Orthopedic device and method for securing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9358146-B2
Application number	US-201414148881-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 7, 2014
Priority date	Jan 7, 2013
Publication date	Jun 7, 2016
Grant date	Jun 7, 2016

Abstract

An orthopedic device has various frame elements concealed by a sleeve defining pockets into which such frame elements are located. The orthopedic device includes a strap tightening assembly adapted to secure a plurality of straps simultaneously. The frame may include flexible edge features located along a periphery thereof.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An orthopedic device, comprising:
an inner sleeve segment having interior and exterior surfaces;
a frame applied over the outer surface of the inner sleeve segment, the frame including upper and lower shells, and a hinge connecting and spacing apart the upper and lower shells;
at least one strap connected to the frame;
an outer sleeve segment connected to the inner sleeve segment and having interior and exterior surfaces with the interior surface facing the exterior surface of the inner sleeve segment, the outer and inner sleeve segments forming a sleeve in which at least a portion of the frame is confined within a pocket defined between the outer and inner sleeve segments, and selectively accessible from the outer surface of the outer sleeve segment, at least one of the upper and lower shells being retained in the pocket, the pocket having an outer flap arranged for opening and exposing at least part of the upper or lower shell, and an inner rim bearing fastener elements for engagement with corresponding fastener elements of the outer flap.

2. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning mechanism coupling a first end of the at least one strap to the frame, the tensioning mechanism providing incremental adjustment of the first end of the at least one strap relative to the frame among a plurality of predetermined settings.

3. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is mounted to an outer surface of the frame, the tensioning mechanism accessible from and through the exterior surface of the outer sleeve segment.

4. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is a rotary ratchet and winding mechanism, the first end of the at least one strap coupled to the tensioning mechanism via a cable windable about the winding element.

5. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap is adjustable in length within the space between the outer and inner sleeve segments.

6. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap has first and second ends connecting to and spiraling between the upper and lower shells, the first and second ends connecting at a first side of the upper and lower shells, and extending over a second side of the device located opposite to the first side at which the hinge is located.

7. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising a first zipper located on the outer sleeve segment and secured to opposed edges of the outer sleeve segment so as to separate the opposed edges and provide access to the frame and the at least one strap.

8. The orthopedic device of claim 7 , wherein the first zipper is located at the lower portion of a first side of the orthopedic device, the at least one strap connected to the frame at the first side of the orthopedic device.

9. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising reinforcement edging located about a periphery of the outer sleeve segment, the reinforcement edging being less flexible and having greater toughness than material forming the outer sleeve segment.

10. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap has first and second ends connected to the frame, the first end of the least one strap adjustably movable relative to the frame and the second end of the second strap anchored to the frame;
the orthopedic device further comprising:
a bracket connected to and extending from the at least one strap;
a tightening mechanism connected to the frame and coupling the first end of the at least one strap to the frame via the bracket, the tightening mechanism arranged to simultaneously adjust the at least one strap relative to the frame, the tightening mechanism including a winding element, and at least one cable extending from the winding element and coupling to the bracket.

11. The orthopedic device of claim 10 , wherein the bracket defines a channel through which first and second portions of the at least one cable extend, the first cable portion securing to the frame, and the second cable portion operatively engaging the tightening mechanism.

12. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the inner sleeve segment includes padding incorporated therewith and associated with at least one of the upper and lower shells.

13. An orthopedic device, comprising:
a frame having first and second portions opposed from one another;
at least one elongate strap having first and second ends connected to the frame, the first end of the at least one strap adjustably movable relative to the first frame portion and the second end of the second strap anchored to the second frame portion;
a bracket secured to and extending from the at least one strap;
a tightening mechanism connected to the frame and coupling the first end of the at least one strap to the frame via the bracket, the tightening mechanism arranged to simultaneously adjust the at least one strap relative to the frame, the tightening mechanism including a winding element, and at least one cable extending from the winding element and coupling to the bracket;
wherein the bracket defines a channel through which the at least one cable slidably extends, a first cable end of the at least one cable secures to the frame, and a second end of the at least one cable operatively engages the tightening mechanism;
at least one guide secured to the frame and located between the bracket and the tightening mechanism such that a variable distance of the at least one cable is defined between the first end and the at least one guide.

14. The orthopedic device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one strap defines first and second straps, the at least one cable operatively engaging first and second brackets extending respectively from said first and second straps, the tightening mechanism operatively winding the at least one cable so the first and second straps are adjusted simultaneously.

15. The orthopedic device of claim 13 , further comprising a strap tab bearing tightening indicia and located at the first end of the at least one strap, the strap tab arranged for substantial adjustment of a length of the at least one strap, and the tightening mechanism is arranged for finer adjustment of the at least one strap relative to the frame.

16. The orthopedic device of claim 13 , wherein the bracket defines a central opening enabling the cable to pass and slide according to the orientation of the at least one strap relative to an axis of the orthopedic device.

17. An orthopedic device, comprising:
an inner sleeve segment having interior and exterior surfaces;
a frame applied over the outer surface of the inner sleeve segment;
at least one strap connected to the frame;
wherein the frame defines a flexible edge portion located along a periphery thereof formed from a main body of the frame itself;
wherein the frame includes upper and lower shells each formed from a main body, the flexible edge portion formed by tabs extending from the main body spaced apart by gaps located along a lower edge of the frame, the flexible edge tabs having a thickness substantially the same as a remainder of the main body.

18. The orthopedic device of claim 17 , wherein the flexible edge portion is only formed along a side of the upper and lower shells opposite to a side adjacent a hinge spacing apart and connecting the upper and lower shells.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Thorsteinsdottir Hildur Inga
• Ingimundarson Arni Thor
• Palsdottir Helga Run
• Omarsson Bjorn

Classifications

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title

• A61F5/013

  for the arms, hands or fingers (A61F5/0118 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F5/0118

  for the arms, hands or fingers · CPC title

• A61F5/0102

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

• A61F5/0109 Primary

  Sleeve-like structures · CPC title