Anatomical support medical device

Abstract

An anatomical support device for post radiation cancer treatment, such as for breast or prostate cancer, including a breast support device for supporting the breast away from the chest or a scrotum support device for supporting the scrotum away from the groin and perineal areas. Each support device includes a central portion configured to create space between the affected part of the anatomy and underlying skin to prevent irritating friction contact. The central portion has one or more perforations therethrough and/or open transverse channels for providing and/or enhancing circulation of air to and around the affected tissue to speed healing. An enclosed raised channel is provided on the central portion in communication with at least one of the perforations through the raised channel and be delivered to the affected tissue.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A medical device for supporting a first body tissue away from a second body tissue, said medical device comprising: 
 a central portion having an upper side and a lower side;    an upper flange member extending from said upper side of said central portion, said upper flange member adapted to support a first body tissue;    a lower flange member extending from said lower side of said central portion, said lower flange member adapted for positioning adjacent a second body tissue; and wherein said central portion adapted to separate the first body tissue from the second body tissue when the first body tissue is supported on said upper flange member and said lower flange member is positioned adjacent the second body tissue.    
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said first body tissue is the underside of a breast and wherein the second body tissue is the chest wall.  
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2  further comprising said central portion adapted to create space between the underside of the breast and the chest wall.  
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 2  further comprising at least one perforation in said central portion for air to reach the underside of the breast and chest wall through said central portion.  
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a raised channel on a surface of said central portion said raised channel defining an enclosed region;  
 at least one of said perforations in said central portion communicating with said enclosed region defined by said raised channel; and  
 an end of said raised channel having an opening into said enclosed region such that a source of air or oxygen can be connected to said opening of said raised channel to cause said air or said oxygen to flow into said enclosed region and out through said at least one of said perforations and into said space created between the underside of the breast and the chest wall.  
 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 3  further comprising opposite ends of said central portion being unobstructed, and said space between the underside of the breast and the chest wall is an open region along said central portion for allowing for air circulation between said central portion and the underside of the breast and the chest wall.  
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 3  further comprising said central portion being of a concave shape.  
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of perforations in said central portion for air to reach the underside of the breast and chest wall through said central portion.  
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 2  further comprising said central portion having an arcuate shape along the longest axis thereof, said arcuate shape adapted to conform to the curvature of the chest wall.  
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9  further comprising said lower flange member having an arcuate shape.  
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 9  further comprising said upper flange member having a second arcuate shape, said second arcuate shape adapted to conform to the curvature of the breast.  
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 2  further comprising open transverse channels provided in said upper flange member to enhance air circulation between said upper flange member and the breast.  
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 2  further comprising a securement member attached to at least one of said central portion said upper flange member and said lower flange member adapted to hold said medical device in place when positioned against the chest wall under the breast.  
     
     
         14 . A medical device for supporting a breast away from a chest wall of a patient, said medical device comprising: 
 a hollow member adapted for positioning under the breast adjacent the chest wall, said hollow member capable of separating the underside of the breast from the chest wall; and    at least one perforation through said hollow member to permit air to reach the underside of the breast and the chest wall through said hollow member.    
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 said hollow member having closed ends defining an enclosed region within said hollow member;  
 at least one perforation provided in a certain region along a length of said hollow member, said certain region facing the underside of the breast and the chest wall; and  
 one of said closed ends having an opening into said enclosed region such that a source of air or oxygen can be connected to said opening to cause said air or oxygen to flow into said enclosed region and out through at least one of said perforations and against the underside of the breast and the chest wall.  
 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 14  further comprising an elongated strap member for securing said medical device into position said strap member disposed through said hollow member and having opposite free ends adapted to be secured together subsequent to disposition through said hollow member and encirclement of at least a portion of a patient's upper body, said strap member adapted to secure said hollow member under the breast adjacent the chest wall and cause said hollow member to conform to the curvature of the chest wall.  
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 14  further comprising said hollow member having a generally arcuate shape along a longest axis thereof adapted to conform to the curvature of the chest wall.  
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 17  further comprising a strap member for securing said medical device into position said strap member disposed through said hollow member and having opposite free ends adapted to be secured together subsequent to disposition through said hollow member and encirclement of at least a portion of a patient's upper body, said strap member adapted to secure said hollow member under the breast adjacent the chest wall.  
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 17  further comprising a pair of securement members, each of said securement members having a first end attachable to opposite ends of said hollow member and a second end adapted to fasten to each other subsequent to encirclement of at least a portion of a patient's upper body, said pair of securement members adapted to removably secure said hollow member under the breast adjacent the chest wall.  
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of securement members, each of said securement members having a first end attachable to opposite ends of said central portion and a second end adapted to fasten to each other subsequent to encirclement of at least a portion of a patient's body, said securement members adapted to removably secure said medical device to said patient's body.  
     
     
         21 . A medical device for supporting a scrotum of a patient away from underlying tissue, said medical device comprising: 
 an elongated member having a central portion and opposing side portions extending downwardly away from said central portion;    said central portion having a wider first end and a narrower distal end opposite said wider first end, said wider first end adapted for positioning at the base of the scrotum; and    said central portion adapted to support the scrotum away from the underlying tissue when the wider first end is positioned in juxtaposition to the scrotum and said opposing side portions are positioned in juxtaposition to the underlying tissue.    
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 21  further comprising said central portion adapted to create space between the scrotum and the underlying tissue and said central portion.  
     
     
         23 . The medical support device of  claim 21  further comprising said central portion having at least one perforation therethrough to provide for circulation of air around the scrotum and the underlying tissue.  
     
     
         24 . The medical device of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 a raised channel on said central portion, said raised channel defining an enclosed region;  
 at least one of said perforation in said central portion communicating with said enclosed region defined by said raised channel; and  
 an end of said raised channel having an opening into said enclosed region such that a source of air or oxygen is connected to said opening to cause said air or oxygen to flow into said enclosed region and out through said at least one of said perforations and directed to the area of the scrotum and the underlying tissue.  
 
     
     
         25 . The medical support device of  claim 23  further comprising open transverse channels in said central portion to enhance circulation of air between the scrotum and the underlying tissues and said central portion.  
     
     
         26 . The medical support device of  claim 23  further comprising said central portion having a generally concave cross-section.  
     
     
         27 . The medical support device of  claim 23  further comprising part of said central portion having a generally arcuate shape along said elongated member from said wider first end to said narrower distal end.