ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE
An orthopedic device, includes a wrap; an articulating frame; and, a plurality of straps attached to the wrap. The articulating frame is housed within the wrap and includes a thigh portion, a calf portion, and a center hinge. The thigh portion includes a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg. The calf portion includes a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg. The center hinge connects the thigh portion and the calf portion. The orthopedic device combines the attributes of the rigid style single upright brace with a soft wrap that enhances ease of use and compliance. The anterior curved thigh cuff and the posterior curved calf cuff provide enhanced stability as the wrap concomitantly provides comfort.
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This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application. No. 62/943,997 filed Dec. 5, 2019. The entire content of Application. No. 62/943,997 is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to the field of orthopedic supports and braces, and more particularly to a knee wrap brace with improvements in more intuitive donning, doffing and comfort.
2. Description of the Related ArtOsteoarthritis (OA) braces can be broadly separated into the general categories of being constructed of either entirely rigid frame components or that of soft fabric/neoprene style braces with some smaller rigid internal components. The soft type braces are thought to be easier to use and thus, are met with better patient compliance, while the rigid devices tend to be more effective at creating the corrective forces that relieve pain. The latter however tend to be harder to use and considered by patients to be bulky and perhaps less desirable than a sleeve type brace. As will be disclosed below the present invention combines the benefits of rigid frame type braces and soft type braces.
A patent disclosing a soft type brace is U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,221 entitled “Orthopedic Device for Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee”.
Various types of OA braces are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,369,037 entitled “Orthotic Device with Snap Fit Cuff and Latch Mechanism”; U.S. application Ser. No. 16/154,164 entitled “Orthopedic Device for Unloading a Knee”; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/178,840 entitled “Knee Brace Apparatus and Method”; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/316,924 entitled “A One-Size Fits All Unloading and/or Stabilizing Knee Brace For Use From Either the Inside or the Outside of the Left or Right Knee”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,220,622 entitled “Orthopedic Device”; U.S. application Ser. No. 14/263,023 entitled “Knee Brace”; U.S. application Ser. No. 14/169,786 entitled “Orthopedic Device Having Detachable Components for Treatment Stages and Method for Using the Same”; U.S. application Ser. No. 12/728,336 entitled “Knee Brace and Method for Securing the Same”; U.S. Pat. No. 7,122,016 entitled “Knee Brace Immobilizer”; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/609,986 entitled “Knee Unloading Orthotic Device and Method”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,989 entitled Dynamic Orthopedic Knee Brace Assembly”; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,362 entitled “Double Hinged Knee Brace with Double Leg Wrap.”
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention is embodied as an orthopedic device, including a wrap; an articulating frame; and, a plurality of straps attached to the wrap. The articulating frame is housed within the wrap and includes a thigh portion, a calf portion, and a center hinge. The thigh portion includes a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg. The calf portion includes a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg. The center hinge connects the thigh portion and the calf portion. This orthopedic device combines the attributes of the rigid style single upright brace with a soft wrap that enhances ease of use and compliance. The anterior curved thigh cuff and the posterior curved calf cuff provide enhanced stability as the wrap concomitantly provides comfort.
The orthopedic device includes an upright thigh bar having an upright thigh bar first end and an upright thigh bar second end. The upright thigh bar first end is connected to the hinge. The semi-flexible curved thigh cuff extends from the upright thigh bar second end. Similarly, an upright calf bar has an upright calf bar first end and an upright calf bar second end. The upright calf bar first end is connected to the center hinge. The semi-flexible curved calf cuff extends from the upright calf bar second end.
The center hinge includes a Q-angle adjuster configured to adjust the Q-angle of the articulating frame. While other soft braces with rigid internal components do exist, few if any, utilize a rigid upright (i.e. articulating frame) with the ability to adjust the varus valgus corrective angle (i.e. Q-angle) that can significantly affect the 3-point pressure system that unloads the affected osteoarthritic compartment.
The straps for both the thighs and calves preferably utilize pushbutton clips and receptacles that provide easy fastening.
The orthopedic device preferably includes a popliteal elastic panel in the proximity of the center hinge to minimize bunching during flexion.
The wrap preferably includes a main panel that secures to itself to create a closed sleeve around the leg of a user. The main panel includes a large panel and a small panel. The small panel is secured adjacent to the large panel. The small panel includes an upper finger pocket at a thigh end thereof and a lower finger pocket at a calf end thereof.
In another aspect, the present invention is embodied as a method for donning an orthopedic device. The method of donning the orthopedic device includes first providing the orthopedic device including a wrap; an articulating frame; and, a plurality of straps attached to the wrap. The articulating frame is housed within the wrap and includes a thigh portion, a calf portion, and a center hinge. The thigh portion includes a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg. The calf portion includes a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg. The center hinge connects the thigh portion and the calf portion.
