BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Area of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to a hinge system for an orthopedic means for assisting movement of body limbs which are in an infirm or partially infirm state. The invention is of particular utility in infant pediatric and upper extremity applications.
Devices of the type to which the present invention relate are normally referred to as “orthotic”. This name is based upon the fact that such devices operate to support or assist injured or infirm body limbs, as opposed to replacing a missing limb. Accordingly, the term orthotic, as used herein, is distinguished from the term prosthesis which generally defines an artificial device to replace a missing body part or limb.
The invention includes a type of orthotic device which operates by a pawl and ratchet, and resilient spring action, to permit a range of certain degrees (steps) of limited rotational movement of infirm limbs relative to each other in a manner intended generally to simulate normal motion of such limbs.
2. Prior Art
This invention is an improvement over that of my U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,472 (1985), and other patents that I hold. Orthotic devices will, typically, include a pair of relatively moveable support members attached respectively to different parts of the body, for example, the upper leg and lower leg; in addition, some form of articulation means providing a resilient, or other controlled or controllable interconnection, between the proximal and distal parts of such a support device, are inherent to an appropriate operation of such devices. For the operation of such devices, it therefore is desirable that any artificial joint means, whether resilient in character or step-advance rotational in character, be sufficiently robust to assist in the effective functioning of the affected limb, while avoiding excesses or insufficiencies of motion which might prove discomforting or injurious, while a certain degree of adjustability, versatility, and the like in the motion of the functioning of such devices, is desirable.
Although the basic function of an orthotic device is to support a limb or limbs, it is desirable to attain a certain limited motion and flexibility in predetermined directions. Thus a goal of orthotic devices is the provision of the fundamental support function while, as an advantageous addition, providing a versatility of motion that will resemble normal body motion. As an addition to enabling adequate support, range of motion, and adjustability to various positions, the orthotic device should be as simple as possible in its arrangement of parts so that ease of manufacture will be attained and the functioning of the device is convenient as possible. The invention also addresses ease of locking and unlocking at given step positions, reverse and forward ratchet locking, unobtrusiveness in appearance of the system, these all being long-felt needs in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an orthopedic hinge system, comprising an outer and an inner base, each substantially complemental in peripheral dimension to each other, said bases each having a major vertical axis, said inner base having a recess therein, said recess having an axis substantially co-linear with said vertical axes of said bases. Further included is an elongate distal member having a semi-circular pivot end including, upon a portion of said end, ratchet teeth pointing in a counter-clockwise direction, said pivot end rotationally secured to both of said bases; and an elongate proximal member having a transverse end element proportioned for complemental securement within said recess of said inner base, said transverse end element including an axis of rotation co-linear with an axis of rotation of said distal member and defining an axis of rotation of said pivot end of said distal member; a cam lever including a pawl surface having teeth pointing in a clockwise direction and, upon contact with said ratchet teeth of said distal member, complemental therewith, said lever having an axis of rotation co-linear with a second axis within said transverse element of said proximal member, said lever also including a radial projection disposed radially oppositely from said pawl surface.
The system also includes an extension spring having one end secured to said inner base and an opposite end secured to said radial projection of said cam lever, at a distance between ends of said spring causing a bias of said pawl teeth toward engagement with said ratchet teeth and in which counterclockwise motion of the handle of said cam lever stretches said spring, disengaging said pawl teeth from said ratchet teeth, thus freeing said distal member to rotate relative to said proximal member.
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a hinge means for an orthopedic brace to enable an orthopedic device to accomplish a fundamental support function in pediatric and upper extremity applications while, additionally, providing certain controlled motion in both the extension and flexion directions.
Another object is to provide an orthotic device of the above type having controlled, multi-positional steps rotational motion both reverse and forward ratchet directions.
A further object is to provide a hinge means for an orthotic device having elements which are essentially integral with the normal parts of an orthotic brace and which is easily locked and unlocked.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an orthotic device that is simple and cost-effective to assemble and manufacture.
A further object is to provide an orthotic device that will function unobtrusively and, thereby, afford certain cosmetic advantages to the user.
The above and yet, further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Detailed Description of the Invention, the Drawings, and Claims appended herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a breakaway anterior view of the inventive hinge system showing the spring-biased lever thereof and the respective system members in a non-engaged mode and at a 180° angle relative to each other.
FIG. 2 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 1, however showing the pawl teeth of the cam lever engaged with the ratchet teeth of the proximal member.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the system in the position of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 1, however showing rotation of the proximal member into a 90° position relative to the distal or T-end member.
