Support device for leg support

Abstract

Support device (1) for the medical or physiotherapeutic treatment of extremities, comprising a carrier (2) with a base body (3), wherein the carrier (2) is formed integrally with the base body (3) or the carrier (2) is designed to be connectable to the base body (3) and at least parts of the carrier (2) form a standing base (4) for the support device (5), characterized in that the base body (3) has a support surface (5) for the leg and / or lower leg, wherein the base body (3) has a support surface (5) which is inclined at one end in the transverse direction and the central region (6) of the base body (3) is designed to rise in the caudal direction and to be trough-shaped.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support device for the medical or physiotherapeutic treatment of extremities, comprising a carrier with a base body, wherein the carrier is designed as one piece with the base body or the carrier is designed to be connectable to the base body and at least parts of the carrier form a base for the support device.

[0002] Positioning aids for extremities are used in operative orthopedics or surgery, for example to keep a patient's leg stretched out or fully or partially bent as needed during knee surgery.

[0003] For this purpose, positioning aids are temporarily attached to a surface, such as an operating table. These attachments are usually secured using straps with quick-release fasteners (e.g., Velcro). Such positioning aids are often combined with a separate lateral support, particularly in the case of leg positioning aids for a patient's thigh and / or lower leg. Barrel-shaped support elements can be arranged next to the patient's lower leg. The support elements have different heights and can be arranged parallel to one another at a distance across a longitudinal extension, so that the height of the support elements varies from a lowest support element to a highest support element.

[0004] The problem, however, is that a support device that is used in situations with less complex preparation, especially for legs and lower legs, does not have a suitable support surface with a flat, stabilizing area, so that tipping of an extremity, be it an arm or a leg, during treatment cannot be prevented.

[0005] Some devices are already known from the state of the art which ensure the stabilisation of at least a partial area of an extremity on a support surface during medical treatment.

[0006] For example, WO 2020229812 A1 discloses a cushion for the front of the foot, in which a cushion can be placed around the foot in the dorsal position during sleep. The cushion is configured to stabilize the ankle and guide the foot into dorsiflexion, while the front of the foot and ankle face the sleeping surface.

[0007] DE 10 2023 105 491 A1 also describes a leg positioning aid in orthopedic surgery. It is used to position a patient's leg, for example, during knee surgery, in an extended or fully or partially bent position as needed. For this purpose, the leg positioning aid is temporarily attached to an operating table or a leg support of an operating table. This attachment is usually achieved using straps with a quick-release fastener (e.g., Velcro).

[0008] Furthermore, DE 195 33 613 A1 discloses a device for elevating the lower legs. The leg support, preferably designed as a double unit, has four support surfaces that taper towards the end and do not rise in a transverse plane.

[0009] US2014 / 0059772 A1 describes a method that generally relates to arm support devices for use in medicine, in particular to an arm support cushion that positions and supports a patient's arm in an orientation suitable for radial vascular access.

[0010] US 9084704 B2 shows a device and a method for assisting a patient when medically assisted access to wounds on the patient's external body is required.

[0011] WO 2003 / 071994 A2 describes a device for variable arm or shoulder positioning. This device can be used in particular for the conservative or postoperative treatment of various shoulder injuries.

[0012] EP 2946 760 A1 discloses a bearing element consisting of a shaping base element with a surface, side surfaces, a top side, and a bottom side, and a covering element with an inner surface and an outer surface. The covering element covers at least part of the surface of the base element and is made of a thermoplastic material.

[0013] DE 20 2013 010 140 U1 describes a dynamic, ergonomic, medical leg cushion for relaxation of the musculoskeletal system through alternating, dynamic flexion and semi-flexion positions, which, however, does not ensure transverse support of the limb.

[0014] DE 20 2020 004 742 U1 describes a hand or arm rest for nail salon equipment. These are designed as compact cushions or pads with a flat or slightly rounded support surface. The arm rests support the hand and / or forearm of the client being treated for the entire duration of the treatment.

[0015] DE 20 2005 005 492 U1 shows a leg support splint comprising a base body with an elongated recess for accommodating a leg. The base body, in turn, has a base surface for placing the base body on a support. The base surface can, for example, be formed on the side of the base body facing away from the elongated recess.

[0016] DE 195 34 354 C1 shows a leg rest designed as a double unit with four support surfaces tapered towards one end. These are of varying widths, resulting in different support heights and thus also knee joint angles, which can be adjusted to a narrower or wider support surface depending on the setup.

