Support device for leg or arm stabilization

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device for medical or physiotherapeutic treatment of extremities, comprising a carrier having a main body, wherein the carrier is designed integrally with the main body or the carrier is designed to be connectable to the main body, and at least parts of the carrier form a stand base for the support device. The main body has a support surface for extremities, wherein at least partial regions of the main body with the support surface at one end are inclined with respect to partial regions of the main body with the support surface at the other end, and the central region of the support surface is trough-shaped.

Description

[0001] Support device for leg or arm stabilization

[0002] The invention relates to a support device for medical or physiotherapeutic treatment of extremities, comprising a carrier with a base body, wherein the carrier is integral with the base body or the carrier is designed to be connectable with the base body and at least parts of the carrier form a base for the support device.

[0003] Positioning aids for extremities are used in operative orthopedics or surgery to, for example, keep a patient's leg extended or fully or partially bent as needed during knee surgery.

[0004] 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 for leg positioning aids for a patient's thigh and / or lower leg. Barrel-shaped support elements can be positioned next to the patient's lower leg, with the support elements having different heights and being spaced parallel to each other across a longitudinal axis, so that the height of the support elements varies from the lowest to the highest.

[0005] However, the problem is that a support device used in situations requiring less elaborate 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 arm or leg, during treatment cannot be prevented.

[0006] Several devices are already known in the art that ensure the stabilization of at least a portion of an extremity on a support surface during medical treatment. For example, WO 2020229812 A1 discloses a cushion for the front of the foot, in which a cushion can be arranged around the foot in a 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] German patent DE 10 2023 105 491 A1 also describes a leg positioning aid used in operative orthopedics / surgery to position a patient's leg, for example during knee surgery, either extended or fully or partially bent as needed. The leg positioning aid is temporarily attached to an operating table or a leg rest on an operating table. This attachment is usually achieved using straps with quick-release fasteners (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 ends and which do not rise in a transverse plane.

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

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

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

[0012] From EP 2946 760 A1, a support element is known, consisting of a shaping base element with a surface, side surfaces, top and bottom, 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. From DE 20 2013 010 140 U1, a dynamic, ergonomic, medical leg cushion for relaxing the musculoskeletal system through alternating, dynamic flexion and semi-flexion positions is known, which, however, does not provide transverse support of the limb.

[0013] German patent DE 20 2020 004 742 U1 discloses a hand or arm rest for nail salon equipment, designed as a compact cushion or pad with a flat or slightly rounded surface. The arm rests support the hand and / or forearm of the client being treated for the duration of the entire treatment process.

[0014] German patent DE 20 2005 005 492 U1 discloses a leg support rail with a base body having an elongated recess for receiving 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 located on the side of the base body facing away from the elongated recess.

[0015] DE 195 34 354 C1 discloses a leg support designed as a double unit with four contact surfaces tapered towards one end. These surfaces are of different widths, resulting in different support heights and thus different knee joint angles, which can be adjusted to a narrower or wider contact surface depending on the setup.

[0016] In DE 299 07 131 U1 a foot support for foot treatment is described, comprising a stand and a support part attached to it for the foot or forefoot area of ​​the leg.

[0017] From DE 20 2009 008 885 U1 a positioning cushion for radiotherapy can be found, which is particularly suitable for patients with a severe round back.

[0018] Furthermore, DE 20002035 U1 describes a medical lower leg cuff as a positioning aid for heel relief. The cuff is designed with a foam cuff adapted to the anatomical shape of the calf, such that the thickness of the foam prevents the heel from touching the surface when lying down.

[0019] While current support devices do not prevent a limb from buckling (tipping) to the side, they do not provide lateral stabilization. If the patient or animal has to stabilize the limb using their own muscle strength, cramps often occur, and treatment must be interrupted. Therefore, lateral stabilization of the supported limb is crucial. Soft support devices tend to buckle under the weight of a heavy limb. Consequently, their soft nature provides little to no stabilization. Hard support devices, on the other hand, currently lack the ability to stabilize the limb through tilting and to provide pain-free positioning by widening the contact area. This prevents pressure relief for the supporting or surrounding tissue.

[0020] The objects of the invention are to provide a stable and elevated support for an extremity on a medical device, whereby the extremity can be held in position on a support surface without effort or pain, and tipping or falling off the support surface is prevented, even under high weight. The device should have a large contact area so that pressure on the supporting and / or adjacent tissue of the extremity is minimized. This allows it to be made of a solid material and thus withstand high weight.

