Orthopedic walking boot having a mechanically adjustable ramp insert

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12178733-B2
Application number	US-202318212965-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2023
Priority date	Nov 9, 2016
Publication date	Dec 31, 2024
Grant date	Dec 31, 2024

Abstract

An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface, and a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated. Related methods are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An orthopedic walking boot, comprising:
a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot;
a mechanically adjustable ramp insert disposed in the housing and comprising:
a base,
a ramp surface comprising at least one guide,
a bracket configured to slide along the at least one guide as the ramp surface is elevated,
a first support rotatably coupled to the bracket and disposed between the base and the ramp surface; and
a second support rotatably coupled to the bracket and disposed between the base and the ramp surface; and

an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface.

2. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the mechanically adjustable ramp insert comprises:
a threaded shaft secured to the adjusting mechanism at a first end and configured to rotate with the adjusting mechanism;
a first slider nut comprising internal threads and configured to move along the threaded shaft as the threaded shaft is rotated, wherein the first slider nut is rotatably coupled to the first support; and
a stationary nut in physical contact with the threaded shaft and configured not to move along the threaded shaft as the threaded shaft is rotated, wherein the stationary nut is rotatably coupled to the second support.

3. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 2 , wherein the first support is configured to move toward the second support as the threaded shaft is rotated, thereby causing mechanically adjustable ramp insert to elevate the ramp surface.

4. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 2 , wherein the base comprises at least one guide within which an end of the first support is configured to travel as the ramp surface is elevated.

5. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 2 , wherein the mechanically adjustable ramp insert further comprises a stopper in physical contact with a second end of the threaded shaft and configured to restrict movement of the threaded shaft in any direction normal to an axis of rotation of the threaded shaft.

6. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the elevation angle is continuously variable within a range of angles.

7. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 6 , wherein the range of angles is between approximately 0 degrees to approximately 30 degrees.

8. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , further comprising a removably attached liner disposed on the ramp surface.

9. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 8 , wherein the removably attached liner is constructed from a memory foam material.

10. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises at least one peg configured to slide within the at least one guide as the ramp surface is elevated.

11. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide comprises a slot in the ramp surface.

12. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the mechanically adjustable ramp insert further comprises an anterior portion and a hinge that physically couples the anterior portion to the ramp surface.

13. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first support and the second support comprises a multi-ply leaf spring configured to attenuate a portion of physical loads transmitted to the user's foot when the user is walking.

14. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the user's foot is in a state of plantarflexion when disposed on the ramp surface.

15. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated.

16. The orthopedic walking boot of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting mechanism comprises a dial.

17. A method for adjusting an orthopedic walking boot, comprising:
adjusting an adjusting mechanism disposed on a housing of the orthopedic walking boot thereby achieving a desired elevation angle of a ramp surface of a mechanically adjustable ramp insert of the orthopedic walking boot; and
inserting a user's foot into the housing and disposing the user's foot on the ramp surface such that the user's foot is supported in a position of plantarflexion determined at least in part by the desired elevation angle of the ramp surface,
wherein, within the mechanically adjustable ramp insert, adjusting the adjusting mechanism causes a bracket, rotatably coupled to each of a first support and a second support disposed between the base and the ramp surface, to slide along at least one guide in the ramp surface as the ramp surface is elevated.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein, within the mechanically adjustable ramp insert, adjusting the adjusting mechanism further causes:
a threaded shaft, secured to the adjusting mechanism at a first end, to rotate with the adjusting mechanism; and
a first slider nut, rotatably coupled to the first support and comprising internal threads, to move along the threaded shaft as the threaded shaft is rotated,
wherein a stationary nut, rotatably coupled to the second support and in physical contact with the threaded shaft, is configured not to move along the threaded shaft as the threaded shaft is rotated.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein, within the mechanically adjustable ramp insert, adjusting the adjusting mechanism further causes the first support to move toward the second support as the threaded shaft is rotated, thereby causing mechanically adjustable ramp insert to elevate the ramp surface.

Assignees

• Djo Llc

Inventors

• Orr David

Classifications

• A61F5/048

  Traction splints · CPC title

• A43B7/223

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title

• A61F5/14

  Special medical insertions for shoes for flat-feet, club-feet or the like · CPC title

• A61F5/042

  for extension or stretching · CPC title

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title