Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP0676941B1/en
Timestamp: 2019-11-15 16:34:16
Document Index: 158501122

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 46', 'art 48', 'arts 46', 'art 48', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 48', 'art 48', 'art 46', 'art 68', 'art 70', 'art 66', 'art 72', 'art 68', 'art 72', 'arts 70', 'art 72', 'art 72', 'arts 70', 'arts 70', 'art 72', 'art 48', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 46']

EP0676941B1 - Knee brace - Google Patents
EP0676941B1
EP0676941B1 EP19940902566 EP94902566A EP0676941B1 EP 0676941 B1 EP0676941 B1 EP 0676941B1 EP 19940902566 EP19940902566 EP 19940902566 EP 94902566 A EP94902566 A EP 94902566A EP 0676941 B1 EP0676941 B1 EP 0676941B1
EP19940902566
EP0676941A1 (en
Dean Alexander Taylor
1993-01-04 Priority to US1204 priority Critical
1993-01-04 Priority to US08001204 priority patent/US5302169B1/en
1993-12-16 Application filed by Generation II Orthotics Inc filed Critical Generation II Orthotics Inc
1993-12-16 Priority to PCT/CA1993/000542 priority patent/WO1994015555A1/en
1995-10-18 Publication of EP0676941A1 publication Critical patent/EP0676941A1/en
1995-11-30 First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=21694886&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0676941(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
1997-05-07 Publication of EP0676941B1 publication Critical patent/EP0676941B1/en
201000008482 osteoarthritis Diseases 0 abstract description 10
An orthopaedic brace having a pair of arms (18, 22) to be secured to a wearer's body. There is a pivotable joint (24) between the arms (18, 22) to allow pivoting of the knee while supporting the knee. There is a joint (44, 64) in the brace to allow controlled inclination of each arm (18, 22) relative to the pivotable joint (24). A method of bracing a knee is also disclosed. Such a method may be useful following high tibial osteotomy or as a means of relieving the effects of uni-compartmental osteoarthritis. According to the method the brace as described above is located about the knee and the arms (18, 22) are adjusted to allow controlled inclination of each arm (18, 22) relative to the pivotable joint (24) to provide the required bracing of the required inclination.
This invention relates to an orthopaedic brace for the knee.
United States Patent 5 277 698 teaches a method of reducing the effects of uni-compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. The method comprises applying a force to the knee as the knee moves to extension. The force is applied on that side of the knee remote from the compartment having osteoarthritis. The force is applied at about 10° to 15° posterior of the normal axis of rotation of the knee.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds:
High tibial osteotomy: and
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or knee replacement.
US-A-3,902,482 issued September 2, 1975 relates to an orthopaedic brace having portions attachable to parts of a wearer's body on opposite sides of a body joint. There is a mechanical joint comprising a bearing plate on an end of each brace portion near the body joint. A link extends across the body joint and has a bearing plate on each end. The bearing plates of the link overlap the bearing plates of the brace portion to provide dual bearings. A pivot interconnects the bearing plates of each of the dual bearings. The pivot provides each of the dual bearings with a plurality of transverse pivotal axes, which are shiftable to accommodate the natural pivotal movement of the body joint. This arrangement is such that one of the brace portions is movable away from and toward the other of the brace portions as the body joint is flexed and straightened.
The present invention seeks to use a brace of the type generally described and claimed in US-A-3,902,482 modified to facilitate its use. The brace of the invention is useful as a post-operative brace after a patient has had high tibial osteotomy as well as being useful in all circumstances where the brace of US-A-3,902,482 is useful.
DE-A-357243 discloses an orthopaedic brace having the features of the pre-characterising portion of claim 1.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an orthopaedic brace comprising a pair of arms to be secured to a wearers body and a pivotable joint between said arms to allow pivoting of the knee while supporting the knee; characterised in that each of said arms is rigid and in that the brace further comprises a lockable joint means to allow controlled media and lateral inclination of each arm relative to the pivotable joint and to lock said inclination at a predetermined, fixed position.