[0021] The object of the invention is solved by the features of the underlying claim 1.

[0022] According to the invention, the base body has a support surface for extremities, wherein the base body with the support surface is inclined at one end in a transverse direction relative to the base body with the support surface at the other end, and the central area of ​​the support surface is shaped in a trough-like manner in a caudal direction.

[0023] The features of the invention are defined and explained below:

[0024] A support is defined as a single element or a partial element of the support device that 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 a single element that can be connected to the base body with the support surface, or it can be a partial element of the support device, i.e., integrally formed with the base body with the support surface. The base body, as a single element or partial element of the support device, comprises a support surface onto which an extremity can be placed. As a single element, the base body with the support surface should be connectable to the support, or it should also be a partial element of the support device, i.e., integrally formed with the support.

[0025] In this context, "individual element of the support device" means that individual pieces constitute the support device and that the support device can be assembled from several individual elements. Thus, an individual element should be connectable to another individual element, or assembled or joined together, and function together as a support device when connected or assembled. In this case, the support and the base body with the support surface can comprise two independent individual elements that can be connected before use as a support device, i.e., joined or assembled before use. The connection of the individual elements can be achieved as a plug-in, screw, clamp, or locking connection, such as via bolts, tongue-and-groove joints, dovetail joints, or hook-and-loop fasteners. "Partial element" in this context means that the support and the base body with the support surface form a unit and are therefore partial elements of a body, namely the support device.

[0026] Both individual elements and sub-elements can be considered sections or segments of the support device. However, individual elements can be described as variable application elements because the base body can be mechanically detachable from the support. If the sections are detachable, i.e., interchangeable, the support and base body with its bearing surface can have different configurations; that is, different supports and / or different base bodies can be combined. For example, in the case of a very wide and heavy extremity, it may be necessary to choose a wide support that can be placed stably on a surface.If, in a subsequent treatment, the inclination of the base body with the support surface needs to be adjusted—for example, because the inclination needs to be steeper or shallower—only the base body with the support surface needs to be replaced, and the support remains as a 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 its support surface and its trough-shaped design, the material of the base body, or the shape and depth of the trough. Depending on the requirements, each section can be exchanged and adapted for a specific application and treatment.

[0027] A "one-piece" design of the support device is understood to mean an object that is solid, at least in essential parts, or a hollow form with partially formed hollow sections, which is manufactured from a single piece or in which the support and the base body with the support surface form a single unit. A hollow form means that the support 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, a hollow cylinder. Since the invention is to be manufactured using 3D printing, injection molding, sawing from a block, or machining processes such as milling or deep drawing, in other words, the feature "one-piece" in this case characterizes an object or form that is manufactured in one piece, i.e.,that the support and the base body with its bearing surface form a coherent unit.

[0028] In both the one-piece and the assembled versions of the support device, sections of the support serve as a base or foot. These sections are referred to as such because not the entire base or foot needs to support the substrate. It is also possible for only the edges of the base to rest on the substrate. Particularly in the alternative embodiment of the base with a honeycomb, porous, or hollow cylindrical structure, the support device or support does not require the base to make full contact with the substrate. Furthermore, additional support elements can be arranged within the base area to at least partially ensure its stability and provide secure support on the substrate.

[0029] To better illustrate the arrangement and orientation of the segments or sections of the support device, it is hereby defined that the support device is intersected by a frontal, transverse, and sagittal plane, but that 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 preceding definition, the frontal plane of the support device is the area facing the observer; that is, the sole of the foot or the fingertips, or vice versa, the knee or elbow, form the end regions of the extremity in the frontal plane in the vertical direction.

[0030] Thus, the support, regardless of whether it acts as a standalone element or as a component of the base body, serves as the base for the support device. The base is plantar in position and is the part of the support device that faces the substrate or ground. In contrast, or diametrically opposed to this, is the bearing surface of the base body, on which an extremity can be supported, directly or indirectly, in a dorsal direction.

