Orthotic apparatus and method for using same

A strap and bladder combination for use with a generally elongate substantially rigid member for providing movement to a knee joint of a leg of a user, said elongate substantially rigid member having a length along a longitudinal axis, said substantially rigid member including a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said substantially rigid member also including a parallel pair of frame sections both extending in parallel along the same section of length along said substantially rigid member, said parallel pair of frame sections being first and second frame sections, said frame sections defining an elongate space spacing them apart, said strap and bladder combination comprising:

• an inflatable member including an inflatable bladder configured for selective inflation and deflation and consequent expansion and contraction, respectively;
• a first flexible strap portion having two opposing ends, a first end configured for attachment relative to said first frame section, and a second end configured for attachment relative to said inflatable bladder at a first strap-to-frame attachment point;
• and
• a second flexible strap portion having two opposing ends, a first end configured for attachment relative to said second frame section, and a second end configured for attachment relative to said inflatable bladder at a second strap-to-frame attachment point, said second strap-to-frame attachment point being located relative to said first strap-to-frame attachment point such that said elongate space is intermediate said first and second strap-to-frame attachment points;
• said strap and bladder combination configured to be attached relative to said substantially rigid member by said first and second flexible strap portions such that said inflatable member is spaced from said knee joint and said leg can be positioned between said inflatable member and said frame member wherein a first gap is present between said knee joint of said user and said first frame section and a second gap is present between said knee joint of said user and second frame section, such that inflation and consequential expansion of said inflatable member causes both said first and second said flexible strap portions to be placed in tension such that said inflatable member exerts a force against said leg and causes both said first and second gaps to be reduced upon expansion of said bladder and causes said knee to move towards said elongate space between said frame sections.

An orthotic device for manipulating a user's limb having a joint, said device comprising:

• a structural assembly comprising a first frame section and a second frame section;
• and
• a strap and bladder combination comprising:
• an inflatable member including an inflatable bladder configured for selective inflation and deflation and consequent expansion and contraction, respectively;
• a first flexible strap portion having two opposing ends, a first end configured for attachment relative to said first frame section, and a second end configured for attachment relative to said inflatable bladder at a first strap-to-frame attachment point;
• and
• a second flexible strap portion having two opposing ends, a first end configured for attachment relative to said second frame section, and a second end configured for attachment relative to said inflatable bladder at a second strap-to-frame attachment point, said second strap-to-frame attachment point being located relative to said first strap-to-frame attachment point such that said elongate space is intermediate said first and second strap-to-frame attachment points;
• said strap and bladder combination configured to be attached relative to said structural assembly by said first and second flexible strap portions such that said inflatable member is spaced from said joint and said limb can be positioned between said inflatable member and said structural assembly wherein a first gap is present between said joint of said user and said first frame section and a second gap is present between said joint of said user and second frame section, such that inflation and consequential expansion of said inflatable member causes both said first and second said flexible strap portions to be placed in tension such that said inflatable member exerts a force against said limb and causes both said first and second gaps to be reduced upon expansion of said bladder and causes said joint to move towards said elongate space between said frame sections.

An orthotic device for manipulating a user's limb having a joint, said device comprising:

• a structural assembly comprising a limb cradle portion configured to receive at least a first portion of said limb;
• an inflatable member;
• a flexible member interconnecting said structural assembly and said inflatable member such that a second portion of said limb can be inserted at a location between said structural assembly and said inflatable member and such that said second portion of said limb is in contact with said inflatable member while said first portion of said limb is in contact with said limb cradle portion;
• 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 second portion of said limb such that said second portion of said limb is urged towards said structural assembly in such a manner as to result in flexion or extension of said joint.

A method of using a structural assembly by a user in manipulating a limb having a joint, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a structural assembly comprising a cradle' portion configured to receive at least a first portion of said limb;
• B) providing an orthotic device for use in conjunction with said structural assembly, said orthotic device itself comprising:
• 1) an inflatable member;
• 2) a flexible member;
• and
• 3) a device for inflating said inflatable member;
• C) positioning a second portion of said limb adjacent to said structural assembly such that said limb is generally parallel to said structural assembly;
• D) positioning said first portion of said limb adjacent to said limb cradle portion such that said first portion of said limb is supported by said limb cradle portion;
• E) attaching said inflatable member relative to said structural assembly by use of said flexible member such that said inflatable member is positioned in contact with said second portion of said limb such that said second portion is positioned intermediate said inflatable member on one side and said structural assembly on the opposite side;
• and
• F) subsequent to step “E,” inflating said inflatable member such that said flexible member is drawn into tension and said inflatable member provides a force upon said second portion of said limb such that said joint of said limb moves toward said structural assembly in such a manner as to result in flexion or extension of said joint.

An orthotic device for manipulating a user's limb having a joint, said device comprising:

• a structural assembly comprising at least two elongate substantially rigid member portions, said elongate member portions spaced transversely a distance apart from each other;
• an inflatable member;
• a flexible member having a first and a second end, said flexible member interconnecting said elongate member portions and said inflatable member such that a portion of said limb can be inserted at a location between said structural assembly and said inflatable member and such that said limb portion is in contact with 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 portion such that said limb portion is urged towards said structural assembly in such a manner as to result in flexion or extension of said joint.

A method of using a structural assembly by a user in manipulating a limb having a joint, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a structural assembly comprising at least two elongate substantially rigid member portions, said elongate member portions spaced transversely a distance apart from each other;
• B) providing an orthotic device for use in conjunction with said structural assembly, said orthotic device itself comprising:
• 1) an inflatable member;
• 2) a flexible member having a first and a second end;
• and
• 3) a device for inflating said inflatable member;
• C) positioning said limb adjacent to said structural assembly such that said limb is generally parallel to said structural assembly;
• D) attaching said inflatable member relative to said structural assembly by use of said flexible member such that said inflatable member is positioned in contact with a portion of said limb such that said limb portion is positioned intermediate said inflatable member on one side and said structural assembly on the opposite side;
• and
• E) subsequent to step “D,” inflating said inflatable member such that said flexible member is drawn into tension and said inflatable member provides a force upon one side of said limb portion such that said joint of said limb moves toward said structural assembly in such a manner as to result in flexion or extension of said joint.

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 yoke plate and said base plate;
• an inflatable member for positioning behind the lower leg;
• a second strap intermediate and connecting 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 plantarflexion, 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 base plate member defining a 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 yoke plate and said base plate;
• an inflatable member for positioning behind the lower leg;
• a second strap intermediate and connecting 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 plantarflexion, and said yoke member at the same time pushes down on said foot to urge it into contact with said plate.

An orthotic device for manipulating a user's limb having a joint, said device comprising:

• a structural assembly;
• an inflatable member;
• a flexible member interconnecting said structural assembly and said inflatable member such that a portion of said limb can be inserted at a location between said structural assembly and said inflatable member and such that said limb portion is in contact with 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 assembly.

An orthotic device for attachment to and for manipulating a user's limb having a joint, said device comprising:

• a structural assembly;
• an inflatable member inflatable from a lesser inflated mode to a more inflated mode;
• a retention member interconnecting said structural assembly and said inflatable member such that when said device is attached to said limb and said inflatable member is in said lesser inflated mode, a portion of said limb can be positioned at a location between said structural assembly and said inflatable member such that said limb portion being in contact with said inflatable member results in a gap between said limb portion and said structural assembly;
• and
• an inflating device for inflating said inflatable member so that it increases in size, such that as said inflatable member is inflated to said more inflated mode, said inflatable member tends to increase tension in said retention member, and said limb moves relative to said retention member such that said limb is urged towards said structural assembly wherein said gap is reduced.