Figure 1 is a front view showing part of a brace according to the present invention in position on a leg of a patient;
Figure 2 is a front view of a brace according to this invention;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the brace of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a front view of a further embodiment of a brace according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the brace of Figure 4, partially in section;
Figure 6 is a front view of a part of a brace according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the brace of Figure 6, partially in section;
Figure 8 is a front view of a further embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the brace of Figure 10; partially in section;
Figure 10 is a detail of the brace of Figures 8 and 9; and
Figures 11 to 13 illustrate a method according to the present invention.
Cuff 10 is attached to a first arm 18 and located by screws extending through the cuff 10 to engage in threaded openings 20 in the arm 18 - see Figure 2. A second arm 22 is attached to cuff 12 in the same manner.
The brace of the present invention is secured to a wearer's body by use of the cuffs 10 and 12. There is a pivotable joint 24 between the arms 18 and 22 that allows pivoting of the knee even when the brace is present. Although it does not form a feature of the present invention, the pivotable joint 24 comprises, as shown most clearly in Figure 3, an inner bearing plate 26 comprising two part spherical projections 28. These part spherical projections 28 each engage within a correspondingly shaped bearing plate 30 and 31 on the end of each arm 18 and 22. These bearing plates 30 and 31 are, in turn, received within an outer bearing plate 32 again comprising, like the inner bearing plate 26, two part spherical members 34 that are a close fit over the bearing plates 30 and 31 on the end of the arms 18 and 22.
According to the invention the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 has a joint 44 in each arm 18 and 22. The joint 44 allows controlled inclination of each arm 18 or 22 relative to the pivotable joint 24. In the illustrated embodiment the joint 44 in each arm 18 or 22 is formed close to the pivotable joint 24 of the brace. Each arm 18 or 22 is formed in at least two parts. A first part 46 extends along the leg of the wearer, as shown particularly in Figure 1, and a second part 48 extends from the bearing plates 30 or 31.
As shown in Figure 3, the means to secure the parts 46 and 48 and to lock the parts in a predetermined position comprises a clear opening 58 in each second part 48, adjacent the opening 56 through which the tab 50 extends. There is a threaded opening 60 in the first part 46 that receives a screw 62.
The brace of Figures 2 and 3 is used as follows with a patient who has undergone high tibial osteotomy.
Prior to surgery the patient will be fitted with a brace according to Figures 2 and 3, custom made as is usual with this type of brace. That is to say the cuffs 10 and 12, in particular, will be moulded to match the patient's leg. In addition, the arms 18 and 22 will be of the appropriate length for the patient and will ensure that the pivotal joint 24 is in the proper position relative to the patient's knee.
First, the screws 62 are loosened which means that the first part 46 of each arm can move relative to the second part 48 of the arm. The screws 54 may also be slackened if necessary. Once the screws 62 are loose, the brace is placed on the leg of the patient. The screws 54 are tightened in openings 52 until making contact with the part 48 of the arm 18 and 22. When the surgeon is satisfied that the correct position is established in this way, the screws 62 will be tightened to secure that position. Figure 3 illustrates slackening of the top screw 62 so that it is in a position in which part 46 can be adjusted, as shown by the broken lines in Figure 3. Figure 3 also shows, at the bottom, a correctly adjusted brace, that is both the screws 54 and 62 are tightened.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which controlled inclination of each arm relative to the pivotable joint is achieved by a hinge 64 formed in the pivotable joint.
Many details of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 are the same as in Figures 1 to 3 and, accordingly, the same reference numerals are used as appropriate. No further discussion of these features is included.
However, Figures 4 and 5 shows a pivotable joint 24 formed in two parts, a first 66 and a second part 68. The hinge 64 is also formed in two parts, with one part 70 attached to the first part 66 of the pivotable joint and the second part 72 attached to the second part 68 of the pivotable joint. The second part 72 is formed with an internal thread. There is a threaded hinge pin 74, extending through the first and second parts 70 and 72 and engaging the thread in the second part 72. The arrangement is such that slackening and tightening of the pin 74 in the threaded part 72 allows setting then locking of the brace in a predetermined position with the arms 18 and 22 at a controlled inclination to the pivotable joint 24. Parts 70 and 72 of the hinge have abutting internal surfaces at 76 and, instead of relying on contact of flat internal surfaces, Figure 4 shows the formation of mutually engagable serrations at 76 to assist locking at the predetermined position.
