U.S. patent number RE30,501 [Application Number 06/080,706] was granted by the patent office on 1981-02-03 for universal knee orthosis.
Invention is credited to Manuel J. Almeida.
United States Patent |
RE30,501 |
Almeida |
February 3, 1981 |
Universal knee orthosis
Abstract
A knee brace or orthosis for preventing hyperextension of the
wearer's leg. In an additional embodiment the flexion of the
wearer's leg is also regulated between positions permitting limited
motion and a position wherein the knee is fixed and no motion is
permitted. In its simplest form the orthosis includes upper and
lower forward members and a rear member to which the upper and
lower forward members are independently and pivotally attached. The
forward rotational movement of the forward upper member is limited
by abutting contact between opposed edges of the forward members,
thus preventing rearward bending or hyperextension of the leg while
permitting flexion. In the alternate embodiment, an upper rear
member is provided and includes means for contacting upper portions
of the rear member so as to limit flexion movement. In both cases
the members are formed from relatively thin lightweight plastic
material which has been at least partially shaped to custom conform
to the dimensions of the wearer's leg.
Inventors: |
Almeida; Manuel J. (Tiverton,
RI) |
Family
ID: |
22159086 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/080,706 |
Filed: |
October 1, 1979 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
832425 |
Sep 12, 1977 |
04139002 |
Feb 13, 1979 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/16; 2/22;
602/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
5/0102 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
5/01 (20060101); A61F 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/8C,8R,8F,87R,88,85,165 ;2/22 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Yasko; John D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Salter & Michaelson
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An orthosis for the knee or elbow joint of a limb comprising, an
upper forward member, a lower forward member and a rear member,
means for positioning said upper member to said limb above said
joint, and means for positioning said lower forward member and said
rear member to said limb below said joint, both said forward
members being independently hinged to said rear member for separate
pivotal motion with respect to said rear member, said upper and
lower forward members being further positioned respectively above
and below said joint and cooperatively forming an opening for
receipt of said joint, said upper forward member being limited in
its forward pivotal movement by abutting contact between the upper
edge of said lower forward member and the lower edge of said upper
forward member, said abutting edges defining a stop so as to
prevent hyperextension of said joint.
2. The orthosis of claim 1, said joint opening being formed by
opposed cut-out portions that are formed in said abutting
edges.
3. The orthosis of claim 1, said rear member being positioned on
the back of said limb below said joint, said rear member having
opposed ear portions upwardly extending at least laterally
coextensive with said joint, at least said upper forward member
being hingedly connected to said ears.
4. The orthosis of claim 3, both said forward members being
hingedly connected to said ears.
5. The orthosis of claim 1, said upper forward member being freely
rearwardly pivotal about said rear member to permit flexion
movement of said joint.
6. The orthosis of claim 5, each of said members being formed of a
relatively thin-wall plastic material that is preshaped for fitting
with the respective limb portions in contact therewith, said lower
forward member and said rear member cooperatively and
circumferentially enveloping the lower portion of said limb.
7. The orthosis of claim 1, said limb being a leg, said lower
forward member and said rear member being pivotal outwardly apart
from each other at respective lower portions thereof for receipt of
the foot portion of said leg in donning said orthosis.
8. The orthosis of claim 1, said rear member being a lower rear
member, there further being an upper rear member connected to said
upper forward member, said upper rear member having means
downwardly extending from rear portions thereof for contacting said
rear member so as to prevent flexion movement of said joint.
9. The orthosis of claim 8, said flexion preventing means being a
stop adapted to contact the upper edge of said rear member.
10. The orthosis of claim 9, said stop including a first segment
extending downwardly from said upper rear member, said first
segment terminating in a lower edge for abutting the upper edge of
said rear member, and a second segment in the form of a slide that
is connected to said first segment and forming a downward extension
thereof, said slide being receivable in a slide retainer that is
positioned on said rear member below the upper edge thereof.
11. The orthosis of claim 10, said slide retainer permitting
limited longitudinal motion of said slide relative to said rear
member to permit limited flexion of said joint.
12. The orthosis of claim 10, said slide retainer urging said slide
continually inwardly against said lower member, and subsequently
urging said stop against said lower member upper edge, thereby
permitting essentially no flexion joint movement. .Iadd. 13. An
orthosis for the knee or elbow joint of a limb comprising, an upper
forward member, a lower forward member and a rear member, means for
locating said upper forward member on said limb above said joint,
means for locating said lower forward member and said rear member
on said limb below said joint, said lower forward member being
hingedly connected to said rear member for independent pivotal
motion with respect thereto, and said upper and lower forward
members being positioned respectively above and below said joint
and being formed with cut-out portions to cooperatively form an
opening for receiving said joint therein. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14. An
orthosis of claim 13, said upper forward member being hingedly
connected to said rear member for independent pivotal motion with
respect thereto and said lower forward member. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a brace or orthosis particularly adapted
for use for controlling or supporting the movement of a patient's
leg, but also has utility in regard to other joints such as the
elbow. Conventional braces utilized to support a patient's leg
either after operations or during other treatment have normally
been fabricated of metal materials and extend from the hip to the
bottom of the leg, special shoes being provided for securing the
bottom of the braces. Such braces are heavy and cumbersome and
accordingly cannot be used by patients who cannot support the
weight involved such as children or frail persons. They are
furthermore awkward in appearance and of constructions which are
obvious to those observing the wearer.