FIG. 4 is a view, similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 2A, however showing a clockwise ratchet rotation of the distal member relative to the proximal member and at a 90° offset therebetween.
FIG. 5 is a view, similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 4, however showing a counterclockwise, counter ratchet tooth rotation of the pawl teeth relative to the ratchet teeth of the distal member of the system.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view generally similar to that of FIG. 5 however showing an offset of about 600 between the proximal and distal members of the system, achievable upon release of the pawl teeth from the distal teeth when the cam lever is rotated upwardly into the unlocked position. The pawl will stay in that position until manually moved to the locked position.
FIGS. 6 is an interior view of the inventive hinge system showing the shape of the T-hinge securement housing and recess therein as proportioned for accommodation of the T-end member. The bushings can be seen to be recessed under the T- end member creating very strong and compact pivot points.
FIG. 7 is a view, sequential to that of FIG. 6, in which the T-end member has been inserted into the recess of the T-end housing shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view in which the system shown in FIG. 7 is rotated 180° about the axis defined by the pivot bushings thereof.
FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the system shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a view, sequential to that of FIG. 9, in which the cam lever is rotated upward and counterclockwise thereby releasing the pawl teeth from the ratchet teeth so that the proximal member may be rotated clockwise into a position of approximately 45° relative to the T- or proximal member of the system.
FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the system shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, along the pivot bushing axis showing the alignment of the rubber “O” Rings to create the unlocking mechanism.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the respective components of the inventive system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the front breakaway view of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7 to 10, the inventive orthopedic hinge is shown, with its main body cover 13. Therein, the principal functional components of the present system may be seen to include a T-bar member (proximal) member 10 which, at an elongate T-end 11 is press-fittably secured within recess 21 of a T-end securement body 16. As may be noted in FIG. 6, recess 21 within body 16 is complemental to elongate T-end 11 of elongate T-bar member 10. T-end 11 is secured to body 16 by upper and lower pivot screws 14 and 14A, through pivot bushings 38 and 38A (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Thereupon, T-bar member 10 and T-bar securement cover 16 operate integrally in the hinge system described below. As may be noted (see FIG. 12) pivot bushings 38 and 38A are secured respectively in upper pivot hole 40 and lower pivot hole 42 of T end securement body 16, thus assuring that elongate T-bar 10 will at all times function rigidly with body 16.
Returning to FIG. 1, main body cover 13 has been removed so that the inner workings of the inventive hinge may be shown. FIG. 1 constitutes a breakaway view of the inventive mechanism taken through main body cover. Therein are shown said upper pivot screw 14 and lower pivot screw 14A including pawl washer 20 and ratchet screw washer 20A. With the above understood, FIG. 1 may be seen to further show ratchet (distal) member 12. Integrally included at axis of rotation 12A of member 12 is a ratchet 17 of member 12, which, as may be noted in FIG. 1, transcribes approximately 180° of the pivoted end of said member 12, until the ratchet ends at cam surface 17A. As may be further noted, pivot hinge of proximal member 12 is secured by pivot screw 14A to main body 13 of the orthopedic joint and to above-described T-end enclosure 16 (see FIG. 6) of the inventive system.
Rotationally secured to T-bar enclosure 16 is a cam lever 26 (see FIGS. 1 to 11) having a pawl 29, the lever rotationally secured to said T-bar enclosure 19 by pivot screw 14. The cam lever 26 is characterized by said pawl teeth 29, a cable screw opening 25, a cam handle 27, and rubber “O” ring 24 which surrounds a cam lever handle screw 39. 29A is the axis of rotation of the cam lever.
In the view of FIG. 1, pawl surface 29 of cam lever 26 has not engaged ratchet 17 of proximal member 12. As such, proximal member 10, which includes its associated elongate T-end 11, is free to rotate relative to distal member 12, this as may be more fully appreciated with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5A in which the distal member 12 is shown rotated into respective right and acute angles relative to proximal member 10. Accordingly, in the conditions shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5A, proximal member 10 and distal member 12 are free to rotate relative to each other since no engagement exists between pawl 29 and ratchet 17 of distal portion 12.
