Abstract:
Active suctioning is used to evacuate a fabric, film or membrane for the purpose of securing orthotic, prosthetic, or other body worn articles, including sports-related articles. In contrast to the straps and tight-fitting approaches of existing devices, the inventive methods and apparatus provide for a slip-free seal to surrounding body parts, thereby simplifying construction, reducing weight, and enhancing comfort. The invention is applicable to any type of orthosis, prosthesis, foot wear, mitts, gloves, and so forth, including apparatus associated with the ankle and foot, knee, hip, back and neck, shoulder, elbow and hand.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to body worn appliances and, in particular, to orthotic, prosthetic, and other devices that are held in position using active suctioning. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When attaching items to the human body, such as prosthetic orthotic appliances, it is desirable to have an accurate fit to optimize results and reduce discomfort. The same holds true for shoes, gloves and other sports-related items. 
       FIG. 1  is a drawing that shows a typical orthopedic brace designed for the knee. The device, shown generally at  100 , includes an upper portion  102  secured to the area above the knee joint  108 , and a lower portion  104  secured below the knee. To control appropriate range of motion, hinges  103 ,  106  are provided on the lateral and medial sides, and these hinges connect to stiff bars  110 ,  112 , which are secured with Velcro® straps  120 ,  122 , which are tightened around the leg. The hinges  103 ,  106  may include gages and guides to increase and decrease range of motion, depending upon the condition of the wearer. 
     Apart from the appliance of  FIG. 1  being heavy, bulky, and generally expensive, the general concept of securing devices of this kind to the leg or other appendage utilizing straps simply does not work. Due to the weight and location of the device, during walking in particular, it slips down, causing the axes of the hinges  103 ,  106  to fall, thereby effectively defeating the overall effectiveness of the product. In addition, the bulk of the unit tends to cause the wearer to don the appliance over one&#39;s clothing, exacerbating the problem with loosening and misalignment. 
     Particularly with respect to prosthetic devices such as artificial limbs, it has been recognized that suction may be advantageously used to hold the appliance in position. As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,131, artificial limbs using suction sockets are in widespread use today. These sockets are provided with a one-way air valve so that, on placing the stump of the patient&#39;s leg into the socket, the air is expelled from the interior of the socket to the outside, thus creating a partial vacuum in the airspace between the patient&#39;s stump and the interior of the socket. The difference in pressure between the atmospheric air outside the socket and the vacuum within the socket holds the socket in place until air is readmitted to the socket by opening the one-way valve. 
     A major pitfall of the suction socket is the inability to provide an effective seal at the proximal open end of the socket. Even if the socket is perfectly fitted to the patient&#39;s stump, the stump will contract or shrink during the course of the day, thereby permitting air to leak into the socket, thereby reducing and in some cases completely eliminating the differential air pressure between the atmospheric air outside the socket and the airspace between the patient&#39;s stump and the socket. A variety of techniques have been adopted to address this problem, such as providing the patient with special socks to accommodate for this shrinkage. However, in practice, the patient must remove the prosthesis to apply the sock as suction is lost during the day, which is certainly inconvenient. 
     Another attempt to address this problem is the provision of auxiliary suspension devices, such as belts or the like, to hold the socket in place during the course of the day. This simply adds to the weight and bulk of the prosthesis and does not address the cause of the problem, namely the loss of suction due to shrinkage of the patient&#39;s stump. 
     The invention of the &#39;131 patent solves this problem through the provision of a self-adjusting sealing member adjacent the proximal open end of the suction socket adapted to maintain the seal between the proximal open end of the socket and the patient&#39;s stump as the stump shrinks during the course of the day. 
     Inflation, as opposed to suction, has for years been used to improve the fit of athletic shoes such as running shoes. To reference one patent of many, U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,435 teaches a bladder assembly for an athletic shoe and having at least first and second chambers. The chambers are independently and separately pressure adjustable by the user to conform to different concavity areas of his foot, such as the arch, ankle and metatarsal areas, to thereby enhance fit, comfort and athletic performance. Both chambers are inflatable by the same articulated on-board pump and deflatable by the same on-board depressible plunger. A dial on the lateral side of the upper allows the user to select which of the chambers is to be pressure adjusted, that is, which of the chambers is in pressure communication with the pump and the plunger. When the dial is in a neutral position, accidental inflation or deflation of either chamber is prevented. 
     Active evacuation has been used with respect to materials that make skin contact, but only for the purpose of waterproofing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,501, for example, comprises a method of waterproof sealing a patient&#39;s cast or dressing through the use of a water- and air-impervious flexible membrane. The method includes the steps of placing the membrane over the cast or dressing so that the membrane&#39;s edge margin extends over a portion of the patient&#39;s skin along a perimeter of the cast or dressing. In the next step a vacuum is formed between the membrane and cast or dressing sufficient to cause atmospheric pressure to force the membrane into sealing contact with the skin and with a snug, close fit with the cast or dressing. In one embodiment the vacuum is formed by inserting a suction tube through the interface between the membrane edge margin and skin and evacuating air through the tube. After the sealing contact between the membrane and skin is formed the suction tube is withdrawn. In another embodiment the vacuum is formed by evacuating air through an air valve which is provided in the membrane. 