[0017] DE 299 07 131 U1 describes a footrest for foot treatment with a stand and a support part attached to this for the leg area near the foot or forefoot.

[0018] DE 20 2009 008 885 U1 describes a positioning cushion for radiotherapy, which is particularly suitable for patients with a pronounced hunchback.

[0019] Furthermore, DE 20002035 U1 describes a medical lower leg cuff as a positioning aid for heel relief. The cuff features a foam cuff adapted to the anatomical shape of the calf, preventing the heel from touching the surface while lying down.

[0020] However, state-of-the-art support aids do not prevent a limb from bending (tilting) to the side because the limb is not stabilized laterally. If the limb has to be stabilized using muscle power from the patient or the animal itself, cramps are more likely to occur and treatment must be interrupted. Therefore, lateral stabilization of the supported limb is important. Soft support aids tend to buckle under the weight of a heavy limb. Therefore, their soft nature means they do not stabilize the limb, or only slightly. Hard positioning aids, on the other hand, lack the option of stabilizing the limb by inclining it or of providing pain-free positioning by widening the support surface. This does not provide pressure relief for the supporting or surrounding tissue.

[0021] The object of the invention is to ensure stable and elevated support of an extremity on a medical device, allowing the extremity to be held in position on a support surface without effort and pain, and preventing the extremity from tipping over or tipping off the support surface, even under heavy weight. The device should have a large contact surface so that pressure on the overlying and / or adjacent tissue of the extremity is minimized. It can also be made of a rigid material and thus withstand high weight.

[0022] The object of the invention is solved by the features of the underlying claim 1.

[0023] According to the invention, the base body has a support surface for extremities, wherein the base body with the support surface is inclined in the transverse direction at one end relative to the base body with the support surface at the other end and the central region of the support surface is trough-shaped in the caudal direction.

[0024] The features of the subject matter of the invention are defined and explained below: A support is understood to be an individual element or a partial element of the support device, which can function as a base or foot for the support device and comprises a base body with a support surface for an extremity. The support can be connected to the base body with a support surface as an individual element or can be designed as a partial element of the support device, i.e., as a single element with the base body with a support surface.

[0025] The base body, as an individual or partial element of the support device, comprises a support surface on which an extremity can be placed. As an individual element, the base body with the support surface should be connectable to the support, or it should also be able to be designed as a partial element of the support device, i.e., as a single piece with the support.

[0026] In this case, an individual element of the support device means that individual pieces form the support device and the support device can be assembled from several individual elements. An individual element should therefore be connectable to another individual element or be put together or connected and, when connected or assembled, act together as a support device. In this case, the support and base body with support surface can comprise two independent individual elements which can be connected before use as a support device, i.e. can be connected or put together before use. The connection of the individual elements can be made as a plug-in, screw-on, clamp-on or locking connection, for example via hole bolts, tongue and groove connection, dovetail connection or Velcro fastener. Partial element in this case means that the support and base body with support surface form a unit and are therefore partial elements of a body, namely the support device.

[0027] Both the individual elements and the sub-elements can be viewed as sections or segments of the support device. However, individual elements can be described as a variable application element in their function, since the base body can be mechanically detachably connected to the support. If the sections are detachable, i.e., interchangeable, the support and base body with support surface can have different designs, i.e., different supports and / or different base bodies can be combined with one another. For example, with a very wide and heavy extremity, it may be advisable to choose a wide support that can be placed securely on a surface.If the inclination of the base body with the support surface needs to be adjusted during a subsequent treatment, for example because the inclination needs to be more slanted or flatter, only the base body with the support surface can be replaced, leaving the support as the base for the new treatment. This approach can apply to all sections of the support device—i.e., the design of the support, the inclined base body with support surface and its trough-shaped design, the material of the base body, or the shape and depth of the trough. Sections can be replaced as needed for a specific application and adapted for a corresponding treatment.

[0028] A "one-piece" design of the support device is to be understood as an object that is solid at least in essential partial areas or also a hollow shape formed in partial areas, which is manufactured from one piece or in which the carrier and the base body form a unit with the support surface. Hollow shape means that the carrier and the base body with the support surface can be designed, at least in part, as a honeycomb-like, porous structure or as a hollow body, for example as a hollow cylinder. Since the production of the subject matter of the invention is to take place using 3D printing, injection molding, sawing from a block or by means of machining processes such as milling or deep-drawing, one can say in other words that in the present case the feature "one-piece" characterizes an object or a shape that is manufactured from a single casting, i.e.that the support and the base body with the support surface form a coherent unit.

