Lower Extremity Patents (Class 602/23)
  • Patent number: 8147436
    Abstract: A powered orthosis, adapted to be secured to a corresponding body portion of the user for guiding motion of a user, the orthosis comprising a plurality of structural members and one or more joints adjoining adjacent structural members, each joint having one or more degrees of freedom and a range of joint angles. One or more of the joints each comprise at least one back-drivable actuator governed by a controller for controlling the joint angle. The plurality of joint controllers are synchronized to cause the corresponding actuators to generate forces for assisting the user to move the orthosis at least in part under the user's power along a desired trajectory within an allowed tolerance. One embodiment comprises force-field controllers that define a virtual tunnel for movement of the orthosis, in which the forces applied to the orthosis for assisting the user may be proportional to deviation from the desired trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Sunil Agrawal, Sai Banala
  • Patent number: 8147439
    Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis having a tubular calf brace and a splint. The calf brace is configured to substantially enclose and compress a calf of a patient and includes a front wall, a rear wall and a chute formed at the rear wall. The splint includes a footplate and a stalk extending from the footplate, the stalk being insertable into the chute of the tubular calf brace to removably secure the splint to the tubular calf brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: James Devito
  • Patent number: 8142378
    Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device which operates as a supporting splint for the treatment of orthopedic conditions. Said device is an inflatable, flexible, lightweight water-resistant splint whose measure of rigidity is easily controlled by the user. According to the present invention there are several embodiments of the splint, each suited to fit a different body part such as the limbs, the torso, the chest and the neck. Said device which is constructed of inflatable tubes is made of two nylon layers soldered together and is coated with polyurethane. The tubes may be inflated by an attachable hand pump or by other means of supplying air pressure. The present invention is especially designed to allow the normal blood circulation to the treated body part, provide ventilation to the area and enable easy inspection of an injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Reis, Dalia Zucker, Asher Bin Nun
  • Patent number: 8142371
    Abstract: A power transmission system, which transmits a driving force from a rotary actuator to a third joint of a leg link, applies a driving torque to the third joint from an output shaft of the rotary actuator via a driving crank arm, a connecting rod, and a driven crank arm. A translational force (rod transmitting force) generated at the connecting rod in the longitudinal direction thereof is measured on the basis of an output of a force sensor fixed to the connecting rod. With the rod transmitting force or a driving torque applied to the third joint by the rod transmitting force as a controlled variable, the driving force of the rotary actuator is feedback-controlled according to the measured value of the rod transmitting force and a desired value of the controlled variable so that the controlled variable coincides with the desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ikeuchi, Eiji Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 8142381
    Abstract: A foot brace assembly for immobilizing a user's foot while providing some degree of flexibility through independent shock absorbers that avoid drastic application of loads to the user's foot. A top shoe assembly is coupled through spring members to a bottom shoe assembly that has slightly larger dimensions to receive the top shoe assembly. The underside of the bottom shoe assembly includes rear, middle, and front assemblies that are independent from each other and are compressed depending on the user's gait. The underside of the shoe assembly includes perpendicularly mounted upper tubular members that telescopically receive and guide corresponding lower tubular members that are perpendicularly mounted to the upperside of the sole assembly. The lower tubular members are mounted to depressed walls below the sole assembly's upperside to reduce the effective separation of the shoe and sole assemblies while providing a sufficient guiding distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Bernardo Birnbaum
  • Publication number: 20120071805
    Abstract: A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer is provided. The method includes providing a first member affixable to the foot and including a first extension member extending therefrom, providing a second member affixable to the toe and including a second extension member, wherein the second extension member comprises an arcuate shape extending therefrom, the second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member so that relative movement between the first and second affixable members is determined by movement along the arcuate shape, and coupling the first member to the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: BONUTTI RESEARCH INC.