To use the brace of Figures 4 and 5, the same general procedure is followed as discussed for the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 but adjustment of the relative positions of the arms 18 and 22 is achieved by loosening the hinge pin 74, moving the internal surfaces of the' hinge parts 70 and 72 away from each other and inclining the arms 18 and 22 using the serrations at 76 which, typically, are precisely machined. When the appropriate setting is fixed the hinge pin 74 is tightened in position in the second part 72 to fix the setting.
The embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 may be considered a combination of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 and the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 in that there is a joint in each arm, as in Figures 2 and 3, but that joint is a hinge, as in Figures 4 and 5. Again, as appropriate, the same reference numerals are used, the hinges being described as for Figure 4. Use of this embodiment is as for Figures 4 and 5 except that each hinge 64 is set by the surgeon as appropriate.
The embodiment of Figures 8 to 10 may be considered a combination of all the preceding embodiments. There are hinged joints 64 in each arm 18 and 22 but adjustment of the joints 64 is not achieved by threading of the hinge pins 74 but by the use of screws, as in the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3. Hinge pins 74 need not be threaded although it is a convenient way of ensuring that they remain in position in the brace. In the brace of Figures 8 to 10 there is a tab 78 extending from the second part 48, over the first part 46 of each leg. As in Figures 2 and 3 there is a threaded opening 60 in each first part 46 that receives a screw 62 extending through a clear opening 58 in the tab 78. There is a threaded opening 80 in the tab 78 and the screw 54 extends through that threaded opening 80 to abut the first part 46. Control of the inclination using these screws is as for the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3.
The following experimental procedure illustrates the use of a brace according to Figures 2 and 3.
Figures 11 to 13 illustrate the various steps in the method according to the present invention following high tibial osteotomy. The brace generally illustrated in these drawings is the brace of Figure 2 and 3.
Figure 11 shows the leg prior to the operation. The brace is fitted accurately. In particular it will be noted that cuffs 10 and 12 fit the thigh and calf of the patient respectively. Screws 54 and 62 are adjusted to ensure that that position is properly established.
Figures 12 and 13 show the leg after high tibial osteotomy. In Figure 12 the brace is adjusted as in Figure 11. That is the brace is as fitted to the leg prior to the osteotomy. Because of the wedge removed, cuff 12 no longer fits properly. Note in particular the gap 13. As a result the brace is adjusted, as described above, so that the cuff 12 and the cuff 10 both fit properly and the gap 13 is eliminated. This arrangement is shown in Figure 13.
The embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 is generally illustrated in Figures 11 to 13 but precisely the same considerations apply in all other embodiments of the invention.
An orthopaedic brace comprising a pair of arms (18,22) to be secured to a wearer's body and a pivotable joint (24) between said arms (18,22) to allow pivoting of the knee while supporting the knee; characterised in that each of said arms (18,22) is rigid and in that the brace further comprises a lockable joint means (44,64) to allow controlled media and lateral inclination of each arm (18,22) relative to the pivotable joint (24) and to lock said inclination at a predetermined, fixed position.
A brace as claimed in claim 1 in which there is a joint means (44) in each arm (18,22), formed adjacent the pivotable joint (24) of the brace.
A brace as claimed in claim 2 in which each arm (18,22) is formed in at least two parts, a first part (46) and a second part (48), and the joint means (44) comprises:
a tab (50) on the first part (46);
an opening (56) in the second part (48) to receive the tab (50);
means to secure the first and second parts (46,48) together and to lock them in a predetermined position; and
means to move the first and second parts (46,48) relative to each other to set the predetermined position.
A brace as claimed in claim 3 having a threaded opening (52) in the tab (50) and a screw (54) to extend through the threaded opening (52) to abut said second part (48) of the arm (18,22), whereby turning of the screw (54) to move it into the threaded opening (52) acts to separate said tab (50) and said second part (48) of the arm (18,22).
A brace as claimed in claim 3 in which the means to secure and lock the parts (46,48) in a predetermined position comprises a clear opening (58) adjacent the opening (56) in said second part (48) and a threaded opening (60) in said first part (46), tightening of a screw (62) into the threaded opening (60) acting to lock the first and second parts (46,48) of the arm (18,22) together.
A brace as claimed in claim 1 in which the joint (24) to allow controlled inclination of each arm (18,22) relative to the pivotable joint (24) comprises a hinge (64) formed in the pivotable joint (24).
A brace as claimed in claim 6 in which the pivotable joint (24) is formed in a first part (66) and a second part (68), the hinge (64) being formed in two parts, one part (70) attached to the first part (66) of the pivotable joint (24) and a second part (72) attached to the second part (68) of the pivotable joint (24), at least one of said parts (70,72) of the hinge (64) being internally threaded, and a threaded hinge pin (74) extending through the first and second parts (70,72) of the hinge (64), slackening and tightening of the pin (74) in the threaded part allowing setting and locking to control the inclination of each arm (18,22) relative to the pivotable joint (24).
A brace as claimed in claim 7 in which the first and second parts (70,72) of the hinge (64) abut each other at internal surfaces (76), there being mutually engagable serrations at the internal surfaces (76) to assist locking at a predetermined position.
A brace as claimed in claim 2 in which the joint means (44) in each arm (18,22) is a hinge (64).
A brace as claimed in claim 9 in which each arm (18,22) is formed in at least two parts, a first part (46) and a second part (48), each hinge (64) being formed in two parts with a first part (70) of the hinge (64) attached to the first part (46) of each arm (18,22) and a second part (72) of the hinge (64) attached to the second part (48) of each arm (18,22), and including means to secure the first and second parts (46,48) of each arm (18,22) together and to lock them in a predetermined position.
A brace as claimed in claim 10 in which the means to secure the first and second parts (70,72) of the hinge (64) together comprises at least one of said hinge parts (70,72) being threaded, with a threaded hinge pin (74) extending through the first and second parts (70,72) of the hinge (64), whereby slackening and tightening of the pin (74) in the threaded part of the hinge (64) allows setting and locking of the first and second parts (46,48) of each arm (18,22) relative to each other to set the predetermined position.
A brace as claimed in claim 10 in which the first and second parts (70,72) of each hinge (64) abut each other at internal surfaces (76), there being mutually engagable serrations at the internal surfaces (76) to assist locking at the predetermined position.
A brace as claimed in claim 10 in which the means to secure the first and second parts (46,48) of each arm (18,22) together and to lock them in a predetermined position comprises a tab (78) on the second part (48) extending over the first part (46), and means to move the first and second parts (46,48) relative to each other to set the predetermined position.
A brace as claimed in claim 13 in which there is a threaded opening (80) in the tab (78) and a screw (54) to extend through the threaded opening (80) to abut said first part (46) of the arm (18,22), whereby turning of the screw (54) to move it into the threaded opening (80) acts to separate said tab (78) and said first part (46) of the arm (18,22).
A brace as claimed in claim 13 in which the means to secure and lock the parts (46, 48) of each arm (18,22) in a predetermined position comprises a clear opening (58) in said second part (48) and a threaded opening (60) in said first part (46), tightening of a screw (62) into the threaded opening (60) acting to lock the first and second parts (46,48) of the arm (18,22) together.
EP19940902566 1993-01-04 1993-12-16 Knee brace Expired - Lifetime EP0676941B1 (en)
US1204 1993-01-04
US08001204 US5302169B1 (en) 1993-01-04 1993-01-04 Post operative knee brace
PCT/CA1993/000542 WO1994015555A1 (en) 1993-01-04 1993-12-16 Knee brace
EP0676941A1 EP0676941A1 (en) 1995-10-18
EP0676941B1 true EP0676941B1 (en) 1997-05-07
ID=21694886
EP19940902566 Expired - Lifetime EP0676941B1 (en) 1993-01-04 1993-12-16 Knee brace
US (2) US5302169B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0676941B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3093269B2 (en)
AT (1) AT152600T (en)
AU (1) AU676002B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2153260C (en)
DE (2) DE69310548D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2105610T3 (en)
NZ (1) NZ258836A (en)
WO (1) WO1994015555A1 (en)
FR2776507B1 (en) * 1998-03-25 2000-08-04 Jean Pierre Cottin elongation lateral device allowing angular adjustment of physiological knee in a frontal plane
IT1309375B1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2002-01-22 F G P S N C Hinge micrometric angular adjustment and guardian ad aggiustamentocalibrato utilizing such a hinge.
DE60035431T2 (en) * 1999-12-21 2008-03-06 dj Orthopedics, LLC, Vista Joint for orthopedic knee orthodes and the joint integrated knee orthesis
EP1829507B1 (en) * 1999-12-21 2013-05-08 Djo, Llc Hinge assembly for an orthopedic knee brace and knee brace incorporating the hinge assembly
US6746414B1 (en) * 2000-03-06 2004-06-08 Generation Ii Orthotics, Inc. Joint for a knee brace incorporating a locking mechanism
DE10337332A1 (en) * 2003-08-12 2005-03-10 Bock Healthcare Gmbh orthopedic splint
AU2005204633B2 (en) * 2004-01-07 2011-02-17 Djo, Llc Knee brace hinges with adaptive motion
FR2873569B1 (en) 2004-07-28 2006-09-29 Thierry Marc Orthese polycentric dynamics of the knee joint
JP6015516B2 (en) * 2013-03-26 2016-10-26 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Walking assist device
DE102014019715A1 (en) 2014-12-23 2016-06-23 Albrecht Gmbh Orthosis with inclination adjustment device
ITUA20163592A1 (en) * 2016-05-19 2017-11-19 Imoca Industria Mecc Ospedaliera Casanova Joint for orthoses from the trunk and from trunk orthosis that includes
KR101944910B1 (en) * 2016-12-28 2019-02-07 이화여자대학교 산학협력단 Massage apparatus for multipurpose
DE357243C (en) * 1921-04-02 1922-08-21 Ernst Grabowski Leg Korrektionsapparat
GB2136294B (en) * 1983-03-10 1986-06-18 Northern Scient Equipment Limi Knee support
GB8421058D0 (en) * 1984-08-18 1984-09-19 Young D E Orthopaedic hip hinge
1993-01-04 US US08001204 patent/US5302169B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1993-12-16 WO PCT/CA1993/000542 patent/WO1994015555A1/en active IP Right Grant
1993-12-16 DE DE1993610548 patent/DE69310548D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1993-12-16 JP JP06515546A patent/JP3093269B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1993-12-16 AU AU56903/94A patent/AU676002B2/en not_active Ceased
1993-12-16 EP EP19940902566 patent/EP0676941B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1993-12-16 ES ES94902566T patent/ES2105610T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1993-12-16 NZ NZ25883693A patent/NZ258836A/en unknown
1993-12-16 CA CA 2153260 patent/CA2153260C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1993-12-16 DE DE1993610548 patent/DE69310548T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1993-12-16 AT AT94902566T patent/AT152600T/en not_active IP Right Cessation
1993-12-21 US US08/170,847 patent/US5400806A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
JP3093269B2 (en) 2000-10-03
CA2153260A1 (en) 1994-07-21
ES2105610T3 (en) 1997-10-16
US5302169B1 (en) 1997-08-05
AT152600T (en) 1997-05-15
EP0676941A1 (en) 1995-10-18
US5400806A (en) 1995-03-28
US5302169A (en) 1994-04-12
AU5690394A (en) 1994-08-15
JPH08507446A (en) 1996-08-13
AU676002B2 (en) 1997-02-27
CA2153260C (en) 2001-07-24
DE69310548D1 (en) 1997-06-12
DE69310548T2 (en) 1998-01-02
WO1994015555A1 (en) 1994-07-21
NZ258836A (en) 1997-01-29
Sarmiento et al. 1989 Tibial shaft fractures treated with functional braces. Experience with 780 fractures
Ref document number: 152600
Ref document number: 69310548
Free format text: 73836
Ref document number: 2105610
Opponent name: SMITH & NEPHEW PLC, LONDON
2001-07-11 R26 Opposition filed (correction)
Opponent name: DJ ORTHOPEDICS, LLC
2003-12-17 27C Termination of opposition procedure
Owner name: *GENERATION II ORTHOTICS INC.