CUFF ASSEMBLY
A cuff assembly includes a frame assembly configured to be positioned about a limb of a user and support a functional electrical stimulation system, and an over center closure mechanism coupled to the frame assembly and configured to secure the frame assembly relative to the limb, the over center closure mechanism being located on a medial side of the limb when the frame assembly is positioned about the limb.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/581,059, entitled “CUFF ASSEMBLY,” and filed on Oct. 16, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates generally to the field of cuff assemblies. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a cuff assembly that is attachable to a user's limb (e.g., leg, etc.) and is configured to support a control unit (e.g., a computerized control unit, etc.) that provides functional electrical stimulation (FES) to the neuromuscular system of the user.
FES systems are generally known and may be used to improve neuro-muscular functioning of users with various disabilities. However, there are many challenges associated with providing an effective FES system that is easy to use and adaptable to a wide variety of users.
SUMMARYOne embodiment relates to a cuff assembly comprising a frame assembly configured to be positioned about a limb of a user and support a functional electrical stimulation system, and an over center closure mechanism coupled to the frame assembly and configured to secure the frame assembly relative to the limb, the over center closure mechanism being located on a medial side of the limb when the frame assembly is positioned about the limb.
Another embodiment relates to a cuff assembly comprising a frame assembly having an at least partially flexible skeletal portion configured to extend about at least a portion of a circumference of a limb of a user, a strap assembly extending about at least a portion of the frame assembly and configured to support a control unit, and an over center closure mechanism coupled to at least one end of the strap assembly, the over center closure mechanism being moveable from an open position to a closed position to increase an amount of compressive force applied to the limb via the frame assembly.
Another embodiment relates to a cuff assembly comprising a frame assembly configured to extend about at least a portion of a limb of a user, a strap assembly configured to extend about at least a portion of the frame assembly, a first end of the strap assembly being coupled to the frame assembly, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is located to a medial side of the limb and comprises a base coupled to the frame assembly, a first clip member coupled to a second end of the strap, and a second clip member coupled to the first clip member and having a first pin member configured to be rotatably received by a first portion of the base and a second pin member configured to be snap fit into a second portion of the base.
Another embodiment relates to a cuff assembly comprising one or more electrode locators that are configured to be removeably coupled to the interior of the cuff assembly and locate electrode assemblies relative to a limb of a user.
Another embodiment relates to a cuff assembly comprising an extra-skeletal frame member that includes an exposed exterior surface and is coupled to a liner assembly on an interior surface. The skeletal frame member may comprise a plurality of portions, each portion being molded using a separate molding process (e.g., injection molding, etc.), and each portion having a unique hardness relative to at least one other portion.
Yet another embodiment relates to a cuff assembly comprising a locating guide that is attached to a portion of the cuff assembly and is configured to be aligned with a tibial crest of a user when the cuff assembly is properly positioned on the user's leg.
The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
Various embodiments disclosed herein may be used in connection with one or more medical devices (e.g., neuro-prosthetic devices, etc.) intended to address neuro-muscular medical conditions in users of such devices. One such medical condition is drop foot, or foot drop, which is a disorder that can affect a person's ability to raise his or her foot at the ankle. Drop foot may also make walking a challenge, resulting in a person either dragging a foot and toes while walking, or having to walk with an unusually high step.
To address drop foot, a functional electrical stimulation (FES) system may be used to provide signals to nerves in the lower leg that then activate muscles to raise the foot at the appropriate time during walking, etc. A cuff assembly may be used to support the FES system, for example, by wrapping or extending about a lower leg portion of a user.
The cuff assembly described in the various embodiments disclosed herein may provide a variety of benefits to users, including enabling a user to don (e.g., put on) or doff (e.g., take off or remove) the cuff assembly utilizing only a single hand, minimizing the overall diameter and/or circumference of the cuff assembly to facilitate fitting pant legs or other clothing over the cuff assembly, and providing an easily repeatable locating of electrodes used by the FES system between wearings of the cuff to avoid having to repeatedly determine proper placement of electrodes via various calibration techniques. The cuff assembly may provide many other benefits to users as discussed in further detail below.
