Ankle joint protector for promoting ankle joint ligament repair based on precise pressurization control

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ankle joint protectors, in particular to an ankle joint protector for promoting ankle joint ligament repair based on precise pressurization control. According to the technical scheme, the device comprises a detachable ankle support, a hard ankle guard, a large air bag fixedly installed in the hard ankle guard and covering the whole ankle joint and the foot, a small air bag connecting piece movably installed on the hard ankle guard, and a small air bag connecting piece movably installed on the hard ankle guard, the small air bag connecting piece is provided with a small air bag used for providing accurate targeted pressing force mechanical stimulation. The design that the large air bag and the small air bag are combined is adopted. The large air bag is used for eliminating lower limb ankle joint swelling, blood circulation is promoted through wide pressure distribution, and swelling and pain are relieved. The small air bag provides local precise pressurization for the ligament, and healing and regeneration of the ligament are promoted through precise mechanical stimulation. The design not only ensures the comprehensiveness of the treatment, but also improves the pertinence and efficiency of the treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ankle joint protectors, and in particular to an ankle joint protector for promoting ankle joint ligament repair based on precise pressure control. Background Art

[0002] Ankle sprain ("sprained ankle") is one of the joint injuries with the highest incidence rate, and its pathological characteristics are strain, tear or rupture of the ankle ligaments. The acute stage of ligament injury is the key to treatment, including ice compress, fixation, and elevation of the affected limb. Among them, the use of braces to fix the foot and ankle is very important for the repositioning and healing of torn ligaments. However, conventional braces on the market only fix the ankle joint in a neutral position, using the body's own healing ability to wait for ligament repair. This static fixation method causes slow ligament repair, obvious early joint movement limitation, and decreased flexibility. It usually takes 2 to 3 months to resume normal walking; at the same time, this natural repair process is often scar healing, and the tissue strength and elasticity are far lower than normal ligament tissue. More than 50% of patients experience late ligament relaxation, joint instability, long-term pain, swelling, and repeated sprains after conservative treatment, which seriously affects the patient's quality of life and exercise ability, and even requires surgical repair and reconstruction of the ligament.

[0003] Recent studies have shown that mechanical stimulation plays a critical role in the regulation of inflammation and tissue repair and regeneration. During ligament repair, appropriate biomechanical stimulation can improve blood circulation and the local inflammatory microenvironment, and help promote cell proliferation and collagen remodeling, thereby accelerating tissue healing and enhancing long-term ligament strength. This stimulation can be achieved through manual therapy by rehabilitation therapists, but it requires patients to go to the hospital for treatment every day, making it difficult to promote and apply. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to address the problems existing in the background technology and to propose an ankle brace that promotes ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control by precisely controlling the mechanical stimulation of the ankle and ligaments to promote blood circulation, regulate cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, improve the biological healing of ligament tissue, achieve rapid recovery at home, reduce complications, and improve patients' quality of life and athletic ability.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is an ankle brace that promotes ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control, comprising:

[0006] A removable ankle brace and a hard ankle brace, the hard ankle brace can be used alone or in combination with the removable ankle brace, the removable ankle brace supports toes, insteps, ankles and calves of different sizes, and the hard ankle brace fits the ankle and supports the ankle;

[0007] A large air bag fixedly installed in the hard ankle brace and covering the entire ankle joint and foot, and a small air bag connector movably installed on the hard ankle brace, on which a small air bag for providing precise targeted pressure mechanical stimulation is installed, and the small air bag connector adjusts the position of the small air bag according to the specific injury location of the user;

[0008] An air pump control component controls the inflation and deflation of the large air bag and the small air bag.

[0009] Optionally, the detachable ankle brace includes an ankle brace footrest base, the ankle brace footrest base is made of light and strong material, the front end of the ankle brace footrest base is adjustably mounted with an ankle brace toe baffle for limiting the range of motion of the toes, the upper part of the ankle brace footrest base is adjustably mounted with an ankle brace instep baffle for supporting the instep, an ankle brace strap is fixedly mounted on the ankle brace footrest base, and an ankle brace calf baffle for supporting the calf is adjustably mounted on the ankle brace footrest base and above the ankle brace strap.

[0010] Optionally, the ankle brace strap is wrapped around the user's ankle, and the ankle brace strap is made of soft and elastic material.

