Traction hip brace
OwnerStephen Hennessyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A traction hip brace which provides a traction force to the femur, pulling it out and away from the acetabulum. A knee brace element secures around the lower thigh and below the knee at the upper shin using two shells with adjustable straps. An articulating hinge allows bending of the knee. A strut member extends from the knee hinge up to a saddle harness. The strut member has an articulating hinge that can be locked to prevent motion if desired. The terminus end of the strut member is inserted into a holster of the saddle harness worn by the user. The saddle harness is fitted to the user's waist and buttock and provides the anchor point for the end of the strut member. Attachment straps are used to tension the strut member down and away from the saddle harness to exert a traction force on the femur.
Claims17
An orthopedic brace comprising:
- a harness for placement about the waist of an individual, said harness including a first groin strap for passing under the pubic bone of the individual on a side of the individual to be placed in traction;
- a knee brace for placement around a knee on the side of the individual to be placed in traction, said knee brace including:
- a hinge portion for alignment with the knee joint;
- an upper shell connected to said hinge portion for securing about the thigh of the individual;
- and
- a lower shell connected to said hinge portion for securing about the calf of the individual;
- a strut member connected to said knee brace and for connection to said harness, said strut member including:
- a lower strut connected to said knee brace;
- a strut hinge connected to the lower strut and for placement in line with the hip;
- a upper strut connected to the strut hinge;
- and
- a harness connecting element connected to said upper strut and for connection to said harness on the side of the harness of the individual to be placed in traction;
- and
- a first attachment mechanism connected to said harness or to said strut member and for connection to said first groin strap, said first attachment mechanism and said first groin strap in combination providing traction to the leg and femoral head of the individual on the side to be placed in traction when said first attachment mechanism is tensioned with said first groin strap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.