    Inventors: Boris P. Bonutti, Peter M. Bonutti, Kevin R. Ruholl
  • Patent number: 8123711
    Abstract: A compact close contour mechanical joint that uses a snap ring, a transfer gear partially press-fit into a brake wheel, a distal bar having integral gear teeth that engage the exposed portion of the transfer gear, a second bar with a T-shaped proximal end, a handle disengaging an unlocking pin to separates gear teeth that allows incremental distal bar movement, and a two-axis arrangement for distal bar rotation. Instead of using a spring biasing member, the mechanical joint uses a gear ratio reduction that provides a smaller stop increment, less travel, enhanced joint strength, less stress on gear teeth, and less force required to unlock it than prior close contour joints. Although it is contemplated for use of the mechanical joint to be primarily in orthotic, any application for which the mechanical joint's compact configuration would provide some assistance or technical advantage is considered to be within its scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Fillauer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Pansiera, David Lee Stubbers
  • Patent number: 8123710
    Abstract: A limiting connector for a knee brace has a first arm, a second arm and an angle adjusting assembly. The second arm is connected pivotally to the first arm. The angle adjusting assembly is mounted between the first arm and the second arm, and has a positioning gear, a gear cap, two buttons and a rotating cap. The gear cap is mounted through the positioning gear and the second arm, and is mounted on the first arm to hold the positioning gear between the second arm and the gear cap. The buttons are selectively slid to engage the positioning gear and define a range of rotation between the first and second arms. The rotating cap is rotatably mounted through the gear cap, and pushes the positioning gear toward the first arm to disengage the positioning gear from the buttons for adjusting the range of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Shu-Chen Chan
  • Patent number: 8123709
    Abstract: A hinge or joint assembly is provided that includes first and second members, a pivot rotatably connecting the first and second members and allowing movement between extension and flexion positions, and at least one elastomeric spring communicating with the first and second members to restrain pivotal movement of the members toward flexion, through compression of the elastomeric spring, and to assist pivotal movement toward extension through decompression of the elastomeric spring. The assembly can further include a disk and lock slide, the disk and lock slide each having complementary teeth providing, when engaged, an arrest of pivotal movement in a direction of flexion and one-way, ratcheting, step-advance pivotal movement in a direction toward extension. The elastomeric spring can be urethane, and can be adapted to mimic any bodily muscle. An embodiment employing a torsional spring is also provided, as is a cable release mechanism providing one-dimensional cable movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ultraflex Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark DeHarde, Kenneth A. Patchel, Thomas Watters
  • Patent number: 8118760
    Abstract: A movement restraining device for use in combination with an elastic wrap of a joint brace includes at least one elongated bendable member including a plurality of spaced-apart strips each of which has opposite strip surfaces parallel to the strip surfaces of the remaining ones of the strips, and first and second retaining plates facing each other. The strips further have first end portions substantially perpendicular to and fixed between the first and second retaining plates, and second end portions extending away from the first and second retaining plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Plus Meditech Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Pang-Ching Chiang
  • Patent number: 8118762
    Abstract: A medical knee bandage having a sheathing body of material that is elastic in at least some sections and is open on opposing ends and forms a closed sheathing jacket that is under tangential elastic stress when applied around a human knee area. A removal aid which is designed as a separation that is closable, for example by a zipper, extends over some or all of the length of the sheathing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bort GmbH
    Inventor: Rudi Bort
  • Patent number: 8118763
    Abstract: Provided is a walking assist device including a seat member, a leg link having a joint portion, and a driving source for the joint portion. The walking assist device allows a user to rest by sitting on the seat member. Accordingly, the walking assist device further includes a lock mechanism disposed in the joint portion and an operation unit for the lock mechanism. When the operation unit is switched on, the driving source is controlled to increase an up-pushing force on the seat member. A variation rate on the up-pushing force is increased with time to a given value where the lock mechanism is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Toru Fujihira, Yoichi Nishimura, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yutaka Hiki, Makoto Shishido, Tatsuya Noda, Hiroshi Matsuda, Yoshihisa Matsuoka, Ryuzo Yokoyama, Eiji Ninomiya, Takeshi Koshiishi
  • Patent number: 8117770
    Abstract: A footwear device including a resilient member having first and second ends. The first end can be configured for being connected to a user's foot, and the second end can be configured for being connected to the user's leg above the ankle joint. The resilient member can be configured and positioned for resiliently and rotatably biasing the user's foot about the ankle joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Darrell L. Wong
  • Publication number: 20120041351
