Adjustable flexion and extension joint orthoses
AssigneeDeRoyal/LMB, Inc.
InventorGreg A. Hamersly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adjustable orthotic device is disclosed for promoting joint mobility. The device is adjustable both in terms of the force applied to the joint and in terms of the direction that the force is applied to the joint. The device comprises a spring casing housing, a spring assembly, and a hinge strut assembly. The spring assembly is connected to a joint assembly via a cable and the hinge strut includes a worm gear comprising a worm and a worm wheel mechanically engaged within the joint assembly. The device is useful for sequentially treating flexion and extension contractures without removing the device from a joint of a patient.
Claims18
A method for promoting mobility in a joint in both the flexion and extension directions, comprising the steps of:
- attaching to a limb of a patient at a joint an adjustable orthotic device, having a hinge, a strut assembly attached to said hinge and extending in a first direction therefrom, a tension inducing assembly attached to said hinge and extending away from said hinge in a second direction, such that said tension inducing assembly and said strut assembly can pivot with respect to each other, said tension inducing assembly including at least one tension inducer, and at least one force transmitting member connecting said tension inducer to said hinge;
- first applying tension through at least one said force transmitting member to a first side of said hinge to bias said hinge in a first direction;
- and thereafter
- adjusting the direction of the tension applied to said hinge such that tension is applied to a second side of said hinge to bias said hinge in a second direction, whereby both flexion force and extension force are individually applied to said joint.
A method for promoting mobility in a joint in both the flexion and extension directions, comprising the steps of:
- attaching to a limb of a patient at a joint an adjustable orthotic device comprising
- a) a hinge;
- b) a strut assembly connected to said hinge and extending away from said hinge in a first direction;
- c) a tension inducing assembly attached to said hinge and extending away from said hinge in a second direction such that said tension inducing assembly is pivotally connected through said hinge to said strut assembly, said tension inducing assembly comprising at least one tension inducer, wherein said tension inducer generates a tension force;
- d) at least one force transmitting member in communication with said tension inducers, wherein said transmitting members transmit said force to said hinge;
- e) a force directing member, said force directing member directing said force applied to said hinge in either the flexion or extension direction;
- f) an adjuster which engages said force directing member, wherein said adjuster regulates the amount of said force applied to said hinge and determines the direction in which said force directing member directs said force;
- adjusting said adjuster to apply a selected amount of said force in a first direction, said first direction being either the flexion or extension direction;
- and thereafter
- adjusting said adjuster to apply a selected amount of said force in a second direction, said second direction being the alternative which was not selected as the first direction, whereby both flexion force and extension force are individually applied to said joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.