U.S. patent application number 11/784722 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for adjustable hinge joint support.
Invention is credited to John Scott.
Application Number | 20070197947 11/784722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28045251 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070197947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scott; John |
August 23, 2007 |
Adjustable hinge joint support
Abstract
A brace for supporting the knee of the wearer. The brace has an
adjustable support mechanism for accommodating a variety of leg
shapes. The hinge portion of the brace is adjustable so that there
is proper balanced support on opposite sides of the knee.
Furthermore, the brace is universal in applicability and may be
used on either the right or left leg.
Inventors: |
Scott; John; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTEAD SECHREST & MINICK P.C.
P.O. BOX 50784
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
|
Family ID: |
28045251 |
Appl. No.: |
11/784722 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10376975 |
Feb 27, 2003 |
7217249 |
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11784722 |
Apr 9, 2007 |
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60361901 |
Feb 28, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/26 ;
602/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/0123 20130101;
A61F 2005/0176 20130101; A61F 5/0109 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/026 ;
602/001 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/00 20060101
A61F005/00 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. A unitary adjustable hinged knee support apparatus adapted to
accommodate a variety of leg shapes and sizes in association
therewith by utilizing adjustable and non-adjustable support
sections above and below a user's knee, comprising: an adjustable
open upper-support section adapted to receive an upper leg portion
of the user and comprising a first flap and a second flap operable
to be opened for receipt of and positioning around the user's upper
leg portion and subsequently adjusted to accommodate the specific
size of the user's upper leg portion; a non-adjustable, closed
lower-support section adapted to slidably receive a lower leg
portion of the user with a fixed size therearound; and a plurality
of adjustable flexible hinges adapted to be oppositely disposed
about a patella, the plurality of adjustable flexible hinges
comprising an upper, flexible portion operable to position the
support apparatus in an anatomically correct manner relative to the
knee in association with the adjustment of the first and second
flaps of the upper support section.
25. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first flap
comprises a hook and pile surface and the second flap comprises a
mating hook and pile surface for mated engagement of the first flap
to the second flap.
26. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the support
apparatus further comprises an aperture aligned with a patella so
as to facilitate comfortable wear by a user of the support
apparatus.
27. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the support
apparatus further comprises an aperture aligned with a popliteal
portion of the knee so as to facilitate comfortable wear by a user
of the support apparatus.
28. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the upper flexible
portion of the plurality of adjustable hinges further comprise a
hook and pile material operable to matingly engage the upper,
flexible portion to the adjustable open upper-support section in
order to adjust the position of the plurality of flexible
hinges.
29. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of
flexible hinges comprise at least two single axis hinges.
30. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of
flexible hinges comprise at least two polycentric hinges.
31. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of
flexible hinges comprise spiral stays.
32. The support apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a
plurality of removable, adjustable half-horseshoe buttress
oppositely disposed about the aperture,
33. The support apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is
sized to accommodate the needs of a child or an adult.
34. A unitary adjustable hinged knee support apparatus adapted to
accommodate a variety of leg shapes and sizes in association
therewith by utilizing adjustable and non-adjustable support
sections above and below a user's knee, comprising: an adjustable
open upper-support section adapted to receive a thigh region of the
user and comprising a first flap and a second flap operable to be
opened for receipt of and positioning around the user's thigh
region and subsequently adjusted to accommodate the specific size
of the user's thigh region; a non-adjustable, closed lower-support
section adapted to slidably receive a calf region of the user with
a fixed size therearound; a plurality of adjustable flexible hinges
adapted to be oppositely disposed about a patella; and the
plurality of adjustable flexible hinges comprise an upper, flexible
portion operable to position the support apparatus in an
anatomically correct manner relative to a knee in association with
the adjustment of the first and second flaps of the upper support
section and a lower portion permanently secured to the
non-adjustable, closed lower-support section of the unitary
adjustable hinged knee support apparatus.
35. The support apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first flap
comprises a hook and pile surface and the second flap comprises a
mating hook and pile surface for mated engagement of the first flap
to the second flap.
36. The support apparatus of claim 34, wherein the support
apparatus further comprises an aperture aligned with a patella so
as to facilitate comfortable wear by a user of the support
apparatus.