In FIG. 2, ratchet 17 is shown in abutting relationship with pawl cam surface 29A of cam lever 26. Therein, it is noted that cam lever 26 includes a radial distal element 31 which projects outwardly from the region of left pivot hole 23 of cam lever 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 12). To said radial element 31 is attached a first end 18A of an extension spring 18 which, at an opposite end is attached to spring screw 36. The polar curvature of spring 18 is governed by the circumference of the pawl washer 20 which surrounds pivot screw 14. Said screw 14 is then tightened thru pivot hole 40 (see FIGS. 6 and 12) biasing cam lever 26 in a normally closed or engaged position shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 4 and 5, thereby causing pawl 29 of cam lever 26 to complementally engage the teeth of ratchet 17 of proximal element 12. When this occurs, the angular position of the distal member 12 relative to the T-bar proximal member 10 is fixed. Such fixation may occur at a variety of relative angles as is shown by FIGS. 2, 2A, 4 and 5. Accordingly, by first rotating cam lever 26 upward in the direction of spring 18, it is elongated about the circumference of pawl washer 20. Pawl teeth 17 are then released from the ratchet permitting re-positioning of the angle between the members of the orthopedic joint. This is shown with reference to FIGS. 1, 5A and 10. Stop pin 30 and its related washer 32 operate, as may be noted with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5A stops with relation to radial element 31 of cam lever 26. To re-position distal member relative to the T-bar member, one must grasp the distal member with one hand, while pressing up the washer 24 (about screw 39) with the thumb while engaging the T-bar member with the fingers of the same hand. This motion will result in an extension of the spring about the pawl washer and disengagement of the pawl and ratchet, as above described, thereby enabling T-bar member 10 to rotate freely about said pivot point 12A of the distal member of the orthopedic joint. It is noted that cam lever 26 rotates about pivot point 26A which is defined by pivot screw 14, and aperture 44 within T-end body enclosure 16 at the posterior side of the joint. See FIGS. 1, 3, and 5A. Therein lies one of the many advantages of the instant invention, namely, the pivot bushings 38 and 38A that are recessed within I-joint body recess 21 of T-end body enclosure 16. Thereby all joint pivots, that is, pivot points 12A and 26A of the present invention are incorporated into the T-bar structure of the instant invention. This geometry allows for a compact overall structure of the inventive orthopedic joint, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11.
These figures also show other benefits of the invention including the ease of vertical integration of the T-member 10 into the joint body 16, the ease of contour of the members 10 and 12 closer to the center plane of the hinge versus those known in the art (see FIG. 11), and particular strength of the joint is achieved by the above-described main body cover 13, T-joint assembly cover 16, the recessing of pivot screws 14 and 14A within main body 15, and the recessing of joint bushings 38 (see FIG. 6) within said T-member recess 21, while producing the external structure shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11. The capability to laterally contour the respective members is of particular importance with respect to infant, pediatric, and upper extremity adult applications.
It is further noted that the centers of rotation 26A and 12A of pivot screws 14 and 14A respectively define Allen head wrench recesses, thereby providing to the technician or end user, ease of adjustment of the axial rigidity of the hinge members relative to each other as well as the degree of lateral pressure at the radial distal element 31 of the cam lever 26.
External views of the system in respective close and open position from the anterior perspective are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively.
The respective views of potential motion and adjustment of the present system, i.e., FIGS. 1, 2, and 2A showing a 180° relationship between the respective members, FIG. 3 showing a 90° relationship, FIG. 4 showing a 130° degree relationship, FIG. 5 showing a 30° relationship, and FIG. 10 showing a 45° relationship. It is, thereby, to be appreciated that a range of angular adjustment of between 30° and 180° may be achieved through the inventive system.
The versatility of the present system also permits forward ratcheting motion (see FIG. 4) as well as reverse ratcheting motion (see FIGS. 2/2A). Further, spring 18 creates an automatic forward stepping action (see FIG. 4) after re-engagement of the pawl and the ratchet has been established. Further, the system, when the respective members are in 180° relationship to each other, urges the cam lever into an automatic locking position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 7, 8, and 9.
The invention also provides a unique unlocking mechanism, effected by the simple application of counterclockwise pressure upon rubber O-rings 24 and 28 (see FIG. 3 and 5A), creating a detente that will hold the cam lever in an unlocked position until manually released. Cam lever hole 25 provides an additional application of the invention by which a remote cable may be employed to accomplish counterclockwise motion of the cam lever, thereby disengaging the pawl of the cam lever from the ratchet of the proximal member. When used in a cable mode, cable screw 22 (see FIGS. 6-8) is employed.
While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith
Patent Application
20080287847
