Dynamic tension system for orthopedic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10143581-B2
Application number	US-201414311548-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2014
Priority date	Jun 21, 2013
Publication date	Dec 4, 2018
Grant date	Dec 4, 2018

Abstract

A dynamic tension system connects to an orthopedic device having a frame and a hinge connected to the frame. The dynamic tension system includes a cable, an adjustment mechanism connected to the cable and arranged to incrementally wind or release the cable, and a tension control device connected to the adjustment mechanism and arranged to limit the adjustment mechanism from winding of the cable past a predetermined tension level.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A dynamic tension system for an orthopedic device having a frame and at least one hinge connected to the frame, the dynamic tension system comprising:
a cable;
an adjustment mechanism connected to the cable and arranged to incrementally wind or release said cable, the adjustment mechanism having front and rear sides, and the cable extending from both lateral and medial sides of the adjustment mechanism which are generally perpendicular to the front and rear sides, wherein the rear side of the adjustment mechanism is arranged to be adjacent to and face a limb upon which the orthopedic device secures;
a tension control device connected to the front side of the adjustment mechanism and arranged to limit the adjustment mechanism from winding of the cable past a predetermined tension level;
wherein the tension control device is a torque-limiting tool having a key part and a handle arranged to shear from the key part at a predetermined load such that upon reaching the predetermined tension level in the cable the torque-limiting tool fails by the handle shearing apart from the key part, the key part arranged to be received in and engage a keyhole defined by the adjustment mechanism for winding of the cable;
wherein the keyhole has a matching shape corresponding to a shape of the key part;
wherein the adjustment mechanism further includes a spool for winding the cable, the spool defining the keyhole about a face thereof along the front side of the adjustment mechanism, and defining a plurality of teeth about a periphery thereof; a base defining a cavity arranged for retaining the spool and the cavity having a profile accommodating a shape of the spool; and a pawl pivotally arranged to engage the plurality of teeth and mounted to and within the base;
wherein the base defines an opening extending through the base from a rear side of the base to a front side of the base, which the rear side of the base is arranged to be adjacent to and face a limb upon which the orthopedic device secures such that access to the pawl through the opening of the base for disengaging the pawl from the spool is prevented.

2. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises:
a spring engaging the pawl and biasing the pawl toward the plurality of teeth, a first end of the spring biasing against the base and an opposed second end of the spring biasing against the pawl.

3. The dynamic tension system of claim 2 , wherein the base defines an enclosure arranged to receive and retain the first end of the spring.

4. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , wherein the base defining a boss about which the spool rotates.

5. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , wherein the base defines a pin at which a first end of the pawl pivots so an opposed second end of the pawl can engage or disengage from the plurality of teeth.

6. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , wherein the base defines at least one channel arranged to direct movement of the cable relative to the base and from the spool.

7. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , further comprising a shroud arranged to cover the adjustment mechanism, on the front side of the adjustment mechanism and having an opening arranged for providing access to the adjustment mechanism.

8. The dynamic tension system of claim 7 , wherein the tension control device is adapted to extend through the opening of the shroud to engage the adjustment mechanism and selectively rotate the spool.

9. The dynamic tension system of claim 7 , further comprising a plate arranged to selectively secure over the opening of the shroud to prevent access to the adjustment mechanism.

10. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , further comprising a sheathing arranged over at least one segment of the cable outside the adjustment mechanism.

11. The dynamic tension system of claim 1 , wherein a first end of the cable secures to a first hinge of the at least one hinge of the orthopedic device and a second end of the cable secures to a second hinge of the at least one hinge of the orthopedic device and the cable passes through the adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism connected to the frame and movable relative thereto on the basis of winding the cable and/or movement of the at least one hinge.

12. The dynamic tension system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one guide secured to the frame and orienting the cable relative to the frame, the at least one hinge and the adjustment mechanism, the cable extending generally perpendicular to the frame between the adjustment mechanism and the at least one guide.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Chetlapalli Janaki Ram-Srinivasarao
• Romo Harry Duane
• Lee Jane
• Ingimarsson Gudni
• Brookover Derek
• Meritt-Powell Michael
• Olivo Jared

Classifications

• A61F5/0125 Primary

  the device articulating around a single pivot-point · CPC title

• A61F5/0123

  for the knees (A61F5/0106 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F2005/0132

  Additional features of the articulation · CPC title