US 2008/0077066 A1 · Lewis lift AFO device

Abstract

An AFO for automatically lifting the toes about the phalanges joint to assist a person when they have a medical condition referred to as “drop foot” comprising, in combination, a support that transcends vertically between two points on the lower front leg, a primary tension member attached to the upper point with a snap swivel leads to where it is fastened to the toe of a shoe at an optimum location just above the big toenail and a secondary tension member placed over the primary member so that it aids in lifting the toes and keeping them lifted. A lower strap holding the support to the front of the leg in the vicinity of the ankle does so in a spiral manner, preventing a “choking” effect that would impede circulation. The entire device is lightweight, easy on/off, comfortable and doesn't need to go in a shoe.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An improved ankle foot orthosis, hereinafter referred to as an AFO, to provide orthopedic support and lifting of the toes for the dysfunctional condition of a human foot known as “dropped foot”, comprising in combination:

a support bar assembly that fastens to the lower leg at a point on the ankle and transcends vertically up the front of the leg to an upper attachment point just below the knee, these two points being connected by a cushioned support bar with an open eyelet at the top for connection of;
a primary tension member assembly one end of which attaches to the eyelet with a snap on/off connector and extends vertically downward with the other end fixed firmly to the front part of a shoe, or other type of foot covering, for the further application of;
a secondary tension member assembly that is of elastic design to provide variable tensioning that has one end attached to the support bar assembly on one side of the patient's leg using Velcro™ connectors, thence passes over the primary tension member assembly to have the other end fasten to the opposite side of the leg to the primary tension member assembly with Velcro™ connectors.

An improved ankle foot orthosis (AFO) to provide orthopedic support and lifting of the toes for the dysfunctional condition of a human foot known as “dropped foot”, comprising in combination:

a primary tension member assembly that has a tension member with one end fastened to a snap connector, the tension member then extends vertically downward to the toe part of a shoe, or other type of foot covering, and is firmly fixed to it, a shoe that then becomes a part of the primary tension member assembly, using holes punched, drilled, or otherwise pierced through the two sides of the shoe, at an optimum location just above the big toenail;
a tension member is passed through these holes and made fast to itself by a clamping device, with a spreader bar inserted if there is danger of upward tensional force generated by the device putting pressure on the sides of the toes;
a connection is made to the upper connection point of the support bar assembly by fastening the snap connector to an eyelet provided for this purpose the device is ready to apply support and provide lift to both the foot and toes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lewis lift AFO device

Life of this patent

Lewis lift AFO device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18