Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-20
2001-11-20
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3761)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C602S019000, C602S024000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319216
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pelvic bracing system for use in post-operative rehabilitation and/or to combat the effects of chronic disease. More specifically, this invention relates to a pelvic bracing system having a posterior panel and an anterior panel for hip and waist adjustments, as well as for rotational and/or twisting stability, to provide a more comfortable and uniform fit for a patient.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional pelvic braces generally have an open “C” configuration, with no circumferential support in the anterior portion of the pelvic brace. For example, many conventional pelvic braces have a first hip brace connected to a second hip brace with a posterior strap. Such conventional pelvic braces demonstrate a considerable amount of twisting and/or rotation of the first hip brace with respect to the second hip brace resulting in discomfort for the patient and loss of control between the pelvic brace and a thigh cuff constraining the joint.
Further, conventional pelvic braces generally are compatible with only one type or brand of orthopedic joint which connects the pelvic brace with the thigh cuff to support the patient's hip. Thus, conventional pelvic braces are not compatible with many of the existing orthopedic joints.
Therefore, there exists a need for a pelvic bracing system which provides sufficient circumferential and rotational support to control the movement of the thigh cuff thereby controlling the range of motion of the patient's hip joint.
It is also apparent that there exists a need for a pelvic bracing system which is adjustable to a patient's pelvic region to provide a comfortable fit.
It is further apparent that there exists a need for a pelvic bracing system that is universally compatible with existing orthopedic joints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of this invention to provide a pelvic bracing system which provides circumferential and rotational support that is laterally and rotationally adjustable to properly fit a pelvic region and control the range of motion of the patient's hip joint via the metal joint connection with the thigh cuff.
It is another object of this invention to provide an adjustable pelvic bracing system that is universally compatible with existing orthopedic joints.
The above and other objects of this invention are accomplished with a pelvic bracing system having a first hip plate and a second hip plate pivotally connected with respect to one another. The first hip plate has a posterior portion or side with a first attachment aperture and a first adjustment slot or aperture configured in an arcuate or crescent shape. Similarly, the second hip plate has a second attachment aperture and a second adjustment slot or aperture on a posterior portion or side of the second hip plate configured in an arcuate or crescent shape.
The pelvic bracing system has a posterior panel with a first end portion positioned with respect to the posterior portion of the first hip plate and a second end portion positioned with respect to the posterior portion of the second hip plate. The posterior panel is connected to the posterior portions with a plurality of adjustment screws.
With the first end portion of the posterior panel connected to the first hip plate and the second end portion connected to the second hip plate, the first hip plate and second hip plate are adjustable with respect to the posterior panel, to properly fit the patient. The first hip plate and the second hip plate are adjustable laterally by sliding the hip plate along the corresponding sizing channel and rotationally by guiding an adjustment screw along an arcuate-shaped adjustment slot. After the first hip plate and the second hip plate are fitted laterally and rotationally with respect to a posterior pelvic region, the adjustment screws are tightened to secure the first hip plate and the second hip plate to the posterior panel.
An anterior portion or side of the first hip plate is connected to an anterior portion or side of the second hip plate with an anterior panel. The adjustable anterior panel comprises an inner plate and an outer plate each having a plate attachment aperture or slot and a plate adjustment slot or aperture for attachment with respect to an inner surface of the anterior portion of the first hip plate and an inner surface of the anterior portion of the second hip plate.
The plate attachment apertures are aligned with a connecting aperture and an adjustment screw is inserted through the connecting aperture and the plate attachment aperture to securely fasten or connect the inner plate to the anterior portion of the second hip plate and the outer plate to the anterior portion of the first hip plate. The plate adjustment slot is aligned with another connecting aperture and an adjustment screw is inserted through the other connecting aperture and the plate adjustment slot.
An inner surface of the outer plate and an outer surface of the inner plate each has a fastening means, for example VELCRO brand hook and loop fastener or other similar fastening means. The inner surface is adjustably fastenable to the outer surface to securely connect the anterior portion of the first hip plate to the anterior portion of the second hip plate. The anterior panel provides circumferential support that aids in the function of the pelvic bracing system to provide stability and eliminate or reduce rotational and/or twisting motion of the pelvic bracing system.
The anterior panel allows the adjustment of the pelvic bracing system laterally and/or rotationally with respect to a patient's anterior pelvic region. Anterior lateral adjustment is accomplished by adjusting the connection between the inner plate and the outer plate. Anterior rotational adjustment is accomplished by means similar to the rotational adjustment of the posterior panel.
The bracing system preferably further includes a belt positioned over the anterior panel to connect the first hip plate with respect to the second hip plate. The belt has a removable first strap with a removable female buckle portion that is mateable with a second strap having a removable male buckle portion to connect the first hip plate with the second hip plate. The first strap can be disconnected from a chaff and loop and the male buckle portion can be removed from the second strap. The second strap is then insertable through the chaff and loop to connect the first hip plate with the second hip plate.
A universal mounting block, having a plurality of threaded channels, is preferably mounted with respect to the first hip plate. The threaded channels are positioned to accept various corresponding articulating orthopedic joints, which are attached to a thigh cuff to add support to the pelvic bracing system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5363863 (1994-11-01), Lelli
patent: 5690609 (1997-11-01), Helenze
patent: 5830168 (1998-11-01), Finnell et al.
patent: 5911697 (1999-06-01), Biedermann
patent: 6015395 (2000-01-01), Kautzky
patent: 6213558 (2001-04-01), Axelson
Brown Michael A.
Hipbolt Orthopedic Systems, Inc.
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
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