Patent Application
20210290425
The present disclosure is generally directed to an orthopedic shoulder support for stabilizing a user's shoulder during sleep, and more specifically to an orthopedic pillow for holding a user's arm and shoulder in a prescribed position during recovery from shoulder injury or surgery and/or during periods of shoulder pain.
The shoulder is one of the most movable joints in the body. It is also an unstable joint, in part because of the range of motion allowed. This instability increases the likelihood of joint injury, which can lead to a degenerative process where tissues break down and no longer function well. As a result, shoulder problems are one of the most common reasons for physician visits in the United States. Around 40% of Americans suffer from some level of shoulder pain, leading as many as 600,000 Americans to have shoulder surgery each year. However, their recovery times and outcomes are often limited by their inability to sleep post-operation, while stabilizing their shoulder for recovery.
Despite advances in medical operations and physical therapy available for shoulder pain, many patients are still confined to wearing a sling to bed during recovery periods. While slings can stabilize the shoulder joint, they are uncomfortable for the user, resulting in less sleep during an important stage of recovery. Consequently, this results in slower, less satisfying, and less complete recoveries. To remedy the discomfort patients experience with wearing slings to bed, some doctors prescribe opioid-based pain killers. While using opioid-based pain killers can result in better sleep, they can also interfere with the user's functioning during the day and can cause problems associated with addiction after recovery. Alternatively, some shoulder-comfort pillows allow users to position themselves for more comfort, but do not stabilize the shoulder nor prevent body weight from being carried by the shoulder. While comfort pillows can result in better sleep, the destabilization and loading of the shoulder joint can result in more daytime pain, reinjuries, and incomplete recoveries. Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can comfortably stabilize the shoulder joint to allow users to sleep during recovery periods without using potentially addictive medications and without risking reinjury or inhibiting recovery.
The following disclosure describes various embodiments of orthopedic shoulder supports for comfortably stabilizing a shoulder joint of a user lying adjacent the orthopedic shoulder support. In some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support is comprised of a body having a recess. The recess is generally defined by a horizontal shoulder support surface, an arm support surface extending from the shoulder support surface at an upward angle, and vertical sidewalls extending upwardly from the shoulder support surface and the arm support surface.
The orthopedic shoulder support is configured to stabilize the shoulder joint by allowing a user's arm to rest on a comfortable surface while being held in a prescribed position (e.g., a position mimicking the position of an arm in a sling). When a user lies adjacent the orthopedic shoulder support, their shoulder rests on the shoulder support surface and their upper arm rests on the arm support surface. The sidewalls help to immobilize the arm and shoulder, thereby reducing the amount of undesired and/or unintentional movement through the shoulder joint.
In some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can also include a retention member configured to help retain the orthopedic shoulder support in the proper position relative to the user. In some embodiments, the retention member can be made of a flexible material extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the orthopedic shoulder support. In use, the user lies on the retention member adjacent to the orthopedic shoulder support. In this way, the user's weight on the retention member restrains the orthopedic shoulder support from moving away from the user. In other embodiments, the retention member can be a flexible retaining strap secured to the orthopedic shoulder support and configured to be wrapped around a portion of the user's body to retain the orthopedic shoulder support in the proper position. In some embodiments, the retention member can be a flexible strap securely attached to the orthopedic shoulder support and configured to wrap around a portion of the user's arm. In this embodiment, the flexible retention strap holds the orthopedic shoulder support in the proper position while also restraining movement of the user's arm.
In some embodiments, the dimensions of various features of the orthopedic shoulder support can be customized to a particular user during manufacture. For example, the recess can be formed to fit the user's body (e.g., the length of the arm support surface can be approximately equal to the length of the user's upper arm). Such customization can improve the fit of the orthopedic shoulder support for the user, which is expected to improve the user's comfort and recovery. In other embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can be manufactured with additional features to enhance user comfort.
The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain examples of embodiments of the present technology. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section. For ease of reference, the orthopedic shoulder support may be described herein with reference to top and bottom, head and foot, upwards and downwards, and/or lateral, horizontal, or vertical relative to the spatial orientation of the embodiments shown in the figures. It is to be understood that the orthopedic shoulder support, however, can be moved to, and used in, different spatial orientations without changing the structure and/or function of the disclosed embodiments of the present technology.
The figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the figures and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the embodiments described. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosed technology. Component details may be abstracted in the figures to exclude details such as position of components and certain precise connections between such components when such details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make and use the invention.
The orthopedic shoulder supports are sometimes described herein in the context of an orthopedic pillow configured to help stabilize a shoulder joint while the user rests adjacent to the pillow. It will be appreciated, however, that the orthopedic shoulder support can be made from relatively firm materials such as plastics, air pillows, rubber, closed cell foams, rigid frames with mesh or netting defining the shoulder support surface and/or arm support surface, and/or other suitable materials.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder support surface 22 is a generally horizontal planar surface that is positioned at a first distance or height 16a above the bottom surface 14 of the body 12. The arm support surface 24 extends from the shoulder support surface 22 at an upward angle relative to the bottom surface 14 and transitions from the first height 16a at a proximal end portion to a second, greater height 16b at a distal end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls 26a-c extend vertically, or generally vertically, from the edges of the shoulder support surface 22 and the arm support surface 24 and include: a first sidewall 26a adjacent the shoulder support surface 22, a second sidewall 26b adjacent the arm support surface 24, and a third sidewall 26c adjacent the shoulder support surface 22 and the arm support surface 24 and extending from the first sidewall 26a to the second sidewall 26b. In other embodiments, the recess 20 can have sidewalls extending on only two sides of the shoulder support surface 22 and the arm support surface 24. For example, in such an embodiment, the distal end portion of the arm support surface 24 can extend to a top surface 15 of the body 12, thereby omitting the second sidewall 26b.
Referring next to
In some embodiments, the retention member 30 is a relatively thin sheet of flexible material (e.g., a textile material such as a fabric or a cloth (e.g., canvas); rubber, such as latex or neoprene; plastic; foam such as polyurethane foam or Serene® polyfoam; etc.) extending outwardly from the bottom surface 14 of the body 12. In some embodiments, the retention member 30 has a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 30 millimeters (mm), from about 1 to about 10 mm, or about 2 mm. In some embodiments, retention member 30 can be attached to the bottom surface 14 of the body 12 by an adhesive (e.g., 3M®'s Foam Fast 74 Spray Adhesive, 3M®'s HI-STRENGTH 90 Contact Adhesive, National Guards' 1633 Foam Lock, etc.). In other embodiments, the retention member can be attached to the body 12 by various other means such as fasteners, incorporation into a cover for the orthopedic shoulder support, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), sewing, high temperature bonding (e.g., heat staking), etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention member 30 is configured to be positioned underneath the user when the user lies adjacent to the orthopedic shoulder support 10a as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the retention member 30 is secured to a portion of the bottom surface 14 of the body 12. In various embodiments, the retention member can be secured to greater or smaller portions of the bottom surface 14. For example, in some embodiments the retention member 30 can be secured only to the longitudinal edge 17 of the bottom surface 14. In other embodiments, the retention member can be secured to the entire bottom surface 14. Further, in some embodiments, the retention member has a width of from about 10 to about 90 centimeters (cm), from about 30 to about 70 cm, or about 45 cm. As a further example, in an embodiment where the retention member 30 has a width of about 45 cm, about 20 cm of the width of the retention member 30 can be attached to the bottom surface 14 while about 25 cm of the width of the retention member 30 extends outwardly from the longitudinal edge 17 of the bottom surface 14.
In some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can be formed from a compressible material. For example, in some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can be formed from a foam, such as an open cell polyurethane foam having a density of from about 0.5 to about 3.5 pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft3), from about 1.5 to about 2.5 lbs/ft3, or about 1.8 lbs/ft3, and/or a foam having an Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) of from about 50 to about 200, from about 80 to about 150, or about 100. In other embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can be formed from other types of foam (e.g., closed cell foam) having other densities and/or ILDs. In further embodiments, the body 12 can be formed from other materials (e.g., pliable plastics; air pillow(s); rubber, such as latex or neoprene; fabric bags stuffed with foam mulch, down, or batting; rigid frames with mesh or netting for the shoulder support surface and/or arm support surface; etc.).
