IP Library Granted Patent US 11,771,616
Granted Patent B2
US 11,771,616 · App. 16/859,076 · Granted Oct 3, 2023

Heel protector and corresponding rehabilitation systems and methods for using the same

Inventors: David S. Noskowicz (Spring Grove, IL); Margaret Falconio-West (Round Lake, IL)
Assignee: Medline Industries, LP
A61H9/005A61H9/0092A61H2201/0111A61H2201/0214A61H2201/0257A61H2201/164A61H2201/165A61H2201/169A61H2201/5002A61H2205/106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,771,616
App. No.
16/859,076
Granted
Oct 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device ( 900 ) includes a leg engaging section ( 101 ) and a foot engaging section ( 102 intersecting at a heel receiver ( 103 ). The leg engaging section and the foot engaging section defining a leg insertion aperture ( 104 ). A first compression wrap member ( 301 ) and a second compression wrap member ( 302 ) extend from the leg engaging section. An inflatable bladder ( 501 ) can be disposed along the leg engaging section between the leg insertion aperture and a compressible cushion layer ( 902 ). The inflatable bladder can be selectively inflatable through a connection tube ( 502 ) exiting the inflatable bladder at a non-orthogonal angle ( 504 ) relative to an edge ( 507 ) of the inflatable bladder. The leg engaging section can define at least one channel to permit the connection tube to exit the device.

Claims (26)

1. A device, comprising:

a leg engaging section and a foot engaging section intersecting at a heel receiver, at least the leg engaging section comprising a compressible cushion layer;

a first compression wrap member and a second compression wrap member, each attached to the leg engaging section at different locations and disposed interior to a first side of the leg engaging section and a second side of the leg engaging section and extending from the leg engaging section; and

one or more fastening straps, affixed to and extending from sides of the leg engaging section; and

the leg engaging section defining at least one channel to permit a connection tube to exit the device.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more other fastening straps, affixed to and extending from sides of the leg engaging section, the foot engaging section, or combinations thereof.

3. The device of claim 2 , the one or more fastening straps comprising four fastening straps, with at least one fastening strap extending from a first side of the device, while other fastening straps extend from another side of the device.

4. The device of claim 2 , the first compression wrap member defining a proximal edge, a distal edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, the second side edge defining a plurality of attachment tabs.

5. The device of claim 1 , the leg engaging section defining a leg insertion aperture, the device further comprising:

an inflatable bladder disposed along the leg engaging section between the leg insertion aperture and the compressible cushion layer, the inflatable bladder selectively inflatable through a connection tube exiting the inflatable bladder at a non-orthogonal angle relative to an edge of the inflatable bladder; and

at least one additional inflatable bladder disposed along the leg engaging section between the leg insertion aperture and the compressible cushion layer.

6. The device of claim 5 , the leg engaging section defining at least one additional channel to permit at least one additional connection tube to exit the device.

7. The device of claim 6 , the inflatable bladder and the at least one additional inflatable bladder configured to be sequentially inflatable.

8. The device of claim 6 , the connection tube and the at least one additional connection tube coupled to a common tube exterior to the device.

9. The device of claim 6 , the connection tube and the at least one additional connection tube coupled to a common tube interior to the device.

10. The device of claim 1 , the compressible cushion layer comprising one of an organic batting or an inorganic batting surrounding a first tube and a second tube.

11. The device of claim 10 , the first tube disposed to a first side of a medial line of the leg engaging section, the second tube disposed to a second side of the medial line.

12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an inflatable bladder disposed within a sleeve of the leg engaging section.

13. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a port extending from at least one channel at an angle relative to a side of the device.

14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a strain relief fitting disposed about the connection tube at an exterior of the device.

15. The device of claim 1 , the first compression wrap member and the second compression wrap member disposed interior of a first side and a second side of the leg engaging section.

16. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a bolster to stabilize the device rotationally.

17. The device of claim 16 , the device comprising a fastener disposed on an exterior of the leg engaging section, the bolster comprising a complementary fastener disposed on an exterior of the bolster.

18. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first compression wrap member and the second compression wrap member are manufactured from a stretchable, elasticized material.

19. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel is reinforced about a perimeter of the at least one channel.

20. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a bolster having a triangular cross section that is attachable to, and separable from, the device.

Assignments (5)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075643/0462 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071672/0100 →
CONVERSION OF ENTITY FROM CORPORATION TO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Recorded Oct 31, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 057977/0436 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057927/0091 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058040/0001 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 15677958 · Aug 15, 2017
Continuation 14206395 · Mar 12, 2014
Continuation In Part 13757233 · Feb 1, 2013
Continuation In Part 13649920 · Oct 11, 2012
Provisional Application 61781682 · Mar 14, 2013
Related Publication 20200253812A1 · Aug 13, 2020
Cited By (13)
US 1,133,381 US 1,134,887 US 1,134,888 US 1,136,211 US 1,136,212 US 1,136,213 US 1,136,214 US 1,136,215 US 1,137,696 US 1,137,697 US 1,140,038 US 12,409,094 US 12,616,595