Anatomical gripping system for gripping the leg and foot of a patient when effecting hip distraction and/or when effecting leg positioning
An anatomical gripping system comprising: a binding comprising: a substantially rigid spine; a calf shell mounted to the substantially rigid spine; an anterior shell; and a clamping mechanism connecting the anterior shell to the calf shell; wherein the calf shell comprises a flexible portion configured to selectively engage the superior portion of the calcaneus bone of a patient; and further wherein when the clamping mechanism applies a force to the flexible portion of the calf shell, the flexible portion of the calf shell is drawn into engagement with the superior portion of the calcaneus bone of the patient.
1. An anatomical gripping system for gripping a lower leg and foot of a patient, the anatomical gripping system comprising:
a binding comprising:
a rigid spine;
a calf member directly mounted to the rigid spine and configured to extend along the calf side of the lower leg of the patient, the calf member comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being movable relative to the first portion;
a plantar member spaced from the calf member and configured to extend under the foot of the patient; and
a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member, whereby to hold the second portion of the calf member superior to the calcaneus bone of the patient.
2. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is connected to the second portion of the calf member.
3. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the plantar member is mounted to the rigid spine.
4. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a force gauge for measuring the force applied by the tensioning mechanism.
5. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the calf member is mounted to the rigid spine.
6. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a cantilever.
7. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the binding further comprises an anterior member.
8. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 7 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is connected to the anterior member.
9. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the force applied by the tensioning mechanism comprises an anteriorly-directed force.
10. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the calf member is drawn into the superior portion of the calcaneus bone when the tensioning mechanism applies the force to the second portion of the calf member.
11. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein when a traction force is applied to the leg of the patient, the second portion of the calf member is configured to inhibit relative motion between the calcaneus bone of the patient and the binding.
12. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 10 , wherein when a traction force is applied to the leg of the patient, the second portion of the calf member is configured to inhibit relative motion between the calcaneus bone of the patient and the binding.
13. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 7 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a tensioning force between the anterior member and the calf member, whereby to grip the lower leg of the patient above the malleoli bones.
14. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the binding further comprises a soft wrap for covering at least a portion of the lower leg.
15. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 14 , wherein the soft wrap is configured to cover the lower leg of the patient superior to the malleoli bones.
16. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 14 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a tensioning force onto the soft wrap.
17. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the binding further comprises a second tensioning mechanism which is connected to the plantar member.
18. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 1 , wherein the binding further comprises a second tensioning mechanism, wherein the second tensioning mechanism is configured to be connected to the calf member adjacent to the calf of the lower leg of the patient.
19. An anatomical gripping system for gripping a lower leg and foot of a patient, the anatomical gripping system comprising:
a binding comprising:
a rigid spine extending from the lower leg to the foot of the patient;
a calf member configured to extend along the calf of the lower leg of the patient, the calf member comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the calf member is directly mounted to the rigid spine, wherein the second portion of the calf member extends inferiorly from, and is flexible relative to the first portion;
a plantar member spaced from the calf member and configured to extend under the foot of the patient; and
a tensioning mechanism configured to apply a force to the second portion of the calf member, whereby to hold the second portion of the calf member superior to the calcaneus bone of the patient.
20. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the binding further comprises an anterior member.
21. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a tensioning force between the anterior member and the calf member, whereby to grip the lower leg of the patient above the malleoli bones.
22. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the binding further comprises a second tensioning mechanism which is connected to the plantar member.
23. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the binding further comprises a second tensioning mechanism, wherein the second tensioning mechanism is configured to be connected to the calf member adjacent to the calf of the lower leg of the patient.
24. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the binding further comprises a soft wrap for covering at least a portion of the lower leg.
25. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 24 , wherein the soft wrap is configured to cover the lower leg of the patient superior to the malleoli bones.
26. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 24 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply a tensioning force onto the soft wrap.
27. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein when a traction force is applied to the leg of the patient, the second portion of the calf member is configured to inhibit relative motion between the calcaneus bone of the patient and the binding.
28. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is connected to the second portion of the calf member.
29. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the plantar member is mounted to the rigid spine.
30. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a force gauge for measuring the force applied by the tensioning mechanism.
31. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the second portion comprises a cantilever.
32. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 20 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is connected to the anterior member.
33. The anatomical gripping system according to claim 19 , wherein the force applied by the tensioning mechanism comprises an anteriorly-directed force.