An orthosis including a supporting region that has fastening means for placing the orthosis on a limb, wherein the supporting region has opposing receiving sections, that the orthosis further includes pockets for receiving the receiving sections in the fastening means.

The invention an orthosis with a supporting region that has fastening means for fitting the orthosis on a limb.

Orthoses are used to stabilize limbs and can be arranged extending across a joint. Orthoses are used, among other things, to ensure or support a desired pattern of movement, to reinforce the supporting apparatus, to limit the range of movement of joints, or to apply a defined force to a limb. In order to secure an orthosis on a limb, fastening means are used which are generally designed as belts or straps. These belts or straps are secured on frame parts, for example by adhesive bonding or by riveting.

The object of the present invention is to make available an orthosis that is easy to produce and to clean and that ensures reliable securing of the orthosis on the limb.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an orthosis having the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, in the description, and in the figures.

In the orthosis according to the invention, with a supporting region that has fastening means for fitting the orthosis on a limb, provision is made that the supporting region has receiving regions oriented opposite to each other, e.g. in the form of projections, and that pockets for receiving the receiving regions are arranged on the fastening means.

With the receiving regions or projections oriented opposite to each other, form-fit elements are formed on the dimensionally stable supporting region of the orthosis, which form-fit elements can be inserted into pockets that are arranged on the fastening means. The pockets permit, on the one hand, reliable securing of the fastening means on account of the oppositely directed orientation of the projections and, on the other hand, simple removal of the fastening means from the supporting region, since the receiving regions can be removed from the pockets and the fastening means detached. It is thus possible to wash the fastening means, for example, or to use alternative fastening means which, for example, are better adapted to the shape of the limb.

The fastening means is advantageously part of a padding or has a padding, which is arranged on the side of the orthosis facing toward the padding. This ensures, on the one hand, the securing of the orthosis on the limb and, on the other hand, the securing of the padding on the supporting region. The reversible arrangement of the padding on the supporting region has the advantage that the padding can also be exchanged and can be adapted to the wishes or circumstances of the particular patient.

The pockets are advantageously arranged medially and laterally, so as to permit easier fitting of the orthosis.

In a development of the invention, provision is made that the laterally arranged pockets and/or receiving regions are longer than the medially arranged pockets and/or receiving regions. This ensures that, when a strap is guided from the medial side to the lateral side, the forces acting in the circumferential direction have the effect that the laterally formed receiving regions cannot slide out of the pockets. The arrangement with deeper pockets and longer receiving regions on the lateral side has the effect that, even in the event of a twisting movement in the circumferential direction by the length of the medial receiving regions or medial pockets, and the lateral receiving regions still remain in the lateral pockets. This avoids the receiving regions being pulled out of the pockets.

The supporting region advantageously has a cup-like or gutter-like shape, such that substantially planar contact is obtained around the limb. By virtue of the cup-like or gutter-like shape, it is possible to simply place the orthosis onto the limb and then secure it on the limb via the fastening means. The cup-like or gutter-like shape can be provided with apertures in order to permit ventilation and, if appropriate, to reduce the weight.

The pockets can be connected to each other via a reversibly attachable connection element, said connection element preferably being guided over the supporting region so as to prevent slipping down of the pockets, and therefore of the fastening means, from the receiving regions. In a development of the invention, provision is made that the connection element is elastic and thus allows the pockets to be pretensioned toward each other. The pretensioning is achieved if the connection element is stretched before being secured on the pockets. The pockets are then pulled onto the receiving regions and held there with pretensioning.

The connection element can be part of the fastening means. For example, the connection element can form a pocket, for example a medially arranged pocket, such that the connection element can be guided externally over the supporting element. The receiving regions are arranged between the connection element and the fastening means and are pushed into the pocket formed by the connection element and the fastening means.

A fixing means for the connection element can be arranged on the outer side of at least one pocket, for example in the form of loop and hook areas. It is thereby possible for the connection element to be designed as a strap looping around the supporting region and the limb, which strap at the same time fixes the pockets on the supporting element. If the strap is elastic, the pretensioning of the pockets toward each other can be effected via the strap. Provision is also made that the connection element can be designed as a strap looping around the supporting region and the limb, without being secured on the outer side of a pocket via a fixing means.