Referring now to
Cuff 10 is configured to support control unit 16 proximate a user's limb, such as a lower leg, so that electrode assemblies 24, 26 may provide proper stimulation to the nerves and/or muscles. A locating guide 36 may be provided as part of liner assembly 34 to provide a guide to properly locate cuff 10 about the circumference of a user's leg, such as limb 32 shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
In one embodiment, locating guide 36 is located along a top edge of liner assembly 34 such that locating guide 36 aligns with the tibial crest of a lower leg when cuff assembly 10 is properly fitted to a user. In one embodiment, locating guide 36 is a piece of material that is sewn, adhered, or otherwise coupled to the main body of liner assembly 34. In further embodiments, locating guide 36 may be provided in a contrasting color (e.g., an orange color, etc.) from liner assembly 34 and/or other components of cuff 10 so as to be easily identifiable by a user. According to various other embodiments, locating guide 36 may comprise other features such as a notch, a printed marking, etc.
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring further to
When closure mechanism 18 is in an open position, clip members 70, 72 may be physically separated from base 74 so as to permit removal of cuff 10 from limb 32 in a lateral direction (e.g., eliminating the need to pull cuff 10 up and/or down over the foot to don/doff the assembly). In order to close closure mechanism 18, pivot member 77 is first placed into a corresponding recess 79 in base 74. A user may then rotate second clip 70 about pivot member 77 until pin member 78 is securely received within recesses 80 in a snap fit fashion. As second clip 70 is rotated, first clip 72 is likewise moved circumferentially about frame assembly 12, thereby decreasing the circumference of frame assembly 12 and increasing the compressive force applied to limb 32. This increase in compressive force ensures that cuff 10 remains in place during physical activity of the use and ensures electrode contact with the skin.
In some embodiments, closure mechanism 18 is an over center closure device, such that the force required to rotate second clip 70 increases (e.g., from a fully open position) as second clip 70 is rotated, reaches a maximum at approximately the center point of rotation (e.g., at the “over center” location), and then decreases as second clip 70 is rotated further toward the fully closed position. According to one embodiment, the maximum force required to close closure mechanism 18 is 5 pounds. According to alternate embodiments, the maximum force required to close closure mechanism 18 may be more or less than 5 pounds (e.g., 2 pounds, 3 pounds, 7 pounds, etc.).
It should be noted that closure mechanism 18 can be easily opened and closed by a user through the use of only a single hand. This may be beneficial in situations where a user experiencing problems with, for example, a left leg, is also experiencing problems with the left hand. For example, such problems often arise in connection with stroke victims, people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), and from a variety of other medical conditions. In some embodiments, closure mechanism 18 may be located to a medial side of limb 32 (e.g., along an inside portion) to facilitate opposite single-hand manipulation of closure mechanism 18 (as shown, e.g., in
Referring now to
Referring further to
Referring now to
During an initial wearing of cuff 10, the positions of electrode assemblies 24, 26 may be varied using a trial and error type calibration procedure to determine the best placement of the electrodes. Once the proper placement of the electrodes is determined, electrode assemblies 24, 26 may be fastened to electrode locators 20, 22, which are in turn fastened to liner assembly 34. Various combinations of hook and loop fasteners may be used to coupled electrode locators 20, 22 to electrode assemblies 24, 26 and/or liner assembly 34.
Referring now to
Disposable liner 122 may facilitate the use of cuff 10 with a variety of different users (e.g., as part of a physical therapist's treatment) such that a number of users may use a single cuff assembly. Each different user may be allocated a separate disposable liner 122, which may be inserted and removed from liner assembly 34 as appropriate. Liner 122 may be provided with a writable surface such that the locations of locators 20, 22 may be marked directly onto the liner to indicate where locators 20, 22 should be positioned. Further, liner 122 may be marked with patient information such as identification information, medical information, etc.
Cuff assembly 10 may be used in connection with a variety of medical devices, including a variety of FES systems that may restore neuro-muscular functionality to patients. Referring to
It should be noted that the cuff assembly described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments provided herein may provide many benefits to users. For example, the construction and arrangement of the frame assembly and the closure mechanism facilitate one-handed attachment and removal of the cuff from a user's leg. Further, when initially placed on the leg, the flexible or resilient construction of the cuff assembly resists sliding and/or other movement relative to a user's leg. Further yet, the cuff may accommodate different-sized legs, and may be reversible such that it may be used on either a left or right leg by flipping the assembly upside down. For example, various components of the cuff assembly (e.g., the frame assembly, strap assembly, etc.) may be generally symmetrical about a line of symmetry extending along the length of the cuff, such that be flipping the cuff assembly upside down the cuff may be fitted to an opposite leg.