In some embodiments, for example, the orthopedic shoulder support 10a can be customized such that the height 52 of the distal edge 27 of the arm support surface 24 can be from about 17 to about 28 cm; the length 54 of the arm support surface 24 can be from about 30 to about 44 cm; and/or the width 56 of the arm support surface 24 can be from about 7 to about 16 cm. In some embodiments, a length of the shoulder support surface 22 can be from about 7 to about 23 cm, and/or a width of the shoulder support surface 22 can be from about 7 to about 16 cm (e.g., approximately equal to the width 56 of the arm support surface 24). Further, in some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support 10a can be customized such that the height of the shoulder support surface 22 (i.e., the height 16a above the bottom surface 14 (
In some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support 10a can be customized to a range of sizes. For example, the orthopedic shoulder support 10a can have an XS, S, M, L, and/or XL size with dimensions in the ranges given above. In some embodiments, for example, a size XS orthopedic shoulder support 10a can be sized such that the distal edge 27 of the arm support surface 24 is at a height 52 of about 17 cm; the arm support surface 24 has a length of about 30 cm; the arm support surface 24 has a width of about 7 cm; the shoulder support surface 22 has a length of about 7 cm; and/or the shoulder support surface has a width of about 7 cm. In such embodiments, the dimensions of features of the recess 20 can step up between sizes in equal increments or in unequal increments. For example, in some embodiments, the length of the arm support surface 24 can change by increments of from about 1.5 to about 4.0 cm, or about 2.5 cm between sizes.
Customizing the dimensions of the orthopedic shoulder support 10a to be equal to or at least approximately equal to the measurements of a user as described above is expected to significantly increase the comfort of the orthopedic shoulder support 10a. Customizing the fit of the orthopedic support 10a is also expected to improve the stabilizing function of the orthopedic shoulder support 10a by limiting the user's arm movement.
In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible retention strap 32 has a first end portion 32a and a second end portion 32b. The first end portion 32a can be fixedly attached (e.g., by an adhesive) to the bottom surface 14 of the body 12, and the second end portion 32b can be releasably attached to the top surface 15 of the body 12 by fasteners 33a and 33b. In some embodiments, the fastener 33a can be one portion (e.g., a hook portion) of a hook and loop fastener system (e.g., Velcro®) and the fastener 33b can be the other portion (e.g., a loop portion) of the hook and loop fastener. In other embodiments, the second end portion 32b can be releasably attached to the body 12 by various other fasteners (e.g., a buckle, a clip fastener, an adhesive, etc.) In some embodiments, both the first end portion 32a and the second end portion 32b can be releasably attached to the body 12. In some embodiments, the first end portion 32a and the second end portion 32b can be attached to various other surfaces of the body 12 (e.g., the first end portion 32a can be attached to the backside of the body 12). In some embodiments, the first end portion 32a and the second end portion 32b can be attached to the body 12 in the same place and/or each other.
By wrapping around the user's body, the flexible retention strap 32 holds the orthopedic shoulder support 10b against the user's body, and thereby holds the orthopedic shoulder support 10b in a proper position to support the user's arm and shoulder. It will be understood that while the flexible retention strap 32 is illustrated wrapping around the user's torso and free arm, in other embodiments the flexible retention strap 32 can wrap around only the user's torso to accomplish the same function.