In the fitted state, provision is made that the connection element forms a lateral to medial bridge across a gap between the receiving regions. The strap is thus guided from the medial pocket over the lateral pocket and back to the medial pocket or the medial projection, as a result of which a full loop is made around the limb. In the case of a gutter-like or cup-like shape, the gap between the receiving regions is the space into which the limb is inserted.

In its longitudinal extent, which generally corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the limb, the supporting region can be designed elastically about an axis parallel to the longitudinal extent, such that the supporting region permits adaptability in the medial direction and lateral direction. Deformations going beyond this are advantageously not permitted by the supporting region, such that the supporting region is safely supported and the orthosis is thus secured on the limbs.

In a development of the invention, provision is made that the orthosis also has a set-down region, which is connected to the supporting region and bears on the limb. The set-down region is advantageously arranged extending across a joint, such that, for example in the case of a foot orthosis, the set-down region is the region on which the foot is put down, while the supporting region is the region of the orthosis that bears on the lower leg.

The set-down region and the supporting region can be connected to each other in an articulated manner, or provision is alternatively made that a more or less rigid connection is present between both regions, wherein a movement of the set-down region relative to the supporting region is possible within the context of the material elasticity.

The receiving regions can be designed as projections. The receiving regions allow the pockets to be secured on the orthosis, by these regions being inserted into the pockets. One receiving region or projection or a plurality of receiving regions or projections can be provided medially and laterally, such that there is either one pocket or several pockets arranged medially and laterally. The receiving regions extend medially and laterally rearward from the supporting region, thereby allowing them to be received in the pockets. If the supporting region is gutter-like and has straight wall edges, the receiving regions are designed as projections that jut out and protrude from the edges. It is also possible that the respective receiving region is provided by a formation that adjoins the supporting region.

An orthosis in the form of an ankle/foot orthosis (AFO) is shown inFIG. 1, with a supporting region10, a fastening means20, and a set-down region30, which is connected to the supporting region10via a connection element40. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the connection element40is designed as a dimensionally stable and substantially rigid element, which permits only a slight movement of the supporting region10relative to the set-down region30. As an alternative to this, provision is mainly made that the set-down region30and the supporting region10are coupled to each other via an articulated connection, which is designed, for example, as a spring in which the main deformation in the sagittal plane, upon loading in the anterior-posterior direction, takes place in a region around the natural ankle joint. The set-down region30is designed as a flat sole plate, which substantially follows the outer contour of a foot or of a shoe. The illustrative embodiment shown is in one piece and made from a fiber-reinforced plastic.

In the fitted state, the supporting region10bears on the shin of the orthosis user and at least partially encloses the shin medially and laterally. The contour of the supporting region10is substantially gutter-shaped or cup-shaped and can have recesses or apertures to permit improved ventilation of the shin area. The fastening means20is arranged on the inner side of the supporting region10facing toward the orthosis user in the fitted state, said fastening means20at the same time being provided with a padding25, such that the hard, cup-like structure of the supporting region10does not lie directly on the lower leg.

Receiving regions11,12in the form of projections or tongues (not visible inFIG. 1) are arranged both medially and also laterally on the supporting region10. The receiving regions11,12or projections are formed at the proximal end and distal end of the supporting region10and, when the orthosis is in the fitted state on the orthosis user, face toward the rear. The receiving regions11,12are referred to below as projections, which term is also meant to include a configuration in which structures adjoining the supporting region10are suitable for being received in pockets21,22in order to bring about a form-fit securing of the padding. InFIG. 2, the orthosis1according toFIG. 1is shown in an open, non-fitted state, in which the two receiving regions12formed as projections from a vertical line of the supporting region10are also shown by a broken line on the medial side. Corresponding receiving regions11and pockets21are provided on the lateral side of the supporting region10.