    Abstract: A therapeutic compression apparatus having a primary wrap, a foot wrap and a stirrup is provided. The primary wrap encircles a first portion of a leg and applies compression thereto. The foot wrap encircles at least a portion of the foot and applies compression thereto. The foot wrap may be integrated with the stirrup, detachably connected or provided separately. The compression apparatus may be configured such that one or more bladders are provided therein. The compression apparatus may include a pressure gauge and pump for controlling an amount of pressure applied to the treatment site. A bladder assembly with a number of fluid bladder configurations is also provided for use within a compression apparatus. The bladder may be configured to provide a gradient pressure profile to the treatment site when filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SUN SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nolan, Guy Osborne, Sundaram Ravikumar, Vikram Ravikumar
  • Patent number: 8114034
    Abstract: A walking aid apparatus comprising a sitting member which a user sits astride and leg links each coupled to a connection provided on the undersurface of the sitting member in such a way as to be free to swing in the forward/backward direction, which improves the stability of the sitting member. The connection is adapted in such a way that a forward/backward swinging fulcrum of the leg links is located above the sitting member. More specifically, the connection is provided with an arc-shaped guide track longitudinal in the forward/backward direction and having the center of curvature above the sitting member, so that each of the leg links swings along the guide track in the forward/backward direction. If the leg links are allowed to swing freely also in the lateral direction, preferably the lateral swinging fulcrum of the leg links is also located above the sitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ikeuchi, Tatsuya Noda, Jun Ashihara, Yutaka Hiki
  • Publication number: 20120035520
    Abstract: A walker having height adjustment, and a method of use thereof, generally includes a base. Length adjustable strut assemblies are provided to allow the walker to be converted between a fully extended configuration, a high top walker configuration, and a fully retracted, low top walker configuration, as well as to numerous configurations having incremental heights between the fully extended and the fully retracted configurations. Thus, a modular support is provided that can be used to provide different levels of immobilization and can be used for various therapeutic purposes, can accommodate different patient leg lengths with one device, and allows practitioners to carry a reduced inventory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Arni Thor INGIMUNDARSON, Arnar KRISTJANSSON, Duane ROMO
  • Patent number: 8109892
    Abstract: In a method of forming a compression sleeve, a wicking layer is provided that is strategically exposed to promote wicking and cooling of the body part acted upon by the sleeve. The wicking layer has a perimeter and a surface area. A bladder segment that defines a bladder has a surface area less than the surface area of the wicking layer. The surface area of the bladder segment is defined by the perimeter of the bladder material, less any openings formed through the bladder material. The wicking layer is secured to the bladder material so that portions of the wicking layer are not overlaid by the bladder material. The bladder segment is welded to the wicking layer along a seamline so that fibers of the wicking layer extend through the seamline and allow fluid wicked by the wicking layer to move through the seamline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Jennie Brown, Malcolm G. Bock, Raymond Avitable
  • Patent number: 8105257
    Abstract: The present invention provides an extremity stress reducing modality for a human subject having an extremity, the extremity having an uninjured portion and an injured portion. The modality includes: (1) a frame having a connecting member for removably connecting the frame to an extremity of a human subject; (2) a support member on the frame for engaging the uninjured portion but not the injured portion; and (3) an attachment member on the frame for attaching the frame to a portion of a moveable resistance mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
    Inventors: Erin Klein, Ryan Crews, Stephanie Wu, David G. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8105255
    Abstract: An orthosis including arms held in place on body parts by a respective fastening member and interconnected by a pivot joint adjacent to a body joint. For bending of the body parts required during normal movement, the pivot joint is formed by a central adjusting ring bordered by both arms. One arm includes an axle ring which is coaxial to the adjusting ring. The other arm includes a ring bearing, which is eccentric to the axle ring. The ring bearing is pivotable with respect to a rotational plane of the axle ring by rotating the adjusting ring in such a way and at such an angle that the arm, supported by the ring bearing in conjunction with the body part retained by it, assumes a pivoting position of this body part depending on the rotation angle of the adjusting ring in relation to the arm connected to the axle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bauerfeind AG
    Inventors: Dominique Panzer, Peter Sachs, Michel Vanfleteren
  • Patent number: 8100844
    Abstract: A hinge or joint assembly includes a first member movably connected to a second member to allow angular displacement of the first member relative to the second member in each of extension and flexion (clockwise and counterclockwise) directions, where one elastomeric spring restrains angular displacement in a flexion position, and another elastomeric spring restrains angular displacement in an extension position. In each direction, the angular movement is dampened through compression of the respective elastomeric spring. After dampening the movement in either direction, returning movement is assisted through decompression of the respective elastomeric spring. Alternatively, one or more elastomeric springs are arranged to both dampen through compression and assist through decompression angular movement in each of the flexion and extension directions. The elastomeric spring can provide a pre-determined force deflection curve in compression and an independent rate of return hysteresis in decompression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ultraflex Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark DeHarde, Yevgeniy Vinshtok
