Orthotic leg support apparatus

An orthotic apparatus includes a leg securing member adapted for attachment to a wearer's lower leg. A resilient strut that flexes in the anterior to posterior direction has an upper end connected to the leg securing member. A heel member is connected to the strut lower end at the heel member. A foot member is connected to the heel member. The foot member has a heel end at the heel member and a toe end spaced horizontally from the heel end. The foot member also has a substantially rigid lower foot plate extending between the heel end and toe end and a substantially rigid upper foot plate extending between the heel end and toe end above and generally parallel to the lower foot plate. In certain examples the orthotic apparatus is integrated with a shoe.

FIELD

This pertains to the field of leg braces and, more particularly, to orthotic leg supports.

BACKGROUND

Many people with back, hip, or leg injuries live with chronic pain that impacts their lives and limits their physical activity. Devices such as ankle foot orthotic braces or “AFOs” have been developed to help assist with their mobility, but conventional AFOs are typically designed to deal with foot and ankle problems only. They are not generally designed to alleviate back pain or hip pain caused by daily activities and they are often too rigid to allow the wearer to comfortably traverse stairs or operate an automobile gas pedal.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An improved orthotic apparatus that overcomes these drawbacks includes an orthotic apparatus having an anterior and posterior. The orthotic apparatus includes: a leg securing member adapted for attachment to a wearer's lower leg and a resilient strut that flexes in the anterior to posterior direction. The strut has a strut upper end and a strut lower end, the strut upper end being connected to the leg securing member. A heel member is connected to the strut lower end. And a foot member is connected to the heel member. The foot member has a heel end at the heel member and a toe end spaced horizontally from the heel end. The foot member includes (a) a substantially rigid lower foot plate extending between the heel end and toe end and (b) a substantially rigid upper foot plate extending between the heel end and toe end above and generally parallel to the lower foot plate.

Implementations of the orthotic apparatus may include one or more of the following features.

The orthotic apparatus may include a shoe, where the lower foot plate is positioned within a sole of the shoe and the upper foot plate is positioned on a foot bed of the shoe.

The strut, upper foot plate, and lower foot plate may be composed of resilient fiber-reinforced composite material.

The lower foot plate and heel member may be monolithic and the upper foot plate may be connected to the lower foot plate by a rigid mechanical link between the upper foot plate and lower foot plate.

In some examples, the upper foot plate is not in direct contact with the heel member.

The heel member may be substantially cup-shaped and includes a recessed region that allows the heel member to flex in the anterior to posterior direction.

The upper foot plate may be a flattened plate emulating a silhouette of wearer's foot in such a way that a bottom of the wearer's foot can rest completely on the upper foot plate. The lower foot plate may be a flattened plate extending from the heel end towards the toe end at least the same distance as the upper foot plate. The upper foot plate may be connected to the lower foot plate by a plurality of rigid mechanical links between the upper foot plate and lower foot plate where a first of the rigid mechanical links is towards the heel end and a second of the rigid mechanical links being towards the toe end. The rigid mechanical links extend vertically from the lower foot plate to the upper foot plate.

Another example of the orthotic apparatus includes a shoe having a shoe heel end, a shoe toe end, and a sole. The orthotic apparatus also includes a foot member having a lower foot plate within the sole and an upper foot plate forming a foot bed of the shoe, the lower foot plate and upper foot plate extending from the shoe heel end toward the shoe toe end. A heel member at the shoe heel end is connected to the lower foot plate. A lower end of a resilient strut is connected at the heel member and extending vertically. A leg securing member for securing to a wearer's lower leg is connected to an upper end of the strut.

Implementations of this orthotic apparatus may include one or more of the following features.

The strut, upper foot plate, and lower foot plate may be composed of resilient fiber-reinforced composite material.

The lower foot plate and heel member may be monolithic and the upper foot plate may be connected to the lower foot plate by a rigid mechanical link between the upper foot plate and lower foot plate.

In some examples, the upper foot plate may not be in direct contact with the heel member.

