Total contact and offloading cast system

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 a clam-shell cast, a foot support defining an offloading hole, a cast underlayment (such as a compression sock, a padding sock, and / or additional padding), and / or a footplate. In some implementations, the described cast system is configured to support a patient's foot and leg, while offloading weight from a sore, ulcer, or other wound on the patient's foot. 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

[0011]While an anterior portion and a posterior portion of the cast can be attached to each other and a patient's appendage (e.g., lower leg) in any suitable manner (e.g., via one or more elastic bands, pieces of casting material, belts, cords, straps, ties, fasteners, pieces of tape, and / or any other suitable connector), in some embodiments, the cast comprises one or more straps and / or wings that are configured to extend from the anterior and / or the posterior portion of the cast and to overlap the opposite portion of the cast. While these wings and / or straps can perform any suitable function, in some instances, they connect various portions of the cast together, strengthen the cast, and / or help spread weight across a portion of an appendage (thereby offloading weight from a wound on the appendage).

[0012]With regard to the foot support, the foot support can comprise any suitable padding that allows a portion of the patient's weight to be offloaded from a wound on the sole (or another portion) of the patient's foot. In some implementations, the padding comprises at least two layers of padding, with each layer having a different durometer value. As a result, some such implementations are able to cushion a foot, while offloading pressure from a wound on the foot.

[0014]In some implementations, the foot support further comprises a toe guard that is configured to be disposed within the cast and to extend over a portion of one or more of a patient's toes. While the toe guard can comprise any suitable characteristic that allows it to function as described, in some cases, the toe guard comprises a portion having a box shape, a rounded shape, and / or another suitable shape that is resiliently (or rigidly) formed in the foot support to help protect a patient's 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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