[0011] Optionally, the shape and size of the hard ankle guard are designed to be ergonomic, support plates are provided on both sides of the hard ankle guard, the support plates are made of hard material, and soft pads are provided inside the hard ankle guard.

[0012] Optionally, a support plate strap is fixedly installed on the support plate, the support plate strap is made of elastic material, and the support plate strap is designed with an adjustment buckle and Velcro.

[0013] Optionally, the small airbag connecting member includes a small airbag supporting plate and a small airbag strap fixedly mounted on the small airbag supporting plate, and the small airbag is fixedly connected to the small airbag supporting plate.

[0014] Optionally, the small airbag support plate is located inside the hard ankle brace, the small airbag support plate is made of a lightweight and strong material, the small airbag strap is made of an elastic material, and the small airbag strap is designed with any one of a quick release buckle and Velcro.

[0015] Optionally, the air pump control component includes an air pump control box fixedly mounted on one side of the ankle brace footrest base, the air pump control box having a built-in air pump control system for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large air bag and the small air bag, the air pump control box being provided with a control box main switch, a large air bag switch and a small air bag switch, and two air ducts fixedly mounted on the air pump control box, the two air ducts being respectively connected to the large air bag and the small air bag.

[0016] Optionally, an air bag interface is provided on the air bag, and the air bag interface is used to connect the air bag and an air pump control system.

[0017] Optionally, a small airbag interface is provided on the small airbag, and the small airbag interface is used to connect the small airbag and an air pump control system.

[0018] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0019] The present invention adopts a design that combines a large airbag with a small airbag. The large airbag is used to eliminate swelling in the ankle joint of the lower limbs, promotes blood circulation through a wide range of pressure distribution, and reduces swelling and pain. The small airbag provides local precise pressurization of the ligament, and promotes the healing and regeneration of the ligament through precise mechanical stimulation. This design ensures the comprehensiveness of the treatment and improves the pertinence and efficiency of the treatment.

[0020] Mechanical stimulation promotes healing: The small airbag pressurization system is designed to provide local pressurization to the injured ligament. It promotes cell proliferation and orderly arrangement of collagen fibers through mechanical stimulation with adjustable frequency and intensity, thereby accelerating the healing process of the ligament.

[0021] Targeted and precise treatment: The position of the small pressure-adding airbag can be changed, and precise pressure can be applied according to the specific site of injury (such as medial ligament, lateral ligament, tibiofibular syndesmosis, Achilles tendon). By adjusting the position of the airbag, the pressure-adding effect can be directly applied to the injured area, improving the treatment efficiency.

[0022] The full-cycle sequential personalized rehabilitation program uses an air pump control system with a detachable combination of a detachable ankle brace and a hard ankle guard. The present invention can make personalized adjustments according to the user's rehabilitation needs at different stages after injury. This personalized pressurization not only improves the rehabilitation effect, but also reduces the discomfort and damage that may be caused by improper pressurization. Users can obtain ankle brace fixation support that better suits their rehabilitation needs, promote ligament healing, and accelerate the rehabilitation process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the detachable ankle brace and hard ankle brace combination of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hard ankle brace structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hard ankle brace of the present invention being deployed;

[0026] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the small air bag acting on the anterior talofibular ligament.

[0027] Figure numerals: 1. ankle brace foot support base; 2. ankle brace toe baffle; 3. ankle brace instep baffle; 4. ankle brace strap; 5. ankle brace calf baffle; 6. air pump control box; 7. control box main switch; 8. large air bag switch; 9. small air bag switch; 10. air duct; 11. hard ankle guard; 12. small air bag support plate; 13. small air bag strap; 14. large air bag interface; 15. support plate; 16. support plate strap; 17. large air bag; 18. small air bag; 19. fibula; 20. talus; 21. anterior talofibular ligament. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Embodiment 1, as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention proposes an ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control, including a detachable ankle brace and a hard ankle brace 11, and the hard ankle brace 11 can be used alone or in conjunction with the detachable ankle brace. The shape and size design of the hard ankle brace 11 are ergonomic, and support plates 15 are provided on both sides of the hard ankle brace 11, and a soft pad is provided inside the hard ankle brace 11. A support plate strap 16 is fixedly installed on the support plate 15. The support plate 15 is made of high-strength material, such as steel plate or aluminum alloy, to ensure the fixing effect of the inner and outer sides of the hard ankle brace. The support plate strap 16 is used to fix the support plate 15 on the user's calf to prevent the device from sliding or falling off during the rehabilitation process. The support plate strap 16 is made of elastic material and can be adjusted according to the user's leg shape. The support plate strap 16 is designed with an adjustment buckle and Velcro, which is convenient for the user to tighten and loosen according to their needs.

