Adjustable adduction stabilizer

Abstract

An adjustable adduction stabilizer for use on a wheelchair to support a patient's leg against the leg rest panel of the wheelchair. The stabilizer device is made from a thermoplastic material such as Orthoplast in which holes are formed so that the patient's leg can breathe to prevent skin irritation or bacteria growth. The stabilizer device includes a front curved portion that can be reshaped using a hand held heat gun to fit various sizes of legs. The stabilizer device wraps around the front of the leg to prevent the leg from sliding off of the leg rest panel in both sideways direction. A Velcro strap is sued to secure the stabilizer device to the wheelchair for easy removal and installation.

1 . An adjustable adduction stabilizer device that is attachable to a tubular frame of a wheelchair adjacent to a leg rest panel of the wheelchair, the adjustable adduction stabilizer device comprising:
 A flat body portion shaped to rest on the leg rest panel of the wheelchair;   A major curved portion extending from the flat body portion shaped to bend around a leg; and,   A wide constricted portion extending from the major curved portion and shaped to wrap around a front portion of the leg.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 A minor curved portion extending from the flat body portion;   A narrow constricted portion extending from the minor curved portion; and,   Means to secure the minor curved portion to the tubular frame of the wheelchair.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 2 , and further comprising:
 At least two slots formed in the adjustable adduction stabilizer positioned to receive a Velcro strap in order to secure the adjustable adduction stabilizer device to the tubular frame of the wheelchair.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 At least two slots formed in the adjustable adduction stabilizer device positioned to receive a Velcro strap in order to secure the adjustable adduction stabilizer device to the tubular frame of the wheelchair.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 An end of the wide constricted portion bends inward toward the leg rest panel.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 The adjustable adduction stabilizer device is made from Orthoplast.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 The adjustable adduction stabilizer device includes a plurality of holes to allow for the device to be breathable.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 The adjustable adduction stabilizer device is made from a thermoplastic material.   
     
     
         9 . A wheelchair comprising:
 A leg rest to support a patient's leg;   A foot rest to support the patient's foot; and,   The adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1  secure to the wheelchair to hold the patient's leg against the leg rest panel to prevent both sideways motions with respect to the leg rest panel.   
     
     
         10 . A process for comfortably securing a patient's leg to a leg rest panel of a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising the leg rest panel and a foot rest panel, the process comprising the steps of:
 Applying heat to an adjustable adduction stabilizer device of  claim 1  to soften the stabilizer device;   Bending the stabilizer device into a shape that will comfortably fit around a patient's leg to be rested on the leg rest panel;   Allowing for the stabilizer device to reharden;   Place the stabilizer device around the patient's leg; and,   Secure the stabilizer device to the wheelchair.   
     
     
         11 . The process for comfortably securing a patient's leg to a leg rest panel of a wheelchair of  claim 10 , and further comprising the step of:
 The step of applying heat includes using a hand held heat gun.   
     
     
         12 . The process for comfortably securing a patient's leg to a leg rest panel of a wheelchair of  claim 10 , and further comprising the step of:
 The step of securing the stabilizer device to the wheelchair includes inserting a Velcro strap through slots in the stabilizer device.