  • Patent number: 8100845
    Abstract: A foot support having straps which receive the calcaneous and wrap around the midfoot in a tensioned state for stabilizing the rearfoot and the midfoot to avoid excessive inversion and eversion of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen M. Clements, Autry O. V DeBusk, Michael D. Modglin, John H. Krusenklaus
  • Patent number: 8096965
    Abstract: An exoskeleton bracing system includes: a trunk support for affixing to the trunk of a disabled person and leg braces for connecting to the legs of the person, each leg brace including limb segment braces. Motorized joints are adapted to provide relative angular movement between the limb segment braces of the leg braces and between the leg braces and the trunk support. One or more ground force sensors are designed to sense ground force exerted on each of the leg braces. The system also includes a controller for receiving sensed signals from said one or more ground force sensors, with an algorithm for identifying a stance from the sensed signals and, based on the identified stance, actuating the motorized joints to perform an action relating to a mode of locomotion selected from a set of predefined actions corresponding to the identified stance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Argo Medical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Amit Goffer, Chaya Zilberstein
  • Patent number: 8096964
    Abstract: A compression garment adapted for placement in a self-retaining configuration on a body part for imparting compression therapy on the body part. The compression garment includes a flexible wrap and a bladder held in use by the wrap for compressing the body part. The wrap includes and inner flap and an outer flap. The outer flap overlaps the inner flap when the garment is in a self-retaining configuration on the body part. A fastener secures the wrap in the self-retaining configuration. When the outer flap overlaps the inner flap, at least a portion of the inner flap is exposed forming a grip for grasping the inner flap when tightening and fastening the garment in the self-retaining configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Michel Bruehwiler, Melissa Rosen, Manish Deshpande
  • Patent number: 8092412
    Abstract: An apparatus for transcutaneously transferring an amount of energy to an implantable orthopaedic device includes a primary coil. The primary coil has a resonant frequency matched to a resonant frequency of a secondary coil, which may form part of the implantable orthopaedic device. The primary coil may have an aperture configured to receive a portion of a patient's body or may include a substantially “C”-shaped core. A power circuit may be coupled with the primary coil to provide power to the coil. The apparatus may also include a wireless receiver, a measuring device, and/or a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: DePuy Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason T. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20110319801
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting device for a support (12) used to support a lower extremity, in particular a knee joint, a lower leg, a foot or an ankle, an upper leg support (14) and a lower leg support (16) being provided and interconnected via an articulation (17), the upper leg support (14) comprises at least a load-bearing surface (24, 28), the lower leg support (16) comprises at least a load-bearing surface (31), a support fixing (18) is provided, which engages with the support (12), the lower leg support (16) and the support fixing (18) being coupled to one another for the transfer of force. (See FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Ital, Thomas Bächle, Ismail Bahadir Pamir, Urs Schneider
  • Patent number: 8083702
    Abstract: A walking assistance device has a leg link formed by connecting a first link member and a second link member through a third joint assembly. A force generated at the leg link by driving the third joint assembly is transmitted to the body of a user. The walking assistance device enables the user to deeply squat by making the third joint assembly highly bendable. The third joint assembly has with a joint link member, a first joint which connects the joint link member and a first link member, and a second joint which connects the joint link member and the second link member. The walking assistance device is further equipped with a drive source which imparts a torque in a stretching direction to the first joint, and an elastic member which elastically holds the second joint in a predetermined stretched state until a predetermined value or more acts thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Ashihara
  • Patent number: 8083704
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for limb off-weighting, including a sleeve operable to wrap at least partially around a leg, a support strut coupled to the sleeve to receive weight applied to the sleeve, and a foot assembly configured to support and protect the bottom of a foot, wherein the foot assembly is coupled to the support strut and operable to receive weight applied to the sleeve and transfer the weight to underlying surfaces, thus off-weighting and reducing pressure and shearing forces on the foot and ankle. According to some embodiments, foot assembly pivots around the support strut providing an assembled mode and a storage mode. According to other embodiments, sleeve is an open-ended conical shape. According to various other embodiments, the support strut may be tilted to accommodate legs and/or calves of varying sizes, and the foot assembly may adjust to feet of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medefficiency, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Jensen, William O. Reid, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8083703
