Abstract: A protective boot adapted to be worn by individuals when lying in a reclining position. The boot has leg and forefoot portions that provide foot and lower leg support for a wearer while suspending the wearer's heel. The boot may include low-friction materials at an exterior surface of its leg and forefoot portions and at a continuous rim separating the exterior surface from an interior surface of the body, in which case the boot also preferably includes a system for adjustably closing an anterior opening in the forefoot portion by drawing lateral regions of the forefoot portion inward and together. The boot may additionally or alternatively include an L-shaped backplate having portions located at the leg and forefoot portions of the body and adapted to inhibit buckling of the boot within the leg and forefoot portions.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring method and system for warning a patient or caregiver that soft tissue pressure has exceeded some predetermined level that over time would necessitate moving the patient to minimize or prevent soft tissue damage. The method and system entail the use of a pressure-sensitive pad assembly adapted to be applied to a surface of the patient's body and generate electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed at the surface. The system monitors the electrical outputs over a preselected time period and generates a cumulative output signal based on the electrical outputs and corresponding to whether or not the soft tissue pressure has exceeded a predetermined pressure level during the preselected time period. The system generates audible and visual warnings if the cumulative output signal exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold until the soft tissue pressure drops below the predetermined pressure level.

Abstract: A compression hose adapted to be worn to cover at least the calf and foot of a leg of an individual, and a method for medically treating the individual with the compression hose. The compression hose includes connected leg and foot portions formed of an elastic fabric material and adapted to cover, respectively, the calf and foot of the individual. A heel opening is located between the leg and foot portions so as to be located in the compression hose to coincide with the heel of the leg of the individual. The heel opening has a perimeter defined by a stitch that limits stretching and expansion of the heel opening relative to stretching and expansion of the leg and foot portions of the compression hose.

Abstract: A heel supporting protective boot for bed patients comprises a body formed of flexible, compressible, convoluted, non-allergenic foam material having foot and leg supporting portions for respectively supporting a patient's foot extended in an upright position and for supporting the patient's leg above the bed in a generally horizontal position with the patient's heel elevated above an adjacent bed surface. The boot includes a friction reducing material on the body below the leg and heel for providing free sliding movement of the boot over the bed surface with minimal resistance in order to avoid bunching-up of bed linens and avoiding dislocation of the patient's foot in the boot resulting in heel binding or lack of support for the sole of the patient's foot. An additional pad of a foam material may be adhesively secured to an outer surface of the boot to prevent external rotation of the leg and the pad may also be adhesively secured inside the boot adjacent the foot supporting portion to limit foot drop.

Abstract: A foot piece of elastomeric material is provided for converting a new leg and foot cast and/or an already existing leg and foot cast into a walking cast by permanent attachment of the foot piece to a sole surface of the cast. The foot piece has an upper surface generally conforming to the shape and size of the sole surface of the cast and a layer of uncured adhesive material is provided on the upper surface. The adhesive layer is protected against curing or setting until ready for use by a thin layer of air-impervious film which is stripped or peeled away to initiate curing when the foot piece is pressed or forced against the sole surface of the cast and is held until the adhesive material cures or sets to provide a permanent adhesive attachment of the foot piece on the cast for converting the cast for walking.

Abstract: A cast wedge for use in adjusting a tubular cast for maintaining predetermined spacing between opposite facing edges of a transverse cut made in the cast wall adjacent the area of the limb fracture. The wedge includes a body formed of molded, resinous plastic material that is radio-lucent having a wedge portion with opposite edges spaced a predetermined distance apart for direct engagement with the facing edges of the cut in the wall of the cast. Flanges are formed to extend outwardly and normal to the opposite edges of the wedge portion and the flanges have an inside surface engageable with the outer surface of the cast for limiting the inward travel of the wedge portion into the interior of the cast.

Abstract: An elbow suspension device for bed and ambulatory patients includes a tubular sleeve of flexible material adapted to be slipped onto the arm over the hand and the sleeve is provided with a base portion which is positioned in overlying relation with respect to the bony protuberance of the elbow. A first support pad of resilient foam is mounted in the sleeve on the base portion and includes a central opening adapted to annularly support an outer end portion of the bony protuberance of the elbow and elevate the end or tip of the elbow above the bed surface. A second support pad is mounted on top of the first pad and is also formed of resilient foam. The second pad includes an opening aligned with the opening in the first pad and somewhat larger with a cross-like shape having petal-like segments elongated in a direction longitudinally of the arm and segments elongated in a direction laterally thereof.