Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-25
2001-03-20
Lee, Kim M. (Department: 3761)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C602S005000, C602S020000, C602S023000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203511
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a mechanical joint for pivotally connecting two members of an orthotic device to limit pivotal movement of the two members. More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanical joint particularly suited to connecting two members of an orthopedic or orthotic appliance to control the degree and position of pivotal movement of the two members and the corresponding parts of the human body to which the members are attached within a preselected and adjustable range of pivotal movement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Orthotic devices have traditionally been utilized to aid in support, guiding and limiting the range of motion of different joints in the human body. A mechanical joint is frequently used to pivotally connect two orthotic members secured to the body above and below the joint which members form part of the orthotic appliance, mounted on opposite ends such as for attachment to the foot, leg, arm, hand or neck of the body. Such a mechanical joint permits and controls relative movements of the members and the corresponding body parts to which the members are attached and the body joint to which the body parts are connected. Portions of orthotic devices have been constructed with thermoplastic resins or other materials and are conformed to the shape of an individual patient's anatomy. In a typical ankle-foot orthotic device, a plastic molded member of the orthotic device is conformed to the lower ankle and plantar region of the foot. This plastic member is pivotally connected to a second molded plastic member that is conformed to the shape of the rear lower leg and calf of the patient. These two members are connected pivotally at their sides adjacent to the ankle of the patient by use of mechanical joints to provide lateral support for the lower leg, ankle and foot of patients. This orthotic device permits pivotal movement of a desired part of the body through only a limited set range of flexion and extension.
One such prior art mechanical joint construction consists of a pivotably connected metal disc and plate disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,252. The disc is provided with an arcuate slot radially spaced from the pivot point of the disc. A protrusion on the disc extends into the slot and moves there along to limit the relative rotation between the disc and the plate and the relative pivotal movement of the two members of the orthotic device. The orthotic device correspondingly limits the degree of flexion and extension of the foot relative to the lower leg of the patient.
A need exists for an orthotic device which can be easily adjustable to set the degree of pivotal movement permitted by the orthotic device about the orthotic joint thereof over a range without requiring additional orthotic device parts or changing parts to provide the desired degree of pivotal movement. A need also exists for such an orthotic joint that has few parts and is simple and economical in construction.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a mechanical joint for connecting two members for limited relative pivotal motion or movement is provided that may be easily adjustable for a range of pivotal orthotic joint movement from 0° to 180° or more. The inventive joint is especially useful for a hip orthosis (to control hip flexion and extension). Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanical orthotic joint which uses two cooperating disc members, each of which has a curved slot radially spaced from the axis of rotation and extending through the side thereof that overlap to provide the desired degree of orthotic joint pivotal movement. The amount of overlap of the curved slots defines an effective slot length that determines the extent of permitted pivotal movement and such overlap can be easily and quickly adjusted by changing the degree of slot overlap between the two disc members.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the desired range of motion can be easily and quickly adjusted as the patient circumstances change to permit greater or lesser degrees of pivotal orthotic joint movement. In addition, visible markings or indicia of the range of permitted flexion and extension are provided to facilitate accurate and simple adjustment of the permitted pivotal movement of the orthotic device. The present invention also provides a mechanical joint that is relatively simple to assemble, reliable and economical. This construction in one embodiment is achieved by a novel fork-like member that forms a portion of the joint and provides structure for the mounting of the cooperating disc members in a fixed relation. The structure cooperates with the discs to permit them to be mounted in fixed relation in a plurality of predetermined relative positions to be chosen by the orthotist, for example, with respect to each other and the fork-like member.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an orthotic joint for pivotally connecting two orthotic members is provided. The joint includes a pair of cooperating discs, each disc having a curved slot which is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of each slot. The slot extends through the disc. In operation, the extent of slot overlap defines a permitted range of pivotal movement of the joint. Structure is provided for adjustably and removably mounting the discs in fixed relation to each other to define the slot overlap. Structure is also provided for mounting the discs in fixed relation to one of the orthotic members. In addition, structure is provided for pivotally traversing the slot overlap of the discs and that structure is mounted in fixed relation to the other orthotic member.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the structure for adjustably and removably mounting the discs in fixed relation to each other includes a plurality of outwardly extending teeth spaced apart on the periphery of each of the discs and a plurality of corresponding teeth spaced apart around the periphery of an opening in a member that is fixed relative to the first of said orthotic members with the opening permitting the discs to be mounted therein.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the other orthotic member has a joint end that comprises a clevis, the clevis dimensioned to permit the structure for mounting the discs to be contained between the clevis. Generally, the slots will have a radial extent of at least about 120°, allowing the discs to be adjusted to provide a slot overlap of from about 0° to about 120°.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an orthosis is provided that includes the orthotic joint in accordance with the invention.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of adjusting an orthotic joint to provide the desired range of pivotal movement in the joint is provided. The joint is of the type that is in accordance with the invention and the method includes adjusting the relative relationship of the discs to provide a desired degree of slot overlap which corresponds to the desired range of pivotal movement of the joint and installing the discs while in that relative relationship in the structure for containing the discs to provide the desired range of pivotal joint movement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4738252 (1988-04-01), Friddle et al.
patent: 5421810 (1995-06-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5571078 (1996-11-01), Malewicz
patent: 5921946 (1999-07-01), Tillinghast
patent: 5938629 (1999-08-01), Bloedau
Johnson James A.
McCall Robin W.
Becker Orthopedic Appliance Company, Inc.
Lee Kim M.
Ryndak & Schwartz
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