[0029] However, parts of the support serve as the base or foot in both the one-piece and the assembled version of the support device. Partial areas of the base or foot are referred to as such in this case because the entire area of the base or foot does not have to serve as a support for the surface. It is therefore also possible for only the edges of the base to rest on the surface. Especially with the alternative embodiment of the base with a honeycomb-like, porous or hollow cylindrical structure of the support device or support, the base does not have to rest completely on the surface. It is also possible for additional support elements to be arranged in the area of the base, which at least partially ensure the stability of the base or foot and enable stable resting on a surface.

[0030] To better illustrate the arrangement and orientation of the segments or sections of the support device, it is specified here that the support device is cut by a frontal, transverse, and sagittal plane, but the arrangement and orientation of the segments or sections of the support device refers to the frontal plane as the reference plane. According to the previous definition, the frontal plane of the support device is the area facing the observer, i.e., the sole of the foot or the fingertips, or vice versa, the knee or elbow, form the vertical end regions of the extremity in the frontal plane.

[0031] Thus, regardless of whether it interacts with the base body as an individual element or as a partial element, the support acts as the base of the support device. The base has a plantar position and is the area of the support device facing the ground or the floor. Opposite or diametrically opposite it is the support surface of the base body, on which an extremity can be supported directly or indirectly in the dorsal direction.

[0032] Indirect support means that the base body with the support surface can have a cover or coating as an individual element or partial element, i.e. the extremity resting on the support surface can be arranged at a distance from the base body or the support device. A cover or coating can be necessary in particular to enable disinfection of the support device or the base body, so that the cover or coating prevents the support surface from coming into contact with microorganisms, or minimises it. It is therefore conceivable to cover the base body with the support surface or even the entire support device with a cover made of, for example, sterile fabric, sterile paper or latex, or to provide it with a coating made of, for example, TPE, epoxy resin or clear varnish in order to comply with hygiene regulations that apply in medical, physiotherapeutic or veterinary medicine.However, it is also possible to leave the support device with the base body and support surface without a cover or to design and use it without a coating, meaning that the extremity can also be positioned directly on the support surface. Whether a cover or coating is necessary depends on the specific application.

[0033] The base body with the entire contact surface or parts of the contact surface can comprise pressure-absorbing and / or elastomer-like material, where elastomer-like material is understood to mean, for example, thermosets or silicone rubber. Pressure-absorbing materials can include, for example, compresses or a bandage or gauze or a cushion. The above pressure-absorbing and / or elastomer-like materials are not exhaustive, but are given only as examples. All substances or compounds that have sufficiently stable, i.e. cushion-like properties, that do not deform excessively when weight is applied, but can still ensure flexible or elastic stabilization of an extremity can be used as pressure-absorbing and / or elastomer-like materials.

[0034] The term "at one end or the other end of the support device or the base body with support surface" refers to a lateral region that is arranged or located to the left or right of the frontal plane, if no other reference dimension or plane (be it the transverse or sagittal plane) is specified. It is noted that this application explicitly states in one sentence if, when considering an individual or partial element, a segment, or a section of the support device, or even the entire support device, a reference plane other than the frontal plane is involved. Therefore, unless otherwise explained, the frontal plane forms the relevant reference plane in the following considerations.

[0035] The integrally designed support device or the base body designed to be connectable to the carrier has, at least in some areas, an inclination starting from one end (one end) of the support device or the base body relative to parts of the other end (other end) of the support device or the base body. Laterally, the support device or the base body therefore has a different height on one side than on the other side, at least in some areas, i.e., the support surface has an incline from left to right or from right to left, at least in some areas.

[0036] The inclined support surface has a trough-shaped recess in the central area. In this context, "trough-shaped" means that there is a depression in the area of the support surface that includes a dip in the inclined part of the support surface. The trough-shaped design serves to stabilize or secure the extremity on the inclined support surface without the need to fixate the extremity or forcefully hold it in place by the patient.

[0037] The trough prevents the extremity from tipping sideways after resting on the support surface, as the incline of the support surface allows the extremity to lean laterally against the side wall of the trough-shaped area. Since the depression opens at one end into the area of the base body with the support surface, which is lower than the area of the trough at the other end, the extremity can slide into the trough-shaped area at one end and lean or nestle laterally against the higher side wall of the trough area, which borders the area of the base body with the support surface, which is higher at the other end.