On the fastening means20, pockets21,22are formed into which the projections11,12are pushed. By pushing the projections11,12into the pockets21,22, the fastening means20is secured on the supporting region10. Provision is made here that the lateral pockets21are deeper than the medial pockets22, and provision is likewise made that the lateral projections11are longer than the medial projections12, wherein the depth of the pockets21,22corresponds to the lengths of the projections11,12. The illustrative embodiment provides two pockets21,22and two projections11,12on the medial and lateral sides, respectively, which are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal extent, such that two proximal and two distal pairs of pockets21,22and projections11,12result. Alternatively, it is also possible for just one pocket to be provided medially and laterally and to be secured on a corresponding receiving region.

Connection elements23,24are provided on the fastening means20, both at the proximal edge and also at the distal edge of the supporting region10, via which connection elements23,24the orthosis1is secured on the limb. The connection elements23,24are secured, for example welded, adhesively bonded or sewn, on the medial side on the fastening means20to form the medial pockets22. From the medial pocket22, the connection element23,24designed as a strap is guided externally along the outer side of the supporting region10and is secured externally on the lateral pocket21, for example by a velcro fastener. In the case of an elastic configuration of the strap-like connection element23,24, the medial and lateral pockets21,22are pretensioned toward each other in the circumferential direction, such that the forwardly open pockets21,22cannot slide down from the rearwardly pointing projections11,12. To further secure the orthosis1, the respective connection element23,24is then guided rearward around the limb (not shown) from the lateral side to the medial side and is secured there on a fixing means26,27. The connection element23,24is thus guided once around the orthosis and the limb, wherein the free end is secured on the outer side of the medial pocket. At the free end of the connection element23,24, locking elements28,29are secured, for example in the form of detachable velcro elements, which can be secured on the outer side of the locking element23,24or on fleeced areas of the fixing means26,27externally on the medial pockets22. The securing on the connection elements23,24and on the fixing means26,27is reversible. The connection elements23,24can be flexible and nonelastic, flexible and elastic, or elastic only in parts, and it is likewise possible that the connection element23,24is secured reversibly on the fastening means20, for example by velcro fasteners.

In the fitted state as shown inFIG. 1, the connection element23,24bridges the gap in the cup-like supporting region10from lateral to medial. The supporting region10can permit a deformation of the projections11,12toward each other, such that an adjustment to the dimensions of the limb on which the orthosis is to be fitted can take place. The adjustment can be made via the circumferential force applied by the connection elements23,24.

The embodiment shown is especially advantageous for patients who are paralyzed on one side or weakened on one side. When the connection element23is guided from the medial side to the lateral side, stretched and secured with tensioning on a lateral pocket21, the hand that is unaffected by the weakness can be used to safely secure the orthosis by then guiding the connection element23,24behind the limb and locking it on the medial side.

The fastening means20can also be designed as a one-part element or as a multi-part, permanently interconnected element that has a cushioning function. The medial and lateral projections11,12form self-adaptive side wings which adapt automatically to the shape of the limb under the circumferential force that is applied by the connection element23,24.

With Y-shaped velcro tapes28,29as hook areas, it is possible to easily shorten the connection elements23,24designed as straps, by removing the Y-shaped velcro tapes from the fleeced connection elements23,24, shortening them to the desired length and then reapplying them.

Particularly in the case of stroke patients, it must be noted that they are able to fit the orthosis using only the unaffected side of the body. By virtue of the connection elements23,24being arranged laterally and being guided from lateral to medial in order to secure the orthosis, it is possible for the orthosis user, in a seated position, to grasp the connection element23,24laterally, using his or her unaffected side, and to simply pull it in the medial direction and secure it there on the hook and loop areas26,27provided there.