In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible retention strap 36 has a first end portion 36a and a second end portion 36b. The first end portion 36a can be fixedly attached to the top surface 15 of the body 12 (e.g., by adhesives) and the second end portion 36b can be releasably attached to the arm support surface 24 (e.g., using hook and loop fasteners (not shown)). In some such embodiments, the user 50 or another person can guide the second end portion 36b between the user's arm and torso to attach to the arm support surface. In some embodiments, both the first end portion 36a and the second end portion 36b can be releasably attached (e.g., using hook and loop fasteners) to the top surface 15 of the body 12 and the arm support surface 24, respectively. In some embodiments, both the first end portion 36a and the second end portion 36b can be fixedly attached (e.g., by an adhesive) to the top surface 15 of the body and the arm support surface 24, respectively. In some such embodiments, the user's shoulder can be placed within the recess 20 (
In use, the flexible retention strap 36 retains the orthopedic shoulder support 10d in the proper position to support the user's arm and shoulder (e.g., in a manner similar to the flexible retention strap 32 discussed above with respect to
The shoulder transition pad 41 extends outwardly from the body 12 from a position adjacent the shoulder support surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder transition pad 41 extends laterally outwards at a right angle, or about a right angle, relative to the shoulder support surface 22. Further, the shoulder transition pad 41 extends outwardly at a downward slope. For example, in some embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 extends outwardly at a downward slope from the first height 16a adjacent to the shoulder support surface 22 to the base surface 14 at a distal end of the shoulder transition pad 41. In other embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 extends outwardly at a downward slope from different heights. For example, in some embodiments the shoulder transition pad 41 extends outwardly at a downward slope from about a top surface of the shoulder support surface 22 to a height (not shown) above the base surface 14.
In some embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 can be attached to the body 12 by an adhesive. In other embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 can be attached to the body 12 by fastener mechanisms (e.g., hook and loop fasteners). In other embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 can be manufactured as an integral element of the unitary body 12. In some embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 can be made from a comfort improving material (e.g., a foam such as an open cell polyurethane foam or gel infused foam, microbeads, down, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 can be made from an open cell polyurethane foam having a density of from about 1 to about 5 lbs/ft3, from about 2 to about 4 lbs/ft3, or about 2.5 lbs/ft3, and/or an ILD of from about 5 to about 50, from about 15 to about 40, or about 24. In some embodiments, the shoulder transition pad 41 can be made from multiple materials. For example, the structure of the shoulder transition pad 41 can be made from a relatively stiff material (e.g., a foam with a relatively high ILD) having an upper surface coated with a comfort improving material (e.g., a foam with a relatively low ILD).
When a user lies adjacent to the orthopedic shoulder support 10e, the shoulder transition pad 41 provides a support surface that transitions the user's shoulder into the shoulder support surface 22. The transitional support surface is expected to increase the user's comfort while using the orthopedic shoulder support 10e.
The shoulder support surface pad 42 is disposed on the shoulder support surface 22 and the arm support surface pad 44 is disposed on the arm support surface 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder support surface pad 42 is disposed over the entire surface of the shoulder support surface 22. In other embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 can be disposed over only a portion of the shoulder support surface 22 (e.g., covering only a center portion of the shoulder support surface 22). Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, the arm support surface pad 44 is disposed over the entire surface of the arm support surface 24. In other embodiments, the arm support surface pad 44 can be disposed over only a portion of the arm support surface 24.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and the arm support surface pad 44 are relatively thin pads with the same thickness. For example, the shoulder support surface pad and/or the arm support surface pad 44 can have a thickness of from about 1 to about 8 cm, from about 3 to about 6 cm, or about 5.1 cm. In other embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44 can have thicknesses different from each other. For example, in some embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 can have a thickness of about 4 cm and the arm support surface pad 44 can have a thick of about 3 cm.
In some embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44 can be attached to the body 12 by an adhesive and/or various types of fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fasteners). In other embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and the arm support surface pad 44 can be simply placed on the shoulder support surface 22 and the arm support surface 24 respectively. In such embodiments, the user's weight on the support surface pads 42 and 44 can retain the support surface pads 42 and 44 in position.
The shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44 can be made from comfort improving materials. For example, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44 can be made from a relatively soft foam. In some embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44 can be an open cell polyurethane foam having a density from about 1 to about 5 lbs/ft3, from about 2 to about 4 lbs/ft3, or about 2.5 lbs/ft3, and/or an ILD from about 5 to about 50, from about 15 to about 40, or about 24. In other embodiments, the shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44 can be made from other materials (e.g., other foams, gel, microbeads, down, cotton) configured to improve the user's comfort while resting their arm and shoulder on the shoulder support surface pad 42 and arm support surface pad 44.