    Abstract: Disclosed is an orthotic for treating at least one component of talipes equinovarus. The orthotic includes an orthotic shell having a plantar support surface configured to support a portion of a foot disposed in the orthotic. The plantar support surface includes a cutout extending laterally through at least a portion of a midfoot portion, and a posterior cuboid supporting surface having a medial boundary, at least a portion of the medial boundary being defined by at least a portion of the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Izak Daizade
  • Patent number: 8083695
    Abstract: A walk assistance device capable of transmitting a force generated by a leg link to a user's trunk via a load transmit portion, wherein the leg link includes an upper first link portion connected to the load transmit portion via a first joint portion, a lower second link portion connected to a foot attachment portion via a second joint portion, a middle third joint portion connecting the first link portion to the second link portion such that a distance between the first joint portion and the second joint portion is variable, and a driving source that drives the third joint portion. The moment of inertia around the first joint portion of the leg link is reduced to decrease a load on the user's leg in walking. The driving source is disposed above the third joint portion of the first link portion so that the center-of-gravity of the entire leg link is located above the third joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ashihara, Yasushi Ikeuchi, Hiroshi Kudoh, Yutaka Hiki, Tatsuya Noda
  • Patent number: 8083701
    Abstract: A multi-centric orthopedic joint having inner and outer guide plates and upper and lower arms rotatably connected to the guide plates for pivotal movement therebetween. The plates each include upper and lower pairs of curved bean shaped slots, tilted relative to one another. The arms include a proximal end, the proximal end further including pins positioned and proportioned for complimental sliding movement within the upper and lower slots of the guide plates. Set screws are positioned between the inner and outer guide plate against a locking surface of the proximal end of each arm. When the set screws are loosened the upper and lower arms may be moved relative to one another, permitting the guide pins to slide within the slots but in opposite directions relative to one another. Flat-screws secure the inner and outer guide plates and co-act with the set screws as a locking mechanism of proximal ends of said arms at a desired angulation between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: OTS Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Pansiera
  • Patent number: 8075507
    Abstract: A sock suitable for wearing on a limb of a patient, the sock comprising material having the ability to wick moisture away from the skin surface and the sock comprising padding located in those areas of the sock which in use will cover the ankle and shin of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ConvTec Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick G. Linnane, Paul Hanmer, David G. Wild, Duncan J. Rowley, Ian S. Tabron, Wayne L. Bonnefin, Simon M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110301521
    Abstract: In a support shell assembly for supporting and splinting legs comprising a left and a right leg shell and a sole element that is fastened to the leg shells, wherein the leg shells and the sole element have fastening means for receiving a tensioning element, arranged within the support shell assembly (5) there is at least one layer of a 3D textile (1) comprising at least two layers of a textile material which are held at a defined and pressure-resilient distance from one another by flexible threads (FIG. 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: IMA Integrated Microsystems Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Weissenböck, Christine Frühwirt, Christoph Kment
  • Patent number: 8070700
    Abstract: A lower extremity enhancer to be worn by a user includes two leg supports having a plurality of jointed links. Proximal ends of the leg supports are connected to a back frame. Distal ends of the leg supports are connected to two foot links. The leg supports are powered by a plurality of actuators adapted to apply torques to the leg supports in response to movement of the user's legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Homayoon Kazerooni, Jean-Louis Racine, Andrew Chu, Adam Zoss
  • Patent number: 8070701
    Abstract: Protective devices, to protect a body part having a bony portion with a soft tissue layer between the bony portion and an outer skin layer, have an inner surface which conforms to the body part to be protected and are applied to the body part to reduce pressure exhibited at the interface between the bony portion and the soft tissue layer, across the soft tissue and outer skin layers and at the interface between the outer skin layer and a support surface. The protective devices may be made of any material suitable for distributing the weight of the body part over an extended area and volume and may include a mushy material, a hard shell, a hydro absorptive material, and a wound dressing with medication. The body-part to be protected includes at least one of the heel, trochanter, knee, sacrum, coccyx, ischium, scapula, elbow, ankle, buttocks and occiput; The protective devices may be secured to the body part directly or via a garment or any other suitable securing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Flam, Oliver Bodine, Henry I. Schanzer
  • Patent number: 8070703
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, an orthotic device comprises an upper support member adapted to be secured to a thigh; a lower support member adapted to be secured to a lower leg; a means of connecting the upper support member to the lower support member; a conformable, discrete liner segment attached to the upper or lower support member configured to provide a conforming interface with the thigh or lower leg; a first electrode disposed on the liner segment configured to contact the leg; a second electrode configured to contact the leg; and an electrostimulation unit in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes and configured to provide an electrophysical modality to the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Vision Quest Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Skahan, Kevin Lunau, Timothy Stoltenburg, Robert Gilmour