The heel member may be substantially cup-shaped and may include a recessed surface that allows the heel member to flex in the anterior to posterior direction, thereby permitting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the foot member.

The upper foot plate may be a flattened plate emulating a silhouette of wearer's foot in such a way that a bottom of the wearer's foot can rest completely on the upper foot plate where the lower foot plate is a flattened plate extending from the shoe heel end towards the shoe toe end at least the same distance as the upper foot plate. The upper foot plate may be connected to the lower foot plate by a plurality of rigid mechanical links between the upper foot plate and lower foot plate. A first of the rigid mechanical links is towards the shoe heel end and a second of the rigid mechanical links is towards the shoe toe end. The rigid mechanical links extend vertically from the lower foot plate to the upper foot plate through the sole.

An example of a method of treating back and/or hip pain while walking includes wearing the orthotic apparatus by attaching the leg securing member to the wearer's lower leg beneath the knee and resting the wearer's foot atop the upper foot plate while the wearer walks.

Implementations of method may include one or more of the following features.

The method may also include a shoe, where the lower foot plate is positioned within a sole of the shoe and the upper foot plate is positioned on a foot bed of the shoe.

The strut, upper foot plate, and lower foot plate may be composed of resilient fiber-reinforced composite material.

The lower foot plate and heel member may be monolithic and the upper foot plate may be connected to the lower foot plate by rigid mechanical link between the upper foot plate and lower foot plate.

In some examples, the upper foot plate may not be in direct contact with the heel member.

The heel member may be substantially cup-shaped and may include a recessed region that allows the heel member to flex in the anterior to posterior direction.

The upper foot plate may be a flattened plate emulating a silhouette of wearer's foot in such a way that a bottom of the wearer's foot can rest completely on the upper foot plate. The lower foot plate may be a flattened plate extending from the heel end towards the toe end at least the same distance as the upper foot plate. The upper foot plate may be connected to the lower foot plate by a plurality of rigid mechanical links between the upper foot plate and lower foot plate. A first of the rigid mechanical links is towards the heel end and a second of the rigid mechanical links is towards the toe end. The rigid mechanical links extend vertically from the lower foot plate to the upper foot plate.

The apparatus is adapted to improve the wearer's mobility by allowing the wearer to have a natural gait, heel strike, and toe off during a step. It further allows for ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, which allows the wearer to drive a car and/or walk up and down stairs comfortably.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure describes exemplary embodiments, but not all possible embodiments of the orthotic apparatus. Where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular example, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other examples. The orthotic apparatus may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to only the examples described here.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, an example of the orthotic apparatus100includes a foot member200, a strut300, and a leg securing member400. These components work together to support the lower leg L of the wearer by distributing forces against the wearer's foot from the foot member200, through the strut300, and to the leg securing member400. The orthotic apparatus100allows the wearer to maintain a natural gait by permitting plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the foot about the wearer's ankle. By allowing the wearer maintain a natural gait, the wearer may achieve pain relief from conditions causing leg pain, hip pain, and/or back pain, for example.

The leg securing member400is adapted to be attached to the wearer's lower leg L below the knee in such a way that the leg securing member400distributes forces travelling up the strut300into the wearer's lower leg L. The leg securing member400may have many different forms. It may circumscribe the leg L as shown in the drawings or it may only partially circumscribe the leg and be secured with one or more straps or the like. The form of the leg securing member400is not critical so long as it is capable of distributing the forces travelling up the strut300into the wearer's lower leg L.

In the example shown, the leg securing member400includes a sleeve402defining an interior portion404shaped to fit snugly around the lower leg L and mimic the outline of the lower leg L. The sleeve402may include an insert406that provides a smooth surface for contacting the leg L to prevent discomfort.

The sleeve402further includes an anterior section408and a posterior section410that are separable about a seam412by adjusting an actuator414. By loosening the actuator414, the anterior section408and a posterior section410separate and vice versa. This construction allows the inner diameter of the sleeve402to be increased or decreased to accommodate different sized legs and for installation on the leg. It also allows the sleeve402to be fitted tightly to the leg L to ensure the forces from the strut300are distributed into the lower leg L.

