Abstract:
A joint orthosis including an upper member, a lower member operably connected to the upper member by one or more swivel axes at a joint mechanism, and a pad attached to the joint mechanism and positioned between the joint mechanism and the body part, wherein the joint mechanism includes a clip connection for securing the pad to the joint mechanism. The upper and lower members include a means for attaching the joint orthosis to a body part of a user, such as an extremity. The clip connection connects to a coupling element that is one or more of an adapter or pad bracket positioned between the joint mechanism and the pad. The pad, pad bracket and/or adapter are configured to cover over the joint mechanim and the pivot axis. The upper and lower members can include teeth that interlock with each other in order to form a synchronized pivot movement.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This U.S. patent application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2006 021 789.6, filed on May 09, 2006, entitled “Gelenkorthese” (Joint Orthosis), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.  
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     Embodiments of the present invention concern joint orthoses and uses thereof.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Joint orthoses are implemented for support and stabilization of joints in the human body. They support physiologically correct movement of the joint, for example after an operation or joint damage. In addition, joint orthoses are used for limitation of the flexion angle in order to enable an adjustment of the maximal angle of flexion for rehabilitation purposes.  
         [0004]     Joint orthoses are attached to the body part connected to the joint by a strap, for example, to the upper and lower leg, the lower leg and the foot, the upper arm and the lower arm. The upper and lower parts are equipped with a frame, which consists at least of a splint. A jointed connection of the upper and lower parts or the splints of the upper and lower parts enables pivoting around at least one pivotable axis. In addition to one sided frame parts, two sided frame parts may be located medial and lateral next to the joint to be supported.  
         [0005]     In the area of the joint space or joint axis of the joint to be supported, pads are attached which bridge the space between the joint orthosis and the frame of the upper or lower part and create a coupling of the joint orthosis with the body part. The securing of these pads usually occurs via Velcro® type closure or a screw connection. The adjustment and fitting of the individual parameters of the joint to be supported occurs via set screws. To adjust for the various expansion of the extremity or for rehabilitation purposes in the event of swelling joints, exchange of the pad or the pads attached to it is necessary.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a joint orthosis to be worn by a user which allows quick and easy adjustment to a user&#39;s physiological features. The joint orthosis includes an upper member, a lower member operably connected to the upper member by one or more swivel axes at a joint mechanism, and a pad attached to the joint mechanism and positioned between the joint mechanism and the body part, wherein the joint mechanism includes a clip connection for securing the pad to the joint mechanism. The upper and lower members include a means for attaching the joint orthosis to a body part of a user, such as an extremity. The clip connection connects to a coupling element that is one or more of an adapter or pad bracket positioned between the joint mechanism and the pad. The pad, pad bracket and/or adapter are configured to cover over the joint mechanim and the pivot axis. The upper and lower members can include teeth that interlock with each other in order to form a synchronized pivot movement 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit any particular embodiments described. On the contrary, embodiments herein are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  represents an exemplary schematic of a frame member of a joint orthosis.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  represents an exemplary exploded view of the frame member of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   e  represent exemplary schematics of pad brackets of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIGS. 4   a  to  4   e  represent exemplary schematics of adapters of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b:  represent exemplary schematics of stop inserts of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b:  represent exemplary schematics of variants of the pad bracket of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     In the following sections, various exemplary embodiments are described in order to detail various embodiments of the invention. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that practicing the various embodiments does not require the employment of all or even some of the specific details outlined herein, but configurations and components may vary.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the invention relates to a joint orthosis with an upper and lower part connected by at least one pivotable axis, whereby the upper and lower part have equipment for attachment of the joint orthosis to a body part, an extremity in particular, and a pad attached to the orthosis which sits in the interim space between orthosis and body part. This assumes that the joint orthosis, pad or at least one coupling element has key elements which form a clip connection for securing the pad to the joint orthosis. The clipable design, the pad, one of the coupling elements between the pad and the orthosis, and/or the joint mechanism enables adjustment of the pad, in order to provide for various distances between the body part and the joint mechanism for bridging and easy adjustability of the joint orthosis. The pad can be attached immediately to the joint orthosis or joint mechanism or via one or more coupling elements, such as a pad bracket which holds the pad and an adapter ring.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment, the invention provides that the pad or a pad bracket is situated on the joint orthosis where there is an under cut on the joint mechanism for attachment of the pad or the coupling element. The coupling element or pad are preferably designed in such a manner that the pivot axis or axes or the joint space which is formed between the upper and lower part, is mostly covered. This can mean that the pad or the coupling element include or surround the pivot axes or joint space between the upper and lower parts. The contact range or holding range of the pad or coupling element is preferably a ring, ring shaped or formed as a bar on which the key elements are provided. Through a relevant cross section formation of the pad or the coupling element, for example by a circumscribed under cut, the overall contact or holding range of the pad or the coupling element can be designed as a key element.  
