Patent ID: 6456884
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A61F,A61N

Abstract:
An orthotic device useful for extending the range of angular movement between adjacent first and second skeletal body parts which have been drawn to and involuntarily held in a limited angular range of motion (LROM) position relative to one another by contraction of muscle fibers and connective tissue due to immobility of one or both of said skeletal body parts, said orthotic device comprising:a. a first orthotic device portion; b. a second orthotic device portion; c. means interconnecting said first and second orthotic device portions for permitting angular movement and for enabling the setting of a selected angle therebetween; d. means for applying or attaching said first orthotic device portion to the first body part and said second orthotic device portion to the second body part after the second body part has been moved against contracture forces away from said LROM position to an extended range of motion (EROM) position relative to the first body part, said first and second orthotic device portions being then set at said EROM position relative to one another; e. spring means associated with the first and second orthotic device portions for urging the second orthotic device portion to return to said EROM position in response to the second orthotic device portion being pulled by the applied or attached first body part through at least one of muscular contraction and the elastic properties of the muscles and connective tissue away from said EROM position and toward said LROM position, thereby causing a cycling movement of said second body part between said EROM and LROM angular positions and a gradual loosening of said second body part relative to said first body part and an ultimate extending of the range of angular motion of said second body part relative to said first body part at said EROM position without additional external intervention; f. an electrode component positioned to be effective to conduct an electrical current to at least one of said body parts; and g. an electrotherapy unit in electrical communication with said electrode component, said electrotherapy unit adapted to provide electrical energy to at least one of the first and second skeletal body parts to reduce the contraction of the contracted muscle fibers.