The cuff also provides an effective support for a control module and/or one or more electrodes, by providing a secure attachment mechanism for the control module and locators that facilitate consistent and proper locating of the electrodes with each don and doff of the cuff assembly. Further, the cuff provides a compressive force perpendicular to a user's skin, thereby ensuring proper contact between the electrodes and the skin. To avoid skin irritation, various components of the cuff may be made of a latex-free and/or hypoallergenic material that is breathable. Further yet, to facilitate attachment and removal of the cuff, portions of the frame assembly may be provided with varying levels of flexibility to provide a clamping force around a user's leg. For example, the skeleton frame member may be formed in multiple stages, utilizing materials of differing harness (e.g., differing durometer values, differing flexibility or rigidity, etc.) in a series of injection molding processes where layers of polymer material are over-molded together to form a composite skeleton having multiple hardness characteristics.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the cuff assembly as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the embodiments. For example, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shall mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Such joining may also relate to mechanical, fluid, or electrical relationship between the two components. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A functional electrical stimulation system comprising:
- a frame assembly configured to be positioned about a lower leg of a user;
- a liner coupled to an inner surface of the frame assembly, the liner including a locating guide configured to align with a tibial crest of the lower leg of the user when the frame assembly is positioned about the lower leg of the user;
- an electrode assembly positioned on an inner surface of the liner; and
- a control unit supported by the frame assembly, the control unit configured to provide functional electrical stimulation to a neuromuscular system of the user through the electrode assembly.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is repositionable along the inner surface of the liner.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the inner surface of the liner and a surface of the electrode assembly comprise at least one of hook and loop material to facilitate securing the electrode assembly to the inner surface of the liner in a repositionable manner.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the locating guide is positioned along a top edge of the liner.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the locating guide is formed of a material having a different color than the liner.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is symmetric about a line of symmetry extending along a length of the frame assembly such that the system can be used on a left leg or a right leg of the user.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a closure mechanism coupled to the frame assembly and configured to secure the frame assembly relative to the lower leg of the user, wherein the closure mechanism includes a strap assembly.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the strap assembly includes a control unit cover that forms a recess to receive the control unit.
9. A cuff assembly comprising:
- a frame assembly configured to be positioned about a lower leg of a user and to support a control unit, the frame assembly is symmetric about a line of symmetry extending along a length of the frame assembly such that the frame assembly can be used on a left leg or a right leg of the user;
- a liner coupled to an inner surface of the frame assembly, the liner including a locating guide configured to align with a tibial crest of the lower leg of the user when the frame assembly is positioned about the lower leg of the user; and
- an electrode assembly positioned on an inner surface of the liner.
10. The cuff assembly of claim 9, wherein the electrode assembly is repositionable along the inner surface of the liner.
11. The cuff assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner surface of the liner and a surface of the electrode assembly comprise at least one of hook and loop material to facilitate securing the electrode assembly to the inner surface of the liner in a repositionable manner.
12. The cuff assembly of claim 9, wherein the locating guide is positioned along a top edge of the liner.
13. The cuff assembly of claim 12, wherein the locating guide is formed of a material having a different color than the liner.
14. The cuff assembly of claim 9, further comprising a closure mechanism coupled to the frame assembly and configured to secure the frame assembly relative to the lower leg of the user, wherein the closure mechanism includes a strap assembly.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the strap assembly includes a control unit cover that forms a recess to receive the control unit.
16. A liner assembly for a cuff assembly comprising:
- a liner having configured to be positioned about a lower leg of a user, the liner including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top edge;
- a locating guide positioned along the top edge of the liner and configured to align with a tibial crest of the lower leg of the user when the liner is positioned about the lower leg of the user;
- an electrode locator removably coupled to the inner surface of the liner;
17. The liner assembly of claim 16, wherein the outer surface of the liner comprises at least one of hook and loop material.
18. The liner assembly of claim 16, wherein the liner includes a grove or a notch located to align with the tibial crest of the lower leg of the user when the liner assembly is positioned about the lower leg of the user.
19. The liner assembly of claim 16, wherein the locating guide is formed of a material having a different color than the liner.
20. The liner assembly of claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the liner and a surface of the electrode locator comprise at least one of hook and loop material to facilitate removably securing the electrode locator to the inner surface of the liner in a repositionable manner.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 6, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 5, 2014
Applicant: Hanger, Inc. (Austin, TX)
Inventors: Joseph P. Moser (Wheaton, IL), David Nieves (Port Jefferson, NY), Mary-Kate Ennis (Austin, TX)
Application Number: 14/174,619
International Classification: A61N 1/04 (20060101);