Orthopedic device having a dynamic control system and method for using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11464662-B2
Application number	US-201916567676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2019
Priority date	Jan 25, 2013
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

An orthopedic device and method for using the same are provided for applying a dynamic load on a leg of a user. The orthopedic device has a rigid or semi-rigid frame including lower and upper frames, and a hinge assembly connecting the lower and upper frames. A dynamic loading component is used to urge the load on the user's leg on the basis of flexion of the hinge assembly on the basis of tension in an elongate element connecting the dynamic loading component and at least one of the lower and upper frames. A peak load is generated at a flexion angle between extension and flexion of the hinge assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for applying a dynamic load on a user's leg during flexion of a knee, the method comprising the steps of:
placing an orthopedic device having a hinge assembly on a leg of a user;
urging a load on the user's leg by the orthopedic device;
creating a peak load on the user's leg corresponding to a predetermined angle of flexion of the hinge assembly; and
placing a load adjuster over the hinge assembly for modifying the peak load.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
selecting among at least two load adjusters having different shapes for modifying the peak load.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
increasing the load from full extension to the peak load at the predetermined angle of flexion.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
diminishing the load after reaching the predetermined angle of flexion as the leg continues to undergo flexion.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the load exerted on the user's leg defines a generally concave curve from full extension through the predetermined angle of flexion and a particular angle of flexion greater than the predetermined angle of flexion, and a generally convex curve after the particular angle of flexion to full flexion.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
increasing the load from extension to the peak load at the predetermined angle of flexion; and
diminishing the load after reaching the predetermined angle of flexion as the leg continues to undergo flexion until full flexion;
wherein the load at full extension is greater than the load at full flexion.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the orthopedic device includes a cable regulating the load on the basis of articulation of the hinge assembly and having at least one end secured to the hinge assembly.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the peak load occurs when the cable intersects an instantaneous center of rotation of the hinge assembly.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein a minimum load occurs when the cable has a shortest length.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the orthopedic device includes a dynamic loading component arranged to be urged against the user's leg, the cable having a first end securing to the dynamic loading component and a second end securing to the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly including a hinge and the first end of the cable is located on a first side of the hinge and the second end of the cable is located on a second side of the hinge such that the cable sweeps over the hinge during articulation of the hinge.

11. A method for applying a dynamic load on a user's leg during flexion of a knee using an orthopedic device arranged to articulate from extension to flexion over a plurality of angles, the orthopedic device having an upper frame and a lower frame, and a hinge connecting the upper and lower frames to one another, the method comprising the steps of:
connecting a dynamic loading component to the upper frame, the dynamic loading component located on an anterior or posterior side of the orthopedic device between the upper frame and the hinge;
defining a variable distance between the dynamic loading component and the upper frame;
connecting a first end of at least one elongate element to the dynamic loading component and a second end of the at least one elongate element secured to the lower frame, the at least one elongate element arranged to extend over an outer surface of the hinge as the orthopedic device articulates; and
connecting an upper cable guide to the upper frame, the upper cable guide having an inlet located on a first side of the upper cable guide and an outlet extending on a second side of the upper cable guide and directing the at least one elongate element toward the dynamic loading component;
wherein when the orthopedic device is in extension, the at least one elongate element extends on a first side of the outer surface of the hinge according to arrangement of the inlet of the upper cable guide, and when the orthopedic device is in flexion the at least one elongate element progresses from the first side of the outer surface of the hinge to a second side of the outer surface of the hinge by crossing an instantaneous center of rotation of the hinge such that tension of the at least one elongate element reaches a peak between extension and flexion of the hinge at a predetermined angle greater than a tension at an angle at full extension and a tension at an angle at full flexion.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of adjusting a load exerted by the dynamic loading component by providing a load adjuster on a hinge cover defining the outer surface of the hinge for adjusting the load exerted by the dynamic loading component, the tension in the at least one elongate element corresponding to the load.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the load adjuster is formed by a thickened region along the coronal plane of the hinge cover.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of counteracting a first load exerted by the dynamic loading component by providing an anti-migration strap located between the hinge and the lower frame, the dynamic loading component exerting the first load in a sagittal plane relative to the coronal plane.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the upper cable guide defines a channel arranged along the sagittal plane and extending to the outlet.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the upper frame includes first and second upper struts on opposed sides of the orthopedic device and the hinge includes first and second hinges to which the first and second upper struts connect, respectively.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the dynamic loading component is arranged to extend on a posterior side of the leg between the first and second upper struts.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising first and second lower cable guides on first and second lower struts of the lower frame, the upper cable guide including first and second upper cable guides on the first and second upper struts, respectively, the at least one elongate element including first and second elongate elements with the second ends thereof anchored to the first and second lower cable guides, respectively, and the first ends thereof being received by the dynamic loading component.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one elongate element extends from a lower cable guide connected to the lower frame, the at least one elongate element extending between the upper and lower cable guides and over the hinge, the at least one elongate element having a movement profile forming a V-shape with the crest of the V-shape anchored to the lower cable guide.

20. A method for applying a dynamic load on a user's leg during flexion of a knee, the method comprising the steps of:
placing an orthopedic device having a hinge assembly on a leg of a user;
urging a load on the user's leg by the orthopedic device;
creating a peak load on the user's leg corresponding to a predetermined angle of flexion of the hinge assembly;
placing a load adjuster over the hinge assembly for modifying the peak load;
increasing the load from full extension to the peak load at the predetermined angle of flexion;
diminishing the load after reaching the predetermined angle of flexion as the leg continues to undergo flexion until full flexion;
wherein the load at full extension is greater than the load at full flexion and full extension;
wherein the orth

Assignees

• Ossur Iceland Ehf

Inventors

• Romo Harry Duane
• Lee Jane
• Olivo Jared

Classifications

• A61F2005/0165

  with limits of movement · CPC title

• A61F2005/0132

  Additional features of the articulation · CPC title

• A61F5/0123 Primary

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

• A61F5/0125

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

• A61H3/00

  Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about (apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04 {; applying electrical currents by contact electrodes for stimulating motor muscles, e.g. walking assistance A61N1/36003}) · CPC title