[0030] Furthermore, the detachable ankle brace includes an ankle brace foot support base 1, which serves as the basis of the entire detachable ankle brace. The foot support base is designed to be ergonomically curved to fit the sole of the user's foot. The material thereof should be a lightweight and sturdy material, such as an aluminum alloy or a high-strength plastic. The front end of the ankle brace foot support base 1 is adjustable and equipped with an ankle brace toe baffle 2 for limiting the range of motion of the toes. The ankle brace toe baffle 2 prevents injuries due to excessive activity during the rehabilitation process, and the height and angle of the ankle brace toe baffle 2 can be adjusted as needed. The upper part of the ankle brace foot support base 1 is adjustably equipped with an ankle brace instep baffle 3 for supporting the instep. The ankle brace instep baffle 3 is opposite to the ankle brace toe baffle 2 and is used to support the instep. The ankle brace instep baffle 3 is also designed to be adjustable to adapt to the foot shapes of different users.

[0031] Among them, an ankle brace strap 4 is fixedly installed on the ankle brace foot support base 1, and the ankle brace strap 4 is wrapped around the user's ankle to fix the ankle brace foot support base 1 and provide additional support. The ankle brace strap 4 should be made of soft and elastic materials to ensure comfort and fit. An ankle brace calf baffle 5 for supporting the calf is adjustably installed on the ankle brace foot support base 1 and above the ankle brace strap 4. The height and inclination angle of the ankle brace calf baffle 5 can be adjusted as needed.

[0032] In this embodiment, the ankle brace also includes a large air bag 17 fixedly mounted in the hard ankle brace 11 and covering the entire ankle joint and foot, a small air bag connector movably mounted on the hard ankle brace 11, a small air bag 18 for providing precise targeted pressure mechanical stimulation is mounted on the small air bag connector, and the small air bag connector adjusts the position of the small air bag 18 according to the specific injury location of the user. The large air bag 17 is built into the hard ankle brace 11 and covers the entire ankle joint and foot. The large air bag 17 is made of soft and durable material and can be inflated and deflated as needed to provide different degrees of support and compression effects. The small air bag 18 is located at a specific position of the hard ankle brace 11, and its position can be adjusted according to the specific injury of the user (medial ligament, lateral ligament, tibiofibular syndesmosis and Achilles tendon) to provide precise targeted pressure mechanical stimulation to achieve the best rehabilitation effect.

[0033] The large air bag 17 is designed to cover the main swelling area of ​​the ankle joint. Through the air pump control system, the large air bag 17 can provide moderate circulation pressure to promote blood return and lymphatic circulation, thereby effectively reducing swelling. The pressurization of the large air bag 17 helps to reduce swelling, relieve the user's pain and discomfort, and improve the rehabilitation effect.

[0034] The small airbag 18 precisely targets mechanical stimulation. A small airbag 18 with adjustable position is set in the hard ankle guard 11. The inflation and deflation of the small airbag 18 are controlled by an air pump control system to simulate the effect of pressing mechanical stimulation. According to the user's rehabilitation progress and needs, precise mechanical stimulation can be performed on specific ligaments to promote ligament healing and enhance their mechanical strength. The pressing mechanical stimulation function of the small airbag 18 can accelerate ligament recovery, improve the stability of the ankle joint and the patient's athletic performance.

[0035] It should be noted that the reference Figure 4 Under the pressure of the small air bag 18, the anterior talofibular ligament 21 between the fibula 19 and the talus 20 will undergo a slight deformation, specifically an arc-shaped change, which will stretch the anterior talofibular ligament 21 and help promote the healing and shaping of the anterior talofibular ligament 21.

[0036] Furthermore, the small airbag connector includes a small airbag support plate 12 and a small airbag strap 13 fixedly mounted on the small airbag support plate 12. The small airbag support plate 12 is located inside or around the hard ankle guard 11 and is used to support and fix the small airbag 18. The small airbag support plate 12 is made of a lightweight and strong material to ensure the stability and durability of the airbag. The small airbag strap 13 is used to tightly fix the small airbag 18 around the user's ankle. The small airbag strap 13 is made of an elastic material and can be adjusted according to the user's ankle size to ensure the fit and compression effect of the small airbag 18. The small airbag strap 13 is designed with a quick release buckle or Velcro to facilitate the user to wear.

