Patent Application
20130144197
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of orthopedic and prosthetic devices, and more particularly to an orthopedic device that provides stability, protection, support, rehabilitation, and/or unloading to a portion of the human anatomy.
Knee braces are widely used to treat a variety of knee infirmities. Such braces may be configured to impart forces or leverage on the limbs surrounding the knee joint to relieve compressive forces within a portion of the knee joint, or to reduce the load on that portion of the knee. In the event that knee ligaments are weak and infirm, a knee brace may stabilize, protect, support, unload, and/or rehabilitate the knee.
The knee is acknowledged as one of the weakest joints in the body, and serves as the articulating joint between the thigh and calf muscle groups. The knee is held together primarily by small but powerful ligaments. Knee instability arising out of cartilage damage, ligament strain and other causes is relatively commonplace since the knee joint is subjected to significant loads during the course of almost any kind of physical activity requiring using the legs.
A healthy knee has an even distribution of pressure in both the medial and lateral compartments of the knee. It is normal for a person with a healthy knee to place a varus moment on the knee when standing so the pressure between the medial and lateral compartments is uneven but still natural.
One type of knee infirmity that many individuals are prone to having is compartmental osteoarthritis. Compartmental osteoarthritis may arise when there is a persistent uneven distribution of pressure in one of the medial and lateral compartments of the knee. Compartmental osteoarthritis can be caused by injury, obesity, misalignment of the knee, or due to aging of the knee.
A major problem resulting from osteoarthritis of the knee is that the smooth cartilage lining the inside of the knee wears away. This leads to a narrowing of the joint space with developing cysts and erosions in the bone ends. Because of the narrowing of the joint, bone comes directly in contact with bone, and an uneven distribution of pressure develops across the knee which may cause the formation of bone spurs around the joint. All of these changes ultimately lead to increasing pain and stiffness of the joint.
While there are no cures to osteoarthritis, there are many treatments. Individuals who have a diagnosis of isolated medial or lateral compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee are confronted with a variety of treatment options such as medications, surgery, and nonsurgical interventions. Nonsurgical interventions include using canes, lateral shoe wedges, and knee bracing.
Knee bracing is useful to provide compartmental pain relief by reducing the load on the affected compartment through applying an opposing external valgus or varus moment about the knee joint. Unloading knee braces have been shown to significantly reduce osteoarthritis knee pain while improving knee function.
While known knee braces succeed at reducing pain or at stabilizing a knee joint, many users find these braces to be bulky, difficult to don, complicated to configure, and uncomfortable to wear. The embodiments described have streamlined features capable of providing relief for medial or lateral compartmental osteoarthritis, or functional stability of the knee while providing a configuration that has a low profile and unexpectedly provides a more conforming and supportive fit for the orthopedic device.
In an embodiment, the orthopedic device has upper and lower frames hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension. Each of the upper and lower frames includes opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion. A force strap is connected to the upper and lower frames and spiraling therebetween. The force strap extends at a first location proximate to the first primary hinge and is urged in a first direction at the first location to the second primary hinge. The upper frame is rigid or semi-rigid, and may include means for permitting movement in proximal-distal directions and may include means for permitting movement in medial-lateral directions. The upper and lower frame elements may be rigid or semi-rigid.
The orthopedic device may include an adjustment system coupling the force strap to the upper frame, and adjusted tension in the force strap. The adjustment system can have a regulation mechanism permitting incremental selective adjustment among a plurality of predetermined settings. The regulation mechanism may be a linear ratchet generally aligned along the length of the force strap and secured to an end portion of the force strap. Alternatively, the regulation mechanism may be a dial tensioning ratchet having a cable secured to an end portion of the force strap.
The orthopedic device may have a secondary hinge located between a first portion of the upper frame and the second primary hinge. The secondary hinge provides movement of the first portion relative to the lower frame along medial-lateral directions of the orthopedic device.
The second portion of the upper frame may have first and second segments movable relative to one another. The first and second segments movable upon tensioning of the force strap.
The orthopedic device may have a lock mechanism carried by one of the first and second segments and arranged to lock movement of the first and second segments relative to one another. The orthopedic device may also include a slide mechanism including a rack and pinion assembly permitting incremental movement of the first and second segments relative to one another. The slide mechanism may include a dial coupled to the rack for enabling adjustment of the slide mechanism.
