Abstract:
An orthosis including arms held in place on body parts by a respective fastening member and interconnected by a pivot joint adjacent to a body joint. For bending of the body parts required during normal movement, the pivot joint is formed by a central adjusting ring bordered by both arms. One arm includes an axle ring which is coaxial to the adjusting ring. The other arm includes a ring bearing, which is eccentric to the axle ring. The ring bearing is pivotable with respect to a rotational plane of the axle ring by rotating the adjusting ring in such a way and at such an angle that the arm, supported by the ring bearing in conjunction with the body part retained by it, assumes a pivoting position of this body part depending on the rotation angle of the adjusting ring in relation to the arm connected to the axle ring.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2008 009 273.8 filed on Feb. 15, 2008 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an orthosis for correcting the position of a two-jointed body joint, which extends across the two body parts interconnected by the body joint, the orthosis being provided with two arms, which are held in place on the body parts by a respective fastening means and are interconnected by a pivot joint adjacent to the body joint. 
     2. Description of Background Art 
     For bending of the body parts required during normal movement, the pivot joint is formed by a central adjusting ring bordered by both arms, which for the one arm has an axle ring, which is coaxial to the adjusting ring, and for the other arm has a ring bearing, which is eccentric to the axle ring. The rotational plane of the ring bearing is pivotable with respect to the rotational plane of the axle ring by rotating the adjusting ring in such a way and at such an angle that the arm, supported by the ring bearing in conjunction with the body part retained by it, assumes a pivoting position of this body part as opposed to the stretched normal position, depending on the rotation angle of the adjusting ring in relation to the arm connected to the axle ring, 
     An orthosis such as this is illustrated and described in EP 1 568 337 B1. The object of this orthosis is to correct and stabilize the position of the body joint, the joint being a big toe or a knee joint, for example. 
     In the known orthosis, the two joints connecting the body joint are connected to the arms forming the orthosis, which are interconnected in the pivot joint. More specifically, the pivot joint is formed by the central adjusting ring, which includes the axle ring for the one arm and the ring bearing for the other arm. An orthosis design is thereby, used, wherein the ring bearing is mounted eccentrically with respect to the axle ring and coaxially with respect to the adjusting ring. As a result, the rotational plane of the ring bearing and the rotational plane of the axle ring are pivoted in relation to one another, depending on the adjustment of the adjusting ring. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of an embodiment of the present invention to form the joint of the orthosis such that with respect to its angle, the respective rotational plane of the two arms is selectively adjustable, and that the adjustment of the arms in relation to one another can be executed in a simple and clearly laid out manner. 
     The objective of an embodiment of the present invention is achieved such that the adjusting ring is attached in a rotationally fixed connection to an end plate covering the ring bearing toward the outside via a coupling feeding through the ring bearing. The end plate allowing the adjustment of the rotational plane of one arm to the rotational plane of the other arm. 
     Due to this design, by merely rotating the end plate, the pivot joint as such is adjusted in a way that is most beneficial and/or necessary for a particular patient to correct and stabilize the body joint in question. The arms of the orthosis, with the movement in the desired rotational planes enforced by the setting of the adjusting ring, are aligning the body joint correspondingly during movement. The adjustment of the pivot joint can thereby be done in a simple way such that the end plate is put in the desired and/or required rotational position with the result that via the adjusting ring, the two bearings for the two arms of the orthosis, that is, the axle ring and the ring bearing, are properly adjusted. 
     In order to allow the maximal adjustment of the two arms, and thus the afflicted body parts, the pivot joint as described above can be provided with a special design. In this design, the end plate for accommodating driving pins is provided with a plurality of openings, which are aligned with corresponding openings in the arm end and in the adjusting ring, and the driving pins inserted in the openings extend into an elongated hole, which partially surrounds the axis of the axle ring in a circular arc, the ends of which form stops for the driving pins to avoid further rotation of the adjusting ring. 
     To rotate the two arms with respect to one another, the end plate is rotated with respect to the ring bearing, which is restricted with respect to the maximal rotation angle by inserting driving pins such that the pins, which extend through the entire pivot joint, roam to the elongated hole surrounding the axis of the axle ring in a circular arc to terminate at the ends of the elongated hole, which thus serve as stops for the maximal rotation of the arms. 
     More specifically, the end plate is provided with a removable annular dial scale, which makes it possible to read the leeway the arms have for moving, which is determined by the inserted driving pins. 