         [0017]     In another embodiment, the invention provides that the upper and lower parts have denticulations or teeth which are preferably included on the frame parts of the upper and lower parts. These denticulations interlock with each other, so that there is a rolling movement of the upper part onto the lower pert. This type of joint mechanism is particularly sensible in knee joint ortheses. For these, the joint mechanism is designed in such a manner that there is a pivot axis on both the upper and lower parts. The pad or coupling element covers the pivot axes and the denticulation area.  
         [0018]     In order to avoid exchanging the pad during necessary adjustments, the embodiment provides for the coupling element to function as a pad bracket or adapter, in particular, as an adapter ring which clips between the joint mechanism and the pad, in order to bridge the lateral distance between the pad and the joint mechanism. The adapter or adapter ring and the pad bracket have key elements which correspond to the joint mechanism and the pad, so that by exchange of the adapter or the pad bracket, easy adjustment can be achieved. In addition to the ring shaped design of the adapter, other forms and functions can be realized by the adapter, for example a pivotable position of the pad or the pad bracket.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment, the invention provides that the pad or the coupling element, thus the pad bracket or adapter ring, have a wedge shaped cross section in order to be able to realize a diagonally positioned attachment surface of the pad to the extremity or the body part in comparison to the pivot axis.  
         [0020]     A symmetrical design for a bilateral situation of joint mechanisms next to the joint to be supported makes the exchange of pads and coupling elements easier, so that the same adapters and pads can be adjusted from a medial and lateral approach. This limits the number of components.  
         [0021]     In another embodiment, the invention provides that stops, in particular stop inserts, are positioned on the joint mechanism, in order to set the pivot angle between the upper and lower parts. The stops or stop inserts are attached to the joint mechanism, in particular, clipped on to the mechanism, in order to realize easy exchange. Through this, it is possible to exchange the stops without tools and easily adjust the orthosis in accordance with rehabilitation advancement.  
         [0022]     In order to avoid the stops pressing out of the joint mechanism through contact of the upper and lower parts, the pad or the coupling element, in particular the adapter or adapter ring and the pad bracket, are constructed in such a way that the stops are secured. This is achieved by the fact that the pad, adapter and/or pad bracket secure the stops in their clipped-on position and surround them in particular. It is therefore possible that pressing out of the stops is avoided in the flexion direction as well as the extension direction. The stops will also not fall out, which avoids undesired changes to the maximal flexion or extension angle.  
         [0023]     In a further embodiment, the design of the invention provides that undercuts are provided on the upper or lower part which block the stops with contact of the upper and lower parts or frame parts. This occurs through a key coupling of the stops with the upper part or the lower part by the undercut grabbing the stop. The stops can also have undercuts, which correspond to the undercuts in the upper or lower part. These are preferably designed in a forcipatory manner, that is, shaped like a forceps.  
         [0024]     Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the embodiments herein. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of can also include embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, embodiments herein are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.  
         [0025]     In  FIG. 1 , a section of a joint orthosis is represented absent attachment equipment for securing the orthosis to the body part or extremity. Frame part  1  includes an upper section  2  and a lower section  3 , which are made of curved splints. Splints  2 ,  3  are preferably made of light metal that can include, but are not limited to, light-metal alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, carbon fiber and carbon steels, copper alloys, magnesium alloys, and titanium and titanium alloys. In bores  21  and  31 , attachment media may be inserted for example Velcro® or strap closures as well as padding. Additional metal or synthetic orthosis components may also be attached to the splints  2  and  3 . The splints  2  and  3  in this example are attached to each other via a joint mechanism  4 .  
         [0026]     The joint mechanism  4 , as represented in  FIG. 2 , includes two discs  41 ,  42  positioned on either side of splints  2 ,  3 . The discs  41 ,  42  are attached to each other via fasteners (e.g. screws)  5  and  6 , where fastener  5  creates a bolt which is inserted through bores  23 ,  33  into splints  2 ,  3 . The discs  41 ,  42  can additionally have through bores  410  and  420 , so that two pivot axes  52  and  53  are created for the splints  2 ,  3 . On discs  41  and  42 , circumferentially positioned grooves  49 , which facilitate attachment of coupling elements in the form of pad brackets  7 , adapter rings  8  or pads  17  are formed.  