According to a variation of the orthopedic device, the upper frame has an anterior side and has first and second medial-lateral side sections. The force strap extends and connects to the upper frame on the anterior side and on the first side medial-lateral, and spirals toward the second primary hinge within a periphery of the upper and lower frames, to secure to a posterior side of the lower frame element. The central portion of the upper frame may be on the anterior side of the device, and may be rigid or semi-rigid. The central portion of the upper frame may define a curved section spiraling between the first and second medial-lateral portions.
The orthopedic device disclosed may be of an unloading type knee brace, under the principles described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,610, granted Apr. 3, 2007, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,698, granted Jan. 11, 1994, both incorporated in their entirety by reference.
A method is provided for using the orthopedic device as a knee brace by tightening a force strap connected to the upper and lower frames by spiraling the strap between the upper and lower frames, with the first and second segments moving upon tensioning of the force strap such that at a first location the force strap generally extends proximate to the first primary hinge and is generally urged in a first direction at the first location to the second primary hinge. The knee brace and method may employ the features and steps described.
The orthopedic device is described referring to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments according to the device described. The device as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated for example only. The elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments still within the spirit and scope of the device described.
A better understanding of different embodiments of the invention may be had from the following description read with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments are in the drawings and are described below. It should be understood, however, there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention covers all modifications, alternative constructions, combinations, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
It will be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent to possess a described meaning, there is no intent to limit the meaning of such term, either expressly or indirectly, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.
For ease of understanding the disclosed embodiments of an orthopedic device, the anterior and posterior portions of the orthopedic device are described independently. The anterior and posterior portions of the orthopedic device function together to support and stabilize anatomical portions of the wearer of the device.
For further ease of understanding the embodiments of an orthopedic device as disclosed, a description of a few terms is necessary. As used, the term “proximal” has its ordinary meaning and refers to a location situated next to or near the point of attachment or origin or a central point, or located toward the center of the body. Likewise, the term “distal” has its ordinary meaning and refers to a location situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point, or located away from the center of the body. The term “posterior” also has its ordinary meaning and refers to a location behind or to the rear of another location. The term “anterior” has its ordinary meaning and refers to a location ahead of or to the front of another location.
The term “extension” is the movement or position of a joint is moving toward or in its most straight position. The term “flexion” is the movement or position of a bending or bent joint.
The terms “rigid,” “flexible,” “compliant,” and “resilient” may be used herein to distinguish characteristics of portions of certain features of the orthopedic device. The term “rigid” should denote that an element of the device is generally devoid of flexibility. Within the context of frame or support members or shells that are “rigid,” it is intended to indicate that they do not lose their overall shape when force is applied, and in fact they may break if bent with sufficient force. The term “flexible” should denote that features are capable of repeated bending such that the features may be bent into retained shapes or the features do not retain a general shape, but continuously deform when force is applied.
The term “compliant” is used to qualify such flexible features as conforming to the shape of another object when placed in contact therewith, via any suitable natural or applied forces, such as gravitational forces, or forces applied by external mechanisms, for example, strap mechanisms. The term “resilient” is used to qualify such flexible features as generally returning to an initial general shape without permanent deformation. As for the term “semi-rigid,” this term is used to connote properties of support members or shells that provide support and are free-standing; however such support members or shells may have some degree of flexibility or resiliency.
The embodiment of the knee brace disclosed may be of an unloading, osteoarthritis knee brace of a type generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,198,610 and 5,277,698. The description focuses on the structure, materials, and configuration of a particular embodiment of an unloading, osteoarthritis knee brace, without belaboring the particular effects and modalities for treating osteoarthritis in the knee joint.
The illustrated knee brace 10 has a frame structure having a shape corresponding to the knee brace discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/212,382, filed on Aug. 18, 2011. The actual shape of the knee brace is not essential, and such the shape of the knee brace in the illustrated embodiment is merely exemplary of one of many shapes that the knee brace may have under the invention.
The knee brace 10 includes upper and lower frames 11, 14 hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges 16, 18 located on opposed sides of the device, particularly the medial and lateral sides. The primary hinges 16, 18 provide movement for the knee between flexion and extension.