     In view of these teachings, the need remains for improved articles and methods for securing prosthetic, orthotic, and sports-related equipment to the human body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention improves upon the existing art through the use of active suction to evacuate a fabric, film or membrane for the purpose of securing orthotic, prosthetic, or other body worn articles, including sports-related articles. In contrast to the straps and tight-fitting approaches of existing devices, the inventive methods and apparatus provide for a slip-free seal to surrounding body parts, thereby simplifying construction, reducing weight, and enhancing comfort. 
     The invention is applicable to any type of orthosis, prosthesis, foot wear, mitts, gloves, and so forth, including apparatus associated with the ankle and foot, knee, hip, back and neck, shoulder, elbow and hand. 
     In alternative embodiments, evacuatable sleeves are used which may either provide an initial loose fit or relatively tight fit, with optional elastic bands being used on one or both ends to ensure a good vacuum. Evacuation may occur through any source, including a hand-operated bulb or plunger, including electrically operated mechanisms. The invention is not limited in this regard, nor is the invention limited in terms of the type of materials that may be used, since latex, stretchable or flexible membranes or other fabrics may be used. 
     If cushioning is desirable, as may be the case with a glove, mitt or shoe, the evacuatable sleeve may be disposed over or under such materials, whether provided for shock resistance, warmth, or other purposes. Devices according to the invention may or may not be attached to rigid elements or hinges, depending upon the application, and such other devices may be attached by any appropriate means, including permanent or temporary fixation, as through hook-and-loop fasteners, J-locking mechanisms or other approaches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of a prior-art knee brace which utilizes straps and compression to keep it in place, often requiring repositioning; 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention associated with an orthotic, namely, a hinged knee brace; 
         FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of a knee brace utilizing a pair of suction bands as opposed to a single evacuatable sleeve; 
         FIG. 4  is a drawing which shows a hip brace embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a drawing which shows a hinged shoulder orthosis; 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing which shows a wrist brace; 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing which shows an ankle brace according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing that illustrates an artificial limb according to the invention, in this case, an artificial foot; 
         FIG. 9  is a drawing which shows an artificial hand embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing that depicts a longer artificial arm; 
         FIG. 11  shows the way in which the invention may applied to footwear, with or without insulation or padding; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a glove or mitt application; 
         FIG. 13  depicts the rigid structure including a shoe; 
         FIG. 14  shows the rigid structure including boot; 
         FIG. 15  depicts the rigid structure including a fin; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an intermediate layer disposed between the inner surface of the band and the skin of a wearer; and 
         FIG. 17  shows an intermediate perforated layer disposed between the inner surface of the band and the skin of a wearer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Having discussed the prior-art brace of  FIG. 1 , the reader&#39;s attention is directed to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a knee brace embodiment of the invention generally at  200 . Broadly, as with other embodiments disclosed herein, the appliance incorporates a membrane  204  that is evacuatable through a port  206 , causing the material to be “shrink wrap” down onto the skin, resulting in an extremely tenacious bond to the skin that resists slipping, falling and misalignment. The evacuation through port  206  may occur through any suitable means according to the invention, including manually operated bulbs or plungers, or electrically operated pumps. Although not necessary, elastic bands  210 ,  212  may be provided to provide an initial seal at the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve, thereby improving the suctioning process. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a hinged brace is attached to one or both sides of the sleeve material, though, as will be appreciated from the description of alternative embodiments below, non-hinged, i.e., stiffening members, may alternatively be utilized. In the arrangement of  FIG. 2 , the device includes a hinged portion  220 , connected to rigid members  224 ,  226  which, in turn, are fastened to the material  204  through any suitable means, including permanent bonding through thermal or chemical adhesion, or temporarily through snap-type fasteners, Velcro, straps, sleeves, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, a temporary securement is used, allowing the sleeve to be placed over the appendage, evacuated for a tight fit, followed by the application of the hinged or rigid brace member. 
     Although a single sleeve such as  204  in  FIG. 2  may be used, in alternative embodiments, separate sleeves  302 ,  304 , may be used on either side of a joint, such as the knee joint shown, or other joints such as the hip, elbow, wrist, ankle, shoulder, and so forth. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , an upper sleeve  302  is evacuated through port  308 , and a lower sleeve  304  is evacuated through a separate port  306 . Again, opposing bands such as  307  may be provided to assist with the evacuation process. A hinge  320  connects to rigid members  324 ,  326  which are adhered to the respective sleeves  302 ,  304  through any appropriate means as discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 . Additionally, though not shown, hinges such as  220 ,  320  may be provided with dials and gages to permit a particular range of motion, as with conventional braces. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a hip-joint embodiment of the invention, including an upper, waist-encircling band  402 , evacuated a port  406 , a lower band  404 , evacuated through a port  408 , and a hinge member  410 , having an upper portion  412  adhered to the band  402  and a lower portion  414  adhered to the lower band  404 . Again, though this is shown as hinged, a rigid member may be used for a more global restriction of motion, depending upon the application. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates, generally at  500 , an elbow-related embodiment of the invention, having an upper band  502  above the elbow, evacuatable through a port  506 , a lower band  504  evacuatable through a port  508 , and a hinge mechanism  510 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a wrist brace embodiment, including a sleeve  602 , which may or may not be long enough to have one or more finger-receiving apertures, which is evacuatable through a port  603 . Although a hinged brace member may be used,  FIG. 6  illustrates the use of a single rigid element  604 , though additional elements may be used, depending upon the nature of the injury. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a ankle-related embodiment, depicted generally at  700 , including a band  702  evacuatable through a port  706 , and a brace member  704  attached to the band  702  at points  708  through any suitable means as discussed elsewhere herein. The advantages of the invention is that, particularly with respect to leg-related and load-bearing applications, once the band or sleeve is evacuated against the skin, so little slippage occurs that the member  704 , shown in  FIG. 7  allows little if any weight to be applied to the foot, but rather, is applied to the band  702  and distributed to the upper portion of the leg, thereby enabling maladies associated with the foot to heal that much more quickly. 