In some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support 10e can include a pad on various other surfaces of the body 12 in addition to the shoulder support surface pad 42 and the arm support surface pad 44. For example, in some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support 10e can further include a pad on the sidewalls 26a-c, the top surface 15 (
In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member 74 connects the head supporting member 72 to the body 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the head supporting member 72 has an upward-facing u-shape configured to receive and support and/or stabilize a user's head when using the orthopedic shoulder support 10e. In other embodiments, the head supporting member 72 can have various other suitable shapes configured to support and/or stabilize a user's head (e.g., elliptical, flat, etc.). In some embodiments, the head supporting member 72 is a block of shape-conforming foam (e.g., Serene® polyfoam, or other shape-conforming foams) configured to generally conform to the shape of a user's head and hold the head vertical. In the illustrated embodiment, the head supporting member 72 is integrally connected to the attachment member 74. In other embodiments, the head supporting member 72 and attachment member 74 can be individual pieces attached by an adhesive.
In some embodiments, the length 78 and the interior width 76 can be customized in addition to the customized features discussed above with respect to
The orthopedic shoulder support of any of the embodiments discussed above can be manufactured using various approaches known in the art. In some embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can be manufactured by forming a generally horizontal shoulder support surface positioned at a first distance above a bottom surface of the orthopedic shoulder support; forming an arm support surface extending from the shoulder support surface at an upward angle relative to the bottom surface, the arm support surface having a proximal end portion positioned at the first distance above the bottom surface and a distal end portion positioned at a second distance above the bottom surface, the second distance being greater than the first distance; and forming at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the shoulder support surface and the arm support surface. In such embodiments, the shoulder support surface, the arm support surface, and the at least one sidewall define a recess in a body of the orthopedic shoulder support.
In some embodiments, for example, the orthopedic shoulder support can be manufactured as a unitary member, in which the recess is formed by removing material from a block of raw material (e.g., by cutting the block of raw material) to form the features of the recess discussed above. In some embodiments, the block of raw material is a pre-manufactured body of the orthopedic shoulder support. In some embodiments, the body is also formed by removing material from a block of raw material to define the body. In other embodiments, the orthopedic shoulder support can be manufactured in two or more individual pieces that are then attached together, e.g. by adhesive bonding. For example, the arm support surface, shoulder support surface, and/or sidewalls can be manufactured individually and can then be attached together (e.g., by adhesive bonding) to form the orthopedic shoulder support.
In some embodiments, the manufacturing process can create an orthopedic shoulder support that is customized to the intended user (e.g., a post-surgery patient). In these embodiments, measurements are taken of the user and used to tailor the features of the recess and/or head support.
The measurements can include, for example, a first measurement of the length of the user's shoulder from a top of the user's shoulder to a bottom of the user's shoulder; a second measurement of the length of the user's upper arm from the user's shoulder to a distal portion of the user's elbow; a third measurement of the resting height of the user's arm from the user's back to the user's elbow while the user is in the prescribed position; and/or a fourth measurement of a maximum width of the user's upper arm. For example, a measurement of a typical user might result in a first measurement (of the length of the user's shoulder) of from about 7 to about 16 cm; a second measurement (of the length of the user's upper arm) of from about 30 to about 44 cm; a third measurement (of the resting height of the user's arm) of from about 17 to about 28 cm; and/or a fourth measurement (of the width of the user's upper arm) of from about 7 to about 16 cm.
The first, second, third, and fourth measurements can be used to customize the recess to the user. In some embodiments, the shoulder support surface has a length of about the first measurement and/or a depth of about the fourth measurement. In some embodiments, the arm support surface has a length of about the second measurement, a depth of about the fourth measurement, and/or a second distance of about the third measurement.
In some embodiments, the measurements of the user can also include a fifth measurement of the length of the user's head, from the top of the user's head to the bottom of the user's head; and/or a sixth measurement of the maximum width of the user's head. The fifth and sixth measurements can be used to customize the head supporting member to the user. In some embodiments, the head supporting member has a length of about the fifth measurement and/or an interior width of about the sixth measurement.
It will be appreciated that the manufacturing process can customize the orthopedic shoulder support and/or head supporting member using various subsets of the measurements discussed above.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