[0031] Indirect support means that the base body with the support surface, as a single element or sub-element, can have a cover or coating; that is, the extremity resting on the support surface can be positioned at a distance from the base body or the support device. A cover or coating may be necessary, in particular, for disinfecting the support device or the base body, so that the cover or coating prevents or minimizes contact between the support surface and microorganisms. For example, it is conceivable to cover the base body with the support surface, or even the entire support device, with a covering made of sterile fabric, sterile paper, or latex, or to apply a coating made of TPE, epoxy resin, or clear lacquer to comply with hygiene regulations applicable in medical, physiotherapeutic, or veterinary applications.However, it is also possible to leave the support device with its base and contact surface without a cover or to design and use it without a coating, meaning that the extremity can be positioned directly on the contact surface. Whether a cover or coating is necessary depends on the specific application. The base, including the entire contact surface or parts thereof, can comprise pressure-absorbing and / or elastomeric material, where elastomeric material includes, for example, thermosets or silicone rubbers. Pressure-absorbing materials can include, for example, compresses, bandages, gauze, or cushions. The aforementioned pressure-absorbing and / or elastomeric materials are not an exhaustive list but are merely examples. Any fabric or material can be used as a pressure-absorbing and / or elastomeric material.

[0032] Connections are used that have a sufficiently stable, i.e., cushion-like property that does not deform too much under weight, but can still ensure flexible or elastic stabilization of an extremity.

[0033] The term "at one end or the other end of the support device or the base body with a bearing surface" refers to a lateral area located to the left or right of the frontal plane, unless another reference dimension or plane (be it the transverse or sagittal plane) is specified. It is noted that this application explicitly states in one sentence when considering a single or partial element, segment, or section of the support device, or even the entire support device, a reference plane other than the frontal plane is used. Therefore, unless otherwise explained, the frontal plane constitutes the relevant reference plane in the following considerations.

[0034] The one-piece support device or the base body designed to be connectable to the support exhibits, at least in certain areas, an inclination originating from one end of the support device or base body relative to certain areas of the other end of the support device or base body. Laterally, the support device or base body thus has a different height on one side than on the other, at least in certain areas; that is, the bearing surface has a slope from left to right or from right to left, at least in certain areas.

[0035] The inclined support surface has a depression in its central area with a trough-like shape. "Trough-like" in this context means that there is a depression in the support surface that forms a depression in the inclined part of the surface. This trough-like shape serves to stabilize or secure the extremity on the inclined support surface without requiring the extremity to be fixed in place or for the patient to forcefully hold it.

[0036] The recess prevents the extremity from tipping sideways after resting on the support surface, as the slope of the support surface allows the extremity to lean laterally against the side wall of the recessed area. Since the recess opens at one end onto the lower section of the base body with the support surface, the extremity can slide into the recessed area at one end and lean or nestle laterally against the higher side wall of the recessed area, which borders the higher section of the base body with the support surface at the other end.

[0037] The trough-shaped area or depression extends, at least in some sections, along the entire frontal plane and, at least in some sections, also along the entire sagittal plane of the support device or base body with its contact surface. Due to the inclination, the extremity can lean laterally against the slope (inclination) of the lateral areas within the trough, enabling pressure distribution of the extremity tissue along this slope. It can therefore be stated that the contact surface exhibits a continuous, steadily increasing, or continuously progressive inclination, essentially apart from the trough-shaped area. In this context, "continuous, steadily increasing, or continuously progressive inclination" means that the contact surface is uninterrupted, i.e., continuous, and that the base body exhibits a slope (inclination) essentially, except for some sections.

[0038] The base body with the support surface should have an inclination 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, allowing for an individually adjustable angle of inclination of the support device or the base body with the support surface 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 to ensure maximum stabilization of the extremity without causing stress.

[0039] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the contact surface only has a slope in certain areas, i.e., in the sagittal plane, the contact surface does not have to form a slope (incline) over its entire length, as may be necessary, for example, in the treatment of ulcers or wounds or during surgery. The support device or the base body with the contact surface can therefore have areas in the sagittal plane with no or only a slight slope (incline), which could also be described as a gap in the slope (incline).

[0040] The non-adherent portion of the extremity is laterally accessible in the case of a gap in the slope (incline) and can be treated, for example, as part of wound care. The gap may be horizontal with respect to the base of support or may have a lesser slope (incline) than the rest of the bearing surface adjacent to the gap. However, the depression is consistently present in the sagittal plane, regardless of whether a gap in the slope is present or not.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the trough-shaped area of ​​the bearing surface has an asymmetrical design. This means that the trough is not necessarily symmetrically positioned with respect to the center of the bearing surface, and the depth of the trough is smaller or greater at one end compared to the other. In other words, the trough is uneven in width and depth with respect to the center of the bearing surface of the base body and does not have a symmetrically concave curvature in the plantar direction; that is, the curvature is bulged.

