Systems and methods for providing a total contact and offloading cast

Abstract

The present invention relates to orthopedic casts. In particular, some implementations relate to one or more components of a total contact cast system that can be used in the treatment of an appendage, such as a leg or foot. While the cast system can comprise any suitable component, in some cases, it includes an elongated piece of hardenable casting material. In some such cases, the casting material includes a first length of casting material that is configured to extend over a patient's calf, a second length of casting material that is configured to wrap around a portion of the patient's foot, and a third length of the casting material that is configured to extend up a shin of the patient's leg. In some cases, one or more wings or straps extend between the first and third lengths of the elongated piece of hardenable casting material. Other implementations are also described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 845,921 (Attorney Docket No. 21907.2), filed Jul. 12, 2013, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE,” and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 978,891 (Attorney Docket No. 21907.3), filed Apr. 13, 2014, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A TOTAL CONTACT AND OFFLOADING CAST;” the entire disclosures of which are both hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to orthopedic casts. In particular, some implementations of the present invention relate to one or more components of a total contact cast system that can be used in the treatment of an appendage, such as a leg or foot. Indeed, in some implementations, the described cast system is configured to support a patient's foot and leg, while offloading weigh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a cast for supporting a patient's foot. The cast has straps and wings that connect different parts of the cast together, strengthen it, and distribute the weight across the foot. The foot support is made of layers of padding with different durometers, which cushions the foot and offloads pressure from the wound. It also has a toe guard to protect the patient's toes. The technical effects of this patent are improved comfort, weight distribution, and protection for the patient's foot and toes.

Problems solved by technology

People across the world suffer from ulcerations and injuries to one or both of their feet.

For instance, as many people suffering from diabetes also suffer from poor blood flow in their appendages, such people can be at a relatively high risk of developing sores, wounds, or ulcers on their feet—especially on the soles of their feet.

Such sores, ulcers, and other wounds can dramatically affect an individual's life, limiting the individual's ability to walk, work, and play, and costing the individual (or others) relatively large amounts of money and time spent in, and for, recovery.

Additionally, in some extreme cases, such sores, ulcers, and wounds can lead to amputation, which can dramatically increase healthcare costs, and otherwise complicate life.

However, as many individuals (including diabetics) suffer from neuropathy (or nerve damage in one or more appendages), many such individuals often cannot feel the pain that is normally associated with foot sores, ulcerations and / or wounds.

As a result, some such individuals may not be highly motivated by pain to reduce pressure applied to a damaged portion of the foot, which may ultimately lead to tissue breakdown, ulceration, and other damage.

Accordingly, some such individuals may continue to place detrimental amounts of weight on their foot and / or a wound thereon—thus causing the wound to further deteriorate, and thus, increasing the chances of infection and other comorbidities.

While some such devices have been useful in the treatment of such wounds, such devices are not necessarily without their shortcomings.

Indeed, some conventional devices for treating foot wounds are relatively: hard to put on, hard to take off, uncomfortable, non-breathable, ineffective at offloading weight from wounds in abnormal locations, hard to use with other apparatus (e.g., negative pressure wound therapy), and / or are otherwise difficult to use or ineffective at treating these wounds.

Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used to treat foot wounds, ulcerations, and sores, challenges still exist, including those mentioned above.

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