37. The support apparatus of claim 34, wherein the upper flexible
portion of the plurality of adjustable hinges further comprise a
hook and pile material operable to matingly engage the upper,
flexible portion to the adjustable open upper-support section in
order to adjust the position of the flexible hinges.
38. The support apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a
plurality of removable, adjustable half-horseshoe buttress
oppositely disposed about the aperture,
39. The support apparatus of claim 34, wherein the apparatus is
sized to accommodate the needs of a child or an adult.
40. A method of using an adjustable hinged unitary knee support
apparatus, comprising: securing a non-adjustable, closed lower
section of the support apparatus to a calf region of a user;
securing an adjustable open upper section of the support apparatus
to a thigh region of the user; and adjusting a position of a
plurality of adjustable flexible hinges oppositely disposed about a
patella, the plurality of adjustable flexible hinges comprise an
upper, flexible portion operable to position the support apparatus
in an anatomically correct manner relative to a knee of the
user.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the adjustable open upper
section of the support apparatus comprises a first and a second
flap, the first flap including a hook and pile surface and the
second flap including a mating hook and pile surface for mated
engagement of the first flap and the second flap.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the first and second flaps
enable the adjustable open upper section of the support apparatus
to be opened for receipt of and positioning around the user's thigh
region in order to accommodate the specific size of the user's
thigh region.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the upper, flexible portion of
the plurality of adjustable hinges further comprise a hook and pile
material operable to matingly engage the upper, flexible portion to
the adjustable open upper-support section so as align the medial
portion of the plurality of hinges to conform to the contours of a
leg.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority from and incorporates the
entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/361,901
filed Feb. 28, 2002.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to orthopedic supports and,
more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an orthopedic
support for a knee having a hinge that may be adjustably positioned
for anatomically correct support of knees and legs of varying sizes
and shapes.
[0004] 2. History of Related Art
[0005] It is common in the Sports Medicine Industry to utilize
orthopedic supports for various body parts subject to injury. The
most common support areas include the knees, elbows, and ankles.
Often injuries to these areas of the body can be treated by the
utilization of the appropriate orthopedic support. In the event
surgery, rehabilitation is sometimes augmented by the utilization
of such supports.
[0006] The design of orthopedic supports has changed considerably
over the past two decades. The types of material used as well as
the fastening and hinging mechanisms associated with orthopedic
supports have been the subject of considerable study and
improvement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,264 to Miller, teaches a knee
brace having an interior tibial shell and an interior femoral which
are closely configured to the shape of the lower leg and thigh
respectively and which are joined by a frame in the form of a pair
of polycentric hinge joints. U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,501 to Castill et.
al. teaches a knee brace having adjustable width frame pivoted to
cuffs. The brace as set forth therein includes first and second
frame members disposed on opposite sides of the joint to be
supported, and first and second hinge members disposed
substantially adjacent to joint and connected to the frame members
to pivot the frame members about the joint.
[0007] Another example of related art is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,494,534 to Hudson. This patent teaches a universal leg brace
system for controlling the degree of motion permitted by wearer's
knee characterized by respective flexible sheets of cushioned
material adapted for snugly wrapping around the wearer's thigh and
calf U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,104 to Grim likewise teaches a custom
formed knee brace. This brace is taught to support weakened or
injured knees by having formed components which conform to the
unique configuration of an individual's leg surfaces. Other
references include U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,110 to Nauert; U.S. Pat. No.
5,810,752 to Grifka; U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,389 to Zepf; U.S. Pat. No.
4,873,967 to Sutherland; U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,946 to Tillinghas; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,605 to Taylor.
[0008] As seen from the patents listed above, the aspect of joint
support, flexibility, and rehabilitation have received considerable
attention in prior orthopedic support design. One area of continued
concern is, however, the adaptability of a single support to human
body parts of varying size and shape. For example, knee braces
require that the area of the thigh above the knee as well as the
area of the leg beneath the knee be securely fitted within the
brace. Some legs are shaped differently than others. Some
individuals have larger thighs than other individuals and thus
various modifications must be made to the particular brace to
accommodate large and/or smaller leg portions. This is particularly
true when an upper leg portion in the area of the thigh is
considerably larger than the portion below the knee. When hinge
structures are utilized in conjunction with orthopedic supports for
such knees, the appropriate alignment of the oppositely disposed
hinges becomes critical. If the hinges are not diametrically
opposed one to the other, the appropriate hinge action cannot
smoothly occur. In fact, various stresses can be imparted to the
orthopedic support as well as the knee when misalignment is
present. Such a problem is contrary to the purpose of the
orthopedic support and will not maximize efficiency and healing.
