US 8,894,594 B2Granted

Limb protection device

AssigneeHOSSO, Inc.

InventorsDaniel Scott Pflaster, Joseph J. Crisco, Carl A. Kirker-Head, Russell D. Fiore, Wendy Drumm

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Abstract

A joint-supporting device comprises tensile members extending from above the joint to below it, supplementing the tensile characteristics of the joint's tendons, ligaments, and other structure. The tension members extend between a proximal cuff above the joint to a distal cuff below it, and pass over a pad at the apex of the joint, redirecting the tension members. In order that the cuffs are supported in position so that the tension members can effectively support the joint, they are spaced away from the joint by compression members bearing on proximal and distal bolsters, in turn located positively by the boney structure of the joint. In order that the structure of the invention not interfere overly with the normal function of the joint, the device employs dilatant materials having the property of varying their hardness upon motion. The dilatant material is disposed so as to limit the relative angular velocity of the members of the joint. The dilatant material can be disposed in pad form, arranged to be compressed by the tensile members as the joint is extended, and/or as the core of a composite tensile member, sheathed in a cover woven of high tensile strength filaments or yarns.

A support structure for limiting extension of an anatomical joint defining an axis of rotation between distal and proximal sections of a limb, and for limiting the rate of angular rotation of said joint, comprising:

a proximal bolster, shaped to fit around the limb and be closely juxtaposed to boney anatomy of the proximal section of said joint, so as to resist being forced past said joint;
a proximal cuff, shaped to fit around the limb and be spaced away from the joint by the proximal bolster;
a distal bolster, shaped to fit around the limb and be closely juxtaposed to boney anatomy of the distal section of said joint, so as to resist being forced past said joint;
a distal cuff, shaped to fit around the limb and be spaced away from the joint by the distal bolster;
and
tensile members connecting said proximal and distal cuffs, and arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of the joint so as to be tightened when the joint is extended and thereby to limit its extension;
wherein the joint comprises anatomical structure directing tensile forces past said axis of rotation of said joint, and wherein the support structure is adapted to be secured to the limb such that the tensile members are arranged generally parallel to said anatomical structure directing tensile forces past said axis of rotation of said joint;
and
said support structure further comprises a pad, said pad containing a quantity of a dilatant material, having the property of becoming increasingly stiff as it is compressed, said pad adapted for being disposed between said tensile members and a protrusion of said anatomical structure of said joint defining an outer surface spaced from said axis of rotation of said joint over which said tensile members pass, whereby said pad comprising said dilatant material is compressed when said tensile members are tightened by extension of said joint, such that said dilatant material becomes relatively stiff at elevated rates of deformation produced during elevated angular velocity of said joint, reducing the angular velocity of said joint.

6 more elements

Facts

Application

13/064,644Filed 5 Apr 2011 · us provisional application

Priority

6 Apr 2010

Published

US 2012/0089065 A112 Apr 2012

Granted

25 Nov 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

A61F 5/0111
Without articulation: for the feet or ankles
A61B 5/1071
Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof: measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers
A61B 5/1121
Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb: determining geometric values, e.g. centre…
A61D 9/00
Bandages, poultices or compresses specially adapted to veterinary purposes

Abstract

Claims13