Orthopedic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11969373-B2
Application number	US-202117306611-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 3, 2021
Priority date	Sep 25, 2013
Publication date	Apr 30, 2024
Grant date	Apr 30, 2024

Abstract

An orthopedic system includes a base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof and a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell. The base shell has a proximal member and a distal member connected to the proximal member, each has a semi-rigid shell configuration to protect and support a lower leg, an ankle, or a foot of a user when received in the orthopedic system. A flexible toe portion is attached to a distal terminal end area of the distal member and formed of a different material than the distal member. The flexible toe portion is arranged to terminate above an upper surface of the user's toes and to flex relative to the distal member and the toes so as to reduce the likelihood of pressure points on the toes from the distal member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An orthopedic device comprising:
a base shell having ankle and foot receiving portions, the base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof, the base shell defining a cavity along at least an exterior side thereof;
a bladder provided in the ankle receiving portion of the base shell;
a pump assembly fitted within the cavity of the base shell and arranged to inflate the bladder;
at least one inflation tube in fluid communication with the pump assembly; and
a pressure relief valve assembly fluidly connected to the bladder, the pressure relief valve assembly arranged to automatically release air from the bladder to atmosphere when pressure within the bladder exceeds a cracking pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly;
a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell;
at least one tightening member connectable to the base shell and extendable over the dorsal shell to secure the base shell and dorsal shell together about a user's lower leg and foot, the pump assembly situated on an anterior aspect of the at least one tightening member such that a position of the pump assembly is fixed relative to the base shell as the dorsal shell moves relative to the pump assembly to accommodate variations in the user's lower leg during gait.

2. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the at least one inflation tube arranged on an exterior surface of the base shell.

3. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the base shell defines at least one tube hole arranged to allow the at least one inflation tube to pass between an interior of the base shell and the exterior of the base shell.

4. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief valve assembly is adjustable such that the cracking pressure can be customized by a medical professional or clinician.

5. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief valve assembly is arranged in a cavity formed on a posterior aspect of the base shell such that the pressure relief valve assembly is substantially protected from damage due to accidental contact with an external object.

6. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief valve assembly is integrated with the bladder.

7. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one observation hole formed in the ankle receiving portion of the base shell, the at least one observation hole arranged to permit confirmation that the bladder is properly inflated within the ankle receiving portion.

8. An orthopedic device comprising:
a base shell having ankle and foot receiving portions, the base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof;
at least one tightening member connected to the base shell to secure the base shell about a user's lower leg and foot;
at least one inflatable bladder provided in the ankle receiving portion of the base shell; and
a pump assembly connected to and arranged to inflate the bladder;
a pressure relief valve assembly fluidly connected to the bladder, the pressure relief valve assembly arranged to automatically release air from the bladder to atmosphere when pressure within the bladder exceeds a cracking pressure;
wherein the pump assembly is situated on the at least one tightening member such that a position of the pump assembly is substantially fixed relative to the base shell as a user walks in the orthopedic device.

9. The orthopedic device of claim 8 , further comprising at least one inflation tube extending along an exterior surface of the base shell between the pump assembly and the pressure relief valve assembly.

10. The orthopedic device of claim 9 , wherein the base shell defines at least one tube hole arranged to allow the at least one inflation tube to pass between an interior of the base shell and the exterior of the base shell.

11. The orthopedic device of claim 10 , further comprising a fabric sleeve on the at least one tightening member for guiding the at least one inflation tube along the exterior of the base shell such that the at least one inflation tube is protected within the fabric sleeve.

12. The orthopedic device of claim 8 , further comprising a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell, the at least one tightening member arranged to extend over the dorsal shell.

13. The orthopedic device of claim 12 , wherein the pressure relief valve assembly is situated along the base shell.

14. An orthopedic device comprising:
a base shell having ankle and foot receiving portions, the base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof;
a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell;
at least one tightening member connectable to the base shell and extendable over the dorsal shell to secure the base shell and dorsal shell together about a user's lower leg and foot;
at least one inflatable bladder provided in the ankle receiving portion of the base shell;
a pump assembly arranged to inflate the bladder, the pump assembly situated on an anterior aspect of the at least one tightening member such that a position of the pump assembly is fixed relative to the base shell as the dorsal shell moves relative to the pump assembly to accommodate variations in the user's lower leg during gait; and
a pressure relief valve assembly situated on a posterior aspect of the base shell, the pressure relief valve assembly arranged to automatically release air from the bladder to atmosphere when pressure within the bladder exceeds a cracking pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly, the cracking pressure being selected to reduce over-inflation.

15. The orthopedic device of claim 14 , wherein at least one inflation tube extending along an exterior surface of the base shell between the pump assembly and the pressure relief valve assembly.

16. The orthopedic device of claim 14 , further comprising at least one observation hole formed in the ankle receiving portion of the base shell, the at least one observation hole arranged to permit confirmation that the bladder is properly inflated within the ankle receiving portion.

17. An orthopedic device comprising:
a base shell having ankle and foot receiving portions, the base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof, the base shell defining a cavity along at least an exterior side thereof;
a bladder provided in the ankle receiving portion of the base shell;
a pump assembly fitted within the cavity of the base shell and arranged to inflate the bladder;
at least one inflation tube in fluid communication with the pump assembly; and
a pressure relief valve assembly fluidly connected to the bladder, the pressure relief valve assembly arranged to automatically release air from the bladder to atmosphere when pressure within the bladder exceeds a cracking pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly;
wherein the pressure relief valve assembly is housed within a cover member attached to a posterior aspect of the base shell such that the pressure relief valve assembly is substantially protected from user tampering.

Assignees

• Ossur Iceland Ehf

Inventors

• Romo Harry Duane
• Walborn Jonathan

Classifications

• A61F5/0127 Primary

  for the feet (A61F5/0111 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F5/0102

  specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations · CPC title

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title

• A61F5/012

  inflatable · CPC title

• A61F5/0195

  Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations · CPC title