Inflatable extremity elevation device

Abstract

An inflatable extremity elevation device is provided. The device includes an outer shell which forms an inflatable air chamber. The outer shell includes a support surface extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end. An adjustable attachment mechanism can be arranged on the outer shell. From the proximal end to the elevated distal end, the support surface can form a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar support surface portion, and a convex support surface portion. The adjustable attachment mechanism can secure a portion of an extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion such that a distal jointed portion of the extremity can naturally come to rest on the convex support surface portion. The device helps prevent excessive pre- and post-operative swelling of an extremity by allowing the extremity to heal in a natural elevated resting position.

1 . An inflatable extremity elevation device comprising:
 an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber and defining a support surface having a length extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof; and   an adjustable attachment mechanism arranged on the outer shell;   wherein from the proximal end to the elevated distal end, the support surface forms a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar support surface portion, and a convex support surface portion; and   wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism is capable of securing a portion of an extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion such that a distal jointed portion of the extremity can bend and naturally come to rest on the convex support surface portion.   
   
   
       2 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 1 , wherein the concave support surface portion is arranged to receive a proximal jointed portion of the extremity and allow it to bend and naturally come to rest thereon when the adjustable attachment mechanism secures a portion of the extremity against the substantially planar support surface portion. 
   
   
       3 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 1 , wherein at any point along the length of the support surface, the support surface is flat as measured across a width thereof in an inflated condition of the outer shell. 
   
   
       4 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 1 , wherein a breathable cushion is arranged along at least a portion of the length of the support surface. 
   
   
       5 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell includes a planar bottom side and the substantially planar support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell. 
   
   
       6 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 5 , wherein the substantially planar support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 100° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell. 
   
   
       7 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 1 , wherein the convex support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches. 
   
   
       8 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 7 , wherein the convex support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.500 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell forms a single inflatable air chamber and supports a self-inflation mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . An extremity elevation device comprising:
 an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber, the outer shell including an undulating support surface having a length extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof;   wherein from the proximal end to the distal end, the support surface forms a proximal support surface portion, a substantially planar angled support surface portion, and a convex elevated support surface portion; and   wherein the convex elevated support surface portion is curved with respect to the substantially planar angled support surface portion to allow a natural cascade of a wrist and hand to fall onto the convex elevated support surface portion when a forearm is secured against the substantially planar angled support surface and an elbow is movably supported on the proximal support surface portion.   
   
   
       11 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal support surface portion is concave in shape. 
   
   
       12 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 10 , wherein the outer shell includes a planar bottom side and the substantially planar elevated support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell. 
   
   
       13 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 12 , wherein the substantially planar elevated support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 100° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell. 
   
   
       14 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 10 , wherein the convex elevated support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches. 
   
   
       15 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 14 , wherein the convex elevated support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.500 inches. 
   
   
       16 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 10 , wherein the outer shell forms a single inflatable air chamber and supports a self-inflation mechanism. 
   
   
       17 . An inflatable extremity elevation device comprising:
 an outer shell forming an inflatable air chamber and defining a support surface extending from a proximal end to an elevated distal end thereof, the support surface forming a concave support surface portion, a substantially planar angled support surface portion, and a convex elevated support surface portion from the proximal end to the elevated distal end;   an adjustable attachment mechanism arranged on the outer shell about the substantially planar angled support surface portion;   wherein the outer shell includes a planar bottom side and the substantially planar angled support surface portion forms an obtuse angle of about 95° to about 105° with the planar bottom side of the outer shell.   
   
   
       18 . The inflatable extremity elevation device of  claim 17 , wherein the convex elevated support surface portion has a radius of curvature of about 1.300 inches to about 1.800 inches. 
   
   
       19 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 17 , wherein the outer shell forms a single inflatable air chamber and supports a self-inflation mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . The extremity elevation device of  claim 17 , wherein a breathable cushion is arranged along at least a portion of a length of the support surface.