[0042] The asymmetry of the hollow allows, on the one hand, easier entry or simpler placement of the extremity on the support surface and into the hollow, and on the other hand, a more extensive leaning of the extremity against the lateral side wall of the hollow or the lateral area of ​​the support surface.

[0043] However, it is also possible that the trough-shaped area of ​​the bearing surface is symmetrically designed, i.e., that the trough-shaped feature or depression can run approximately vertically and axially symmetrically with respect to the center of the bearing surface. In this case, the trough-shaped area exhibits an approximately concave profile.

[0044] In the present support device, the recess has a width ranging from 3 cm to 30 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 20 cm. The width, analogous to the design of the support surface's slope, depends on the size, width, and weight of the extremity. It may therefore be necessary to select a support device or base body with an inclined support surface that has a recess width greater than required by the size, width, and weight of the extremity. This may be necessary because tissue areas of the extremity being supported are so pressure-sensitive, such as an ulcer, that only parts of the extremity should rest laterally against the recess wall.

[0045] The depth of the recess is also variable for each individual application. It should generally be between 0.5 cm and 8 cm, preferably around 1.5 cm. Fundamental considerations regarding the design of the recess depth are similar to those for the width of the recess, taking into account the width, size, and weight of the respective extremity. For example, with a large and heavy extremity, it may be necessary to adjust the recess area by increasing its depth. This increased depth also enlarges the lateral contact area, allowing the extremity to rest gently against the walls of the recess without slipping or being constricted by the lateral walls of the base.

[0046] Since the trough-shaped area of ​​the contact surface follows the inclined curve of the base body, the lateral edges of the trough also slope towards each other. This slope can vary, but correlates with the angle of inclination of the base body's contact surface. The lateral areas of the trough thus form a smooth transition to the inclined contact surface without steps or offsets, with the lateral edges of the trough being convex at one end and the other. This smooth or stepless transition from the trough to the contact surface has the advantage that no compression or pinching of the tissue of the extremity resting on it can occur via a step or offset.

[0047] To accommodate the inclination of the leg in the sagittal plane in certain cases, a particular embodiment of the invention allows the trough or trough-shaped area in the sagittal plane to rise from the caudal to the cranial end, i.e., the depth of the trough can decrease towards the head. An extremity rising in a caudal direction then lies parallel to the surface of the trough in the sagittal plane, and the pressure distribution is more even. For example, the support device is higher than approximately 25 cm and positioned near the foot, so that the leg, extended at the knee, rises from cranial to caudal. Furthermore, the locking or fixation of the extremity to the support device is reinforced in the lower region, for example, to prevent movement of the extremity, such as in the case of a puncture or after a dislocation.

[0048] However, it is also possible that the depth of the depression in the sagittal plane remains constant from the cranial to the caudal edge or runs symmetrically rounded without any slope. Such a depression shape in the sagittal plane can be advantageous in certain cases, for example, when the knee is flexed and the lower leg comes to lie almost horizontally. Due to the constant, continuous depression, there is also a larger lateral contact area for the extremity compared to a continuous change in depth, so that it cannot be constricted against the lateral walls of the base of the leg.

[0049] The support and the base body with the contact surface can be made of the same material. This means that, for example, if a support device consists of several individual elements, all individual pieces, segments, or sections are made of the same plastic. This has the advantage that there is no need to test different materials and their properties for compatibility. Thus, the support, the base body with the contact surface, and the recess can be made of plastics such as PA, TPU, EP, or PEEK. However, the list of plastics mentioned above is not exhaustive. Other plastics can also be used if they are suitable for the intended use in the support device.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 chemically identical structural composition and properties seems sensible, but is not absolutely necessary.

[0050] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the support device consists of at least two planar side parts which are connected to each other at least in a partial area, wherein the dorsal edge regions of the side parts form the base body with the support surface at least in partial areas, and the plantar edge regions of the side parts comprise the base of the support. The two side parts thus form the support and the base body with support surface, wherein the two side parts are connected to each other as individual elements or as partial elements in the area of ​​the support surface.

[0051] The specific embodiment of the invention with two planar side parts is subject to the same requirements as all embodiments of the invention described 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 carrier, base body with support surface and trough-shaped area, as well as the materials available, as described in the preceding paragraphs.