The leg securing member400may be connected to the strut300on the posterior of the leg securing member400with a connecting mechanism such as the one shown. In the example shown, the connecting mechanism includes at least one threaded fastener416or the like. In other examples the strut300and leg securing member400may be connected by being integrally formed together.

The leg securing member400may be made primarily of metal, plastic, or composite depending on the wearer's medical condition. In one particular example, it is made of a rigid resilient material such as a plastic or fabric reinforced polymer composite material such as carbon fiber or the like. Constructing the leg securing member400out of a rigid resilient material allows the leg securing member400to flex enough to form a tight fit to the leg L but also distribute the forces from the strut300.

The strut300is positioned on the posterior of the leg L when worn and attaches at its upper end302to the leg securing member and at its lower end304to the foot member200. The strut300is constructed of a rigid but resilient material that allows it to flex slightly in the anterior to posterior direction but not substantially flex in the medial to lateral direction. Such a rigid but resilient material maybe plastic or fabric reinforced polymer composite material such as carbon fiber or the like.

Although this construction is not necessary in every case, the strut300in the example shown includes an anterior side306, a posterior side308, and opposed sidewalls310. The anterior side306and posterior side308extend vertically in a substantially parallel manner and have a lateral width greater than the longitudinal thickness of the strut300. The longitudinal thickness is defined by the longitudinal length of the sidewalls310.

Proximal to the foot member200, the strut300includes a curved section312that forms a bend in the strut in the anterior to posterior direction. The bend allows the strut to more closely mimic the shape of the posterior portion of the wearer's leg L and to allow the strut300to be connected to the heel member208in a generally vertical orientation. The strut300is connected at it's the lower end304to the foot member200with at least one threaded fastener314or the like.

Additional details of the foot member200are now described with reference toFIGS. 6-11as well asFIGS. 1-5. The foot member200may include an article of footwear202. As used herein, the term “shoe” is used to refer generally to an article of footwear that falls into the general class of shoes, including footwear such as shoes themselves, boots, sandals, and the like. The shoe202includes a heel204, a toe206, a sole207, and a foot bed234. The foot bed234is the interior bottom of the shoe202on which the wearer's foot rests when worn. It should be understood that a shoe may not be necessary in every example of the foot member200. The foot bed234may include a layer of padding for comfort.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8in particular, details of the foot member apart from the shoe202are described. The foot member200includes a heel member208, a lower foot plate210, and an upper foot plate212.

The heel member208may be connected to the strut300using the threaded fasteners314with a connection point214that mates with the threaded fasteners314. The connection point214may be made of metal or another strong and rigid material. For added strength, the connection point214may be molded directly into the heel member material. In other examples, the heel member208and strut300are connected by being integrally formed together.

The heel member208is substantially cup-shaped. An exterior surface216of the heel member208is curved and rounded to mimic the shape of a human heel or the shape of the shoe heel204. As best seen inFIG. 9with the upper foot plate212not shown, an interior surface218of the heel member208includes a recessed region220beneath the location of the connection point214. The purpose of the recessed region220is to impart flexibility in the heel member208allowing it to flex slightly in the anterior to posterior direction, which allows the foot to move though partially through dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. The lower foot plate210may be curved between the heel end222and toe end224to such a degree that its curvature general coincides with the curvature of the shoe sole207between the shoe heel204and shoe toe206. As illustrated inFIG. 7with the shoe position and form indicated by dashed lines.

The heel member208is connected to or integrally constructed (monolithic) with the lower foot plate210. The lower foot plate210extends longitudinally from a heel end222to a toe end224thereof. The longitudinal length of the lower foot plate201from the heel end222to the toe end224approximates the length of the wearer's foot or the shoe sole202. The lateral width of the foot plate210approximates the width of the wearer's foot or the width of the shoe sole202.

The upper foot plate212extends longitudinally from a heel end230to a toe end232thereof. The longitudinal length of the upper foot plate212from the heel end230to the toe end232approximates the length of the wearer's foot or the foot bed234of the shoe. The lateral width of the upper foot plate212approximates the width of the wearer's foot or the width of the foot bed234so that the bottom of the wearer's foot can completely rest on the upper foot plate212.

