US3672364A

US3672364A - Orthopedic tension unit

Info

Publication number: US3672364A
Application number: US110722A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip A Rankin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-28
Filing date: 1971-01-28
Publication date: 1972-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-27

Abstract

This can be succinctly defined as an anatomical, compressible weight immobilizer, comprising orthopedic strap tension weights which are adapted to immobilize a portion of an injured patient''s anatomy against disposition or dislocation, while the patient is reclining. To the portable orthopedic strap tension weighted components is secured a cervical chin strap supplement, in one embodiment. The unit with attachments is applicable to a stretcher or hospital bed or operating table and may be used alternately in the transport of the patient or in the retention of the patient in position for examination, operation or ambulatory movement.

Description

United States Patent Rankin 51 June 27, 1972 ORTHOPEDIC TENSION UNIT Philip A. Rankin, 903 E. Holaway Drive, Tucson, Ariz. 85718 22 Filed: Jan. 28, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 110,722

[ 72] Inventor:

[52] U.S.Cl ..128/134, 5/317, 128/83,

250/50, 269/322 [51] Int. Cl. ..A61f 13/00 [58] Field 01 Search ..128/134, 133, 83, 69, 70, 87,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,688,382 10/1928 Ghrist 128/133 X 3,535,718 10/1970 Murcott.... ..128/133 X 3,521,625 7/1970 Mackey ..128/133 4/1969 Sprecher 128/133 3,215,834 11/1965 Tayman ..250/54 3,512,189 5/1970 Swanson ..128/134 X Primary Examiner-William E. Kamm Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney-J. Gibson Semmes [5 7] ABSTRACT This can be succinctly defined as an anatomical, compressible weight immobilizer, comprising orthopedic strap tension weights which are adapted to immobilize a portion of an injured patients anatomy against disposition or dislocation, while the patient is reclining. To the portable orthopedic strap tension weighted components is secured a cervical chin strap supplement, in one embodiment. The unit with attachments is applicable to a stretcher or hospital bed or operating table and may be used alternately in the transport of the patient or in the retention of the patient in position for examination, operation or ambulatory movement.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATEHTEDJUW 1972 SHEET 10F 2 1 INVENTOR PHILLIP A RANKIN n] 9125500 fizz/nav ATTORN EY PATENTEDJUHZY I872 SHEET 2 OF 2 "WI-INTO]! PHILLIP A. RANKIN f igsonfimes- ATTORNEY 1 ORTIIOIEDIC TENSION UNIT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. '1 isa plan view of invention, showing adaptability thereof to ambulance stretcher or the like;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of invention less the cervical chin strap;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the removable chin strap, referred to and shown in FIG. 1;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS dimension. The adaptability of the system will be apparent to.

those in the medical profession, the utility thereof being to immobilize anylimb or portion of the patients anatomy. The unit is also useful, together with various splints such asthe novelair splint currently in use. One of the principle features of the invention resides in its adaptability to the natural curve of the spine or neck of the patient,or-as in the case of the legs,

to the'raised portion thereof immediately .in rear of the knee or otherportion of the anatomy such as the ankle. Multiple units may be used on a single patient at any giventime, dependingupon'his injuries.

Referring further to FIG. I, the respective straps ll0110' are secured as at 112 to the respective tab aprons 122 and 122' of the sand bag immobilizing elements 120-420. The straps are fixed to each apron at one end and free at another. They are preferably made of a stretc'hable resilient substance. Aprons 122-122 are apertured as at 126 and 126' to accommodate the free ends of respective straps 110 and 110' for sliding movement therein. A reinforcement of the aperture 126-126 on its edges will insure long life. Noteworthy is the factthat aprons l22122 arc coplanar with the base of the respective sand bags, each being offset from a center line drawn through the respective sand bags sufficiently to spatially receive the straps forv movement thereof in opposite directions as will be obvious from the application of tension to said straps, which are thereafter secured by tying or otherwise to the stretcher or other patient supporting unit. By offset disposition, of strap to aperture, the complemental straps stabilize the respective sand bags in adjustment from no contact to tension contact with the patient.

