Ankle brace for ligament repair

Abstract

The utility model relates to ankle joint protector technical field, especially a kind of protector for ankle joint ligament repair.Its technical scheme includes: detachable ankle brace and hard ankle protector, the hard ankle protector can be used alone or cooperate with detachable ankle brace, fixed installation in hard ankle protector and cover in whole ankle joint and atmosphere bag of foot, small air bag connecting piece is movably installed on hard ankle protector, small air bag connecting piece is installed with the small air bag for providing accurate target pressing mechanics stimulation on it.The utility model adopts the design of atmosphere bag and small air bag combination.Atmosphere bag is used to eliminate lower limb ankle joint swelling, promote blood circulation through extensive pressure distribution, reduce swelling and pain.Small air bag provides accurate pressurization to ligament local, promotes the healing and regeneration of ligament through accurate mechanics stimulation.This design ensures the comprehensiveness of treatment, and improves the pertinence and efficiency of treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ankle joint braces, and in particular to a brace for ankle joint ligament repair. Background Technology

[0002] Ankle sprains are among the most common joint injuries, characterized by strains, tears, or ruptures of the ankle ligaments. The acute phase of ligament injury is crucial for treatment, including ice application, immobilization, and elevation of the affected limb. Among these measures, bracing the ankle is essential for the repositioning and healing of torn ligaments. However, conventional braces simply fix the ankle in a neutral position, relying on the body's natural healing mechanisms to allow the ligaments to repair themselves. This static immobilization results in slow ligament repair, significant early limitation of joint movement, and decreased flexibility, typically requiring 2-3 months to regain normal walking ability. Furthermore, this natural repair process often involves scar healing, with tissue strength and elasticity far lower than normal ligament tissue. More than 50% of patients experience ligament laxity and joint instability after conservative treatment, leading to chronic pain, swelling, and recurrent sprains, severely impacting their quality of life and athletic ability, and sometimes requiring surgical repair and reconstruction of the ligaments.

[0003] Recent studies have shown that biomechanical stimulation plays a crucial role in inflammation regulation and tissue repair and regeneration. In 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 a rehabilitation therapist, but this requires patients to visit the hospital daily, making widespread application difficult. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems existing in the background technology by proposing a protective brace for ankle ligament repair that promotes blood circulation, regulates cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, improves the biological healing of ligament tissue, achieves rapid home rehabilitation, reduces complications, and improves the patient's quality of life and athletic ability by precisely controlling the pressure chemical stimulation of the ankle and ligament area.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model: a protective device for ankle ligament repair, comprising:

[0006] A detachable ankle brace and a rigid ankle brace, wherein the rigid ankle brace can be used alone or in conjunction with the detachable ankle brace, wherein the detachable ankle brace supports toes, insteps, ankles and calves of different sizes, and the rigid ankle brace conforms to and supports the ankle;

[0007] Large air bladders are fixedly installed inside the rigid ankle brace and cover the entire ankle joint and foot, while small air bladders installed inside the rigid ankle brace provide precise targeted pressure kinetic stimulation.

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

[0009] Optionally, the detachable ankle brace includes an ankle brace footrest base made of a lightweight and sturdy material. An ankle brace toe guard is adjustablely installed at the front end of the ankle brace footrest base to restrict the range of motion of the toes. An ankle brace instep guard is adjustablely installed above the ankle brace footrest base to support the instep. An ankle brace strap is fixedly installed on the ankle brace footrest base. An ankle brace calf guard is adjustablely installed on the ankle brace footrest base and above the ankle brace strap to support the calf.

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

[0011] Optionally, the rigid ankle brace is ergonomically designed in shape and size, with support plates on both sides made of rigid material, and soft padding inside.

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

[0013] Optionally, the rigid ankle brace is equipped with a small airbag support plate and a small airbag strap fixedly installed on the small airbag support plate, and the small airbag is fixedly connected to the small airbag support plate.

[0014] Optionally, the small airbag support plate is located inside the rigid 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 either a quick-release buckle or Velcro.

[0015] Optionally, the air pump control component includes an air pump control box fixedly installed on one side of the ankle brace footrest base. The air pump control box has a built-in air pump control system for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large and small airbags. The air pump control box is equipped with a main control switch, a large airbag switch, and a small airbag switch. Two air guide tubes are fixedly installed on the air pump control box, and the two air guide tubes are respectively connected to the large and small airbags.

[0016] Optionally, the air bladder is provided with an air bladder interface, which is used to connect the air bladder and the air pump control system.