The alignment of the hinges should, therefore, be a primary
consideration in orthopedic support design construction and
fitting. The present invention addresses such design manufacturer
and fitting issues by providing an orthopedic support with
adjustable hinge sections to permit appropriate diametrically
opposed hinge alignment therewith to accommodate a variety of a
body shapes and sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates generally to orthopedic
supports having hinge elements associated therewith. More
particularly, one aspect of the invention includes an orthopedic
support facilitating better fit for legs of varying shape,
including the cone-shaped leg and the positioning of the support
around the thigh. In one aspect of the present invention, hinges
disposed for positioning above the patella have unique hook and
pile adjustments to fit larger or smaller thighs (from child sizes
to adult sizes) and allow proper balanced support on opposite sides
of the knee. In another aspect a posterior elastic segment on
velcro straps prevent any tourniquet effect. Moreover, the present
invention may, in one embodiment, provide a universal right or left
leg applicability with removable, adjustable half-horseshoe
buttress.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hinged
knee support utilizing adjustable hinges. The knee support is
particularly adapted for individuals having larger thigh regions.
Thus, the hinged knee support is adapted to open in the upper
region thereof to accommodate various sizes and shapes of thigh
portions and to further include means for adjustably positioning
the lateral hinges so that they are oppositely disposed about knee
to provide the most appropriate support, irrespective of the shape
and size and
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the present
invention includes a large popliteal opening for added comfort by
the user. A multitude of hinges may be used including both the
single axis and a polycentric type of hinge.
[0012] In still another aspect of the present invention, a spiral
stay may be used so that as the knee is bent by a user, the stay
encourages the present invention to return to a neutral position
after each movement. In this manner, as the knee is returned to a
neutral position such that pressure exerted on the knee neither
pushes or pulls the tissues of the knee apart.
[0013] In yet another aspect of the present invention, hook and
pile inter-engagement is used to facilitate the positioning and
securement of the hinges in the most appropriate location relative
to the knee.
[0014] And yet a further aspect of the present invention, a hinged
knee support is provided with a patient friendly configuration
having a closed bottom section for covering the calf of the patient
and an upper region that may be open and adjusted to the
appropriate size for accommodating a variation in the size of the
thigh of the user. The hinged knee further incorporates the
adjustable hinge feature as described above therein facilitating
structural support of patients having a wide variation of certain
anatomical regions thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A more complete understanding of embodiments of the present
invention can be achieved by reference to the following Detailed
Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
Drawings wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orthopedic support
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevation, fragmentary view of
the hinged attachment area of the knee support of FIG. 1
illustrating various positioning of the hinge thereon and a means
of for attachment thereto;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the knee support of FIG.
1 illustrating the accommodation of a relatively large thigh
therein and the manner of accommodation provided in accordance with
the principles of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the knee support of FIG.
3 illustrating closure of the knee thigh and the use of hook and
pile closure straps for securement of the knee support to the
user's leg;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the knee support of FIG.
1 further illustrating the construction of thereof;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the knee support of FIG.
1 further illustrating the construction thereof and the positioning
of the medial and lateral hinges so that said hinges are
anatomically correct relative to the knee of the user; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the method of using the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] It has been discovered that many commercial braces do not
fit certain sizes and shapes in the most appropriate manner. This
is particularly true of legs with large thighs and smaller calf
regions. These leg shapes are referred to herein as "cone-shaped"
legs and illustrated in certain ones of the following drawings.