The adaptability to either hospital bed, ambulance cot, stretcher or X-ray or other examination table will be obvious, the unit being adapted to tying, following tensioning to available anchor points, at sides thereof. The cervical head-engaging or chin strap 130 comprises corresponding strap 132-132, fixed to ends of the chin strap, the same includingat the free end of the respective securing straps the snaps l34- 134', corresponding to the extensions 124-124 having snap receiving anchors adjustably related thereto. Relocation of the cervical strap to the top of the head is within the scope ofinvention.

ln utilization, the reclining patient receives the application of the strap tension unit by placing the respective straps beneath the naturallyraised portion of the spine. If necessary one disassembles the unit initially for the purpose and reassembles, without disturbing the patient precedent to applying contact tension. As the tension is applied by drawing the opposite straps to the side, pulling the respective weighted tension units together, the contacted area between the compressed bags becomes immobilized, immediately following fixation of the respective straps to the opposite sides of the supporting bed, cot or table. The rectangular configuration of each bag unit is important to insure the partial deformation thereof without loss of vice-like pressure being sustained, irrespective of the adaptability of the cervical chin strap thereto; although it will be obvious that upon adapting the chin strap, a rigidity may be achieved which would otherwise not be possible. Moreover, the application of multiple chin straps or retaining elements may be possible through the utility of corresponding anchors, as indicated.

One modification of invention would include zipper or lacing at the top of the respective orthopedic strap tension unit bags to permit shipment without sealing the sand, shot or other dense granular filling. Obviously, unless the tension unit comprises a weighted granular substance, the effect desired would not be achievable. Selected size, depth and weight of the bags is dependent upon the intended utility as for infants, children, adults or variant portions of anatomy thereof. Moreover, in the design of the apron which is coplanar with the bottom of the respective strap tension unit sandbags, the particular offsetting of the respective strap securing and 0pposed aperture receiving elements insures the application of equalized tension to the respective elements on opposed portions of the'patients anatomy. As indicated, the interior of the cervical chin strap is preferably made of a softened substance to avoid abrasion.

Whereas the most obvious utility of the invention is in immobilization of the cervical spine and skull, it will be apparent that it may be applied to other body extremities, as, for example, one leg in fracture or both legs together, or for hip or upper leg immobilization or for arm fractures. Shoulder im mobilization may be achieved through the application of the device to opposite sides of the body of the patient at the general locus required.

While only two straps are shown, multiple opposed sliding straps may be employed to achieve even greater stability of the weights in adjustment and final setting thereof.

I claim:

1. Anatomical compressible immobilizer for temporarily setting injured portions of anatomy resting upon a support against displacement and dislocation relative to the support comprising:

A. plural opposed weighted bags, said bags being com- B. at least one strap attached at one end to the base of each said bag, each said bag having at its base means providing a sliding guide connection with the opposite strap, whereby, upon placing the respective bags adjacent the portion of the anatomy to be set, and upon extensibly tensioning and tying the respective straps to a support into compression anatomy contact, the anatomy may be set.

2. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, wherein the bags are of rectangular cross section in at least one dimension.

3. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 2, wherein the bags are of rectangular cross section in both lateral and longitudinal dimension.

4. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, the respective straps being resilient and having stretch characteristic.

5. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, each said bag having at least one anchor to set a cervical head engaging strap; a cervical head engaging strap removably attached to the anchor of respective bags, following compression contact thereof with the patients head.

6. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 5, wherein the bags are of rectangular cross section in at least one dimension.

7. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 5, in which each said bag includes at least one anchor at each end thereof for selective disposition of the cervical head engaging strap to either chin or the top of the patients head alternatively and together, as in the case of plural cervical head engaging straps being attached thereto.

8. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim I, wherein the respective bags define an apron, said apron being 10. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 8 wherein each said bag has at least one anchor to set a cervical head-engaging strap; said cervical head-engaging strap removably attached to the respective bags, following compression contact thereof with the patients head.

Claims

1. Anatomical compressible immobilizer for temporarily setting injured portions of anatomy resting upon a support against displacement and dislocation relative to the support comprising: A. plural opposed weighted bags, said bags being compressibly fluid filled; B. at least one strap attached at one end to the base of each said bag, each said bag having at its base means providing a sliding guide connection with the opposite strap, whereby, upon placing the respective bags adjacent the portion of the anatomy to be set, and upon extensibly tensioning and tying the respective straps to a support into comprEssion anatomy contact, the anatomy may be set.

5. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, each said bag having at least one anchor to set a cervical head engaging strap; a cervical head engaging strap removably attached to the anchor of respective bags, following compression contact thereof with the patient''s head.

7. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 5, in which each said bag includes at least one anchor at each end thereof for selective disposition of the cervical head engaging strap to either chin or the top of the patient''s head alternatively and together, as in the case of plural cervical head engaging straps being attached thereto.

8. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 1, wherein the respective bags define an apron, said apron being substantially coplanar with the base of each said bag, each said apron fixing one end of a strap, offset from a transverse center-line of the bag, and providing adjacent thereto an offset aperture guide for the opposite said strap.

9. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 8, wherein the bags are of rectangular cross section in at least one dimension.

10. The anatomical compressible immobilizer of claim 8 wherein each said bag has at least one anchor to set a cervical head-engaging strap; said cervical head-engaging strap removably attached to the respective bags, following compression contact thereof with the patient''s head.