Orthotic apparatus and method for using same
OwnerThomas P. Branchinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable bladder position a distance from a joint is attached to an external structural support which crosses the joint but does not support it. By inflating the bladder one limb segment is forced towards the external support thereby increasing the ranges of motion of that joint. Further, the inflatable bladder has an instant release valve which, when pressed, will instantly release the pressure within the bladder. The limb is positioned intermediate the bladder and the external structural support for optimal biomechanical efficiency.
Claims64
An orthotic device for providing motion to a user's limb through movement of a joint, said device comprising:
- a strap;
- an inflatable member connected to said strap and including an inflatable bladder, said inflatable member being spaced from said joint;
- and
- a device operatively associated with said inflatable bladder for inflating and deflating said inflatable member such that as said inflatable member is inflated, said strap is placed in increasing tension so as to cause said joint to be moved.
An orthotic device for manipulating a user's limb having a joint, said device comprising:
- a structural body portion;
- an inflatable member;
- a flexible strap interconnecting said structural body portion and said inflatable member such that a portion of said limb can be inserted between said structural body portion and said inflatable member;
- and
- an inflating device for inflating said inflatable member so that it increases in size;
- such that as said inflatable member is inflated, said inflatable member tends to push against said limb such that said limb is urged towards said structural body portion in such a manner as to flex or extend said joint.
An orthotic device for use by a user in combination with an elongate substantially rigid frame member, said device for providing movement to a leg of said user and comprising:
- at least one flexible strap having a first end and a second end, said first end configured to be attached to said frame member;
- an inflatable member including an inflatable bladder, said inflatable member being spaced from said joint and attached to said second end of said strap such that said leg is captured between said inflatable member and said frame member;
- and
- a pump for inflating said inflatable member such that said inflatable member expands, said flexible strap is placed in tension such that said inflatable member exerts a force against said leg.
A method of adapting an elongate crutch for use by a user in extending a knee joint of a leg having a thigh, said method comprising the steps of:
- A) providing an elongate crutch having an upper and a lower end, said upper end of said crutch configured to be placed under the armpit of a user and said lower end configured to be placed atop a supporting floor surface;
- B) providing a orthotic device for use in conjunction with said crutch, said orthotic device itself comprising:
- 1) an inflatable member;
- 2) at least one strap;
- and
- 3) a device for inflating and deflating said inflatable member;
- C) positioning said leg adjacent to said crutch in a slightly bent shape such that said leg is generally parallel to said elongate crutch;
- D) attaching said inflatable member relative to said crutch by use of said strap such that said inflatable member is positioned in contact with a portion of said leg and said leg portion is positioned intermediate said and said crutch and said inflatable member;
- and
- E) subsequent to step “D”, inflating said inflatable member such that said strap is drawn into tension and said inflatable member providing a force atop said leg portion such that said knee joint of said leg tends to be urged into a straight configuration against said crutch.
An orthotic device for attachment to an arm of a user, said arm having an elbow joint between a forearm and an upper arm, said arm when straight being generally elongate with a first side and a second side, each of said two sides each extending the length of said arm, said device comprising:
- a substantially rigid structural frame portion for contacting said arm at a first location being on said first side of said arm in the vicinity of the elbow;
- an upper arm contacting portion for contacting said upper arm on said second side of said arm, said upper arm contacting portion being attached relative to said body portion;
- an inflatable member for contacting said forearm on said second side of said arm;
- at least one strap for attaching said inflatable member relative to said substantially rigid body portion, such that said forearm is captured intermediate said substantially rigid body portion and said inflatable member;
- and
- a inflation device for inflating said inflatable member such that said elbow joint tends to be straightened.
An orthotic device for moving an arm of a user so that external rotation of the shoulder is provided, said device comprising:
- a strap for passing around the chest of said user and for retaining said upper part of said user's arm, such that said upper part of said user's arm is urged towards the side of said user;
- an inflatable member for attachment to said strap and for placement intermediate the stomach of the user and the forearm of the user;
- and
- a device for inflating said inflatable member such that external rotation of the shoulder is provided.
An orthotic device for moving an arm of a user so that external rotation of the shoulder is provided, said device comprising:
- a strap for passing around the chest of said user and around said upper part of said user's arm, such that said upper part of said user's arm is urged towards the side of said user;
- an inflatable member attached to said strap;
- a spacing wedge for use intermediate said inflatable member and the stomach region for spacing purposes such that said forearm of said user;
- and
- a device for inflating said inflatable member such that external rotation of the shoulder is provided.