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

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

[0019] This invention employs a design combining large and small airbags. The large airbag is used to eliminate swelling in the ankle joint of the lower limbs, promoting blood circulation and reducing swelling and pain through a wide pressure distribution. The small airbag provides precise local pressure on the ligaments, promoting ligament healing and regeneration through precise mechanical stimulation. This design ensures both comprehensive treatment and improved targeting and efficiency.

[0020] Mechanical stimulation promotes healing: A small airbag pressurization system is designed to provide local pressure to the site of ligament injury. Through adjustable frequency and intensity mechanical stimulation, cell proliferation and orderly arrangement of collagen fibers are promoted, thereby accelerating the ligament healing process.

[0021] This full-cycle, sequential, personalized rehabilitation program utilizes an air pump control system with a detachable combination of a removable ankle brace and a rigid ankle brace. This invention allows for personalized adjustments based on the user's rehabilitation needs at different stages after injury. This personalized pressure not only improves rehabilitation outcomes but also reduces discomfort and injury that may result from improper pressure. Users can obtain ankle brace fixation support that better suits their rehabilitation needs, promoting ligament healing and accelerating the rehabilitation process. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the detachable ankle brace and rigid ankle brace combination of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rigid ankle brace structure of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded rigid ankle brace of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a small air bladder acting on the anterior talofibular ligament.

[0026] Reference numerals: 1. Ankle brace foot support base; 2. Ankle brace toe guard; 3. Ankle brace dorsum guard; 4. Ankle brace strap; 5. Ankle brace calf guard; 6. Air pump control box; 7. Main switch of control box; 8. Large airbag switch; 9. Small airbag switch; 10. Air delivery tube; 11. Hard ankle brace; 14. Large airbag interface; 15. Support plate; 16. Support plate strap; 17. Large airbag; 18. Small airbag; 19. Fibula; 20. Talus; 21. Anterior talofibular ligament. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] Example 1, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model proposes a brace for ankle ligament repair, comprising a detachable ankle brace and a rigid ankle brace 11. The rigid ankle brace 11 can be used alone or in conjunction with the detachable ankle brace. The rigid ankle brace 11 is ergonomically designed in shape and size, with support plates 15 on both sides and soft padding inside. Support plate straps 16 are fixedly installed on the support plates 15. The support plates 15 are made of high-strength materials, such as steel plates or aluminum alloys, to ensure effective fixation on the inner and outer sides of the rigid ankle brace. The support plate straps 16 are used to fix the support plates 15 to the user's lower leg to prevent the device from slipping or falling off during rehabilitation. The support plate straps 16 are made of elastic material and can be adjusted according to the user's leg shape. The support plate straps 16 are designed with adjustment buckles and Velcro, allowing the user to tighten and loosen them according to their needs.

[0029] Furthermore, the detachable ankle brace includes an ankle brace footrest base 1, which serves as the foundation of the entire detachable ankle brace. The footrest base is designed with an ergonomic arc shape to conform to the user's foot. Its material should be lightweight yet sturdy, such as aluminum alloy or high-strength plastic. An adjustable toe guard 2 is installed at the front end of the ankle brace footrest base 1 to limit the range of motion of the toes. The toe guard 2 prevents injury due to overactivity during rehabilitation. The height and angle of the toe guard 2 can be adjusted as needed. An adjustable instep guard 3 is installed above the ankle brace footrest base 1 to support the instep. The instep guard 3 is opposite to the toe guard 2 and is also designed to be adjustable to accommodate different user foot shapes.

[0030] The ankle brace footrest base 1 is fixedly mounted with an ankle brace strap 4, which wraps around the user's ankle to secure the ankle brace footrest base 1 and provide additional support. The ankle brace strap 4 should be made of a soft and elastic material to ensure comfort and a good fit. An adjustable ankle brace calf support 5 is mounted on the ankle brace footrest base 1 and above the ankle brace strap 4 to support the lower leg. The height and tilt angle of the ankle brace calf support 5 can be adjusted as needed.

[0031] This embodiment also includes a large air bladder 17 fixedly installed within the rigid ankle brace 11 and covering the entire ankle joint and foot, and a small air bladder connector movably installed on the rigid ankle brace 11. The small air bladder connector is equipped with a small air bladder 18 for providing precise, targeted pressure stimulation. The small air bladder connector adjusts the position of the small air bladder 18 according to the user's specific injury location. The large air bladder 17 is built into the rigid ankle brace 11, covering the entire ankle joint and foot. The large air bladder 17 is made of a soft and durable material and can be inflated and deflated as needed to provide different levels of support and compression. The small air bladder 18 is located at specific positions on the rigid ankle brace 11, and its position can be adjusted according to the user's specific injury (medial ligament, lateral ligament, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, and Achilles tendon) to provide precise, targeted pressure stimulation for optimal rehabilitation results.

