Orthopedic device for dynamically treating the knee

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9770356-B2
Application number	US-201514839133-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 28, 2015
Priority date	Oct 31, 2011
Publication date	Sep 26, 2017
Grant date	Sep 26, 2017

Abstract

An orthopedic device is arranged for dynamically treating the knee. The device includes a hinge assembly, a frame having an upper cuff and a lower cuff spaced apart from and connected by the hinge assembly, and a dynamic shell connected to the frame and extending along the first side of the brace. An adjustment system is connected to the dynamic shell and includes a tensioning element operatively engaging the shell and the hinge assembly. The adjustment system is arranged to increase and decrease tension in the tensioning element. The dynamic shell is arranged to be drawn toward the frontal plane as the orthopedic device goes from an extension orientation to a flexion orientation.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An orthopedic device arranged for dynamically treating a knee, the orthopedic device having a central axis and a frontal plane parallel to and intersecting the central axis and dividing the orthopedic device along first and second sides, the orthopedic device having a medial-lateral plane and dividing the orthopedic device into medial and lateral sides and generally oriented perpendicular to the frontal plane, the orthopedic device comprising:
a hinge assembly;
a frame comprising an upper cuff and a lower cuff spaced apart from and connected to one another by the hinge assembly;
an adjustment system including an elongate tensioning element operatively engaging the hinge assembly;
wherein the adjustment system adjusts in tension as the upper cuff moves relative to the lower cuff according to articulation of the hinge assembly;
wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge cover that the tensioning element engages; and
wherein the tensioning element has an end anchored to the hinge cover.

2. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning element is a cable.

3. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning element extends in a lateral direction between medial and lateral sides of the orthopedic device generally parallel to the frontal plane and redirected in a generally longitudinal direction by guides located on the frame to the hinge assembly.

4. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge cover includes an entry aperture through which the tensioning element extends.

5. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge cover includes a channel through which the tensioning element extends to a hole communicating with the exterior side of the hinge cover, the tensioning element having an anchor fitting within a slot formed on an exterior side of the hinge cover so as to retain an upper end of the tensioning element to the hinge assembly.

6. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly has first and second rotational axes such that the tensioning element extends between the first and second rotational axes so that as the hinge goes from extension to flexion, the tensioning element is pulled over the second axis.

7. The orthopedic device of claim 6 , wherein the first axis is located proximate the upper cuff and the second axis is located proximate the lower cuff, with the first axis located above the second axis.

8. The orthopedic device of claim 6 , wherein the tensioning element is mounted at a location between the first and second axes.

9. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising a shell upon which the adjustment system is located, and connected medial and lateral sides of the frame by a strap.

10. The orthopedic device of claim 9 , wherein the tensioning element extends from opposed sides of the shell and extends to first and second hinges belonging to the hinge assembly and located on lateral and medial sides of the orthopedic device, respectively.

11. The orthopedic device of claim 9 , wherein the shell and the lower cuff are located on the first side of the brace.

12. The orthopedic device of claim 11 , wherein the upper cuff is located on the first side of the brace.

13. The orthopedic device of claim 12 , further comprising first and second straps extending about the second side of the orthopedic device and counteracting the shell, and upper and lower cuffs.

14. The orthopedic device of claim 13 , wherein the second strap carries a tibial shell including a V-shaped configuration and is pivotally connected to the lower cuff.

15. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising a strap carrying a tibial shell including a V-shaped configuration arranged for forming pressure outside of an anterior tibia bone, the strap connected to the lower cuff.

16. A method for dynamically treating a knee with an orthopedic device comprising a hinge assembly, a frame comprising an upper cuff and a lower cuff spaced apart from and connected by the hinge assembly, a shell connected to the frame by an adjustment system including an elongate tensioning element operatively engaging the hinge assembly, the method comprising:
placing the shell over the calf of a user;
increasing tension in the tensioning element as the hinge assembly articulates;
obtaining loading of the shell against the calf at peak flexion of the hinge assembly when the upper cuff articulates relative to the lower cuff.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of adjusting tension in the tensioning element by regulating the adjustment system when the orthopedic device is in extension and prior to flexing the hinge assembly.

18. An orthopedic device arranged for dynamically treating a knee, the orthopedic device having a central axis and a frontal plane parallel to and intersecting the central axis and dividing the orthopedic device along first and second sides, the orthopedic device having a medial-lateral plane and dividing the orthopedic device into medial and lateral sides and generally oriented perpendicular to the frontal plane, the orthopedic device comprising:
a hinge assembly;
a frame comprising an upper cuff and a lower cuff spaced apart from and connected to one another by the hinge assembly;
an adjustment system including an elongate tensioning element operatively engaging the hinge assembly;
a shell upon which the adjustment system is located, and connected medial and lateral sides of the frame by a strap;
wherein the adjustment system adjusts in tension as the upper cuff moves relative to the lower cuff according to articulation of the hinge.

19. The orthopedic device of claim 18 , wherein the shell and the lower cuff are located on the first side of the brace.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Ingimundarson Arni Thor
• Romo Harry Duane
• Omarsson Bjorn
• Chetlapalli Janaki Ram-Srinivasarao
• Laprade Robert
• Ingvarsson Thorvaldur

Classifications

• A61F2250/001

  for adjusting a diameter · CPC title

• A61F5/0123 Primary

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

• A61F2005/0134

  with two orthogonal pivots · CPC title

• A61F2005/0172

  with cushions · CPC title

• A61F2220/0008

  Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body · CPC title