Further, the present invention may be adapted to fit the leg shapes
of both children and adults.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an adjustable hinged
knee support 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of
the present invention. The knee support 10 facilitates a better fit
for users having large thighs or "cone-shaped" legs 12. An
adjustable upper fastener assembly 14 accommodates the various
thigh sizes. As shown in FIG. 1, a large patella opening 16 (or
alternatively, a large popliteal opening) is also provided for
added comfort. On opposite sides of opening 16 are removable,
adjustable half-horseshoe buttress' 21 for comfort and support (see
also FIG. 2). As described below, the upper fastener assembly 14
and the lower fastener assembly 18 may be constructed with hook and
pile portions to facilitate adjustability and ease of use by the
user. Still referring to FIG. 1, a hinge 20 is distinctly placed
along the medial portion of the knee support 10. Hinge 20 may be
either a polycentric (double axis) hinge, single axis hinge,
complex hinge, or a spiral stay. Other types of hinges may also be
used. As will be shown in more detail below, a second hinge 20 is
disposed opposite hinge 20, and is positioned on the outside
portion of the knee to balance the support about the knee. It has
been observed in prior art that knee braces do not accommodate
variations in size of the user's thigh, the position of the
respective hinges may vary in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown an enlarged
fragmentary, side elevation view of an upper portion 22 of hinge 20
of the knee support 10 of FIG. 1. The position of the upper portion
22 of hinge 20 is shown to be positionable about a hook and pile
surface 24 of the knee support 10. A retaining strap 26 is shown in
a position for securement of hinge 20. In this manner, the position
of the hinge 20 relative to the leg of the user, as shown in FIG.
1, may be selectively adjusted to accommodate variations in the
size of the thigh of the user. In other words, the medial and
lateral hinges (described below) are adjusted to allow the knee
support 10 to be anatomically correct relative to the knee.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown the knee support 10
positioned about the leg 12 of a user. In this particular
embodiment it may be seen that the thigh 30 is much larger than the
calf 32 of the user. For this reason, the knee support 10 is
constructed with opposing flaps 34 and 36 which as shown in FIG. 1,
when closed comprise an upper portion 52 of the knee support 10. In
this particular illustration, it may be seen that the flaps 34 and
36 are in an open position, which permit the fitting of the knee
support 10 about the leg 12 of the user. The flaps 34 and 36 are
constructed with hook and pile surfaces 38 (one which is shown on
flap 34) to facilitate securement about the leg 12 of the user. A
portion of the hook and pile surface 38 comprises a portion of the
adjustable upper fastener assembly 14, illustrated in FIG. 1. The
adjustable upper fastener assembly 14 further includes a strap 40
extending outwardly from flap 36. Still referring to FIG. 3, the
lower region 50 of the knee support 10, in this particular
embodiment, is of fixed size and thus is not adjustable. The lower
region 50 does, however, include a support strap 52 that affords
securement of the knee support 10 about the leg 12 of the user.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown the knee support 10
of FIG. 3 positioned about the leg 12 of the user with the flap 38
closed and positioned over the flap 36 as described above. A region
38a of hook and pile material, which is not visible in FIG. 3, is
illustrated as it appears on the outer portion of the flap 36. It
should be noted that the term "hook and pile fasteners" is a
recognized structure to one skilled in the art and is often sold
under the trademark Velcro.RTM.. It is also well known that the
hook and pile enter and engage one another. Therefore, if surface
38, as shown in FIG. 3, is a hook surface then the region 38a of
FIG. 4 would be a pile surface. It is to be understood that further
reference herein to a "hook and pile surface" refers to either a
hook or a pile surface.
[0028] Still referring to FIG. 4, it may be seen that the lower
region 50 of the knee support 10 conforms about the calf 32, with
the patella opening 16 more clearly illustrated by the closure of
flap 38 over flap 36. Various stitching 54 is shown upon flap 38 as
well as stitching 56 shown around the patella opening 16. This
stitching is shown for purposes of illustration only, and other
stitching embodiments maybe incorporated herein. All illustrations
thereof should not be deemed limited in any respect relative to the
principles of the present invention.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown the knee support 10
with the lower strap 52 securing the lower region 50 of the knee
support 10 while the upper fastener assembly 14 secures the upper
region of the knee support knee 10 about the leg 12 of the user. It
may be seen that the hinge 20 is positioned on the hook and pile
surface 24 in a position most appropriate to support of knee of the
user as will be described in more detail below.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown the knee support 10
in a front elevation view. This particular view it may be seen that
the hinge 20 comprises medial and lateral hinges 20. Because the
knee brace may be used on either left or right knees, it is not
necessary to differentiate which hinge 20 is medial or lateral.
