Functional shoulder support brace with cabling system

#The present invention relates to a shoulder brace with a cabling system for producing arm elevation and compression in individuals suffering from shoulder instability, and more particularly to a combination functional shoulder motion support brace comprising a cabling system for producing arm elevation and compression in individual users suffering from shoulder instability, the brace providing easy-to-use customizability of support (whether the brace is being worn or not by the user), the brace further providing approximation of a glenohumeral joint throughout motion functioning of the individual user's shoulder while wearing the brace, and the brace further providing ability for the individual user to don, fit, and customize the brace independently by individual use of a series of specialized closure systems with or without external assistance.

#Shoulder instability can occur in a number of scenarios. For instance, one of the most common residual effects faced by stroke victims is shoulder instability, caused by a subsequent decrease in neuromuscular tone and muscle strength. Of the nearly 800,000 people in the United States yearly who suffer a stroke, as many as 37% of survivors develop shoulder instability. Current shoulder braces require the wearer to either remove the brace to perform adjustments or have another person assist in making adjustments. Shoulder braces have been previously designed in two main ways.

#The first, and most popular, method is through the use of a simple shoulder sling. Shoulder slings are designed intentionally shorter than the length of the wearer's upper arm so that, once fastened, the sling pushes the head of the humerus toward the glenohumeral joint to approximate normal shoulder function. However, a shoulder sling does not enable the wearer to simultaneously wear the device and adjust the amount of force applied to the arm. Therefore, adjusting a shoulder sling without first removing it requires an additional person and additional steps to perform the adjustment and re-installation on one's shoulder.

#In consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments, the invention may be more completely understood in connection with the following drawings.

#FIG. 1a is a perspective view of at least an aspect and an embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 1b illustrates the forces generated on a sleeve portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1a by an elevation cable according to that embodiment.

#Although the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail such that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. However, it should be understood, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#The present invention relates to a shoulder brace for the rehabilitation of patients that suffer from shoulder instability. The shoulder brace uses novel elevation and compression cable systems to stabilize and approximate the glenohumeral joint through a range of motion particular to appropriate treatment parameters. More specifically, the present invention provides customizable support and approximation of the glenohumeral joint. Additionally, the present invention allows the individual to don, fit, and customize the shoulder brace independently using the elevation and compression cable systems, whether the brace is currently being worn by a user, or not.

#Referring specifically to FIGS. 1a and 1b, there is illustrated an embodiment of a shoulder brace 2 comprising a main body portion 17 for wearing by a user, or which is adapted for wrapping around, as with a strap 13, a user. The strap 13 is preferably provided with a hook and loop (e.g., Velcro brand) enclosure system 1 which works together with a retaining loop 15 to hold the brace 2 securely on the user. FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate the forces generated on a sleeve 12 of the shoulder brace 2 by an elevation cable 8. According to this embodiment, a shoulder brace 2 is provided which may comprise an elevation cable 8 that runs or feeds through a first series of anchor points 5. The first series of anchor points 5 are located primarily along an arm sleeve 12 preferably with a lowermost anchor point 7 having a semi-circular guide portion for re-routing the cable 8 back and upwardly along the sleeve.