflatable pockets, respectively right and left, are common to these two pockets.
• the common inflation means comprise two flexible inflation conduits, which start respectively from the upper parts of the two pockets and which converge, in a "V" configuration, towards a common inflation valve , located between the two pockets.
• the two flexible conduits and the inflation valve are located in the upper front part of the splint, which makes the inflation means particularly accessible, in particular to allow inflation or deflation by the user himself, without removing the splint. Thanks to these inflation means common to the two pockets, it is ensured that the inflation pressure of the two pockets is identical, therefore that the support pressures of the inflatable splint on the right and left sides of the ankle are equal and symmetrical , which guarantees a tightening which is symmetrical and balanced.
• the uniqueness of the inflation valve, and its preferential position at the front of the splint make the inflation and deflation operations of the two pockets particularly easy and rapid.
• each of the two inflatable pockets has, at least in its upper half, an area comprising points and / or connecting lines between these two opposite walls, so as to limit in this area the degree of inflation of each pocket.
• there are provided in said zone welds, straight and substantially parallel, connecting the two opposite walls of the pocket.
• the thickness of the inflation air cushion can be limited, in a certain zone of each pocket and in particular in its upper half, by keeping its walls fairly close together, so as to locally limit the tightening above the ankle. , and thus avoid any undesirable "tourniquet" effect.
• each inflatable pocket of the splint comprises, in its lower half and on the interior side, a small auxiliary pocket, open at its upper part, and provided for the introduction of removable cushions, in particular in foam or gel.
• Such accessories thus placed in the malleolus regions, improve the patient's comfort and / or make it possible to reduce the hematoma (in the event of ligament rupture), in particular in the case of gel cushions which may be previously cooled.
• Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of an ankle splint according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a side view of the splint of Figure 1, placed on a dowel;
• Figure 3 shows, in front view, one of the two inflatable pockets of this ankle splint, with the inflation means
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bag and ⁇ inflation means, along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the same pocket, along the line VV of Figure 3, with indication of the removable foam and gel cushions that can be introduced.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 represent, as a whole, an ankle splint, generally designated by the reference 1.
• this splint 1 comprises two semi-rigid lateral shells 2 and 3, of molded synthetic material, which have an anatomical shape, allowing them to marry respectively the right and left sides of an ankle, in particular in the malleolus region, as well as the lower part of a user's leg.
• each strap 4 or 5 is fixed to one of the shells 2 or 3, by means of a rivet 6, and it is provided with a loop 7 at one of its ends.
• each strap 4 or 5, linked to a shell 2 or 3 comes to embrace the other shell, before being brought back into its own loop 7, and this strap 4 or 5 is finally tense and blocked.
• the connecting means between the two shells 2 and 3 also comprise, at the base of the splint 1, a stirrup 8 provided with two symmetrical tabs 9, facing upwards.
• Each tab 9 is engaged through openings 10 made towards the base of a shell 2 or 3, and it is fixed in lateral position against a short self-gripping strip 11 glued against the outside face of the same shell 2 and 3.
• each shell 2 or 3 On the inner side of each shell 2 or 3 is arranged an inflatable pocket, respectively 12 or 13.
• Each inflatable pocket 12 or 13, also shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, has a contour which corresponds approximately to that of a shell 2 or 3.
• This pocket 12 or 13, intended to be filled with pressurized air, results from two opposite walls 14 and 15, made of flexible synthetic material, welded to one another around their periphery 16.
• the outer wall 14 of each inflatable pocket 12 or 13 is permanently fixed, by gluing, against the inner face of the corresponding shell 2 or 3.
• the two inflatable pockets 12 and 13 are extended Pane and the other, in their upper part, by flexible inflation conduits, respectively 17 and 18, which converge in a "V" configuration towards a common inflation valve 19, as show it more particularly Figure 3 (in which the second symmetrical pocket is not shown) and Figure 4.
• the walls of the flexible inflation ducts 17 and 18 are formed directly by extensions of the two opposite walls 14 and 15 of the two pockets inflatable 12 and 13.
• the inflation valve 19 is itself extended by a tongue 20 forming a pass, capable of being crossed by one of the tightening straps of the splint 1, in particular the lower strap 5 - see also Figure 2 - which guarantees its retention in place.
• each inflatable pocket 12 or 13 is provided with a series of welds 21, parallel and equidistant, which extend in a substantially vertical direction, and which provide connections between the two walls 14 and 15 of this inflatable pocket 12 or 13, thereby locally limiting the spacing of the walls 14 and 15, even in the event of inflation of the bag 12 or 13 with a high air pressure.
• FIG. 3 shows the general arrangement of the welds 21, while FIGS. 4 and 5 make it possible to appreciate the maintenance at a short distance of the two walls 14 and 15, which results therefrom.
• each inflatable pocket 12 or 13 comprises, in its lower half, a small auxiliary pocket 22, resulting from a flexible wall welded on the inside of said inflatable pocket 12 or 13
• the auxiliary pocket 22, open at its upper part, is designed to receive at least one removable accessory, of corresponding outline, which can be a small comfort cushion 23 made of foam, and / or a small cushion filled with gel 24, in particular silicone gel.
• the two shells 2 and 3 provided with their respective inflatable pockets 12 and 13 are applied on either side of the ankle, while the caliper 8 (previously adjusted) passes under the heel.
• the two straps 4 and 5 surround the top of the ankle and the bottom of the leg, the mounting in the opposite direction or "crossed" of these two straps 4 and 5 ensuring optimal tightening.
• the two bags 12 and 13 are inflated simultaneously, by their common inflation valve 19, using an appropriate inflation accessory, in particular an inflation "bulb” (not shown).
• the general inflation pressure is thus balanced between the two pockets 12 and 13, and this pressure is adjustable.
• the support pressure can thus be very high at the ankle proper, and much less strong at the level of the initiation of the calf.
• the pockets 12 and 13 can be partially deflated by the user at any time, without the need to remove the splint 1. This operation is in particular possible during the day. , in case of increasing swelling of the ankle immobilized by the splint.
• the inflation valve 19 is unique and common to the two pockets 12 and 13, and located at the front of the splint, the inflation and deflation of these pockets 12 and 13 become particularly quick and easy operations.
• the placement of the cushions 23 and / or 24 in the auxiliary pockets 22 is optional. It improves comfort in the malleoli, and / or reduces hematomas, especially when using a cushion filled with gel 24.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32799567

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

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Family Cites Families (15)

• 2003
  • 2003-02-25 FR FR0302291A patent/FR2851458B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-02-18 WO PCT/FR2004/000368 patent/WO2004075794A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-02-18 EP EP04712079A patent/EP1596782A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-02-18 US US10/541,554 patent/US20060173393A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-02-18 CA CA002517028A patent/CA2517028A1/fr not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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