US3209750A

US3209750A - Digit embracing surgical pads

Info

Publication number: US3209750A
Application number: US99866A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton R Levitt
Original assignee: Scholl Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Scholl Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1961-03-31
Filing date: 1961-03-31
Publication date: 1965-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-05
Also published as: SE308572B; GB998840A

Description

Get 5 W65 M. R. LEvlTT 3,209,750

DIGIT EMBRACING SURGICAL PADS Filed March 51,, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l I I ENTOR. ram .2 lV/l'i A ORNE Y Oct. 5, 1965 M. R. LEVITT DIGIT EMBRACING SURGICAL PADS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31. 1961 INVENTOR. mime 4467/77 ATTOR EYS United States Patent 3,209,750 DIGIT EMBRACING SURGICAL PADS Milton R. Levitt, New Brunswick, N.J., assignor to The Scholl Mfg. (20., Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 31, 1961, Ser. N0- 99,866 8 Claims. (Cl. 1Z8153) This invention relates to improvements in digit embracing surgical pads, and more particularly to pads having a digit loop by means of which the pad may be attached to a finger or toe for the purpose of protecting and relieving an aflliction from friction and pressure, the instant invention being highly desirable for use in connection with the alleviation of hammer toes and the corn usually associated therewith as well as otherwise contracted and deformed digital joints, although the invention will have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

'In the past, many and various types of digital embracing pads and the like have been developed but in most instances, either before or after application to the foot there was a scam in the structure joining portions of the digit loop means, and many times that seam was reinforced by the addition of extra material such as a thin layer of rubber or the like. Where the pad was preformed, the seam required an expensive operation in the manufacture of the pad, and in all cases the seam would be located usually opposite the pad body where it could least be tolerated by the user, and in any event the seam presents a weak spot in the structure. In the case of a hammer toe, contracted toe, or the like the involved joint is normally the widest part of the toe and is very frequently swollen while the joint is at the same time contracted. Consequently, the sulcus of the joint is least able to accommodate the toe embracing loop, and particularly so if a portion of the loop at the sulcus was stiffened by reinforcing or had a seam therein which would make it stiffer than the remaining portion of the pad structure. Likewise, such digital embracing pads heretofore were so made that the toe encircling band would pass directly over the enlarged or swollen joint at the sides thereof, and while the body of the pad would relieve friction and pressure from the top of the contracted joint and the corn usually accompanying the same, the band would add new and different pressure to the sides of the swollen joint and aggravate such condition. In addition, it might be mentioned that digit encircling surgical pads of the types heretofore made when placed around a digital joint would frequently slip or be accidentally brushed to one side of the joint, and if that joint were swollen it was virtually impossible for that pad to regain its proper position, causing perturbation and annoyance when the pad was used around a toe inside an article of footwear.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a digit embracing surgical pad embodying no seam construction which could contact any part of the digit, which eliminates the weak ness of a scam in the band portion of the device, and which may be economically manufactured.

Another important feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of a digit embracing surgical pad so constructed that when used with the body portion of the pad on the top of a digit joint the digit encircling band or means engage the digit in front of and behind the sides of the joint, whereby if that joint is swollen nothing extends directly over it and the pad actually relieves the sides of the joint itself from friction and pressure.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a surgical pad having digit loop means so arranged that 3,209,750 Patented Get. 5, 1965 when the pad is placed over a digital joint the loop means do not engage over the sides of that joint and the pad cannot slip forward or rearward away from the joint or accidentally be brushed to such position.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a surgical pad having digital embracing means providing a soft, seamless, non-irritating, and relatively narrow holding portion at the sulcus of a joint whereby the pad may be comfortably fitted over a hammer toe, contracted or deformed joint, or the like.

It is still a further desideratum of the instant invention to provide a surgical pad highly desirable for the alleviation of a hammer toe and the usually associated corn which pad is provided with toe encircling means and a cushioning extension leading forwardly from the toe encircling means at a point opposite the body of the pad to underlie and support the afllicted toe.