[0038] The trough-shaped area or depression extends, at least in some areas, along the entire frontal plane and, at least in some areas, also along the entire sagittal plane of the support device or the base body with the support surface. Due to the inclination, the extremity in the trough can lean laterally against the slope (inclination) of the lateral areas in the trough and enable pressure to be distributed on the tissue of the extremity along the slope (inclination). It can therefore be stated that the support surface essentially has a continuous or constantly increasing or continuously ongoing slope apart from the trough-shaped course. In this case, a continuous or constantly increasing or continuously ongoing slope means that the support surface is not interrupted, i.e. is continuous, and the base body essentially has a slope (inclination), i.e., except for certain areas.

[0039] The base body with the support surface should have an inclination in a range of 0° to 20° at one end relative to the base body with the support surface at the other end; preferably, the inclination should be 10° at one end relative to the other end. Depending on the size and weight of the extremity, the inclination can therefore vary, and thus an individually adjustable angle of inclination of the support device or the base body with the support surface can be selected for the extremity. As a rule, the larger, wider, and heavier the extremity, the greater the angle of inclination of the support device or the base body with the support surface should be, so that the stabilization of the extremity can be ensured with maximum stress-free performance.

[0040] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the support surface has a slope only in certain areas, i.e., in the sagittal plane, the support surface does not have to form a slope (inclination) over its entire length, as may be necessary, for example, during ulcer or wound care or during surgery. The support device or the base body with the support surface can therefore have areas in the sagittal plane with no or only a slight slope (inclination), which could also be referred to as a gap in the slope (inclination).

[0041] In the case of a gap in the oblique (inclination), the non-contiguous part of the extremity is accessible laterally and can be treated, for example, as part of a wound care procedure. The gap can be horizontal relative to the base of the body or have a lesser oblique (inclination) than the rest of the supporting surface adjacent to the gap. However, the depression is continuous in the sagittal plane, regardless of whether a gap in the oblique is present or not.

[0042] In a special embodiment, the trough-shaped region of the support surface has an asymmetrical design. This means that the trough need not be arranged symmetrically to the center of the support surface, and the depth of the trough in the lateral region is smaller or larger at one end than the lateral region at the other end. In other words, the trough is uneven in width and depth with respect to the center of the support surface of the base body and does not have a symmetrically concave curvature in the plantar direction, i.e., the curvature is bulge-shaped.

[0043] The asymmetry of the trough allows for easier entry or simpler placement of the extremity on the support surface and in the trough, and at the same time allows for a more even leaning of the extremity against the lateral side wall of the trough or the lateral area of the support surface.

[0044] However, it is also possible for the trough-shaped region of the support surface to be symmetrical, i.e., the trough-shaped configuration or the depression can be approximately vertically axially symmetrical with respect to the center of the support surface. In this case, the trough-shaped region exhibits an approximately concave trough profile.

[0045] In the present support device, the depression has a width in the range of 3 cm to 30 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 20 cm. Similar to the specifications for the incline of the support surface, the width depends on the size or width and weight of the extremity. It may therefore be necessary to select the support device or the base body with the inclined support surface with a depression width that is larger than required by the size or width and weight of the extremity. This may be necessary because tissue areas of the extremity to be supported are so sensitive to pressure, such as an ulcer, that only partial areas of the extremity should rest laterally against the depression wall.

[0046] The depth of the trough is also variable for individual applications. It should generally be between 0.5 cm and 8 cm, preferably in the range of 1.5 cm. Fundamental considerations regarding the design of the trough depth are similar to the considerations regarding the width of the trough in relation to the width, size, and weight of the respective extremity. For example, for an extremity with a large circumference and weight, it may be necessary to adapt the area of the trough by increasing the depth of the trough in the support device or base body. The recess creates a lateral enlargement of the support surface, allowing the extremity to lean easily against the walls in the depression without slipping or being constricted by the lateral walls of the base body.

[0047] Since the trough-shaped area of the support surface follows the inclined profile of the base body, the lateral edge areas of the trough also have an inclination relative to each other. This inclination can vary but correlates with the angle of inclination of the support surface of the base body. The lateral areas of the trough thus form a smooth transition to the inclined support surface without steps or offsets, with the lateral edge areas of the trough being convex at one end and convex at the other. The smooth or stepless transition of the trough to the support surface has the advantage that the step or offset cannot cause compression or crushing of the overlying tissue of the extremity.