[0052] The distinctive design of the support device, with its two flat side pieces, appears to the observer in the sagittal plane as an inverted V, an inverted U, or a horseshoe open at the bottom, with the side pieces connected to each other in the area where the extremity rests. The side pieces can be approximately rectangular or approximately trapezoidal and have a spatial dimension, meaning they possess not only height and length but also width, forming a flat, three-dimensional body. "Approximately" in this context means that while the side pieces have a rectangular or trapezoidal basic shape, they are rounded laterally, at least at the edges, to prevent injury to an extremity during use. The flat side pieces, as individual or partial elements, constitute the support device.

[0053] The lateral sections of the side pieces are inclined at one end relative to the other. Above this area of ​​the base is the support surface on which an extremity can be positioned. In the central area of ​​the support surface is a recess that forms the surface finish or back of the support device and is formed by the dorsal edge regions of the side pieces.

[0054] The plantar edge regions of the side parts, diametrically opposite the dorsal edge regions, form the base of the support device and constitute individual or partial elements of the support device. That is, both side parts, with their planar edge regions, form the support and / or the base body with a bearing surface. In the one-piece design of the support device, the side parts, as partial elements, form a fixed unit. In the case of a connectable design of the two side parts as individual elements, the side parts represent individual pieces or segments that can be joined to form a support device and interact accordingly.

[0055] If the side panels are designed as individual elements, a portion of the support or base and the entire main body with its bearing surface can be formed by a single first side panel. A corresponding second side panel can be connected to the first by a connection below the bearing surface of the first side panel, such as a plug-in, screw, clamp, or fastener connection, for example, a bolted joint, tongue-and-groove joint, dovetail joint, or hook-and-loop fastener. The first side panel, as a single element, thus comprises the first part of the base or support, the main body with its inclined bearing surface and recess, and the second side panel comprises the second part of the base or support to create the bearing device.

[0056] In a further advantageous embodiment, the support device is equipped with a folding or collapsible mechanism that can be arranged in the area below the support surface. The folding or collapsible mechanism allows the support device to be reduced in volume during transport. It is a prerequisite that the side parts can be connected to each other as individual elements. Thus, a hinge, a joint, or a tongue-and-groove connection is used as the folding or collapsible mechanism of the support device, with one part of the connecting elements of the folding or collapsible mechanism being arranged on the first side part, such as the spring, and the corresponding part of the connection, such as the groove, being located on the second side part. The two side parts can be joined together, for example, using the tongue-and-groove connection, and then moved around the tongue-and-groove connection as an axis of rotation, i.e., folded and unfolded.

[0057] In a further embodiment, the invention features additional stabilizing elements laterally on the base of the support or the base body. These stabilizing elements provide lateral support for 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 than the support or base body. Rod-shaped supports or stamps can serve as stabilizing elements, bearing a rubber-like coating at least on a portion of their surface to enhance the grip of the base of the support or the base body and prevent slippage on a surface.

[0058] Furthermore, the additional stabilizing elements of the support device can be arranged within the support or the base body so that they can be unfolded or extended as needed. In this respect, they represent telescopic supports or telescopic pistons that, when in use, provide additional stability to the support device. According to the invention, the supports of the stabilizing elements have heights in a range between 3 cm and 50 cm.

[0059] Furthermore, paper clips can be arranged in the area of ​​the support, the base body with its contact surface, or the recess, particularly in the area of ​​the stabilizing elements. These clips can serve as a base for the base body with its contact surface or for the entire support device, holding cellulose-like consumables. The arrangement of the paper clips with the consumables on the support device has the advantage that at least parts of the support or the base body with its contact surface can be quickly covered before treatment or application to an extremity, thus ensuring relative protection of the support device from contamination or microbial exposure.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 consumables from external sources to the treatment site.

[0060] The support device, which can be manufactured using 3D printing, injection molding, deep drawing, sawn from a block, or machining processes such as milling, is particularly useful in orthopedics, geriatrics, podiatry, neurology, diabetology, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, hand disorders, and veterinary medicine. However, the listed manufacturing and application methods for the support device are not exhaustive but merely provide examples of how the device can be produced and where it can be used.

