Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Restrainers and immobilizers
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2001-05-29
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3733)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Restrainers and immobilizers
C602S013000, C602S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237602
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to flexible fluidic force generators. More particularly, the present invention relates to flexible fluidic force generators for use primarily in orthotic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a need for an ambulatory, wearable support to be worn by a person for alternatively applying an extending (traction) force and a compressive (compression) force to a portion of the human anatomy while being worn. Preferably, the support would include a first anchor member substantially encircling a first portion of the human anatomy. A second anchor member would be spaced apart from the first anchor member, the portion of the human anatomy that is to be subjected to the traction or compression force being disposed substantially between the first and second anchor members. A plurality of force generator sets that have at least one selectively inflatable bladder would preferably be disposed between the first and second anchor members. Actuation of the force generator sets would exert at least an extending (traction) or compressing force to the portion of the human anatomy. Further, such actuation should exert a force that is substantially transverse to the extending(compressing) force to induce a desired curvature to the portion of the anatomy, in cases where such bending is desired. In preferred embodiments, the ambulatory, wearable support comprise a maternal support, a wrist support, a lumbar support, a cervical support, a bone support for injured or broken bones, and a knee support.
There is a need for dual action, piston type force generators, primarily for use in orthotic devices as described above. The force generators may be actuated by a compressible or a non-compressible fluid. Such force generators may be pneumatically actuated, as a source of compressed air may be readily made available in some applications. Further, for use with orthotic devices it is desirable that the force generators minimize any hard mechanical components which may press against and irritate a user. Additionally, as indicated above, certain applications of the force generators require an force generator that assumes a directional bias upon extension, the bias imparting a force that is substantially transverse to the extending forces to the user. The transverse force may be used to straighten a curved portion of the user's anatomy or the like, while the extending(compressing) force places the portion of the user's anatomy in traction(compression).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry. The force generators of the present invention provide for dual action, extending at least longitudinally to exert a force along the longitudinal axis thereof. The force generators are low profile to make them readily wearable in an ambulatory situation. Further, the force generators apply the desired force without buckling in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction that the tension or compression force is applied. The force generators may be filled to provide tensional force or evacuated to provide compressional force. Further, the force generators may be sequentially filled and evacuated in order to provide a cyclic working of the wearer's body.
The force generators may be actuated by a compressible or a non-compressible fluid, but they are preferably designed to be pneumatically actuated. In this way, the force generators are capable of being actuated by the compressed air system that is utilized with most large trucks, for example. Additionally, certain of the force generator embodiments provide for an force generator that assumes a directional bias upon extension, the bias imparting a force that is substantially transverse to the extending forces to the user. Such an force generator has a transverse mode of action in addition to the dual longitudinal action referred to above. The transverse force may be used to straighten a curved portion of the user's anatomy or the like, while the extending force places the portion of the user's anatomy in traction. The force generators way be used to provide only such force as is necessary to provide for weight transfer, as distinct from the application of a tensional force to the body.
The force generator of the present invention includes an elongate force generator body that has a longitudinal dimension and has a fluid chamber defined therein. The force generator body exhibits a dimensional extension responsive to an increase in fluid pressure in the fluid chamber and a dimension retraction responsive to a decrease in pressure in the fluid chamber. A restraint apparatus channels the dimensional extension/retraction into the longitudinal dimension and restrains dimensional extension in a dimension transverse thereto.
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Dunfee Matthew J.
Facklam Roy A.
Funk William A.
Lung David A.
Nickels Kevin L.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Brown Michael A.
Kinesis Medical, Inc.
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