The upper frame 11 includes a first side portion 12 comprising first and second side segments 15, 17 preferably located on the lateral side of the brace and movable relative to one another. The first side portion 12 is secured to the first primary hinge 16. A second side portion 19 is on the medial side of the brace and connects to the second primary hinge 18 by a secondary hinge 36 providing movement in the lateral and medial directions (as generally depicted by line L-M in
The secondary hinge 36 includes a living hinge 42 at a middle portion of the hinge and bordered by top and bottom mounts 38, 40 which secure to the second side portion 19 and the second primary hinge 18, respectively. Various other hinge types may be employed including those taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/264,020, filed on Nov. 3, 2008.
A slide mechanism 23 is provided in order to control the movement between the first and second side segments 15, 17 generally in proximal and distal directions (as generally depicted by line P-D in
The lower frame 14 includes first and second lower side portions 25, 27 generally on the lateral and medial sides of the brace. A lower central portion 21 connects to the first and second lower side portions 25, 27. The first and second lower side portions 25, 27 secure to the first and second primary hinges 16, 18, respectively.
Preferably, the upper and lower frames are rigid or semi-rigid. As an example, the frames may be formed from aluminum and may be malleable from a cold forming treatment so as to allow for easy customization of the frame to a particular leg shape. Other exemplary materials that may be used for constructing the frames include metals such as titanium, and steel, thermoset resin composite systems including glass or carbon fibers, and thermoplastics rendered rigid by way of material composition and geometry of the frames.
A flexible upper subshell 28 connects to the upper frame 11, and extends at least in an area not occupied by the upper frame 11 on the medial side of the brace. An upper circumferential strap 32 secures to the upper subshell 28 and extends about the posterior side of the brace and connects to the upper frame 11 and upper subshell 28 on the lateral side. Likewise, a flexible lower subshell 30 may connect to the lower frame 14. A lower circumferential strap 34 extends about the posterior side of the brace and connects to the flexible lower subshell 20 and the lower frame 14. One end of the lower strap 34 secures to the lower frame 14 by a buckle 46, that may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,610.
A force strap 20 connects to the upper frame 11 (at the anterior side) at the medial side of the central portion 13 and spirals downwardly toward the first primary hinge 16 and then down to the posterior side of either the lower frame 14 or the lower subshell 30. As shown in
The depicted knee brace is defined as a double upright osteoarthritis (OA) brace due to there being side portions and hinges on both the lateral and medial sides. The strap 20 is confined within the periphery of the upper and lower frames, so it does not extend beyond any side of the upper and lower frames.
An embodiment of an orthopedic device is provided to reduce the effect of osteoarthritis in a knee joint, or stabilize a knee joint weakened by injury or other infirmities. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the secondary hinge positioned on the medial side of the orthopedic device and the force strap positioned to spiral along the lateral side of the orthopedic device, it will be understood that the orthopedic device may be configured to reduce or cure both medial and lateral knee joint infirmities, and the secondary hinge may be positioned on the lateral side of the orthopedic device and the force strap may be positioned to spiral along the medial side of the orthopedic device. Further, secondary hinges may also be positioned on both the lateral and medial sides of the orthopedic device.
As illustrated, the adjustment system 22 is similar to an adjustment system described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,610. The adjustment system 22 includes a ratchet slide 33 carried by the strap end 29, and engages a latch 31 carried by an attachment 35. The attachment 35 pivotally secures to the upper frame 11 and couples the strap 20 to the upper frame 11. The ratchet slide 33 is arranged to slide relative to the upper frame 11 at a plurality of predefined settings, and locks at one of the predefined settings due to the latch 31. A handle 44 provides for pulling the ratchet slide 33 toward the upper frame 11 to tension the strap 20.
In a variation of an adjustment system,
In reference to
As shown in
Turning to
The adjustment system, in part, allows for correction of leg curvature by forming a lateral inward or outward angle of the upper frame in relation to the lower frame, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,187, granted on Apr. 5, 2005, in relation to the securable slidable engager described.
The arrangement of the adjustment mechanism and the lock mechanism removes the need for the wearer of the brace to use any tool, which results in a brace easy to adjust. The rack and pinion arrangement of the slide mechanism allows the user to increase or decrease the alignment of the brace, and therefore create a force required to unload the knee and relieve pain.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61567176 | Dec 2011 | US |
