Orthopedic device having a dynamic control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9351864-B2
Application number	US-201414165478-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2014
Priority date	Jan 25, 2013
Publication date	May 31, 2016
Grant date	May 31, 2016

Abstract

An orthopedic device is arranged to apply 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 maximum flexion of the hinge assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An orthopedic device arranged to articulate during flexion at a plurality of angles between extension at 0 degrees and a maximum flexion at 135 degrees, the device comprising:
a first frame;
a dynamic loading component connected to the first frame and located on an anterior or posterior side of the orthopedic device, a variable distance defined between the dynamic loading component and the first frame;
an adjustment device arranged to regulate a length of at least one elongate element and move the dynamic loading component toward the first frame by reducing a length of said variable distance, the at least one elongate element connecting to a lateral or medial side of the first frame and coupling the dynamic loading component thereto, the adjustment device arranged to create peak tension in the at least one elongate element at a peak angle between extension and maximum flexion of the orthopedic device and generally diminish in tension from the peak angle toward extension and flexion;
a second frame and a hinge assembly connecting the first and second frames to one another;
wherein the adjustment device connects to or across the hinge such that the dynamic loading element is urged inwardly toward the first frame as the knee undergoes flexion, the at least one elongate element freely moving from generally anterior and posterior peripheral sides of the hinge over a movement profile.

2. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge has a substantially flat hinge plate over which the at least one elongate element freely slides.

3. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate element includes first and second elongate elements each extending from first and second sides, respectively, of the orthopedic device, wherein the adjustment device is adapted for simultaneously regulating the length of the first and second elongate elements.

4. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate element extends laterally from the dynamic loading component to at least one of the lateral or medial sides of the first frame, the orthopedic device further comprising a guide arranged to longitudinally route the at least one elongate element along the first frame toward the hinge.

5. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the first frame defines a cutout providing a clearance through a width of the first frame and generally opposite the dynamic loading component, the at least one elongate element arranged to articulate within the cutout (and toward the dynamic loading component.

6. The orthopedic device of claim 5 , further comprising a first guide located on the first frame and opposite the dynamic loading component, the first guide having a channel defining first and second ends through which the at least one elongate element is routed in a curved manner between the first and second ends.

7. The orthopedic device of claim 6 , further comprising a second frame and a hinge connecting the first and second frame, and a second guide located on the second frame, the at least one elongate element arranged to extend from the second guide to the first guide and over the hinge.

8. The orthopedic device of claim 7 , wherein the second frame defines a plurality of openings along its length for selective placement of the second guide to establish an initial tension in the at least one elongate element at flexion of the orthopedic device.

9. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the peak load in the at least one elongate element occurs generally when the orthopedic device is in flexion in the range of 10-40 degrees at peak angle.

10. The orthopedic device of claim 9 , wherein the tension in the at least one elongate element substantially diminishes from and near the peak angle and slowly tapers approaching either maximum flexion or full extension.

11. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic loading component is arranged at a distal posterior thigh region of a user and above a hinge of the orthopedic device.

12. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate element extends toward the dynamic loading component at an oblique angle generally more towards a saggital plane than a coronal plane.

13. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the first frame defines a cutout section forming a clearance within the width of the first frame and sized to permit the at least one elongate element to move therethrough.

14. A method for providing variable assistance during gait, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an orthopedic device on a leg of a user, the orthopedic having a dynamic loading component adapted to apply pressure against a leg of a user;
urging a load by the dynamic loading component against a user's leg during an initial stage of flexion of a leg;
increasing the load to a peak load corresponding to a peak angle of flexion;
diminishing the load after reaching the peak angle of flexion as the leg continues to undergo extension.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
initially setting the degree of force by an adjustment device before a user's knee undergoes extension.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one elongate element extends toward the dynamic loading component at an oblique angle generally more towards a saggital plane than a coronal plane.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the peak load in the at least one elongate element occurs generally when the orthopedic device is in flexion in the range of 10-40 degrees at peak angle.

18. An orthopedic device, comprising:
a first frame defining a cutout forming a clearance through the width of the first frame;
a second frame;
a hinge assembly connecting the first and second frames;
a dynamic loading component connected to the first frame and located on an anterior or posterior side of the orthopedic device, a variable distance being defined between the dynamic loading component and the first frame;
an adjustment device arranged to regulate a length of at least one elongate element between the adjustment device and the first frame and move the dynamic loading component toward the first frame by reducing a length of said variable distance;
a first guide connected to the first frame and defining a channel through which the at least one elongate element extends;
a second guide connected to the second frame and securing an end of the at least one elongate element thereto, the at least elongate element extending from the second guide and over the hinge assembly to and through the first guide to articulate within the cutout and secure at one end to the dynamic loading component, the distance of the at least one elongate element between the first and second guides is at a maximum when the hinge assembly is at a flexion angle within the range of 10 to 40 degrees.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Romo Harry Duane
• Lee Jane
• Webster Chris
• Olivo Jared
• Hsu Henry
• Laprade Robert

Classifications

• A61F5/0125

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

• A61F5/0123 Primary

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