     The rotational angle of one arm in relationship to the other is hereby determined by the pins inserted in the adjusting ring, which extend all the way to the axle ring area of the adjusting ring, and which then extend into the elongated hole, where at the ends of the elongated hole they encounter stops, which define the rotation angle of the respective arm. As a result of this design, a fixed angular connection between the axle ring and the end plate via the pins is achieved. Thus, the design is a sturdy design. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary orthosis attached laterally to the human body at level with the hip joint; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross section the orthosis with the pivot joint and the two arms; 
         FIG. 3  shows the adjusting ring embedded in the pivot joint; 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are perspective and exploded views of the pivot joint and its components as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c  are sectional views of the basic components of the pivot joint in its first extreme position; 
         FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  illustrate the same pivot joint in its intermediate position; 
         FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c  illustrate the same pivot joint in its other extreme position; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the pivot joint and its two arms through the transparent end plate; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the pivot joint of  FIG. 8  illustrating a deviated position as a result of the bending of the afflicted body joint. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows the orthosis with its pivot joint  6  and the two arms  7  and  8  in a basic illustration. Arm  7  is attached to the body part  5  by fastening means  4  designed as a tightening strap, the body part in this example being a human hip. The arm  8  is fastened at the thigh  30  by fastening means  3 , in this instance a tightening strap. The pivot joint  6  of the orthosis is thereby held in position that is level with the hip joint, which is stabilizingly retained in a desired position by the orthosis. 
       FIG. 2  shows the orthosis itself in a cross-sectional view, that is, its pivot joint  6  with the two arms  7  and  8  protruding from the pivot joint  6 . In its internal part, the pivot joint  6  accommodates the adjusting ring  12 , which causes two axes  25  and  28  to be formed at an angle of about 6° to one another. The adjusting ring  12  comprises two bearings for the two arms  7  and  8 , that is, the axle ring  14  provided with a ball bearing  9  for arm  7 , and the ring bearing  13  formed by the flatly curved conical surface of the adjusting ring  12 . The axle ring  14  is comprised of a cylindrical projection of the adjusting ring  12  extending coaxially to the axis  25 . Due to this positioning of arm  7  on the axle ring  14  formed with the ball bearing  9 , a rotational mobility of arm  7  is achieved, as indicated in  FIG. 9 . The ring bearing  13  located on the other side of the adjusting ring  12  for arm  8  defines the convex rounded shape of the surface of the adjusting ring  12 , on which the arm end  32  being of corresponding concave rounded shape is seated solidly, and which, due to the conicity of the curvature, is also rotatable, that is, around axis  28 , which inclines by about 6 degrees in relation to the axis  25  of the axle ring  14 , as can be clearly seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     As a result of this construction, the arm  7  is pivotable with respect to the adjusting ring  12  (see  FIG. 9 ), and the arm  8  guided through the ring bearing  13  is likewise pivotable, whereby the two rotational planes of arms  7  and  8  (see  FIGS. 5   c ,  6   c  and  7   c ) are more or less inclined towards one another, and in an intermediate position also extend in parallel to one another. The position of arms  7  and  8  to one another as illustrated in  FIG. 2  is thereby corresponding to the position shown in  FIG. 7   c  as a basic one. 
     The required structural cohesion of the pivot joint  6  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is warranted by the following components: 
     On the side of the adjusting ring  12  that supports the axle ring  14  for bearing the arm  7 , the end plate  33  is fastened by screw  44 , the screw extends coaxially to axis  25 . With the end plate  33  screwed down, the arm  7  is securely positioned at the adjusting ring  12 , that is, maintaining a minimal play in relation to the adjusting ring  12 , so that the arm  7  is easily pivotable around the axle ring  14 , and thus around the axis  25 . 
     On the side opposite the adjusting ring  12 , the arm end  32  of arm  8  is solidly pressed against the curved surface of the adjusting ring  12  by an additional end plate  35 , whereby the curved surface forms the ring bearing  13  for the rotation of arm  8 , which allows the rotation of the arm end  32  due to the conical shape of the curved surface. The end plate  35  is pressed by the screw  36  in the direction of the adjusting ring  12 , whereby the screw  36  is adjusted such that with a minimal friction of the arm end  32 , the arm  8  is easily rotated with respect to the screw  36  extending coaxially with axis  28 . 