[0048] In order to take account of the inclination of the leg in the sagittal plane in certain cases, in a special embodiment of the subject matter of the invention the hollow or the hollow-shaped region can rise in the sagittal plane from the caudal to the cranial end, i.e. the depth of the hollow can decrease in the direction of the head. An extremity rising in the caudal direction then lies parallel to the surface of the hollow in the sagittal plane and the pressure distribution is more even. One example is that the support device is higher than approximately 25 cm and is placed near the foot, so that the leg rises from cranial to caudal with the knee stretched. In addition, the locking or fixation of the extremity to the support device is reinforced in the deeper area if, for example, movement of the extremity is to be prevented, such as in the case of a puncture or after a dislocation.

[0049] However, it is also possible for the depth of the depression in the sagittal plane to remain constant from the cranial to the caudal edge, or to be symmetrically rounded without any inclination. Such a depression in the sagittal plane can be advantageous in certain cases, for example, when the knee is flexed and the lower leg is positioned approximately horizontally. Compared to a continuous change in depth, the consistent, continuous depression also provides a larger lateral support surface for the extremity, preventing it from being constricted by the lateral walls of the main body.

[0050] The carrier and the base body with the support surface can be made of the same material. This means that, for example, if there is a support device made up of several individual elements, all the individual pieces or all the segments or sections are made of a single plastic. This has the advantage that there is no need to test the properties of different materials for compatibility. The carrier, the base body with support surface and the recess can be made of plastic such as PA, TPU, EP or PEEK. The list of plastics mentioned above is exemplary and not exhaustive. Other plastics such as can also be used if they are suitable for the production of the support device or the intended use.It is also possible to manufacture the individual elements or segments or sections of the support device from different materials, whereby a combination of materials with the same chemical structure and properties seems sensible, but is not absolutely necessary.

[0051] In a particular embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, the support device consists of at least two planar side parts that are connected to one another in at least one partial area. The dorsal edge regions of the side parts form, at least in partial areas, the base body with the support surface, and the plantar edge regions of the side parts comprise the support base. The two side parts thus form the support and the base body with the support surface, with the two side parts being connected to one another as individual elements or as partial elements in the area of the support surface.

[0052] The special design of the subject matter of the invention with two flat side parts is subject to the same requirements as all designs of the subject matter of the invention in the preceding paragraphs, for example, with regard to the inclination and continuity / gap / interruption of the support surface, the design and arrangement of the trough-shaped area, and the use of the material. To avoid repetition, explicit reference is therefore made to the alignment of the support device with the frontal reference plane, the design of the support device with respect to the support, base body with support surface, and trough-shaped area, as well as the usable materials from the preceding paragraphs.

[0053] The special design of the support device with the two flat side parts appears to the observer in the sagittal plane as an inverted V or inverted U or a horseshoe opening downwards, whereby the side parts are connected to one another in the support area for the extremity. The side parts can be approximately rectangular or approximately trapezoidal and have a spatial extension, i.e. the side parts have not only a height and length, but also a width and represent a flat three-dimensional body. In this case, approximately should mean that the side parts have a rectangular or trapezoidal basic shape, but are laterally rounded at least at the edges in order to rule out injury to an extremity during use. The flat side parts form the support device as an individual or partial element.

[0054] The lateral areas of the side parts are inclined at one end relative to the lateral areas at the other end. Above this area of the base body is the support surface, on which an extremity can be positioned. In the central area of the support surface is a depression that encompasses the surface finish or back of the support device and is formed by the dorsal edge areas of the side parts.

[0055] The plantar edge regions of the side parts, diametrically opposite the dorsal edge regions, form the base of the support device and represent individual or partial elements of the support device. This means that both side parts, with their flat edge regions, form the support and / or the base body with the support surface. In the one-piece design of the support device, the side parts, as partial elements, form a solid unit. In the case of the connectable design of the two side parts as individual elements, the side parts represent individual pieces or segments that can be connected and interact to form a support device.

[0056] If the side parts are designed as individual elements, part of the support or the stand base and the entire main body with the support surface can be formed by a single first side part. A second side part corresponding to this side part can be connected to the first side part by a connection below the support surface of the first side part as a plug-in, screw-in, clamp-in or locking connection such as a hole-and-bolt connection, tongue and groove connection, dovetail connection or Velcro connection. The first side part as an individual element thus comprises the first part of the stand base or the support, the main body with the inclined support surface and recess, and the second side part comprises the second part of the stand base or the support for producing the support device.