  • Patent number: 8066656
    Abstract: The present invention provides an orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. The second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member and travels through the first extension member along an arcuate path when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Bonutti Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris P. Bonutti, Peter M. Bonutti, Kevin R. Ruholl, Glen A. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110288460
    Abstract: A breathable fabric sleeve provides varying elastic support to help heal strains, sprains and bruises to the ligaments and tendons of an animal's fetlock and pastern joints. Preferably the sleeve is made of a seamlessly woven elastic fabric. The sleeve is applied over the fetlock of the leg of a horse or other animal, from the pastern up to below the knee, on the front leg, or to below the hock, on the hind leg. The sleeve has uniform elastic strength around the circumference of the sleeve, but provides variable compression, so that an upper part of the sleeve provides greater circumferential compression and the lower part provides less compression. The variable compression can be produced by using a looser weave in a bottom end of the sleeve, and/or by increasing the diameter of the bottom end, relative to that of the central portion of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Mary Braun Leibold
  • Patent number: 8062242
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for an orthopedic knee brace. The knee brace includes upper and lower support arms. The hinge assembly includes a hinge plate and first and second gear members pivotally connected to the hinge plate. The first gear member is coupled for rotation with the upper support arm and has an articulation surface adjacent a surface of the upper support arm. The second gear member is coupled for rotation with the lower support arm and has an articulation surface adjacent a surface of the lower support arm. The hinge assembly allows medial/lateral articulation of the upper and lower support arms in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the first and second gear members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: DJO, LLC
    Inventors: Dylann D. Ceriani, Theodore V. Tillinghast, Richard E. Gildersleeve, Scott P. Seligman
  • Patent number: 8065105
    Abstract: A system including a platform having a receptacle adapted to a bottom of a shoe or foot; securing mechanism, associated therewith; a sole for contacting a ground surface; a mechanism associated with the sole and a platform bottom, including: motor and a thrusting element, activated by the motor, the thrusting element adapted to move between the sole and the platform to apply an upward force against the platform bottom, thereby changing a platform height with respect to the sole; a sensor device adapted to associate with a lower limb, and to produce a locomotion data signal, and a microprocessor, operatively connected to the sensor device and motor, adapted to: receive locomotion information based on the signal; process the locomotion information to determine a locomotion phase, and control a timing of the mechanism, based on the determination, to change the height during a locomotion swing phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Step of Mind Ltd.
    Inventors: Simona Bar-Haim, Mark Belokopytov
  • Patent number: 8062243
    Abstract: An orthotic device for a joint of the human body, at which a body part pivots, includes first, second and third members. A first connection joins the first member and the second member and defines a first axis about which the first member and the second member pivot through an adjustable range of angular motion. A second connection joins the second member and the third member, defines a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis about which the second member and the third member pivot through a second range of angular motion, and includes a limit to plantar flexion about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Anatomical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. DeToro, Brian S. Perala, William A. DeToro, Jack N. Huey
  • Patent number: 8057414
    Abstract: A polycentric hinge is positioned on one side of the patient's knee and a unicentric hinge is positioned on a second side of the knee. A lower portion of the polycentric and unicentric hinge is attached to a knee cuff about a lower leg of the patient. An upper arm of the polycentric and unicentric hinge is attached to a thigh cuff, the upper arm of the unicentric hinge being longer than the upper arm of the polycentric hinge. The upper arm of the unicentric hinge has a 15° to 20° set back angle when the patient's leg is straight. The polycentric hinge has a slotted central plate with star gears engaging a back portion and multiple movable blocks mounted in screw holes on a front edge of the slotted plate supporting an elastic band having a fulcrum point on the polycentric hinge at a lower and upper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Richard A. Nace
  • Publication number: 20110270146
    Abstract: An orthotic for correcting a movement of a hip joint of a user includes a support frame, a cam, a leg fixer, a following element and a restoring element. The support frame is attached to the user. The cam is disposed to the support frame. The leg fixer is pivotally connected to the support frame. The following element is moveably mounted on the leg fixer and connected to the cam. The restoring element connected to the leg fixer provides a force of restoring the leg fixer when the leg fixer is moved. When the leg fixer is being moved, a predetermined relative movement between the cam and the following element is produced to correct a movement range of the hip joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Liang-Wey Chang, Shun-Yi Yao, Hui-Chun Ho, Yee-Pien Yang