FIG. 3shows a variant of the invention. The supporting region10and the set-down region30are connected to each other by a separate connection element40. In addition to a flat sole, the set-down region30provides edge elevations35, which prevent medial and lateral slipping of the foot from the set-down region30. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the elevations35are formed starting in the metatarsal region and extend into the heel region in order, if appropriate, to avoid slipping toward the rear. The connection element40is designed as a spring in order to permit a movement of the supporting region10relative to the set-down region30, for example when walking, wherein the spring action of the connection element40has the effect that the foot of the orthosis user is moved back to the starting position after unloading. The fastening means20according to Figures and2is not shown in the illustrative embodiment according toFIG. 3. In contrast to the medial and lateral receiving regions11,12, which are designed as projections or tongues, the whole of the rearwardly facing edge of the supporting region10in the illustrative embodiment according toFIG. 3is designed as a receiving region11,12. The medial and lateral pocket22,21of the fastening means20(not shown) therefore receives an edge of the supporting region10extending the full height, such that two pockets21,22in all are present on the lateral side of the fastening means20and receive the rearwardly facing ends of the supporting region10. The connection elements23,24can be arranged at different heights of the fastening means, that is to say a proximal connection means23and a distal connection means24. It is also possible in principle that only one connection means is present which, from the medial side, is guided across the front of the supporting region and the lateral side of the supporting region and around the back of the lower leg in order then to be secured once again on the lateral side of the fastening means20.

FIG. 4shows a further variant of the invention in which the orthosis1has a set-down region30in the form of a flat sole for a foot or shoe, a spring element as connection element40, and a supporting region10arranged dorsally, such that the supporting region10bears on the calf and not on the shin of the orthosis user. The orthosis1is formed in one piece in the illustrative embodiment shown, but it is possible in principle that the connection element40, the set-down region30and the supporting region10are formed separately and are connected to one another to assemble the orthosis1.

The padding25is arranged on the inner side of the supporting region10facing toward the user, which padding25lies in front of the U-shaped, forwardly open supporting region10and cushions the possibly sharp edges of the dimensionally stable material. The padding25can protrude past the edges of the supporting region10.

The connection element40is arranged medially on the set-down region and runs obliquely in the dorsal and proximal direction, i.e. obliquely rearward and upward, from the plantar arch and is guided upward along the back of the leg, with the ankle region advantageously being left free.

As in the embodiments described above, the fastening means20is secured via pockets21,22on receiving regions11,12of the supporting region10. Only the lateral receiving region11and the lateral pocket21are shown inFIG. 4. On the medial side, the front end of the supporting region10is inserted in a pocket of the fastening means20. The medial pocket is composed of the padding25and of the connection element23sewn, welded or adhesively bonded onto the latter. The connection element23is then guided dorsally around the outer side of the supporting region10and fixed on a velcro fastener210on the outer side of the lateral pocket21. This fixing can take place with pretensioning of the elastic connection element23such that the fastening means20is secured safely and permanently on the supporting regions11via the pockets21. The then still open configuration for insertion of the lower leg is then closed by the connection element23, which is guided across the shin of the orthosis user and is secured with the locking element28on the medial outer side of the fastening means20, for example on a fleeced area on the outer side of the medial pocket.

FIG. 5shows the fastening means20on its own and laid out flat. The padding25as base is provided with the connection element23on the outer side. The connection element23has, at its left-hand end inFIG. 5, a widened region corresponding to the width of the padding25. In the area of this widened region, the connection element23is secured on the padding25at the edges, such that a pocket22for receiving the receiving region (not shown) is formed. A fixing means26in the form of a velcro fastener or of a fleeced area can be arranged and configured on the outer side of the pocket22, so as to secure on the outer side thereof the locking element28fastened at the opposite end.

From the pocket22, the connection element23extends in the direction of the other end of the padding25, where a separate pocket21is formed by the sewing-on, welding-on or adhesive bonding of a textile or the like. On the outer side of the pocket21, which is arranged laterally in the fitted state, a closure element210in the form of a velcro fastener is applied, secured or formed, in order to secure thereon the connection element23provided, for example, with a fleeced layer. The locking element23, which is designed as a Y-shaped element, is secured on the end of the connection element23via a further velcro fastener, such that the connection element23provided on both sides with a fleeced layer can be received and secured by the closure elements designed as hook elements on the locking element28.