In this method of donning the orthopedic device the wrap is placed around the leg of the user. A thigh strap is then wrapped initially posteriorly around the hamstring continuing anteriorly over the thigh, and then attached to a thigh strap receptable on the thigh cuff. The calf strap is then wrapped posteriorly around the calf continuing anteriorly over the tibia, and then attached to a calf strap receptable on the frame.
In one embodiment the method of wrapping includes inserting a user's fingers from one hand into the upper finger pocket and pulling one end of the wrap around the leg and grasping the other end of the wrap with the user's alternate hand to fasten another end of the wrap; and, inserting a user's fingers from one hand into the lower finger pocket and pulling one end of the wrap around the leg and grasping the other end of the wrap with the user's alternate hand to fasten another end of the wrap.
The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon,
The wrap 14 includes multiple panels designed to contour to the leg and means to secure to itself creating a sleeve structure. A main panel designated generally as 22 secures to itself to create a closed sleeve around the leg of a user. The main panel 22 comprises a large panel 24, and a small panel 26. The small panel 26 is secured adjacent to the large panel 24 by a posterior vertical anatomical stitch 28.
A thigh fastening patch 30 and a calf fastening patch 32, are each attached to the large panel 24. Each of the patches 30, 32 have hook type fasteners of a hook and loop type of fastening system such as VELCRO® fasteners or fasteners manufactured by Paiho North America.
The large panel 24 contains an anterior thigh pocket 34 and a posterior calf pocket 36 for housing the articulating frame 16.
The large panel 24 has a popliteal elastic panel 38 to reduce bunching during flexion. The vertical anatomical stitch 28 begins at the calf end near the sagittal plane, spirals upward around the popliteal elastic panel 38, and ends at the thigh end nearly opposite the anterior thigh pocket 34. The popliteal elastic panel 38 is in the proximity of a center hinge 40 of the articulating frame 16. The popliteal elastic panel 38 is preferably wider on the side of the wrap opposite of the articulating frame 16 (i.e. furthest from the center hinge). This wider side receives the most stretch. This feature is provided so that when worn the “trapezoidal” shape becomes a symmetrical ellipse that ensures that the popliteal area is properly covered by the thinner material minimizing bunching and discomfort caused by the thicker material on the anterior thigh pocket 34 and a posterior calf pocket 36. The width and length are proportional to the size of wrap and how much the wrap needs to stretch.
The small panel 26 includes an upper finger pocket 42 at a thigh end thereof and a lower finger pocket 44 at a calf end thereof. These finger pockets 42, 44 will be discussed below in more detail with respect to
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The calf portion 48 includes an upright calf bar 60 having an upright calf bar first end 62 and an upright calf bar second end 64. The upright calf bar first end 62 is connected to the center hinge 40. The semi-flexible curved calf cuff 52 extends from the upright calf bar second end 64. The semi-flexible curved calf cuff 52 has a calf strap push button receptacle 61 at an end thereof with a protective raised rim 63.
The center hinge 40 includes a Q-angle adjuster 41 configured to adjust the Q-angle of the articulating frame 16 in the coronal (i.e. frontal) plane. The Q-angle adjuster 41 applies unload force in the transverse (i.e. horizontal) plane. It can be adjusted in towards the knee or out away from the knee to provide either a push or pull unloading force respectively. The center hinge 40 includes an insert 43 at each side for limiting flexion and extension. The center hinge 40 shown is a polycentric hinge; however, a monocentric hinge can be substituted.
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The belt loops 71, 73 aid in keeping the straps properly attached and point the straps in the correct posterior direction. The belt loops 71,73 maintain the straps attached to the pockets so when the frame is removed and replaced for adjustments/washing, the straps are not erroneously placed under the frame.
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The ends of the straps 80,84 preferably include hook fastening pads for providing adjustments to the strap lengths.
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As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An orthopedic device, comprising:
- a) a wrap;
- b) an articulating frame housed within said wrap, comprising: i. a thigh portion including a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg; ii. a calf portion including a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg; and, iii. a center hinge connecting said thigh portion and said calf portion;
- c) a plurality of straps attached to said wrap.
2. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said wrap comprises a main panel that secures to itself to create a closed sleeve around the leg of a user, wherein said main panel comprises:
- a) a large panel;
- b) a small panel secured adjacent to said large panel, wherein said small panel includes an upper finger pocket at a thigh end thereof and a lower finger pocket at a calf end thereof.