  • Patent number: 8048012
    Abstract: A custom articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) system is disclosed that is formed on a cast of the wearer's foot. The custom articulated AFO has an adjustably tightenable calf section hingedly connected to an adjustably tightenable foot section. The custom articulated AFO is made of thermally formable plastic sheet, is lined inside and outside, and is padded inside. The brace permits dorsal/plantar flexion while supporting the ankle against supination and pronation. The apparatus and methods of manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Ernesto G. Castro
  • Patent number: 8043243
    Abstract: Disclosed is a knee brace that incorporates hinges that allow the brace to pivot simultaneously about a flexion-extension axis and a longitudinal rotation axis as the brace flexes and/or extends. The hinges include a medial hinge and a lateral hinge. The medial hinge defines a medial pivot axis and the lateral hinge defines a lateral pivot axis. The medial pivot axis does not coincide with the lateral pivot axis, and neither axis coincides with the flexion-extension axis. Calf portions of each hinge are pivotable with respect to their respective uprights about an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal rotation axis. The pivotability of the calf portions with respect to the calf frame eliminates stresses that would otherwise develop in the hinges as the brace flexes and/or extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: DJO, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Nathanson, Richard E. Gildersleeve
  • Patent number: 8043244
    Abstract: A wearable device includes a unitary first frame assembly which is integrally formed from first and second polymeric materials. The first frame assembly has a first frame portion formed by the first polymeric material and extends around part of a second frame portion formed by the second polymeric material. The first frame member includes a flexible first shell and a first connecting portion which depends from the first shell. The second frame portion forms part of the first shell and continuously extends to the first connecting portion without interruption. The second polymeric material has greater rigidity than the first polymeric material. The device also includes a second frame assembly having a second connecting portion which links to the first connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ossur HF
    Inventors: Palmi Einarsson, Arni Thor Ingimundarson
  • Patent number: 8043242
    Abstract: A joint therapy system and method is shown for proving thermal therapy and joint stability in dual modes of operation. In some embodiments, a treatment system is shown utilizing an orthopedic support for supporting a joint region and having one or more of temperature control capabilities, compression capabilities, and bracing capabilities that may, for example, be used to reduce recover time, limit edema, and protect joints from improper movement while healing from orthopedic surgeries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ThermoTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam K. McSpadden, Tony Quisenberry
  • Patent number: 8029451
    Abstract: A compression sleeve is described as having a first sheet, a second sheet attached to said first sheet and defining at least one inflatable section, and at least one conduit disposed within the boundary of the least one of said inflatable sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Ann Meyer, Mark A. Vess
  • Patent number: 8025632
    Abstract: A wearable device having feedback characteristics including a compliant article that is arranged to extend over an anatomical portion of a wearer. Sensors provided with the wearable device detect the orientation of a joint and send signals to a processor for analysis. When the processor determines that the joint is in an unsafe or potentially injurious configuration, a feedback or response mechanism is activated to alert the user to such a condition and/or to provide substantially rigid structural support to the joint. The device may also be used to condition users to maintain the joint in proper orientations to avoid injuries, or to condition an amputee to use more effective motions to achieve a more natural gait.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Össur hf.
    Inventor: Palmi Einarsson
  • Patent number: 8021317
    Abstract: Orthopedic device for treating neuropathic ulcers and other injuries while allowing easy access to the wound site on the plantar surface of a patient's foot includes a base portion and a sole that is either movably connected or removably connected to either the base or to a strut member. The base or strut is maintained in position on the lower leg while the sole may be rotated, slid, or completely removed for allowing inspection and access to the plantar surface of the patient's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ossur HF
    Inventors: William Arnold, Michael Campos, Chad Leeder, David Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8021316
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a device and/or system (e.g., redistributing weight away from a subject's foot), which may comprise (a) a platform, (b) at least one vertical support fixed to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and (c) at least one cuff (i) configured to surround and releasably grip at least a portion of a subject's leg other than the foot and (ii) adjustably mounted to the at least one vertical support at a vertical position along the at least one vertical support sufficient to suspend a subject's foot in a non-weight-bearing position above the platform during ambulation, wherein the platform, the at least one vertical support, and the at least one cuff together are configured to bear at least the subject's full weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Toad Corporation
    Inventors: Hans G. Franke, David Salinger, Jeff Dodd