'An additional feature of this invention resides in the provision of a digit embracing surgical pad having a pair of superposed body portions secured. together in face to face relationship connected together by a plurality of digit embracing members thicker bet-ween said body parts and a region opposite said body parts.

It is a still further feature of the instant invention to provide a digit embracing surgical pad highly desirable for use in connection with afflicted joints, and which comprises a pair of body parts superposed and secured together in face to face relationship with an integral X-f-ormation joining the body parts and forming digit embracing means therewith, the web of the X-formation being disposed opposite the body parts.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics, and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan perspective view illustrating a surgical pad embodying principles of the instant invention in proper position upon a human foot to alleviate a hammer toe condition;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating the pad of FIGURE 1 in side elevation around the joint of a hammer toe;

FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged central vertical sectional view through the pad itself;

FIGURE 4 is an interior plan view of the open blank from which the pad is formed;

FIGURE 5 is an interior plan view of a blank for forming a pad of slightly different construction;

FIGURE 6 is an interior plan view of a blank for forming a pad having another variant construction;

FIGURE 7 is a similar View of a blank illustrating a further modified construction;

FIGURE 8 is a similar view of a blank for a pad having thickened arms or strap members in the X-formation except at the web of the X;

FIGURE 9 is a magnified vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line IX-IX of FIG- URE 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 10 is an interior plan view of a blank for a pad having an extension to underlie and support a hammer toe; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary magnified vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line XI-XI of FIGURE 10.

As shown on the drawings:

A relatively large number of variations: in the structure of the instant invention have been illustrated in the drawings, and it will be noted that other variations in structure might be incorporated, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, without departing from the principles of the instant invention. A digit embracing surgical pad of the character of the instant invention may be provided with like body parts and no apertures, like body parts with variant apertures, like body parts with like apertures, variant body parts with no apertures, variant body parts with like apertures, and variant body parts with variant apertures. Any desired one of these arrangements may be incorporated in any of the illustrated pads. Likewise, the curvate arms or straps of .the X-formation of FIGURE may be incorporated with any of the other pads having an X-formation and the same is true with the exceedingly narrow web of the X-formation seen in FIGURE 6. It is therefore to be understood that variations in structure may be coupled as may be desired or deemed necessary with any of the illustrated pad structures.

Preferably the instant invention comprises a pad formed from a single integral blank that can readily be stamped out of a sheet of stock material. While the pad may be constructed of many and various materials, a stretchable and elastic laminated material has been found highly satisfactory. For example, to provide the desired cushioning effect and provide the pad with a soft and yielding feel a layer of foam material might be utilized on the side contacting the flesh. This layer of foam cushioning material may be foam latex, or a plastic foam such as polyurethane foam or polyvinyl chloride foam. The foam layer is preferably covered by a much thinner layer or film of stretchable and elastic material such for example as the thin rubber sheeting commonly used for dental dams. These materials are laminated together in any suitable or desired manner, by adhesive, vulcanization, etc. The resultant material is both stretchable and elastic so that the digit loop will intimately and positively embrace a digit, without discomfort to the user. For convenience, all of the variations in the pad construction illustrated have been shown as made of the same material comprising a foam cushioning layer 1 and a thin stretchable cover layer 2, as seen in FIGURE 3.

The pad seen in FIGURE 3 is made from the blank shown in FIGURE 4, and comprises a pair of like body parts 3 and 4 having affliction receiving openings 5 and 6 respectively, the opening 6 being shown larger than the opening 5 in this instance, although the size of the aperturees may be varied as desired. The body parts 3 and 4 are connected by an X-formation comprising a pair of arms or straps 7 and 8 converging from relatively widely separated points on the body 3, and similar arms 9 and 10 on the body 4, such arms being joined at the Web 11 of the X-formation. When the blank is folded to bring the body parts 3 and 4 in superposed relationship, these body parts are secured together in any suitable manner such as by a light stretchable adhesive. In this instance, the body 4 is next the flesh of the user with the wider affliction receiving aperture 6 adjacent the afiiiction, and the smaller aperture 5 outermost where the aflliction would naturally be of smaller size. The web 1 1 of the X-formation is disposed opposite to the superposed body arts. p By way of example the pad just above desrcibed is shown associated in proper position with a hammer toe, in FIGURES l and 2. In placing the pad upon the foot, it is stretched over a hammer toe 12 having a contracted or deformed joint between the proximal and medial phalanges. Usually there will be a corn on top of that joint and when the pad is placed in position, the corn is received in the afiiict-ion receiving openings 5 and 6 with the longer portion of the body extending ahead of or behind the corn, as the case may be, in position to receive the greatest amount of pressure from a shoe, remove that pressure from the afflicted joint and aid in straightening the toe. Now it will be noted that between the arms or straps 9 and 10 there is a relatively wide opening 13 through which the side of the joint projects. The opposite side of the joint projects between the arms or straps 7 and 8 on the other side of the pad. The web 11 of the X-formation is received in the sulcus of the joint. The