In certain particular examples, the foot member200includes a shoe202such that the lower foot plate210and upper foot plate212are integrated into the shoe and not removable from the shoe202without destroying the shoe202. As shown in the example ofFIGS. 1-5, the upper foot plate212and lower foot plate210are not visible from the shoe's202exterior.

The lower foot plate210is integrated into the shoe sole207as illustrated inFIG. 6, which shows the lower foot plate210(not visible but indicated with dashed lines) extending from the heel member208into the sole207. As shown inFIG. 10, the lower foot plate210effectively bisects sole207into two sections.

Referring toFIG. 11, the upper foot plate212is positioned on the foot bed234of the shoe202to cradle the wearer's foot when the shoe202is worn. The upper foot plate212may be inserted into the foot bed234separately from the lower foot plate210and then attached to the lower foot plate210with a threaded fastener228or the like. In this example, the upper foot member210has a concave upper surface to comfortably cradle the foot.

The heel member208, lower foot plate210, and upper foot plate212may be made of a rigid resilient material such as a plastic or fabric reinforced polymer composite material such as carbon fiber or the like. A fabric reinforced polymer composite such as carbon fiber may be advantageous in many examples because it is rigid but can flex to store and release energy in a spring-like manner. This construction may help the foot member store and release energy as it flexes when the wearer walks, runs, or jumps. The upper foot plate212distributes the forces from the wearer's foot into the sole207and lower foot plate210. The heel member208undergoes slight dorsiflexion and plantar flexion when the wearer tries to bend the ankle. The forces from these movements are transferred to the strut300, which is slightly flexible in the anterior to posterior direction. And the strut300is anchored to the leg by the leg securing member400.

As best seen inFIG. 6, the heel member208may partially extend around the shoe heel204if desired. This construction provides additional lateral support to the shoe heel204to prevent the shoe202from sliding laterally to a significant degree.

In other examples, the heel member208may be integrated into the shoe heel204so that the heel member208is not readily visible.

The leg securing member400, strut300, heel member208, and lower foot plate210may be constructed, if desired, as an integrated single piece of material without any visible connectors or connections between them. In some case, the upper foot plate212may also be formed into the same single piece of material.

The various components of the foot member200, the strut300, and the leg securing member400may be constructed using conventional techniques. Where the material used is fabric reinforced polymer, the components may be molded into the desired size and shape. The heel member208, lower foot plate210, and upper foot plate212may, for example, be constructed using a mold corresponding to the shape of the shoe202with which they are to be combined.

By positioning the foot above the lower foot plate210on the upper foot plate212, the wearer is able to apply more force associated with plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle to the strut300and heel member208.

The apparatus may be used to treat any condition traditionally treated with an ankle foot orthotic, but is advantageously designed to provide improved planar flexion and dorsiflexion to the wearer. This allows the wearer to have greater rotation about the ankle than traditional AFOs, which is important when the wearer suffers from hip pain and/or back pain. The orthotic apparatus permits ankle flexion but provides enough lower leg support to alleviate the hip and/or back pain.

Accordingly, another aspect is a method of treating back and/or hip pain while walking. The method includes wearing the orthotic apparatus by attaching the leg securing member to the wearer's lower leg beneath the knee and resting the wearer's foot atop the upper foot plate while the wearer walks. This method advantageously improves ambulation of back and/or hip pain sufferers using an AFO-like orthotic device, but while still allowing plantar flexion and dorsiflexion about the ankle.

The term “connected to” is used in the claims to define a connection between two or more components. The use of this term is not intended to limit the scope of possible connection mechanisms. For example where a component is recited as being connected to another component, the connection mechanism may be a connection mechanism specified above or a different connection mechanism such as when the two components are integrated in monolithic construction.

The apparatus is not limited to the details described in connection with the example embodiments. There are numerous variations and modifications of the apparatus and methods that may be made without departing from the scope of what is claimed.