     On the end plate  35 , the annular dial scale  27  is fastened, that is, mounted, which is described in more detail therebelow in connection with  FIGS. 4 and 8 . In order to protect the annular dial scale  27  from contamination, the protective cap  39  is fitted onto the end plate  35 , which prevents the driving pins  21  from falling out (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The adjusting ring  12  is provided with a circle of openings  20 , which are described in more detail in connection with  FIG. 4 . Into the openings, driving pins  21  can be inserted, which, as shown in  FIG. 2 , extend through the end plate  35 , the arm end  32  of arm  8 , the adjusting ring  12 , and protrude into an elongated hole  26 , which also will be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIG. 4 . 
     To more clearly illustrate the design of adjusting ring  12 , it is illustrated separately in an uncut side view in  FIG. 3 . Shown on the adjusting ring  12  is the axle ring  14  formed as an annular projection, which extends coaxially to the axis  25  of adjusting ring  12 . On the other side of the adjusting ring  12 , the ring bearing  13  formed by a conically extending curvature, and cone axis  28  are illustrated, which is pivoted by an angle of about 6° in relationship to the axis  25 . As a result of this mutual rotation of axes  25  and  28 , the arm  7  positioned on the axle ring  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) passes through a rotational plane (see  FIGS. 5   c ,  6   c ,  7   c ), which is slightly pivoted with respect to the rotational plane of the arm  8  positioned on the ring bearing  13 , corresponding to the rotational planes  15  for arm  8  and the rotational plane  16  for arm  7  illustrated in  FIGS. 5   c ,  6   c  and  7   c . In addition, coaxially to the axis  28 , a projection  34  is provided, the function of which is described in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.    
     In  FIG. 4   a , the pivot joint  6  according to  FIG. 2  is rendered with all its components in an exploded view.  FIG. 4   a  shows that the central component of the pivot joint  6  is the adjusting ring  12  (see  FIG. 3 ), on one side of which the axle ring  14  is formed as pivot bearing for arm  7 , and the conically curved ring bearing  13  is formed as a bearing for arm  8 , whereby the projection  34  protrudes from the ring bearing  13 , with the projection extending coaxially to the axis  28 , with the exception of the flat section  18 . The flat section  18  will be described in more detail therebelow. 
     Mounted on the axle ring  14  is the arm end  41  having a hole  29 , which fits the axle ring  14 , whereby the ball bearing illustrated in  FIG. 2  is inserted therebetween in its appropriate location (not shown in  FIG. 4   a  or  4   b ), so that the arm  7  can be pivoted around axis  25 , which also extends coaxially through axle ring  14 . Furthermore, the arm end  41  includes the elongated hole  26 , which surrounds the axis  25  in a circular arc, which will be discussed in more detail therebelow. The arm end  41  is provided by the end plate  33 , which in conjunction with screw  44 , which can be screwed into the adjusting ring  12 , holds the previously mentioned components together and presses firmly onto the adjusting ring  12 . 
     On the other side of the adjusting ring  12 , the projection  34  is provided, which, with the exception of the flat section  18 , includes a cylindrical part, the axis of which is formed by the axis  28 . The arm end  32  of arm  8  is mounted on the projection  34  by way of hole  46  made to fit the projection  34 , whereby the lateral surface of the arm end  32  facing the curved surface of the adjusting ring  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 4   a  is seated solidly and rotatably with respect to the adjusting ring  12 . The arm end  32  is then covered by end plate  35 , which is provided with a through hole  37 , through which screw  36  can be fed to fasten the end plate  35  and the arm end  32  to the adjusting ring  12 , which is provided with a threaded hole  38  coaxially located in the area of its projection  34 . By tightening the screw  36 , the connection with the ring bearing  13  for arm  8 , which is formed by the curved surface of the adjusting ring  12 , is then achieved, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     By rotating the end plate  35 , the adjusting ring  12  is also rotated around its axis  25 , which results in a displacement of the ring bearing  13 , as is necessary for the adjustment of the two arms  7  and  8  to one another, and which will be described in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 5   a ,  6   a  and  7   a . The coupling between end plate  35  and adjusting ring  12  is accomplished by providing the projection  34  with the flat section  18 , which matches the flat part  19 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 4   b , which shows the end plate  35  in a position, in which the side facing the arm end  32  is visible. In this way, a coupling between the end plate  35  with the flat part  19  and the flat part  18  on the projection  34  of adjusting ring  12  is achieved. As a result of this coupling, the adjusting ring  12  can be adjusted at will by rotating the end plate  35 , whereby the axle ring  14  of adjusting ring  12  rotates freely in hole  29  of arm end  41 , thus also displacing axis  28  with respect to axis  25 , resulting in a suitable desired displacement of the rotational planes of arms  7  and  8  to one another. This is described in more detail in  FIGS. 5   a  to  7   c.    