[0061] The invention is explained in detail again with reference to the following figures:

[0062] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the support device 1 according to the invention, indicating its orientation in the frontal plane F, sagittal plane S, and transverse plane T. The support 2 and the base body 3 are thus shown as integral components or segments of the support device 1. In the present form, the support device 1 can be solid or partially hollow, and the support 2 and the base body 3 form a single unit with the support surface 5. The 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, and the arrangement of a recess 6 in the central area of ​​the support surface 5, prevents the extremity from tipping or tilting on the support device 1 or support surface 5, allowing the extremity to lean laterally against the inclined wall areas of the support surface 5 or the recess 6. The recess 6 is convex at its edges and has an approximately concave profile.

[0063] Figure 2 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view with frontal plane F, sagittal plane S and transverse plane T, wherein the support device 1 consists of individual elements or can be connected or assembled from individual elements. A solid or partially hollow support 2 is visible, resting on a base 4. The support 2 can be joined to a base body 3 with a bearing surface 5 via a bolt-and-hole connection 7. The base body 3 is inclined at one end relative to the other end, i.e., it has a slope from one end to the other, so that an extremity positioned on the bearing surface 5 of the base body 3 can lean laterally against the side walls of the base body 3 with the bearing surface 5 in the recess 6, which is located in the central region of the bearing surface 5.

[0064] Figure 3 shows a support device 1 according to the invention, which consists of individual elements or is constructed from connectable individual elements. The support device 1 consists of a solid or partially hollow support 2, which is bounded in the plantar direction by a foot or by the base 4. The base body 3 with the support surface 5 adjoins the support 2 dorsally, and the support 2 and the base body 3 can be connected via a dovetail joint 8. The base body 3 with the support surface 5 has a recess 6 in its central region and is inclined from one lateral end to the other. Furthermore, the recess is designed to rise from cranial to caudal in the sagittal plane. An extremity positioned on the support surface 5 with recess 6 can lean laterally against the side walls of the support surface 5 within the recess 6.

[0065] Figure 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 embodiment of the support device 1, the side parts 9, 10 form the support 2 and the base body 3 of the support device 1 as sub-elements. The plantar side regions of the side parts 9, 10 form the base 4 for the support device 1. The side parts 9, 10 are connected to each other in the region opposite the base 4, with the dorsal edge regions of the side parts 9, 10 forming the base body 3 with the support surface 5. The two planar side parts 9, 10 appear in the sagittal plane as an inverted V or an inverted U. The side parts 9, 10 are rectangular or approximately trapezoidal and have a spatial extent.The lateral regions of the side parts 9, 10 are inclined at one end relative to the lateral regions at the other end. Above this region of the base body 3 is the support surface 5, on which an extremity can be positioned. In the central region of the support surface 5 is a recess 6, which comprises the surface termination or the back of the support device and is formed by the dorsal edge regions of the side parts 9, 10.

[0066] Figure 5 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a transverse direction by means of an exploded view. The support device 1 comprises two side parts 9, 10, which form the support 2 and the base body 3. The side parts 9, 10 are designed as individual elements, with side part 9 comprising a part of the support 2, the base 4, and the entire base body 3 with its bearing surface 5. A second side part 10 corresponding to this side part can be connected to side part 9 by means of a tongue-and-groove joint 12 below the bearing surface 5 of the first side part 9. Side part 9 thus comprises, as an individual element, the first part of the base 4 or the support 2, the base body 3 with its inclined bearing surface 5, and the recess 6, and side part 10 comprises the second part of the base 4 or the support 4 for the production of the support device 1.The two side parts 9, 10 can be joined together using the tongue-and-groove connection 12 and then moved around the tongue-and-groove connection 12 as an axis of rotation, or folded open and closed. The tongue-and-groove connection 12 also serves as a folding or collapsible mechanism 11 for the support device 1, enabling a reduction in the volume of the support device 1 during transport.

[0067] Figure 6 shows a support device according to the invention with two side parts 9, 10 in a connectable embodiment consisting of individual elements, shown in a perspective top view. Analogous to Figure 5, the side parts 9, 10 are connected to each other by means of a tongue-and-groove connection 11, which also represents the folding or collapsible mechanism 12 of the support device 1. In addition to the side parts 9, 10, which form the support 2, the base body 3 with support surface 5, the base, and the recess 6, the following are attached laterally to the base 4 of the side parts 9:

[0068] Ten additional stabilizing elements are arranged.

[0069] The stabilizing elements 13 provide lateral support for the support device 1 on a surface and prevent the plantar edge areas of the side parts 9, 10, which serve as the base 4, from slipping. The stabilizing elements 13 can be made of the same material or a different material than the side parts 9, 10. In this case, the stabilizing elements 13 are rod-shaped supports or stamps that may have a rubber-like coating on at least a portion of their surface to enhance the grip of the plantar edges of the side parts 9, 10, which serve as the base 4, and to prevent slipping on a surface.