This definition is relative to the leg of the user. The present
description is intended to provide an understanding that the
position of the medial and lateral hinges 20 may be adjusted so
that they are anatomically correct. As described above, the ability
to adjust the position of the hinges 20, and the ability to
position the upper portion 22 of the hinge 20 about the hook and
pile surface 24 against which it may be secured, facilitates
anatomically correct adjustment.
[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sheet of
material 60 covers the hinge 20. The underside of the sheet 60 has
a mating hook and pile surface to engage the hook and pile surface
24, which provides securement of the upper portion 22 of hinge 20
(FIG. 2) thereto.
[0032] In operation, the present invention accommodates various leg
sizes. This is clearly shown in FIG. 3, where the above described
upper fastener assembly 14 and strap 40 therein described allow the
user to position the knee support 10 around the leg 12 of the user
in a manner facilitating a wide variety of thigh sizes. Because
thigh sizes will vary (especially between children and adults), the
knee support 10 of the present invention may be provided in a
variety of basic sizes, such as small, medium, large, and extra
large, to further provide accommodation of varying leg sizes.
[0033] Still referring to FIGS. 1-6 in combination, FIG. 4
illustrates the anterior hook and pile closure "wrap around"
configuration that affords ease in the use of the present
invention. However, other fasteners can be used. Likewise FIG. 5
illustrates the securement of the bottom strap 52 of the present
invention around the calf 32 of the user prior to the securement of
the upper fastener assembly 14. This is the preferred method of
securing the knee support 10 around the leg 12 of the user.
[0034] Finally, FIG. 6 clearly illustrates the ability to adjust
the medial and lateral hinges 20 in an anatomically correct
configuration relative to the legs of the user. It is necessary to
provide the hinges 20 on opposite sides of the user's knee, no
matter the shape of the user's thigh so as to provide appropriate
support about the knee. Thus, the present invention, which utilizes
hook and pile adjustable "wrap around" fasteners, provides a better
fit for "cone-shaped" legs than those found in the prior art. The
large patella opening 16 provides additional comfort, while a
posterior elastic segment on the hook and pile straps 40 and 52
(FIG. 3) prevent any tourniquet effect. As described above, the
adjustable, hinged knee support 10 with adjustable hinges is
interchangeable for use on either the right or left leg.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 7, the method of using the present
invention allows users having different leg sizes and shapes,
including a generally cone-shaped upper leg portion to be fitted
with an effective knee support. The user positions the open knee
support on the user's leg and adjusts the hinges as described above
so as to position each hinge relative to the user's knees on
opposite size thereof. The hook and pile fasteners permit the user
to secure the hinge in the position that is most appropriate for
the user's particular leg shape, and further secure the hinge with
the straps pulled there around. It is possible to use multiple
hinges, and in one aspect of the present invention four different
hinges and/or stays may be used. It has been shown to the applicant
that not everyone requires a heavy hinge and hinges that simply
lockout at either 90 degrees or vertical are in some instances
appropriate to prevent hyper extension of the user's knee. In
accordance with the principles of the present invention, the use of
a polycentric hinge (a double axis type of hinge) has also been
found to be useful. It should be understood, however, that any type
of hinge may be used.
[0036] One advantage of the present invention is the adjustable
hinges. This is because adjustable hinges 20, as is illustrated in
FIG. 2, allow the user to position the hinges 20 about the hook and
pile material so as to position them above the knee wherein the
hinges are neither to far interior nor to far posterior prior to
final securement.
[0037] Another advantage is in the use of a flexible spiral stay,
which allows use of the knee support 10 for various injuries where
it is beneficial for the knee support apparatus to return to a
neutral position for proper healing. Spiral stays are made from
hardened, galvanized spring steel round wire which is coiled and
flattened, and is generally referred to in the trade as "spiral
boning". Such material provides support rigidity for partially
immobilizing the knee, yet can be flexed, when placed under
pressure, to conform to the body contours of the wearer, as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0038] Yet another advantage is in the ample strap length provided,
which allows a wide range of adjustability relative to the sizes of
the user's leg. Since adjustability is a key aspect of the present
invention, straps with hook and pile material are an advantage.
[0039] Finally, the present invention may be adapted to fit both
children and adults. The present invention will be supplied in wide
variety of sizes to accommodate the needs of various users.
[0040] Although an embodiment of the method and apparatus of the
present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings
and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment
disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications
and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the
invention as set forth and defined herein.
* * * * *