         [0027]     As represented in  FIG. 2 , splints  2  and  3  have teeth  23  and  33 , which are capable of interlocking with each other in order to form a synchronized pivoting movement between upper and lower members. For example, this can be particularly advantageous in knee orthosis, in which splints  2  and  3  are positioned medial to the knee as well as laterally.  
         [0028]     In order to bridge the space between the joint, such as the knee joint, and the joint mechanism  4  in the medial and lateral directions, pads  17  can be used, whose brackets are shown in  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   e.    FIG. 3   a  represents a cross section of an exemplary pad bracket, clipped-on between the pad and the joint mechanism  4  as a coupling element, with an attachment side  71  toward the joint and a ring-shaped key element  72 , which follows the contour of the joint mechanism  4 , primarily an oval. A rear view of this oval is represented in  FIG. 3   c.  The contact surface  71 , as represented in the top view of  FIG. 3   b,  is surrounded by an edge  74 , which has indentations  75 , as shown in  FIG. 3   e,  providing an elastic attachment to the knee joint or to a pad. In the enlarged diagram,  FIG. 3   d,  the key mechanism  76  is represented as cross section which is designed circumferentially. In the key element  72 , a groove is shown capable of grabbing into the corresponding key element  46  on the joint mechanism  4  creating a clip connection of the pad bracket and the joint mechanism  4 . In order to remove the pad bracket  7  and (e.g. simultaneously) a pad from the joint mechanism  4 , the key element lock must be loosened by pulling or bending open and the pad bracket  7 ; or pad  17  must be removed. In addition to the cross section represented in  FIG. 3   a,  wedge-shaped cross sections are provided on the pad or the pad bracket as represented in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  to facilitate a diagonal position to the attachment surface  71  relative to the pivot axes or the surface of the joint mechanism  4 . In  FIG. 6   a,  the alpha pitch between the attachment surface  71  and the key element  72  or the back side of the pad bracket is demonstrated.  
         [0029]     In one embodiment, in order to facilitate lateral or medial adjustability of pad  17 , adapter  8  may be inserted between the pad  17  or the pad bracket  7  and the joint mechanism b 4 , represented in  FIG. 4   a  to  4   e.  The adapter  8  is in the form of a grooved oval from one side of the key element  82 , which represents the key element  72  in the pad bracket  7  or pad  17 . This example enables a clip adapter  8  to attach to the joint mechanism  4 . On the other side, an exterior contour  86  is formed, which represents the contour of the joint mechanism  4  with the relevant key element. This contour  84  is represented in the enlarged representation in  FIG. 4   d.  Even here the notch  86  is shown, which is formed corresponding to the notch in the joint mechanism  4 . The notch  76  of the pad or the pad bracket  7  can lock into the notch  86  in the adapter  8 .  
         [0030]     On the distal and proximal ends of adapter  8 , tabs  81  are situated, which enable easy removal of adapter  8  from the joint mechanism  4  or an additional adapter  8  through lifting. Multiple adapters  8  can be situated on top of each other in order to bridge larger distances. In addition to a cross section, as seen in  FIG. 4   a,  a wedge-shaped cross section may be formed similar to the formation of the pad bracket  7  in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0031]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the teeth  23 ,  33  can be formed in such a way that a pivot limit occurs in the straight position represented in  FIG. 2 . This represents a maximum extension of the knee joint. In order to be able to limit flexion of the knee joint, a stop insert  9  may be inserted in to the joint mechanism  4  which is inserted between the discs  41  and  42 . The stop insert  9 , represented in more detail in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b,  shows depressions  92  and  93 , in which the teeth  23  and  33  can freely glide. On at least one side, a key element  94  is represented in the form of an elevation, which locks into the corresponding recess  49  in discs  41  and  42 , preventing the stops from falling out. The stop insert  9  can easily be grabbed and pulled out of the joint mechanism  4  via the nub  95 , for example, to adjust the flexion angle limits.  
         [0032]     Because high pressures may occur beneath the stops in splints  2  and  3  of stop insert  9 , forcing the stop insert  9  out of the joint mechanism  4 , pad bracket  7  or the adapter  8  are designed such that the stop insert  9  or the nub  95  are at least partially grabbed, so that pressing out is avoided. This design also provides for forcipate, that is, forceps shaped, key elements on splints  2  and  3  capable of locking into the external recesses  96  in the stop inserts  9  and surround the stops, thus fixing them into the joint mechanism  4 . Therefore, an exchange of the stops  9  cannot occur even in maximum flexion position.  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, the positioning of the stops  9  for limitation of extension and flexion is provided, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but flexion limits can only be set with a set extension angle. For this, the stop inserts  9  may be inserted on one side of the pivot axis  52 ,  53  at the pivot level.