[0057] In a further advantageous embodiment, the support device is designed with a folding or folding mechanism that can be arranged in the area below the support surface. The folding or folding mechanism enables the volume of the support device to be reduced during transport. It is a prerequisite that the side parts can be connected to one another as individual elements. For example, a hinge or a joint or a tongue and groove connection is used as the folding or folding mechanism of the support device, with part of the connecting elements of the folding or folding mechanism being arranged on the first side part, such as the tongue, and the corresponding part of the connection, such as the groove, being present on the second side part. The two side parts can be joined together, for example, using the tongue and groove connection and can then be moved or rotated around the tongue and groove connection as the axis of rotation.open and close.

[0058] In a further embodiment, the subject matter of the invention has additional stabilizing elements laterally on the base of the carrier or the base body. The stabilizing elements enable lateral support of the support device and prevent the base from slipping on a surface. The stabilizing elements can be made of the same material or a different material as the carrier or base body. Rod-shaped supports or stamps can serve as stabilizing elements, which have a rubber-like coating on at least a partial area to increase the grip of the base of the carrier or the base body and prevent slipping on a surface.

[0059] Furthermore, the additional stabilizing elements of the support device can be arranged within the carrier or the base body so that they can be folded out or extended as needed. In this respect, they represent telescopic supports or telescopic rams that, when used, provide additional stability for the support device. According to the invention, the supports of the stabilizing elements have heights in a range between 3 cm and 50 cm.

[0060] Furthermore, paper clips can be arranged in the area of the carrier or in the area of the base body with the support surface or in the area of the recess, particularly in the area of the stabilizing elements. These paper clips can be used to hold cellulose-like consumables as a base for the base body with the support surface or the entire support device. The arrangement of the paper clips with the consumables on the support device has the advantage that at least partial areas of the carrier or the base body with the support surface can be quickly covered before treatment or support of an extremity, and relative protection of the support device from contamination or microbial contamination can be ensured.By arranging the consumables in the area of the support device, a quick change of consumables can be carried out directly at the treatment site without the need to transport or hand over consumables from outside to the treatment site.

[0061] The support device, which can be manufactured using 3D printing, injection molding, deep drawing, sawn from a block, or using machining processes such as milling, is particularly used in orthopedics, geriatrics, podiatry, neurology, diabetology, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, hand disorders, or veterinary medicine. However, the manufacturing or use methods of the support device are not exhaustive; they merely provide examples of how the support device can be manufactured and where it can be used.

