FR2878409A1 - Dynamic support for animal's leg comprises inflatable sleeve in one or more lengthwise sections with fastening and retaining straps - Google Patents

Abstract

The support, designed to provide optimal healing conditions, consists of an inflatable supple tubular sleeve (1) e.g. of plastic, elastomer or rubber with a round, square or polygonal section, having a length appropriate to the fore or hind leg of an animal, held in place by a series of adjustable straps (3) and inflated through a valve (2). The sleeve can be made up of a series of small lengthwise sections, and is fitted to the animal's body by an adjustable strap (4) or other fastening that goes round the animal's abdomen or thorax, depending on which limb is being treated. The sleeve can be made in sizes suitable for small or large animals.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dynamic compression of the

  paw of an animal, to allow optimal healing of a sprain, a fracture, a ligamentoplasty (surgical reconstruction of a ligament), or any other deep or superficial wound of the paw requiring immobilization

temporary dynamic.

  The device is intended in particular to be used in pets: dogs, cats, and animals said: new pets (ie: ferrets, rodents, reptiles or birds), but it can also after adaptation of its size , be used in any domestic or wild animal species.

  Devices that already exist for the same purpose are often difficult to handle and pose, and hinder the free movement of the animal and care to give the underlying skin wound.In particular during complicated wound type fracture open or infected wound that first requires daily undoing the entire dressing, or even to simply check the good healing of a single underlying wound.

  In addition, during rain, these devices are significantly moistened by capillarity from the ground, which often causes phenomena of maceration of the underlying skin then making the bed of bacterial and / or fungal infections that delay or prevent Initially these devices generate significant costs each time it is necessary to change them (most often daily), and moreover their change takes a lot of time.

  The present device according to the invention overcomes all these inconveniences, while preserving the natural autonomy of the animal.

  It comprises in fact according to a first characteristic an inflatable tubular element which is placed all around the leg of the animal with several adjustable closure systems that allow up and down to adjust the circumference of the device to that of the leg to treat, in addition to the inflation.The contention of the leg thus fitted allows an optimal healing of it because the device can maintain it perfectly by adapting to the fairest in each case while being dynamic, it is to to preserve the natural autonomy of the animal which can thus continue to move, which contributes to a better recovery.

  In addition, the animal thus fitted is no longer likely to hurt itself if it knocks during its movements, because the shocks are damped by the inflatable element, and its rest position is much more comfortable with this device.

  Finally the device is easy and very quick to remove and reposition which makes all local care of the underlying skin wound much easier, especially for the veterinarian who can thus check as much as necessary the good healing This with much more speed and no additional costs for the animal's owner. According to particular embodiments: The general shape of the inflatable element and its section may vary or be adjustable depending on the characteristics of the animal for which it is intended.

  - The material in which the device is manufactured is particularly intended to be sufficiently flexible and inflatable (plastic, elastomer, or rubbers) but it can also be a solid material. As non-limiting examples this may be foam synthetic or a thick fabric and resistant to scratches and possible bites.

  - The device can, to marry with greater ease the shape of the leg of the animal, be designed as a succession of small inflated blood sausages arranged side by side vertically and separated by small non-inflated bands allowing their articulation around the leg The diameter of each of these vertical flanges can vary from top to bottom to better adapt to variations in the circumference of the leg according to the muscle masses encountered.

  - The closure system of the device can be adjustable to better adapt to the diameter of the tab at the clamping position, or to be able to follow any changes in it during the disease and its evolution (cast muscle or weight gain).

  - The device has a strap or any other system which while being integral with it) also around the abdomen or chest of the animal (according to the neat member) so that the assembly can not slip thus preventing the animal from removing the equipment itself.

  The drawing (FIG. 1) appended illustrates the invention: With reference to this figure, the device comprises an inflatable tubular main element (1) with an inflation valve (2), a plurality of adjustable closure elements distributed all along its length. height (3), and an adjustable strap (4) which while integral with the device can circumnavigate the abdomen or thorax of the animal according to the treated member (anterior or posterior).

  As a variant, it is also possible to design a device that will have a more rectangular or square general shape with a section that is itself square or rounded depending on the case.

  FIG. 2 represents a side view of a variant of this device in which the inflatable element consists of a succession of small inflated tubes placed vertically side-by-side (5).

  By way of non-limiting example, the device will have dimensions ranging from the size of a cat's paw or a dwarf dog (Chihuahua type), to that of a so-called giant breed dog (Saint Bernard type). ).

Claims (3)

  1) Device for dynamic compression of the leg of an animal, to allow optimal healing of all conditions requiring temporary immobilization, characterized in that it comprises a tubular element (1) of rounded, square or polygonal section which is placed all around the leg with a system of adjustable closures (3) preferably located laterally, which allows to better adjust the circumference of the device to adjust it to that of the leg of the animal to be treated, and in that tubular element (1) is flexible and inflatable by a valve (2).   2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular element is constituted by a succession of small inflated tubes (5) arranged side by side vertically.   3) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it has an adjustable strap (4) or any other system, which while being integral with it also runs around the abdomen or chest of the animal (according to the member treated) so that the assembly can not slip, thus preventing the animal from removing itself the apparatus.