Accordingly some attempts have been made to formulate at least
portions of braces from relatively lightweight plastic material and
to hingedly connect those portions together so as to provide a
better leg brace. Generally such constructions utilize a single
upper and a single lower member which are joined together by a
pivot pin at a single hinge point. U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,166 to
Roseman is illustrative of one such construction as is U.S. Pat.
No. 3,528,412 to McDavid. The latter patent includes an upper
member 10 joined to a lower member 12 at a pivot joint 14. A still
further patent which shows a somewhat different brace construction
is that to Whitehead, U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,697 which shows knee
protection gear which has an upper member that is generally
cylindrical and is pivotally connected to a lower member of
somewhat similar configuration as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
above citation and discussion of the above-indicated U.S. patents
constitute applicant's Prior Art Disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Despite the availability of the constructions of the
above-indicated types, there remains a need for a light-weight
orthosis, the component parts of which may be fabricated to
correspond to the wearer's leg dimensions and accordingly is
comfortable for use. There is also a need of an orthosis which in
addition to preventing hyperextension of the leg also permits
varying degrees of flexion movement thereof in a comfortable and
natural manner.
It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to
provide an orthosis which prevents hyperextension of the wearer's
limb in a positive and relatively uncomplicated manner and which
enables varying degrees of flexion movement.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an
orthosis, the component parts of which are custom fabricated to fit
various portions of the wearer's limb with which they are adapted
to contact in use, and which parts may be pivotally interconnected
in such a manner that they prevent hyperextension of the wearer's
limb, yet permit flexion movement thereof in varying degrees.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of
an orthosis of the immediately above-described type in which in
addition to preventing hyperextension movement of the limb, may
additionally prevent flexion movement thereof.
These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished
by an orthosis which in its simplest embodiment includes separate
forward upper and lower members and a rear member, wherein such
forward members are independently pivotally connected to the rear
member in such a fashion that they present edge surfaces which
contact each other in abutting relationship to form a first stop
means so as to prevent hyperextension of the limb. In an alternate
embodiment the orthosis is provided with an upper rear member
independently connected to the upper forward member and adapted to
move upon attempted flexion motion of the limb into abutting
contact with the rear member so as to form a second stop means
whereby flexion movement of the limb is limited. The second stop
means is releasable to the extent that it may be overriden so as to
permit flexion movement of the limb when desired.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall
become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered
in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing which illustrates the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an orthosis embodied in the
present invention as positioned upon the leg of a wearer;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the orthosis shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the orthosis showing the various
members thereof pivoted apart from each other in a position to
facilitate the donning of the orthosis upon the wearer's leg;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing an
alternate form of orthosis; and
FIG. 6 is a posterior or rear view of the alternate orthosis
construction shown in FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4
thereof, an orthosis or brace generally indicated at 10 is
illustrated. The brace 10 includes an anterior or upper forward
member 12, a forward lower member 14 and a posterior or rear member
16. The members 12, 14 and 16 are preferably formed from a
lightweight relatively thin plastic material and are preferably
molded about a cast or model of a person's leg so as to insure a
comfortable and correct fit with those portions of the person's leg
with which the members are adapted to engage when in operable
position. The rear member 16 generally is positioned below the knee
18 of the wearer, and includes a pair of upwardly extending opposed
ear portions 20. Both of the forward members 12 and 14 are
independently hingedly connected to the ear portions 20 for at
least limited pivotal movement with respect to each other. In some
cases, however, it is desirable to utilize a rear member which
extends upwardly above the knee and accordingly contacts both calf
and thigh portions of the wearer, as in those cases where flexion
movement is not required or desired to be imparted in the brace 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ears 20 extend to a point upwardly on the
wearer's leg adjacent or slightly above the knee 18. The upper
forward member 12 is connected to the ears 20 by a pair of rivets
22 at points generally in line with the anatomical center of the
knee 18. Similarly the lower member 14 is hingedly connected to the
ears 20 by means of rivets 24 at a position adjacent to or slightly
below the central portion of the knee 18.