     In order for one of the two arms  7  or  8  to receive an optional fixed adjustment to the adjusting ring  12 , the end plate  35 , the arm end  32 , and the adjusting  12 , are respectively provided with a circle of openings  20 ,  23  and  24 , which, when properly adjusted, align these three components of the pivot joint  6  with one another, and can thus be interlocked by the driving pins  21  inserted in the openings. This locking mechanism is shown in  FIG. 2  based on driving pin  21  illustrated there. If the driving pins  21  shown individually in  FIG. 4   a  are inserted in the openings  20 ,  23  and  24 , then the arm  8 , with respect to its rotational position against end plate  35  and the adjusting ring  12 , which is rotatably coupled with the end plate, is connected so that a rotating of the arm  8  will also entail a corresponding rotation of end plate  35  and adjusting ring  12 . This function and the result thereof will also be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 5   a  to  7   c.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the annular dial scale  27 , which can be placed on the end plate  35 , is illustrated, which, as discussed in  FIG. 2 , is placed on the outer surface of end plate  35  and is rotated with said end plate. The adjustment of the orthosis based on a rotational position indicated on the annular dial scale  27  is described in more detail therebelow in connection with  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 4   a  also shows the protective cap  39 , which is made of transparent material, can be snapped onto the end plate  35 , and through which the annular dial scale  27  located therebelow is readable. 
     In  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c , simplified illustrations of pivot joint  6  with both arms  7  and  8  in different angular positions of the rotational planes  15  and  16  of arms  8  and  7  are shown, wherein in  FIGS. 5   b ,  6   b  and  7   b  the projection  34  with coaxial adjusting ring  12  and end plate  33 , respectively, are shown with their rims. According to  FIG. 5   a , by adjusting the adjusting ring  12 , an angle of 6° of rotational planes  16  and  15  of arms  7  and  8  is achieved, an angle of 0° as a result of the adjustment according to  FIG. 6   a  is achieved, and an angle of 6° as a result of the adjustment according to  FIG. 7   a  is achieved, wherein the difference between the adjustments of  FIG. 5   a  and  FIG. 7   a  is such that in the first instance, the external body part  30  ( FIG. 1 ) is pressed inwards, whereas in the adjustment according to  FIG. 7   a , the same body part is pressed outwards. To illustrate this, the rotational angles −6°, 0°, +6° of the adjusting ring  12 , which are indicated by a corresponding position of the flat part  18  on the adjusting ring, are also shown in  FIGS. 5   b ,  6   b  and  7   b . To demonstrate the effect of these adjustments, a hip joint  40  is shown in  FIGS. 5   c ,  6   c  and  7   c , which in  FIG. 5   c  shows a 6° inward angle to the rotational plane  16  of an upper body, and in  FIG. 7   c  shows a 6° outward angle, whereas  FIG. 6   c  illustrates the standard case, in which the rotational plane  15  is 0°. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view of the orthosis with pivot joint  6  and arms  7  and  8 , with the annular dial scale  27  being visible, which shows the openings  20  in end plate  35 . In one of the openings  20  driving pin  21  is shown, the end of which, as shown in  FIG. 2 , can move freely in the elongated hole  26  of arm end  32  during the rotation of the arms  7  and  8  against each other, until the driving pin  21  encounters the end of the elongated hole  26 , which forms the stop  22 , so that a maximal rotation possibility of one arm against the other occurs, at which point the driving pin  21  comes up against one of the two stops  22 , respectively. 
       FIG. 9  shows an illustration matching the illustration in  FIG. 8 , with the sole exception that instead of one driving pin  21  (see  FIG. 8 ), two driving pins  42 ,  43 , are inserted resulting in more restricted room for movement, because with one rotational angle, the driving ping  42  comes up against the one of stop  22 , and during rotation in the opposite direction, the driving pin  43  comes up against the other stop  22 , thus limiting the movement of one arm against the other one correspondingly. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.