[0037] This embodiment also includes an air pump control component, which controls the inflation and deflation of the large air bag 17 and the small air bag 18. The air pump control component includes an air pump control box 6 fixedly mounted on one side of the ankle brace footrest base 1, the air pump control box 6 is located on one side or the rear of the ankle brace, and the air pump control box 6 has an air pump control system for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large air bag 17 and the small air bag 18. The outer shell of the air pump control box 6 should be made of waterproof and dustproof materials to ensure its durability and safety.

[0038] Furthermore, the air pump control box 6 is provided with a control box main switch 7, a large air bag switch 8 and a small air bag switch 9, and two air guide tubes 10 are fixedly installed on the air pump control box 6. The control box main switch 7 is located outside the air pump control box 6, and is used to turn on or off the power supply of the entire detachable ankle brace pressurization system. The large air bag switch 8 is used to control the inflation and deflation of the large air bag 17 located inside the hard ankle brace 11. The small air bag switch 9 is used to control the inflation and deflation of the small air bag 18 located inside the hard ankle brace 11. The air guide tube 10 is a pipeline connecting the air pump control box 6 and the large air bag 17 and the small air bag 18, and is used to transmit gas. The air guide tube 10 should be made of soft and durable materials to ensure its stability and reliability during use.

[0039] The air bag 17 is provided with an air bag interface 14, which is used to connect the air bag 17 and the air pump control system. The air bag interface 14 is designed to be of standard size and is compatible with various types of air bags and control devices. Through the air bag interface 14, the user can easily connect and disconnect the air bag 17 for inflation and deflation operations.

[0040] The small airbag 18 is provided with a small airbag interface, which is used to connect the small airbag 18 and the air pump control system. The small airbag interface is designed to be a standard size and is compatible with various types of airbags and control devices. Through the small airbag interface, the user can easily connect and disconnect the small airbag 18 for inflation and deflation operations.

[0041] In this embodiment, the user first wears the hard ankle brace 11 on the ankle, ensuring that the hard ankle brace 11 fits tightly and fixes the ankle joint, and then wears the detachable ankle brace. Then adjust the position and angle of the ankle brace toe baffle 2, the ankle brace instep baffle 3 and the ankle brace calf baffle 5 according to the shape of your foot, and fix them with the ankle brace strap 4. Turn on the main switch 7 of the control box, and choose to turn on the large air bag switch 8 or the small air bag switch 9 as needed. The air pump in the air pump control box 6 starts working, and inflates or deflates the selected large air bag 17 or small air bag 18 through the air duct 10. According to the doctor's advice and the progress of rehabilitation, adjust the inflation pressure, frequency and position of the small air bag 18 and the large air bag 17 in time to achieve the best rehabilitation effect.

[0042] During the acute injury period (inflammatory period, within 1 week after injury), the patient wears a detachable ankle brace and a hard ankle guard (used together) to ensure that the detachable ankle brace fits tightly and fixes the ankle joint. According to rehabilitation needs, the user inflates and deflates the large air bag 17 through the control system. When inflated, the large air bag 17 will expand, provide support and compression effects on the ankle, apply pressure to stop bleeding, and help to reduce swelling and relieve pain as soon as possible.

[0043] In the subacute stage (proliferative stage, 1-6 weeks after injury), the patient wears a detachable ankle brace and a hard ankle guard (used in combination) and begins to bear appropriate weight, and uses the large air bag 17 and the small air bag 18 at the same time. The cyclic pulse pressurization of the large air bag 17 helps blood circulation, so that the proliferative cells have adequate blood supply, and the small air bag 18 provides adaptive mechanical compression stimulation to the ligament site, thereby enhancing the density and mechanical properties of the repaired ligament.

[0044] In the chronic stage (remodeling stage, 7 weeks or more after injury), the patient can wear the hard ankle brace 11 to carry out daily activities. The hard ankle brace 11 can provide protection for daily activities, and the small airbag 18 can continuously provide mechanical stimulation by pressurizing, further promoting ligament remodeling.

[0045] Embodiment 2, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, based on the first embodiment, the large airbag 17 and the small airbag 18 can be set as an intelligent fluid filling system: the original large airbag 17 and the small airbag 18 are replaced by the intelligent fluid filling system. The system consists of a series of microfluidic pipes filled with flowable liquid or gel. The user can adjust the flow rate or pressure of the liquid in the pipe through the control system to achieve pressurization and support for the ankle. The intelligent fluid filling system has higher flexibility and precision, and can be fine-tuned according to the user's rehabilitation needs. At the same time, the system can also be equipped with a temperature sensor to monitor and adjust the temperature of the liquid to provide users with a comfortable rehabilitation experience.

[0046] Self-powered charging: The brace is charged using a micro-generator through the kinetic energy generated by the user's activities (such as walking and running). This method increases the self-sufficiency feature.

[0047] The above specific embodiments are only several optional embodiments of the present invention. Based on the technical solutions of the present invention and the relevant inspirations of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various alternative improvements and combinations to the above specific embodiments.

Claims

1. An ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control, characterized in that: include: A detachable ankle brace and a hard ankle brace (11), wherein the hard ankle brace (11) can be used alone or in combination with the detachable ankle brace; A large air bag (17) fixedly mounted in the hard ankle brace (11) and covering the entire ankle joint and foot is used to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling and pain through extensive pressure distribution; A small airbag connector is movably mounted on a hard ankle brace (11), and a small airbag (18) is mounted on the small airbag connector, which is used to provide precise and targeted pressure mechanical stimulation according to the specific injury location of the user, thereby promoting ligament healing and regeneration.

2. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detachable ankle brace comprises an ankle brace foot support base (1), wherein the ankle brace foot support base (1) is made of a light and strong material, an ankle brace toe baffle (2) for limiting the range of motion of the toes is adjustably mounted on the front end of the ankle brace foot support base (1), an ankle brace instep baffle (3) for supporting the instep is adjustably mounted above the ankle brace foot support base (1), an ankle brace strap (4) is fixedly mounted on the ankle brace foot support base (1), and an ankle brace calf baffle (5) for supporting the calf is adjustably mounted on the ankle brace foot support base (1) and located above the ankle brace strap (4).

3. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ankle brace strap (4) is wrapped around the user's ankle, and the ankle brace strap (4) is made of soft and elastic material.

4. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape and size of the hard ankle guard (11) are designed to be ergonomic. Support plates (15) are provided on both sides of the hard ankle guard (11), and the support plates (15) are made of hard material. A soft pad is provided inside the hard ankle guard (11).

5. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 4, characterized in that: A support plate strap (16) is fixedly mounted on the support plate (15); the support plate strap (16) is made of elastic material; and an adjustment buckle and Velcro are designed on the support plate strap (16).

6. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 1, characterized in that: The small airbag connecting member comprises a small airbag supporting plate (12) and a small airbag strap (13) fixedly mounted on the small airbag supporting plate (12); the small airbag (18) is fixedly connected to the small airbag supporting plate (12).

7. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 6, characterized in that: The small airbag support plate (12) is located inside the hard ankle brace (11), the small airbag support plate (12) is made of a light and strong material, the small airbag strap (13) is made of an elastic material, and the small airbag strap (13) is designed with any one of a quick release buckle and Velcro.

8. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air pump control component is installed on the ankle brace foot support base (1) for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large air bag (17) and the small air bag (18) to achieve precise pressure regulation and mechanical stimulation. The air pump control component comprises an air pump control box (6) fixedly installed on one side of the ankle brace foot support base (1). The air pump control box (6) has an air pump control system built in for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large air bag (17) and the small air bag (18). The air pump control box (6) is provided with a control box main switch (7), a large air bag switch (8) and a small air bag switch (9). Two air guide tubes (10) are fixedly installed on the air pump control box (6), and the two air guide tubes (10) are respectively connected to the large air bag (17) and the small air bag (18).

9. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 8, characterized in that: The large air bag (17) is provided with a large air bag interface (14), and the large air bag interface (14) is used to connect the large air bag (17) and an air pump control system.

10. The ankle brace for promoting ankle ligament repair based on precise pressure control according to claim 8, characterized in that: The small airbag (18) is provided with a small airbag interface, and the small airbag interface is used to connect the small airbag (18) and an air pump control system.

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