A device for providing motion to an ankle of a user, said device comprising:
- a base plate member defining an upwardly-directed hole;
- an inclined yoke plate, said inclined yoke plate including a yoke configured to fit over the top of said foot, and also defining at least one lower end configured to slidably move within said hole;
- a first strap intermediate the upper end of the inclined brace member and said base plate;
- an inflatable member for positioning behind the lower leg;
- a second strap intermediate said inclined yoke plate and said inflatable member;
- and
- a device for inflating the inflatable member such that said first and second straps are placed in tension and said ankle of said foot is flexed in planarflexion, and said yoke member at the same time pushes down on said foot to urge it into contact with said plate.
A device for providing motion to an ankle of a user, said device comprising:
- A) a structural member, said structural member itself comprising;
- a slipper portion for accepting the front part of a foot;
- and a vertical flange portion extending upwardly from said slipper portion,
- B) an inflatable member for positioning behind the lower leg;
- C) a strap intermediate said inflatable member and said vertical flange portion;
- and
- D) a device for inflating the inflatable member such that said strap is placed in tension and said ankle of said foot is flexed in planar flexion.
A device for providing motion to an ankle of a leg of a user, said device comprising:
- a base frame member defining an upwardly-directed hole;
- a foot supporting member attached to said base for supporting the foot proximate the toes;
- a cuff for containing said leg;
- an inflatable member for positioning on the anterior aspect of the distal thigh with the knee flexed to a minimum of 90 degrees;
- a strap intermediate said inflatable member and said base frame member
- a device for inflating the inflatable member such that said strap is placed in tension, said inflatable member pushes down on said knee, said cuff contains said leg, and said ankle is flexed in dorsiflexion.
A forearm supination device for use with a user having a hand, comprising:
- a base including a base portion;
- an elongate post member;
- a device for attaching said post member to said hand of the user such that that the longitudinal axis of the post is substantially parallel to the plane of the palm of the hand and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forearm;
- an inflatable member attached to said post member opposite said base portion;
- at least one strap between said inflatable member and said base portion;
- and
- an air pump to cause said inflatable member to inflate and said strap to go into tension, causing forearm supination and pronation.
A biomedical device to improve impaired or restricted end range of motion of an anatomic limb which articulates about a joint of a human or other mammal with a distal anatomic member, comprising:
- a frame member;
- an inflatable member capable of displacing said distal anatomic member about said joint within said frame member upon inflation or deflation of said inflatable member;
- and,
- an attachment device to attach said frame member to said limb.
A biomedical device to improve impaired or restricted end range of motion of an anatomic limb which articulates about a joint of a human or other mammal, comprising:
- one or more frame member(s) attached to said limb proximally and/or distally to said joint;
- one or more inflatable member(s) attached to said frame member and capable of displacing said distal anatomic member about said joint within said frame member upon inflation or deflation of said inflatable member(s);
- and
- one or more attachment devices to attach said frame member to said limb at one or more locations
A biomedical device to improve impaired or restricted end range of motion of a limb about a joint of a human or other mammal, comprising:
- one or more inflatable member(s) attached to the body of said human or other mammal, and capable of displacing said limb about said joint upon inflation or deflation of said inflatable member(s);
- and
- one or more attachment devices to attach said inflatable member(s) to the body of said human or other mammal at one or more locations.
A biomedical device to improve impaired or restricted end range of motion of a human or other mammalian anatomic limb which articulates within a natural range of motion about a joint and has a related distal anatomic member, said device comprising:
- a frame member which may apply pressure at one or more points to an anatomic limb secured therein;
- one or more inflatable member(s) attached to said frame member and capable of displacing said distal anatomic member about said joint within said frame member upon inflation or deflation of said inflatable member(s);
- and
- one or more attachment devices to attach said frame member to said limb at one or more locations.
A therapeutic biomedical system for the treatment of impaired or restricted end range of motion of a human or other mammalian anatomic limb which articulates within a natural range of motion about a joint and has a related distal anatomic member, said system comprising:
- a frame member which may permit the free flexion, extension, internal rotation, or external rotation of a limb secured therein in all directions except in opposition to said frame member at one or more fixed points;
- and
- an inflatable member, attached to said frame, but positioned to prevent direct contact between said joint and said inflatable member upon inflation thereof and capable upon inflation or deflation of displacing said limb about its articulation at said joint.
A therapeutic device for attachment to an extremity of the body of a user, said extremity having a proximal and a distal aspect, and an anatomic joint attachment proximally attaching said extremity to said body or to a proximal extremity thereof, comprising
- a frame member which allows free motion of the distal aspect of said extremity;
- one or more attachments that allow attachment of said extremity to said frame member without compromising the free motion of the distal aspect of said extremity;
- and,
- an inflatable member capable of displacing said distal aspect of said extremity within said frame member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.