elasticity of the pad causes it to gently but firmly seat over the joint and embrace the toe ahead of and behind the joint.

During the wearing of the pad the same condition prevails on both sides of the joint. Such a joint is usually swollen, and in this instance the side 14 of the swollen joint projects into the opening 13 between the arms 9 and 10 of the pad. There is no danger of the pad slipping from proper position because the arm 9 is in front of the joint and the arm 10 behind the joint. Further, there is nothing passing over the sides of the joint to add presture thereto, and the arms 9 and 1t relieve the swollen joint from lateral friction and pressure, while the relatively narrow web of the X-formation is comfortably received in the sulcus. It will be especially noted that there is no seam in the structure or no variance in stiffness in that portion of the pad directly in contact with the body. If the junction between the superposed body parts is considered a seam, it cannot come in contact with the digit of the user because only comfortable feeling foam material contacts the flesh, and this material is soft and yielding so that the terminal edge of the body part 4 causes no discomfort. Furthermore, the pad may be readily removed and accurately replaced when desired, laundered at will, and is highly durable and long lasting.

It will be understood that the blanks illustrated in FIGURES 5 to 11 inclusive are folded so that the body parts are in superposed engagement and form a pad of the general character above described, in each instance.

In FIGURE 5 I have illustrated a pad having variant body parts 15 and 16 with variant aflliction receiving apertures 17 and 18, respectively, therein. In this instance the X-formation joining the body parts embodies arms 19 that are curvate and outwardly convex, and the web of the X-formation is narrow and elongated as seen at 20. This form of pad provides larger openings between the arms through which the sides of a swollen joint may project and the web 20 comfortably seats in the sulcus of a deformed joint.

In FIGURE 6 I have illustrated a pad highly desirable for use with an extremely contracted joint. In this instance the pad comprises like body parts 21 and 22 and like aflliction receiving openings 23 and 24 respectively therein. These body parts are joined by an X-formation of the character above described, with the exception that the web 25 is made additionally narrow so as to be of less width than any of the arms of the X-formation so as to seat comfortably in a deep and tight sulcus.

In FIGURE 7 I have illustrated a form of pad that might be used with a contracted or deformed joint in which the sulcus is so deep and tight that it cannot comfortably receive any portion of the pad structure. This pad embodies like body parts 26 and 27, by way of illustration, with like affliction receiving openings 28 and 29 respectively therein. The body parts are joined by a pair of straight straps 30 and 31 spaced well apart so that one strap will embrace the digit well in front of the joint and the other strap embrace the digit well behind the joint. The joint, swollen or otherwise will be relieved of friction and pressure by the spaced arms at the sides thereof, the affliction on top of the joint well protected by the pad body parts in superposed condition, and there will be no opportunity for the pad to slip out of proper position.

In FIGURE 8 I have illustrated a form of pad that might well be utilized in the case of a severely swollen joint. In this instance, by way of example only, I have illustrated a pad having variant body portions 32 and 33 with variant afiliction receiving openings 34 and 35 respectively therein. The body parts are connected by an X-formation embodying arms 36 converging to a web 37. In this instance, however, the arms 36 are thicker from each body portion to the web, while the web itself between the dotted lines 38 of FIGURE 8 is much thinner or of the original thickness of the material. One way of thickening the arms, as seen in FIGURE 9, is to add an additional layer 39 of the material to the outside of the arms. This may be secured to each arm by a suitable stretchable cement or in any other desired manner. In the resultant pad, the four arms 36 will therefore be of substantially the same thickness as the superposed body parts together. Thus, the arms being disposed upon each side of a swollen joint will adequately protect the sides of that joint from friction and pressure even though the joint be in a severely swollen condition. The web being much thinner than the arms will better fit in the sulcus of the joint.