       FIG. 8  begins a series of drawings which shows the way in which the invention is applicable to prosthetic as well as orthotic devices, namely, to artificial limbs.  FIG. 8 , in particular, illustrates the applicability of the invention to an artificial foot or lower leg, including a ground-contacting foot portion  806 , having a cavitation to receive the stump of the wearer, above which there is provided a band  802  evacuatable through a port  803 . The areas in broken-line illustrated form  810 ,  812 , show that the band  802  can be of any appropriate length of the leg to ensure sufficient weight-carrying capability. The brace member  804 , attached to the foot portion  806  at  820  and the band  802  at  822 , facilitates weight distribution and equalizes contact between the stump and the cavitation within the lower portion  806 . In the event that one or more brace members such as  804  are not required, the top of the prosthesis may simply terminate in an evacuatable member, to hold the prosthesis on without falling off, and without the need for additional rigid elements. 
     Such a capability is perhaps better illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , which show generally at  900  and  1000 , respectively, evacuatable sleeves used to hold on an artificial hand or arm without the need for any additional rigid bracing or hinged members. It can be seen from these drawings, one advantage of the invention is that, in contrast to additional prosthetics which require straps and so forth to encircle the rib cage and/or shoulder area to hold on the prosthesis, due to the tenacious bond between an evacuatable sleeve according to the invention and the skin, such additional fastening mechanisms are no longer required. 
     In addition to orthotic and prosthetic devices, the invention is applicable to non-medical and non-orthopedic applications, including sport-related gear such as athletic shoes, cross-country and downhill ski boots, gloves and mitts.  FIG. 11 , for example, shows a foot-covering application, including an evacuatable sleeve  1102  coupled to a layer  1110 , which may be used to absorb shock, and/or function as a thermal barrier. For example, in a ski and athletic shoe applications, the evacuatable sleeve may contact the majority of the foot, with the layer  1110  being bonded to the outside of the sleeve for cushioning and/or warmth. Alternatively, the layer may be bonded to the inside of the sleeve or eliminated partially or entirely if the sleeve is evacuated over a stocking, for example. As a further alternative, the use of a vacuum may be limited to a region above the foot, in which case an evacuatable band such as  1111  in  FIG. 11  may be provided in conjunction with an otherwise conventional shoe or boot. In some applications, such as cross-country ski boots and swim fins, and the like, the toes may remain exposed for further comfort and flexibility. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates, generally at  1200 , hand-related applications of the invention, taking the form of a glove  1204  or, alternatively, a mitt  1206 . Such applications include handball gloves, racquetball gloves, tennis gloves, bicycle/motorcycle gloves, baseball mitts, ski gloves, and so forth. Again, an evacuatable sleeve such as  1202  is used, which may cover the entire hand and be covered a cushioning/thermal layer; cover only the wrist area and be attached to a glove or mitt; or cover the entire hand with the entire hand or portions of the hand such as the palmar surface being covered with a shock-absorbing or thermal barrier layer of material, again, depending upon the ultimate application. 
     In addition to the use of intermediate or outer layers of material for cushioning, shock-absorbing, or thermal insulation, the invention may utilize an intermediate perforated layer between the evacuatable membrane in the skin, to minimize the overall level of skin compression, thereby improving comfort, particularly for periods of extended wear. Such an intermediate layer may take the form of a honeycomb structure, or other geometric perforation. In terms of the outer fabric or membrane which is evacuated, such a material may be fabricated of a suitable strong and elastic plastics material which is water- and air-impervious. A latex rubber having a thickness on the order of 0.020″ more or less is satisfactory for this purpose. Other materials such as synthetic polymer elastomeric films or sheets could also be employed and the film thickness can be varied depending upon the type of material employed. 
       FIG. 13  depicts the rigid structure including a shoe.  FIG. 14  shows the rigid structure including boot.  FIG. 15  depicts the rigid structure including a fin.  FIG. 16  illustrates an intermediate layer disposed between the inner surface of the band and the skin of a wearer.  FIG. 17  shows an intermediate perforated layer disposed between the inner surface of the band and the skin of a wearer.