The lower edge 26 of the upper forward member 12 is provided with
an upwardly extending central cut-out portion 28, and the upper
edge 30 of the lower member 14 is provided with a similar but
downwardly extending cut-out portion 32. The cut-out portions 28,
32 are positioned in opposed relationship to each other and
cooperatively form an opening 34 for receipt of the outwardly
projecting portion of the wearer's knee. Furthermore the opposed
edges 26 and 30 of the upper and lower forward members 12 and 14
respectively, are adapted to contact each other in abutting
relationship and thereby define a stop 36. The stop 36 is generally
operative when the wearer's leg is fully extended and thus prevents
further forward pivotal movement of the upper member 12 with
respect to the lower member 14 and the remaining portions of the
brace. Accordingly, the stop 36 serves to prevent the wearer's leg
from bending backward or i.e. preventing hyperextension.
The inside of each of the brace members is provided with a
relatively soft fabric or sponge material such as padding 38 for
adding to the comfort of the brace 10. Furthermore the upper
forward member 12 is positioned on the wearer's thigh by means of
an upper strap 40 having a Velcro type fastener incorporated
therein. Similarly the lower members 14 and 16 generally serve to
envelop the calf portion of the wearer's leg and are maintained in
such position by a lower nonelastic strap 40 that includes a Velcro
fastener. In addition to the top member 12 being pivotal relative
the remaining portion of the brace 10 in a forward direction
simulating flexion movement of the leg, the lower portions of the
lower members 14 and 16 are further pivotally moveable away from
each other so as to enlarge the spacing therebetween to accommodate
the wearer's foot as when donning the brace 10. Such disposition of
the various parts to facilitate placing the brace in position on
the wearer's leg is best shown in FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternate form of the brace is
generally indicated at 10a and as shown is similar in construction
to the brace 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. However, the
brace 10a further includes an upper rear member 42 which is
pivotally connected to the upper forward member 12 at the upper
edge thereof by means of a pair of rivets 44. Accordingly the upper
members 12 and 42 serve to envelop the upper or thigh portion of
the wearer's leg and such disposition is maintained by a nonelastic
strap 40 located proximal the lower portions thereof, that is,
those portions that are moveable apart from each other. The rear
central portion of the brace 10a is provided with an enlarged
opening 46 formed between a lower edge 48 of the upper rear member
42 and an upper edge 50 of the rear member 16. Formed integral with
the upper rear member 42 and extending downwardly from the lower
edge 48 thereof is an extension 52. The lower edge or terminus 54
of such extension 52 is positioned slightly above or in abutting
contact relative to the upper edge 50 of the rear member 16 when
the wearer's leg is in approximately a fully extended position as
shown in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 5, a slide portion 56 is joined to the extension
52 by an adhesive or rivets (not shown) and extends downwardly
therefrom for sliding contact with rear portions of the rear member
16. The lower portion of the slide 56 is received within a rigid
plastic slide retainer 58 that is also suitably secured to the rear
member 16 by adhesive or a rivet connection. Accordingly it is seen
that when the slide 56 is in intimate contact with the rear member
16 as when the slide is positioned within the slide retainer or
strap 58, the lower edge 54 of the extension 52 will abut the upper
edge 50 of the lower member 16 should the wearer attempt further
flexion movement of the knee. Accordingly the above-indicated
cooperative structure forms a second stop means generally indicated
at 60, wherein flexion movement of the knee as well as
hyperextension thereof is prevented. However, should a wearer
desire to override the second stop means 60, he can simply reach in
back of the brace 10a and outwardly or rearwardly displace the
extension 52 relative to the rear member 16, so as to permit the
terminal edge 54 to ride downwardly against the rear portion of the
rear member 16, whereupon flexion movement of the wearer's knee is
permitted as for example when the wearer desires to move from a
standing to a sitting position or for walking. Generally the slide
56 and the extension are formed of plastic material and accordingly
the frictional movement therebetween is slight so as to permit
necessary relative movement to accommodate flexion. If the slide
retainer 58 is formed of an elastic material, it also continually
forces the slide 56 against the rear member 16 so as to assure that
the second stop is not inadvertently overridden. However, in some
cases it is desirable to lock the knee in an immobile position, and
in such cases the plastic slide retainer 58 may be secured to the
rear member 16 adjacent to the upper edge 50 so that relative
movement of the slide 56 as locked in the slide retainer 58 is
prevented. In this instance the lower edge 54 substantially abuts
the upper edge 50. If any flexion movement is required, the
lowermost end of the extension 52 is cut away to define a space
between the lower edge 54 and upper edge 50 as illustrated in FIG.
5. It is also contemplated that the device be formed without stops
so as to provide medial and/or lateral stability for the knee on
which the brace is mounted.
While there is shown and described herein certain specific
structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of
the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not
limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except
insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *