Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a one-piece ankle stabilizing orthosis comprising two uprights and a sole. Two bands connect the two uprights to the sole.

<CIT> discloses such an ankle support. This ankle support is able to prevent inversion of the foot. The ankle support ensures that in the event of inversion of the foot the draw straps, in conjunction with the support element, prevent further movement in the direction associated with the inversion. The movement associated with the inversion is translated into the application of a tensile load to the draw straps, which directly transmit this load to a top section of the support element preventing further movement of the foot in the inversion direction. The known structure is lightweight, not very bulky and does not limit or scarcely limits the freedom of movement in directions other than that of an inversion.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the known ankle support. This object is achieved by an ankle support having the features of claim <NUM>.

The bottom section of the support frame comprises a bottom medial section connected to the connection section, a bottom lateral section and a sole portion connecting the bottom medial section to the bottom lateral section. Further, the at least two draw straps connect the top section of the support frame to the bottom lateral section of the support frame on the lateral side of the ankle support. Such a one piece support frame extending under the foot from the medial side to the lateral side of the foot and the direct connection between the support frame and the draw straps on the lateral side ensures that the load belonging to the movement associated with the inversion is more directly transmitted from the draw straps to the support frame. Hence, the ankle support is further improved to more effectively prevent inversion of the foot.

Further, the sole portion of the support frame extending between the medial side of the foot and the lateral side of the foot provides comfort for a user wearing the ankle support. Under the sole of the foot there is no additional connection required for fixing the metal or plastic support frame in its longitudinal direction. Hence, the portion of the sole of the user contacting the ankle support only contacts the sole section of the one-piece support frame which is free of any transitions for fixing purposes, such as for example the pocket shown in <FIG> of <CIT>. The sole section of the one-piece support frame also effectively fixes the top section and the connection section against movement in their longitudinal direction. Further, the design of the one-piece support frame also no longer requires a draw strap running over the foot instep which provides more comfort inside a shoe for a user and increases the freedom of movement.

The support frame may be made by multi-material injection molding, preferably sandwich molding. In this way it is possible to produce a one-piece support frame anatomically adapted to the contours of that section of the ankle, foot and leg along which it runs such that the support frame provides maximum freedom of movement in directions other than the inversion direction. Further, by using multi-material injection molding, preferably sandwich molding to produce the support frame it is possible to provide a semi-rigid frame which can be soft and comfortable for a user on the outside and provide the desired rigidity from inside to avoid inversion. Hence, the support frame comprises an outer layer and an inner core layer, wherein the inner core layer is made of a material less flexible than the material of the outer layer. The inner core layer can be made of fibre-reinforced plastic and the outer layer can be made of another plastic material, such as a more soft and/or a skin-friendly plastic. By varying the thickness of the core layer in the support frame it is possible to vary the rigidity in the support frame such that preventing inversion trauma versus user comfort of the ankle support can be further optimized. For example, the core layer may have a greater thickness in the connection section than in the top section and/or the core layer may have a greater thickness in the bottom medial section than the bottom lateral section.

In one aspect of the ankle support according to the present invention the circumferential edge of the support frame consists of the outer layer without the core layer. Such an circumferential edge of the support frame is more flexible such that it provides more comfort during wearing. Further, the circumferential edge of the support frame can be easily used for connecting, for example by stitching and/or bonding, other components of the ankle support such as for example gauze fabric sock-like portions of the ankle support to the support frame of the ankle support.

The connection section of the support frame comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the central portion has a smaller width than the lower portion and/or the upper portion such that when the ankle support is arranged on the foot, the connection section of the support frame has a configuration allowing maximal dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the tibiotalar joint. The connection section runs past the medial malleolus, preferably the connection section is located on a dorsal side of the medial malleolus and/or the connection section is located adjacent to the medial malleolus. The connection section may also be wider in the central portion if desired, in which case the central portion can be provided with an opening which exposes the medial malleolus.

The bottom lateral section of the support frame is, when the ankle support is arranged on the foot, located under the lateral malleolus, i.e. seen in the cranial-caudal direction the bottom lateral section is located lower than the lateral malleolus. The bottom lateral section may also be a circumferential edge of the sole portion. The bottom lateral section can be somewhat curved with respect to the sole portion for connecting one of the ends of each draw strap to the support frame. The bottom lateral section may extend between <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> from the sole portion towards the lateral malleolus when the ankle support is arranged on the foot, more preferred between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>. In the ankle support of the present invention the height of the support frame on the lateral side is relatively small compared with the height of the support frame on the medial side.

The at least two draw straps of the ankle support pass through a slot-like opening in the top section of the support frame and are then turned back, after which ultimately the turned-back section is fixed to the incoming part, for example by means of hook and loop fasteners. This makes fitting very easy and provides a great deal of flexibility in terms of adaptation to the dimensions of the foot and lower leg, which differ from person to person. In addition, the degree of support of the support frame can be individually adjusted. It is also possible that the draw straps are directly connected to the top section of the support frame, for example by means of press-studs, buckles or hook and loop fasteners. The draw straps consist of a material without elasticity or with very low elasticity, in order to prevent inversion of the foot.

Further, the two draw straps which allow dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot comprise a dorsal draw strap and a ventral draw strap, wherein, when the ankle support is arranged on the foot, the dorsal draw strap extends substantially perpendicular to the subtalar joint axis. This position of the dorsal draw strap maximally prevents inversion of the foot during use of the ankle support. In addition, the two draw straps may cross each other on the lateral side of the ankle support. The crossing of the draw straps makes it possible to provide a spacious user-entry in the ankle support, because it is no longer required to use an ankle support having a sock which covers the lower leg and at least a portion of the foot. In this way it is possible to produce a more user-friendly ankle support which may be easily put on and taken off. Also, the crossing of the draw straps provides maximal dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the tibiotalar joint, in particular when the two draw straps cross each other close to or in the tibiotalar joint axis. "Close to the tibiotalar joint axis" is intended to mean in this text that the crossing area of the straps lies in a distance from <NUM>-<NUM> from the tibiotalar joint axis.

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments in the appended drawings, in which:.

Like parts are indicated by the same numerals in the figures.

<FIG>,<FIG> and <FIG> show a first embodiment of an ankle support <NUM> according to the present invention. <FIG>,<FIG> show the same ankle support <NUM> from the same perspective, but in <FIG> the flexible compression strap <NUM>, a draw strap <NUM> and the lateral malleolus <NUM> are (partly) indicated with broken lines. Further, the broken lines used in <FIG> illustrate the medial malleolus <NUM> and the various sections of the connection section. It may be understood that the broken lines are for illustrative purposes only.

The ankle support <NUM> has a lateral side <NUM> (shown in <FIG>,<FIG>) and a medial side <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). The ankle support <NUM> comprises a one-piece support frame <NUM> with a bottom section <NUM>, a top section <NUM> and a connection section <NUM>.

The connection section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> connects the top section <NUM> with the bottom section <NUM> on the medial side <NUM> of the ankle support <NUM>, such that, when the ankle support is arranged on the lower leg, the ankle and the foot, the top section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> is located above the medial malleolus <NUM>. The medial malleolus <NUM> is located close to the middle (seen in the cranial-caudal direction) of the medial side of the support frame <NUM>.

The bottom section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> comprises a bottom medial section <NUM> connected to the connection section <NUM>, a bottom lateral section <NUM> and a sole portion <NUM> connecting the bottom medial section <NUM> to the bottom lateral section <NUM>. Below a portion of the foot <NUM>, in particular between the posterior end of the foot <NUM> and the midfoot of the foot <NUM>, a sole section <NUM> extends from the medial side <NUM> to the lateral side <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> has a U-shaped bottom section <NUM>, wherein the first leg of the U-shape is provided by the bottom medial section <NUM>, the second leg is provided by the bottom lateral section <NUM> and the bridge connecting the first and second legs is provided by the sole portion <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> does not cover the posterior ankle.

As shown in <FIG>, the bottom lateral section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> is located under the lateral malleolus <NUM> (broken lines in <FIG>). The bottom lateral section <NUM> extends approximately <NUM> from the sole portion <NUM> towards the lateral malleolus <NUM>.

The ankle support <NUM> further has at least two draw straps <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e. a dorsal draw strap <NUM> and a ventral draw strap <NUM>, which, when the ankle support is arranged on the foot which, each run along different sides of the lower leg.

Each draw strap <NUM>, <NUM> of the ankle support <NUM> passes through a slot-like opening <NUM>, <NUM> in the top section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> and is then turned back, after which ultimately the turned-back section is fixed to the incoming part, for example by means of hook and loop fasteners (not shown). This makes fitting of the draw straps to customize the ankle support to the personal dimensions (and preferences) of the user very easy.

As can be seen in <FIG> the two draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> cross each other on the lateral side of the ankle support <NUM>, preferably the at least two draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> cross each other close to the tibiotalar joint axis <NUM> to provide maximal dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the tibiotalar joint.

When the ankle support <NUM> is arranged on the foot, the dorsal draw strap <NUM> extends substantially perpendicular to the subtalar joint axis. This position of the dorsal draw strap <NUM> maximally prevents inversion of the foot <NUM> during use of the ankle support <NUM>. The ventral draw strap <NUM> ensures a symmetrical load to the support frame <NUM>, such that in use a rotation component to the lower leg can be avoided.

The two draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> further connect the top section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> to the bottom lateral section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> on the lateral side of the ankle support. As shown in <FIG>, the ends of the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> are connected on the lateral side <NUM> to the bottom lateral section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, for example by stitching and/or bonding.

The direct connection of the one-piece support frame <NUM> and the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> without any other components of the ankle support there between increase the main function of the ankle support <NUM>: preventing inversion of the foot, i.e. the direct connection increases the response time of the ankle support <NUM> to the slightest inversion of the foot, immediately preventing further movement in the inversion direction. In addition, the one-piece support frame <NUM> maximises usercomfort, because the load bearing surfaces of the foot only make contact with the outer material of the sole portion of the one-piece support frame <NUM>. This sole portion <NUM> also longitudinally (cranial-caudal direction) fixes the elongate connection section <NUM> and top section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. The elongate connection section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> should be sufficiently deformable perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to anatomically adapt itself to the contours of that section of the foot and leg along which it runs, but also does not bend in its longitudinal direction when a load is imposed on the support frame <NUM> by the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> is fixed in its longitudinal direction by means of the bottom section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>.

<FIG> shows that the connection section <NUM> runs past the medial malleolus <NUM>, and that the connection section <NUM> is located on a dorsal side of the medial malleolus <NUM>, adjacent to the medial malleolus <NUM>. As shown with broken lines in <FIG>, the connection section <NUM> comprises an upper portion 13a, a lower portion 13c and a central portion 13b located between the upper portion 13a and the lower portion 13c, wherein the central portion 13b has a smaller width (W) than the lower portion 13c and/or the upper portion 13a such that the connection section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> has a configuration allowing maximal dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot <NUM>, in particular maximal dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the tibiotalar joint (not shown). The central section 13b has a concave shape on the side facing the medial malleolus <NUM>.

The ankle support <NUM> comprises two separate sock-like portions <NUM>, <NUM> which are connected to each other by the support frame <NUM>, preferably by bonding and/or stitching the circumferential edges of the two separate sock-like portions <NUM>, <NUM> to the circumferential edge <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. It is also possible to use a textile band bonded to the circumferential edge of the each separate sock-like portion <NUM>, <NUM> to be connected to the support frame <NUM>, wherein the band enclosing to the circumferential edge of the sock-like portion <NUM>, <NUM> is stitched to the circumferential edge <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. The two separate sock-like portions <NUM>, <NUM> only overlap each other near the bottom lateral section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, wherein the overlapping sock-like portions <NUM>, <NUM> are separately connected to the circumferential edge <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. Each sock-like portion <NUM>, <NUM> is further connected to a fabric strap <NUM>, <NUM>. These fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM> are located mainly under the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> and are further connected to the support frame <NUM>. Towards the bottom lateral section <NUM> the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> are connected (stitched/bonded) to the fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein approximately above the crossing area of the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> (indicated by reference sign <NUM>), the draw straps are no longer connected to the fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM> and the draw straps loosely lie on these fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM>. These fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM> lying below the draw straps increase the comfort of the ankle support <NUM> if the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> are tensioned for use of the ankle support <NUM>. It is of course possible to provide an ankle support without these fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM>.

The two separate sock-like portions <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a ventral portion <NUM> and a dorsal portion <NUM>, wherein the ventral portion <NUM> covering the foot instep is located below the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM>. Hence, the foot instep is free of draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> which increases the comfort of the ankle support <NUM> in a shoe and increases the freedom of movement.

An entry opening (best shown in <FIG>) for a foot of a user, is defined by the support frame <NUM> and by the non-elastic draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> loosely located on the fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein the lowest point (indicated by reference sign <NUM>) of the entry opening is defined by the two draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> crossing each other on the lateral side of the ankle support <NUM>. Between the points <NUM> and <NUM> as indicated in <FIG> the strap <NUM> and the fabric strip <NUM> are located loosely on the draw strap <NUM>, wherein the fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM> and the draws straps <NUM>, <NUM> are connected (stitched) to each other in point <NUM>.

The ankle support <NUM> further comprises a third elastic strap <NUM> attached to the connection section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, wherein the third strap is more elastic than the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM>. The third strap <NUM> comprises hook and loop fasteners 42a, 42b which can be connected to each other by a user after wrapping the third strap <NUM> around the lower leg. The third strap <NUM> is elastic and can be tensioned around the lower leg such that the third strap <NUM> is able to provide compression to the lower leg. In addition, the third strap <NUM> encloses the turned-back sections of the draw strips <NUM>, <NUM> which are detachably fixed to the incoming parts of the draw strips <NUM>, <NUM> such that in use of the ankle support <NUM> the third strap <NUM> prevents loosening of the detachable connections of the draw strips <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the third elastic strap <NUM> can be connected (stitched) to the draw strip <NUM> on or close to (on the dorsal side of) point <NUM> shown in <FIG>. This connection provides the advantage that wrapping and tensioning the third strap <NUM> around the leg also ensures that the dorsal draw strip <NUM> is correctly positioned and remains correctly positioned with respect to the subtalar joint axis (the dorsal draw strap <NUM> should extend substantially perpendicular to the subtalar joint axis) and/or the tibiotalar joint axis. The elastic strap <NUM> is preferably on its inner side (shown in <FIG>) provided with silicon strips (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the elastic strap <NUM>. These silicon strips provide a surface with high friction such that after wrapping and tensioning the elastic strap <NUM> around the lower leg, the elastic strap <NUM> also fixates the positions and orientation of the draw straps <NUM>, <NUM> during use of the ankle support <NUM>.

The embodiment of the ankle support <NUM> shown in <FIG> minimally differs from the ankle support <NUM> shown in <FIG>,<FIG> and <FIG>. The main difference is the support frame <NUM> which differs from the support frame <NUM> of the ankle support <NUM> shown in <FIG>, band <NUM>, in that the bottom lateral section <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> is a circumferential edge of the sole portion <NUM>, i.e. the bottom lateral section <NUM> extends minimally, i.e. less than <NUM>,<NUM> from the sole portion <NUM> towards the lateral malleolus (not shown in <FIG>). Hence, the support frame <NUM> has a L-shaped bottom section, wherein the first leg of the L-shape is provided by the bottom medial section (not shown) and the second leg is provided by the sole portion <NUM> and the bottom lateral section <NUM> (mainly by the sole portion <NUM>).

The support frame <NUM>, <NUM> is made by multi-material injection molding, preferably sandwich molding, to produce a relatively thin one-piece support frame <NUM>, <NUM> anatomically adapted to the contours of that section of the ankle, foot and leg along which it runs. Such a support frame <NUM>, <NUM> should be thin enough that the ankle support <NUM>, <NUM> can be worn in a shoe.

The support frame <NUM>, <NUM> comprises an outer layer and an inner core layer, wherein the inner core layer is made of a material less flexible than the material of the outer layer. The inner core layer can be made of fibre-reinforced plastic and the outer layer can be made of another plastic material, such as a more soft and/or a skin-friendly plastic. By varying the thickness of the core layer in the support frame <NUM>, <NUM> it is possible to vary the flexibility in the support frame <NUM>, <NUM> such that main function preventing inversion trauma can be maximized and user comfort of the ankle support <NUM>, <NUM> can be maximized. For example, the core layer may have a greater thickness in the connection section <NUM> than in the top section <NUM> and/or the core layer may have a greater thickness in the bottom medial section <NUM> than the bottom lateral section <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Ankle support (<NUM>; <NUM>) having a lateral side (<NUM>) and a medial side (<NUM>), at least comprising:
- a one-piece support frame (<NUM>; <NUM>) with a bottom section, a top section (<NUM>) and a connection section (<NUM>), the connection section connects the top section with the bottom section on the medial side of the ankle support, such that, when the ankle support is arranged on the lower leg, the ankle and the foot, the top section of the support frame is adapted to be located above the medial malleolus (<NUM>),
- at least two draw straps (<NUM>, <NUM>) which, when the ankle support is arranged on the foot, each run along different sides of the lower leg, wherein
the bottom section of the support frame comprises a bottom medial section (<NUM>) connected to the connection section (<NUM>), a bottom lateral section (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a sole portion (<NUM>; <NUM>) connecting the bottom medial section to the bottom lateral section, wherein the at least two draw straps connect the top section of the support frame to the bottom lateral section of the support frame on the lateral side of the ankle support, characterized in that
the at least two draw straps (<NUM>, <NUM>) cross each other on the lateral side of the ankle support (<NUM>).