[0070] Figure 7 shows, analogous to Figure 5, 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 support 2, the base 4, and the base body 3 with the support surface 5 and the recess 6. The two side parts 9, 10 are connected to each other by means of a tongue-and-groove connection 12, which also forms a folding or collapsible mechanism.

[0071] Figure 11 represents the lower section of side panels 9 and 10, which contains paper clips on the inner walls.

[0072] The paper clips 14 are arranged to serve as a base for the areas of the side part 9 forming the base body 3 and the support surface 5, which can be used to hold cellulose-like consumables. The arrangement of the paper clips 14 with the consumables on the support device 1 has the advantage that at least parts of the support device 1 can be quickly covered before treatment or application to an extremity, thus ensuring relative protection of the support device 1 from contamination or microbial exposure. The arrangement of the consumables in the area of ​​the support device 1 allows for quick changes of consumables directly at the treatment site, without the need to transport or pass consumables from external sources.

[0073] Finally, Figure 8 shows the support device 1 according to the invention in a frontal view with one leg as an extremity in the support position. The support 2 with the base body 3, including the support surface 5 and recess 6, can be seen as a partial or individual element of the support device 1, which can also be formed by the planar and trapezoidal side parts 9, 10. In the plantar region of the support device 1, the base 4 on which the support device rests is visible. Furthermore, it can be seen that the support surface 5 with the recess 6 rises from one end to the other, i.e., it has an inclination. A leg is positioned on the support surface 5 and in the recess 6, the sole of which is visible in the sagittal plane. The leg, or rather,The lower leg can lean laterally against the wall of the support surface 5 or the recess 6, thus preventing the leg from buckling to the side and ensuring stabilization of the extremity during medical or physiotherapeutic treatment.

[0074] Reference symbol list

[0075] 1 Support device

[0076] 2 carriers

[0077] 3 Base body 4 Stand base

[0078] 5 Support surface

[0079] 6. Hollow / trough-shaped area

[0080] 7 bolt-hole connection

[0081] 8 Dovetail joint 9 First side panel

[0082] 10 Second side panel

[0083] 11 Folding or collapsible mechanism

[0084] 12 tongue and groove connection

[0085] 13 stabilizing elements 14 paper clips

Claims

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

2. Support device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that 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 in that the support surface (5) has a partial or a continuous inclination.

4. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in 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 in 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 in that the recess (6) has a width in the range of 3 cm to 30 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 20 cm and a depth between 0.5 cm and 8 cm, preferably in the range of 15 mm.

7. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the depth of the recess (6) decreases laterally at one end towards the other end of the lateral recess and the recess (6) is convex at its lateral edges.

8. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the depth of the recess (6) decreases from the cranial edge to the caudal edge.

9. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in 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).

10. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support (2) is connected to the base body (3) via a bolt-hole (7), screw, clamp or closure connection, in particular a dovetail (8) or hook and loop connection.

11. Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the base body (3) or at least parts of the support surface (5) or the recess (6) comprise pressure-absorbing and / or elastomer-like material.

12. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized in that the support device (1 ) consists of at least two planar side parts (9, 10) which are connected to each other 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 base (4) as a support (2).

13. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the support device (1 ) is designed with a folding or collapsible mechanism (11 ) which can be arranged in the area below the support surface (5).

14. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the folding or folding mechanism (11 ) comprises a hinge or joint or a tongue and groove connection (12).

15. Support device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that 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).

16. Support device (1 ) according to claim 15, characterized in that the additional stabilizing elements (13) are designed to be telescopic, extendable or foldable.

17. Support device (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the stabilizing elements (13) are supports, the height of the supports comprising a range between 3 cm and 50 cm.

18. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that paper clamps (14) are arranged in the area of ​​the support surface (5), in the area of ​​the recess (6), or in the area of ​​the base (4), in particular in the area of ​​the stabilizing elements (13).

19. Method for manufacturing a support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17. Claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the support device (1) is manufactured by 3D printing or injection molding, or by sawing or milling from a block, or by deep drawing.

20. Use of a support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19 in orthopedics, geriatrics, podiatry, neurology, diabetology, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, hand disorders, or veterinary medicine.

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