3. The orthopedic device of claim 2, wherein said large panel comprises a popliteal elastic panel in the proximity of the center hinge to minimize bunching during flexion.
4. The orthopedic device of claim 2, wherein said large panel comprises a popliteal elastic panel in the proximity of the center hinge to minimize bunching during flexion, said popliteal elastic panel having a first side closest to the center hinge and a second side furthest from the center hinge, said second side being wider than the first side.
5. The orthopedic device of claim 2, further comprising a thigh fastening patch and a calf fastening patch, each attached to said large panel.
6. The orthopedic device of claim 2, wherein said large panel contains an anterior thigh pocket and a posterior calf pocket, and wherein said plurality of straps includes a thigh strap and a calf strap, the orthopedic device further comprising:
- a thigh belt loop attached to said anterior thigh pocket; and,
- a calf belt loop attached to said posterior calf pocket.
7. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of straps includes a thigh strap having a thigh strap pushbutton clip at a thigh strap clip engagement end thereof; and, wherein said thigh cuff includes a thigh strap pushbutton receptacle at an end thereof with a protective raised rim, wherein said thigh strap pushbutton clip is concave.
8. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of straps include a calf strap having a calf strap pushbutton clip at an end thereof; and, wherein said calf cuff includes a pivotal calf strap pushbutton receptacle at an end thereof.
9. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of straps include a calf strap having a calf strap pushbutton clip at a calf strap clip engagement end thereof; and, wherein said calf cuff includes a calf strap pushbutton receptacle at an end thereof with a protective raised rim, wherein said calf strap pushbutton clip is concave.
10. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said thigh portion includes an upright thigh bar having a upright thigh bar first end and a upright thigh bar second end, said upright thigh bar first end being connected to said center hinge, wherein said semi-flexible curved thigh cuff extends from said upright thigh bar second end.
11. The orthopedic device of claim 10, wherein said plurality of straps include a thigh strap including a thigh strap anchor end securely attached to said wrap; and, wherein said upright thigh bar includes upright thigh bar hook material for engagement with thigh loop material on the thigh strap anchor end.
12. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said calf portion includes an upright calf bar having an upright calf bar first end and an upright calf bar second end, said upright calf bar first end being connected to said center hinge, wherein said semi-flexible curved calf cuff extends from said upright calf bar second end.
13. The orthopedic device of claim 12, wherein said plurality of straps include a calf strap including a calf strap anchor end securely attached to said wrap; and, wherein said upright calf bar includes upright calf bar hook material for engagement with calf loop material on the calf strap anchor end.
14. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein said center hinge includes a Q-angle adjuster configured to adjust the Q-angle of the articulating frame.
15. A method for donning an orthopedic device, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an orthopedic device, comprising: i. a wrap; ii. an articulating frame housed within said wrap, comprising: a. a thigh portion including a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg; b. a calf portion including a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg; and, c. a center hinge connecting said thigh portion and said calf portion; iii. a plurality of straps attached to said wrap;
- b) placing the orthopedic device around the leg of a user;
- c) wrapping a thigh strap of said plurality of straps initially posteriorly around the hamstring continuing anteriorly over the thigh, and then attaching said thigh strap to a thigh strap receptable on the thigh cuff; and,
- d) wrapping a calf strap of said plurality of straps initially posteriorly around the calf continuing anteriorly over the tibia, and then attaching said calf strap to a calf strap receptable on the frame.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said wrap comprises a main panel that secures to itself to create a closed sleeve around the leg of a user, wherein said main panel comprises
- a large panel and a small panel secured adjacent to said large panel, wherein said small panel includes an upper finger pocket at a thigh end thereof and a lower finger pocket at a calf end thereof, the method further comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a user's fingers from one hand into the upper finger pocket and pulling one end of the wrap around the leg and grasping the other end of the wrap with the user's alternate hand to fasten another end of the wrap; and,
- b) inserting a user's fingers from one hand into the lower finger pocket and pulling one end of the wrap around the leg and grasping the other end of the wrap with the user's alternate hand to fasten another end of the wrap.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of attaching said thigh strap comprises utilizing a thigh strap pushbutton clip; and wherein said step of attaching said calf strap comprises utilizing a calf strap pushbutton clip.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 4, 2020
Publication Date: Jun 10, 2021
Applicant: VISION QUEST INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED DBA VQ ORTHOCARE (IRVINE, CA)
Inventors: DAVID K. COMBS (OCEANSIDE, CA), KEVIN R. LUNAU (VALLEY CENTER, CA), CARL J. MACCHIA (SAN CLEMENTE, CA)
Application Number: 17/089,347