[0062] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures: In Fig. 1 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view, in which the orientation of the support device 1 in the frontal plane F, sagittal plane S and transverse plane T is indicated. The support 2 and the base body 3 can be seen in a one-piece design as partial elements or segments of the support device 1, whereby in the present form the support device 1 can be solid or hollow in parts and the support 2 and the base body 3 form a unit with the support surface 5. The standing base 4 forms the foot of the support device 1 in the plantar direction of the frontal plane F. The support surface 5, on which an extremity can be placed, is located dorsal to the support 2 or base body 3.The inclination of the support surface 5 from one lateral end to the other lateral end and the arrangement of a recess 6 in the central region of the support surface 5 prevent the extremity from tipping or tipping over on the support device 1 or support surface 5, whereby the extremity can lean laterally against the inclined wall regions of the support surface 5 or the recess 6. The recess 6 is convex in the edge regions and has an approximately concave shape. Fig. 2 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view with a frontal plane F, a sagittal plane S, and a transverse plane T, wherein the support device 1 consists of individual elements or can be connected or joined together from individual elements. A support 2 can be seen, which may be solid or partially hollow, and which rests plantarly on a stand base 4. The support 2 can be joined to a base body 3 with a support surface 5 via a bolt-and-hole connection 7. The base body 3 is inclined at one end relative to the area at the other end, i.e. it has an incline from one end to the other end, so that an extremity positioned on the support surface 5 of the base body 3 can lean laterally against the side walls of the base body 3 with the support surface 5 in the recess 6, which is arranged in the central area of the support surface 5. In the Fig. 3 shows a support device 1 according to the invention, which consists of individual elements or is constructed so that it can be connected from individual elements. The support device 1 consists of a solid or partially hollow support 2, which is delimited in the plantar direction by a foot or by the standing base 4. The base body 3 with the support surface 5 adjoins the support 2 dorsally, whereby the support 2 can be connected to the base body 3 via a dovetail connection 8. The base body 3 with the support surface 5 has a depression 6 in the central region and slopes from one lateral end to the other lateral end. In addition, the depression is designed to rise from cranial to caudal in the sagittal plane. An extremity positioned on the support surface 5 with the depression 6 can lean laterally against the side walls of the support surface 5 in the depression 6. Fig. 4 shows the support device 1 in a perspective, side view in an alternative embodiment with two planar side parts 9, 10. In the present one-piece design of the support device 1, the side parts 9, 10 form the support 2 and the main body 3 of the support device 1 as partial elements. The plantar side regions of the side parts 9, 10 form the standing base 4 for the support device 1. The side parts 9, 10 are connected to one another in the opposite region of the standing base 4, with the dorsal edge regions of the side parts 9, 10 forming the main body 3 with the support surface 5. The two planar side parts 9, 10 appear in the sagittal plane as an inverted V or inverted U. The side parts 9, 10 are rectangular or approximately trapezoidal and have a spatial extension. The lateral areas of the side parts 9, 10 are inclined at one end relative to the lateral areas at the other end.Above this area of the base body 3 is the support surface 5, on which an extremity can be positioned. In the central area of the support surface 5 is a recess 6, which encompasses the surface finish or the back of the support device and is formed by the dorsal edge areas of the side parts 9, 10. In Fig. 5 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a transverse direction using an exploded view. The support device 1 comprises two side parts 9, 10, which form the carrier 2 and the base body 3. The side parts 9, 10 are designed as individual elements, with the side part 9 comprising part of the carrier 2, the stand base 4, and the entire base body 3 with the support surface 5. A second side part 10 corresponding to this side part can be connected to the side part 9 by establishing a connection below the support surface 5 of the first side part 9 using a tongue and groove connection 12. The side part 9 thus comprises, as an individual element, the first part of the stand base 4 or the support 2, the base body 3 with the inclined support surface 5, and the recess 6, and the side part 10 comprises the second part of the stand base 4 or the support 4 to produce the support device 1.The two side parts 9, 10 can be joined together using the tongue-and-groove connection 12 and then moved or folded open and closed around the tongue-and-groove connection 12 as a rotation axis. The tongue-and-groove connection 12 also serves as a folding or folding mechanism 11 of the support device 1, enabling a reduction in volume of the support device 1 during transport. In the Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a support device according to the invention with two side parts 9, 10 in a connectable design consisting of individual elements. Analogous to Fig. 5, side parts 9, 10 are connected to one another by means of a tongue and groove connection 11, which also represents the folding or folding mechanism 12 of the support device 1. In addition to the side parts 9, 10, which form the support 2, the main body 3 with support surface 5, the standing base, and the recess 6, additional stabilizing elements 13 are arranged laterally on the standing base 4 of the side parts 9, 10. The stabilizing elements 13 enable lateral support of the support device 1 on a surface and prevent slipping of the plantar edge regions of the side parts 9, 10 as the standing base 4. The stabilizing elements 13 can be made of the same material or a different material as the side parts 9, 10.The stabilizing elements 13 in the present case represent rod-shaped supports or stamps, which can have a rubber-like coating on at least a partial area in order to reinforce the grip of the plantar edges of the side parts 9, 10 as a standing base 4 and to prevent slipping on a surface. Fig. 7 shows analogous to Fig. 5 shows a support device 1 according to the invention in a transverse direction, wherein the support device 1 comprises two side parts 9, 10, which form the carrier 2, the base 4 and the main body 3 with the support surface 5 and the recess 6. The two side parts 9, 10 are connected to one another by means of a tongue and groove connection 12, which also represents a folding or folding mechanism 11. In the lower area of the side parts 9, 10, paper clamps 14 are arranged on the inside wall, which can serve to hold cellulose-like consumables as a base for the areas of the side part 9 forming the main body 3 and the support surface 5.The arrangement of the paper clips 14 with the consumables on the support device 1 has the advantage that at least partial areas of the support device 1 can be quickly covered before treatment or support of an extremity, and relative protection of the support device 1 from contamination or microbial contamination can be ensured. The arrangement of the consumables in the area of the support device 1 allows for a quick change of the consumables directly at the treatment site, without the need to transport or hand over consumables from outside to the treatment site. In Fig.Finally, Figure 8 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a frontal view with a leg as the extremity when supported. The support 2 with the base body 3 with support surface 5 and depression 6 can be seen as a partial or individual element of the support device 1, which can also be formed by the flat and trapezoidal side parts 9, 10. In the plantar area of the support device 1, the standing base 4 on which the support device rests can be seen. It can also be seen that the support surface 5 with the depression 6 rises from one end to the other, i.e. has an incline. In the present case, a leg is positioned on the support surface 5 and in the depression 6, the sole of which can be seen in the sagittal plane. The leg orthe lower leg of the leg can lean laterally against the wall of the support surface 5 or the recess 6, thereby preventing the leg from bending to the side and ensuring stabilization of the extremity during medical or physiotherapeutic treatment. List of reference symbols 1 support device 2 carriers 3 basic bodies 4 Stand base 5 Support surface 6 Trough / trough-shaped area 7 bolt-hole connection 8 dovetail joint 9 First side panel 10 Second side panel 11 Folding or folding mechanism 12 Tongue and groove connection 13 stabilizing elements 14 paper clips QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2020229812 A1

[0006] DE 10 2023 105 491 A1

[0007] DE 195 33 613 A1

[0008] US 2014 / 0059772 A1

[0009] US 9084704 B2

[0010] WO 2003 / 071994 A2

[0011] EP 2946 760 A1

[0012] DE 20 2013 010 140 U1

[0013] DE 20 2020 004 742 U1

[0014] DE 20 2005 005 492 U1

[0015] DE 195 34 354 C1

[0016] DE 299 07 131 U1

[0017] DE 20 2009 008 885 U1

[0018] DE 20002035 U1

[0019]

Claims

[1] Support device (1) for the medical or physiotherapeutic treatment of extremities, comprising a carrier (2) with a base body (3), wherein the carrier (2) is formed integrally with the base body (3) or the carrier (2) is designed to be connectable to the base body (3) and at least parts of the carrier (2) form a base (4) for the support device (5), characterized by that the base body (3) has a support surface (5) for the leg and / or lower leg, wherein the base body (3) has a support surface (5) which is inclined at one end in the transverse direction and the middle region (6) of the base body (3) is designed to rise in the caudal direction and to be trough-shaped. [2] Support device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the base body (3) with the support surface (5) has an inclination at one end relative to the base body (3) with the support surface (5) at the other end at an angle of 0° to 20°, preferably the inclination is 10° at one end relative to the inclination at the other end. [3] Support device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the support surface (5) has a gap-like or a continuous inclination. [4] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the trough-shaped area (6) of the support surface (5) is designed asymmetrically. [5] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the trough-shaped design of the base body (3) with the support surface (5) comprises an approximately concave trough cutout. [6] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the trough (6) has a width in the range of 3 cm to 30 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 20 cm. [7] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the recess (6) has a depth between 0.5 cm and 8 cm, preferably in the range of 15 mm. [8] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the depth of the trough (6) in the edge area decreases laterally at one end to the lateral edge area at the other end. [9] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the trough (6) is convex at its lateral edges. [10] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the depth of the trough (6) decreases from the cranial edge to the caudal edge. [11] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the carrier (2), the base body (3) and the support surface (5) comprise the same material. [12] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the carrier (2) and / or the base body (3) represents a variable application element and the carrier (2) is mechanically detachably connected to the base body (3). [13] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the carrier (2) is connected to the base body (3) via a bolt-hole (7), screw, clamp or closure connection, in particular a dovetail (8) or Velcro connection. [14] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the base body (3) or at least parts of the support surface (5) or the trough (6) comprise pressure-absorbing and / or elastomer-like material. [15] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized bythat the support device (1) consists of at least two flat side parts (9, 10) which are connected to one another at least in a partial area, wherein the dorsal edge areas of the side parts (9, 10) form the base body (3) with the support surface (5) at least in partial areas and the plantar edge areas of the side parts (9, 10) comprise the standing base (4) as a support (2). [16] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by that the support device (1) is designed with a folding or folding mechanism (11) which can be arranged in the area below the support surface (5). [17] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by that the folding or folding mechanism (11) comprises a hinge or joint or a tongue and groove connection (12). [18] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized bythat additional stabilizing elements (13) are arranged laterally on the base (4) of the support (2) or base body (3) or the side parts (9,10). [19] Support device (1) according to claim 17, characterized by that the additional stabilizing elements (13) are telescopic or extendable or foldable. [20] Support device (1) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by that the stabilizing elements (13) represent supports, the height of the supports covering a range between 3 cm and 50 cm. [21] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by that paper clamps (14) are arranged in the area of the support surface (5) or in the area of the recess (6) or in the area of the stand base (4), in particular in the area of the stabilizing elements (13). [22] Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized bythat the support device (1) is manufactured by 3D printing or injection molding or sawn or milled or deep-drawn from a block. [23] Use of a support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 in orthopaedics, geriatrics, podiatry, neurology, diabetology, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, hand diseases or veterinary medicine.

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