In FIGURE a form of pad is disclosed having means to underlie an afiiicted digit such as a hammer toe and lend cushioning support to the forward portion of the toe directed toward ultimately straightening the toe. In this instance the pad comprises like body portions 40 and 41 with like apertures 42 and 43 therein, the body parts being connected together by an X-formation generally indicated by numeral 44, all in the manner above de-' scribed. This pad embodies a forward projection 45 extending from the web of the X-formation. Preferably this projection gradually widens in a forward direction terminating in an end portion which may be cupped as indicated at 46 in the magnified showing of FIGURE 11. The distal end of the hammer toe may then seat in this cupped formation and there will be some cushioning support beneath the hammer toe throughout that portion thereof in front of the deformed joint.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a comfortably fitting and highly effective digital embracing surgical pad containing no seams or reinforcements to contact the flesh of the user, which will effectively remain in position against accidental dislodgement from its proper location, which may readily be modified to fit afflictions of different character, cost of manufacture in any but the most negligible amount, and which in any form may be economically manufactured, is long lived, and may be removed and replaced as well as laundered at will.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A digit embracing surgical pad comprising a pair of superposed body parts secured together, and an X formation between and connecting said body parts and forming a digit loop with the web of the X formation opposite said body parts to fit the sulcus of a joint.

2. A digit embracing surgical pad comprising a pair of superposed body parts secured together, and an X formation connecting said body parts and forming a digit loop, the arms of said X formation being arcuate with the convex side of the arc outward.

3. A digit embracing surgical pad comprising a pair of superposed body parts secured together, and a pair of spaced straps connecting said body parts by extending from one body part to the other and forming loop means to encircle a digit, said straps being joined together opposite said superposed body parts.

4. A digit embracing surgical pad comprising a pair of superposed body parts secured together, and an X formation connecting said body parts by extending from one body part to the other and forming a digit loop, the web of said X formation being narrower than the arms thereby joined and disposed opposite said body parts to better fit the sulcus of a joint.

5. A digit embracing surgical pad comprising a pair of superposed body parts secured together, and an X formation connecting said body parts and forming a digit loop, the arms of said X formation being thicker than the web of formation to better relieve a swollen joint therebetween from pressure.

6. A hammer toe corrective pad, comprising a pair of body parts superposed and secured together in face to face relationship, an X-formation integral with and joining said body parts to form toe encircling means with the web of said X-formation underlying the sulcus of a hammer toe, and a forward projection leading from the web of the X-formation to underlie the hammer toe.

7. A hammer toe corrective pad, comprising a pair of body parts superposed and secured together in face to face relationship, an X-formation integral with and joining said body parts to form toe encircling means with the web of said X-forrnation underlying the sulcus of a hammer toe, and a forward projection integral with said formation and leading from the web thereof, said projection gradually increasing in width outwardly and terminating in a cupped portion to receive the distal end of the hammer toe.

8. A digit encircling surgical pad comprising a pair of superposed body parts secured together, and an X formation having the arm ends at one end joined to the side of one body part at spaced points thereof and the arm ends at the other end similarly joined to the other body part thereby forming a digit loop, the intersection of the arms of said formation being at a part of the loop opposite said body parts to fit in the sulcus of a joint.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 872,394 12/07 Weakley 128-153 895,145 8/08 Bauer l28153 1,092,836 4/14 Hart. 1,898,092 2/33 McCormick 128166.5 2,054,768 9/36 Gale. 2,599,523 6/52 Dorr l28153 2,888,013 5/59 Levitt 128-153 2,923,292 2/60 Dorr 128-l53 FOREIGN PATENTS 622,567 11/35 Germany.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner.