Patent ID: 12186225

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many other forms and should not be construed as limited to any certain structure or function discussed in the following description. In contrast, these embodiments are provided to make the description of the present disclosure detailed and complete.

According to the detailed description, it will be apparent to the ones skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses any embodiment thereof, which is disclosed herein, irrespective of whether this embodiment is implemented independently or in concert with any other embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the device disclosed herein may be implemented in practice by using any numbers of the embodiment's provided herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that any embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented using one or more of the features presented in the appended claims.

The word “exemplary” is used herein in the meaning of “used as an illustration”. Unless otherwise stated, any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” should not be construed as preferable or having an advantage over other embodiments.

Any positioning terminology, such as “left”, “right”, “front”, “back/rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “above” “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, etc., may be used herein for convenience to describe one element's or feature's relationship to one or more other elements or features in accordance with the figures. It should be apparent that the positioning terminology is intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus disclosed herein, in addition to the orientation(s) depicted in the figures. As an example, if one imaginatively rotates the apparatus in the figures 90 degrees clockwise, elements or features described as “left” and “right” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented, respectively, “above” and “below” the other elements or features. Therefore, the positioning terminology used herein should not be construed as any limitation of the invention.

Although the numerative terminology, such as “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements or features, these elements or features should not be limited by this numerative terminology. This numerative terminology is used herein only to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. For example, a first additional pair of ascending adjustable-length straps and a second additional pair of ascending adjustable-length straps which are discussed herein could be renamed a second additional pair of ascending adjustable-length straps and a first additional pair of ascending adjustable-length straps, respectively, without departing from the teachings of the invention.

The exemplary embodiment's disclosed herein relates to a wearable physical rehabilitation device comprising a 3D wedge-like structure made of polyurethane (PU) foam (e.g., Blue high-density PU foam or other suitable material having similar properties) and arranged between the thighs of a subject or patient, as well as straps by which the 3D wedge-like structure is attached to a supporting or fastening belt above the posterior and anterior locations of the Iliac crests (side hip bones) and is also fixed at midpoint of both femurs to hold the 3D wedge-like structure in place. This resulting pelvic posture will shorten the abductor muscles and external rotator muscles of the hip joint, thereby placing them at a mechanical advantage to function more efficiently and have a better strength and balance. As the subject begins to ambulate with the device on, the muscles will then be able to support the hips, knees, and ankles better and provide more improved efficiencies and less taxing functional movements (in both the upper and lower extremities). In conjunction with the 3D wedge-like structure, there is an integral control handle-provided support apparatus that utilizes a saddle-shaped structure for receiving buttocks of the subject. The saddle-shaped structure may be used to control and support both the pelvis and trunk anteriorly via the handle to direct sufficient forces by a physical therapist or a healthcare provider. The device may also comprise additional straps ascending upward around the back of the neck and linked together via Velcro or other suitable attachment means for the purpose of maintaining the control handle at an easily accessible position for the physical therapist or healthcare provider. The control handle is supported by a strap supported, for example, but not limited to an apron around the back of neck which may also be in a form of another suitable support configuration, such as a shoulder harness. The neck straps descend from around the neck to the control handle that may be located at the xiphoid/umbilical region. In addition, support patches located on both sides of the upper edge of the saddle-shaped structure may be used to provide proper posterior attachment of the saddle-shaped structure to the 3D wedge-like structure.

FIG.1shows a schematic back view of a wearable physical rehabilitation device in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIG.1, the device comprises a supporting belt1which may be fitted around the waist of a subject (e.g., at the “iliums” bilaterally). In addition, the belt may be bound at the “pen” umbilical region by a Velcro or other suitable similar attachment means2. The device also comprises a 3D wedge-like structure11(e.g., in the form of a 3D isosceles trapezoidal wedge with substantially parallel cephal and caudal surfaces) that may be made, for example, of Blue high-density PU foam or other suitable material having similar properties. The 3D wedge-like structure11is supported by ascending adjustable-length straps4,6posteriorly (relative to the body of the subject) and by ascending adjustable-length straps3,5anteriorly (relative to the body of the subject). Each of the straps4,6and3,5may be made of nylon fabric or other suitable material having similar properties. The straps4,6and3,5are anchored via Velcro, buckle or other suitable attachment means to the superior supporting belt1. When attached to each other (e.g., via Velcro or buckle attachment means), the strap3,4is a single continuous ascending strap passing through a hollow tubular hole14in the 3D wedge-like structure11, where it is bounded to the 3D wedge-like structure11internally as it passes through the hole14. The same is true for the straps5,6which, when attached to each other, also form a single continuous ascending strap. The hole14may be approximately 3″ in diameter and formed in the center of the 3D wedge-like structure11, and each of the continuous ascending straps (i.e., those formed by the straps3,4and the straps5,6) passes through the hole14. The hole14may be adjusted for stiffness by inserting a cylindrical variable-density pliable material15(seeFIG.4). Since all patients are of different body structure, some of them may require more resistant spacing at the groin and upper leg area according to their body mass, so that a wider base of stance is maintained at their footing. The pliable material15is usually shaped as cylinder 3″×6″ filled with various density of material. The device also comprises lateral adjustable-length straps7,8that are configured to attach to and around the right thigh of the subject, and lateral adjustable-length straps9,10that are configured to attach to and around the left thigh of the subject. Again, each of the pair of the straps7,8and the pair of the straps9,10forms a single continuous lateral strap when they are attached to each other around the corresponding thigh of the subject.

FIG.2shows a schematic front view of the same physical rehabilitation device, when worn by the subject, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. As follows fromFIGS.1and2, each of the pair of the straps3,4and the pair of the straps5,6forms a single continuous ascending strap that loops through the hole14of the 3D wedge-like structure11and out the opposing side where their ends terminate at the anchoring points on the belt1which suspends the 3D wedge-like structure11through Velcro attachments or other suitable attachment means and maintains the original position of the 3D wedge-like structure11through ambulation and functional body tasks, for example, bending, reaching, squatting, and overall general body movements. The straps3,4and5,6may also ascend/descend bilaterally, as well as anteriorly/posteriorly down to the level of the inguinal at the hole,14, to loop through it in the 3D wedge-like structure11(for interior attachment within the hole14, using any suitable mechanical bonding or chemical bonding adhering means (not shown)).

As noted above, the straps7,8and9,10may be made of Velcro-friendly material at their ends to provide for various size thighs to extend horizontally/laterally to attach to and around the mid thighs bilaterally (one length of strap per side). Moreover, the straps7,8and9,10pass anteriorly and posteriorly through the hole14and may be anchored to the inner walls of the hole14via mechanical fixation or chemical adhesion (not shown).

As can be seen inFIGS.1and2, the 3D wedge-like structure may have two recesses12,13on its lateral sides, which are shaped to fit the inner thighs of the subject. The recesses12,13may be also seen in different schematic views of the 3D wedge-like structure11inFIGS.3A and3B. With these recesses12,13, it is convenient for the subject to hold the 3D wedge-like structure between the thighs while in standing, sitting, lying positions and/or during functional bodily movements. The interior of the hole14may have a suitable anchoring or attachment means available via mechanical fixation or chemical adhesion (not shown) for looping through of the ascending/descending stabilizing straps, as well as horizontal stabilizing straps.

FIG.5shows a schematic view of a saddle-shaped structure22with a control handle19in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.FIG.6schematically shows how the saddle-shaped structure22may be attached to the physical rehabilitation device. The saddle-shaped structure22is used to control the pelvis and trunk of the subject using forces directed anteriorly and superiorly from the front of the body of the subject through the handle19connected to the saddle-shaped structure22posteriorly, via Velcro friendly additional descending straps20,21(or straps using any other suitable attachment means, such as buckles, may be used). The saddle-shaped structure22may be also Velcro-friendly. The saddle-shaped structure22is initially held in place during installation of the 3D wedge-like structure11on the subject, via the attachment of three support patches23,24,25. Two support patches23and24are located bilaterally on upper lateral edges of the saddle-shaped structure22. The two support patches23,24both extend off the top edge of the saddle-shaped structure22, the extending ends attach to the left and right straps4,6approximately mid-way between the saddle-shaped structure22and the superior supporting belt1. The support patch25is located at the middle area of the saddle-shaped structure22, between the saddle-shaped structure22and the straps4,6just before they turn to pass through the hole14. The support patch25may be adhered to both the straps4,6and the saddle-shaped structure22via elected Velcro patch properties.

As also follows fromFIGS.5and6, there is a set of additional ascending straps17,18from each side of the control handle19to terminate behind the neck of the subject at an (e.g., Velcro) attachment point16. This is to conveniently support the location of the control handle19to be easily accessed by a healthcare provider. The control handle19is comprised of a suitable rigid hollow hand grippable structure that allows the straps17,20(which form one complete strap when they are attached to each other) and the strap18,21(which also form one complete strap when they are attached to each other) to enter through the corresponding side of the control handle19equally and to be bound to each other in the interior of the control handle19(see an attachment point26inFIG.5). For example, the straps may be lapped over each other and sewn together or chemically, mechanically adhered to each other inside the control handle19. This lacing through the control handle19more freely eliminates one-sided force production by allowing it to slide freely as needed for the subject's stability and avoid twisting or torquing of the subject's body during use of the physical rehabilitation device.

Lastly, the physical rehabilitation device disclosed herein may be acclimated into a pair of slip-on wearable garments, such as shorts, using spandex or suitable material for the lower extremities. Furthermore, the physical rehabilitation device disclosed herein may be taken off through Velcro or other suitable attachment means at the waistline, if chosen to do so by a care provider or the subject himself/herself. In addition, a moisture resistant covering may be placed over the 3D wedge-like structure11to reduce body fluids contaminating the 3D wedge-like structure11. The 3D wedge-like structure11and the attached straps are washable.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein, it should be noted that any various changes and modifications could be made in the embodiments of the present disclosure, without departing from the scope of legal protection which is defined by the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or operations, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.