[0032] Designed with a large air bladder 17, it covers the main swollen areas of the ankle joint. Through an air pump control system, the large air bladder 17 can provide moderate circulatory pressure to promote blood return and lymphatic circulation, thereby effectively reducing swelling. The pressure from the large air bladder 17 helps to reduce swelling, alleviate user pain and discomfort, and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

[0033] The small airbag 18 provides precise targeted mechanical stimulation. An adjustable small airbag 18 is placed inside the rigid ankle brace 11. The inflation and deflation of the small airbag 18 are controlled by an air pump control system to simulate the effect of pressure mechanical stimulation. It can provide precise mechanical stimulation to specific ligaments according to the user's rehabilitation progress and needs, promote ligament healing, and enhance their mechanical strength. The pressure mechanical stimulation function of the small airbag 18 can accelerate ligament recovery and improve ankle joint stability and patient's athletic performance.

[0034] It should be noted that the reference Figure 4 Under the pressure of the small air bladder 18, the anterior talofibular ligament 21 between the fibula 19 and the talus 20 will undergo 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.

[0035] This embodiment also includes an air pump control component, which controls the inflation and deflation of the large airbag 17 and the small airbag 18. The air pump control component includes an air pump control box 6 fixedly installed on one side of the ankle brace footrest base 1. The air pump control box 6 is located on one side or behind the ankle brace. The air pump control box 6 contains an air pump control system for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large airbag 17 and the small airbag 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.

[0036] Furthermore, the air pump control box 6 is equipped with a main control switch 7, a large airbag switch 8, and a small airbag switch 9. Two air guide tubes 10 are fixedly installed on the air pump control box 6. The main control switch 7 is located outside the air pump control box 6 and is used to turn the power supply of the entire detachable ankle brace pressurization system on or off. The large airbag switch 8 is used to control the inflation and deflation of the large airbag 17 located inside the rigid ankle brace 11. The small airbag switch 9 is used to control the inflation and deflation of the small airbag 18 located inside the rigid ankle brace 11. The air guide tubes 10 are pipes connecting the air pump control box 6, the large airbag 17, and the small airbag 18, and are used to transport gas. The air guide tubes 10 should be made of soft and durable materials to ensure their stability and reliability during use.

[0037] The large airbag 17 is equipped with an large airbag interface 14, which is used to connect the large airbag 17 and the air pump control system. The large airbag interface 14 is designed to be of standard size and is compatible with various types of airbags and control devices. Through the large airbag interface 14, users can easily connect and disconnect the large airbag 17 for inflation and deflation operations.

[0038] The small airbag 18 is equipped with an airbag interface for connecting the small airbag 18 to the air pump control system. The airbag interface is designed to be of standard size and is compatible with various types of airbags and control devices. Through the airbag interface, users can easily connect and disconnect the small airbag 18 for inflation and deflation operations.

[0039] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: The user first puts on the rigid ankle brace 11, ensuring that it fits snugly and fixes the ankle joint, and then puts on the detachable ankle brace. Then, the user adjusts the position and angle of the toe guard 2, instep guard 3, and calf guard 5 of the ankle brace according to their foot shape, and secures them with the ankle brace strap 4. The user turns on the main switch 7 of the control box and selects to activate either the large airbag switch 8 or the small airbag switch 9 as needed. The air pump in the air pump control box 6 starts working, inflating or deflating the selected large airbag 17 or small airbag 18 through the air tube 10. Based on the doctor's advice and the rehabilitation progress, the user adjusts the inflation pressure, frequency, and position of the small airbag 18 and the large airbag 17 as needed to achieve the best rehabilitation effect.

[0040] During the acute injury phase (inflammatory phase, within one week post-injury), the patient wears a detachable ankle brace and a rigid ankle brace (used together), ensuring the detachable ankle brace fits snugly and immobilizes the ankle joint. Depending on rehabilitation needs, the user inflates and deflates the large air bladder 17 via the control system. When inflated, the large air bladder 17 expands, providing support and compression to the ankle, applying pressure to stop bleeding, and helping to reduce swelling and relieve pain as quickly as possible.

[0041] During the subacute phase (proliferative phase, 1-6 weeks post-injury), patients wear a detachable ankle brace and a rigid ankle brace (used in combination) and begin appropriate weight-bearing. At the same time, large airbag 17 and small airbag 18 are used. The circulatory pulse pressure of large airbag 17 helps blood circulation, ensuring sufficient blood supply to cells during the proliferative phase. Small airbag 18 provides adaptive mechanical pressure stimulation to the ligament area, enhancing the density and mechanical properties of the repaired ligaments.

[0042] During the chronic phase (remodeling phase, 7 weeks or more after injury), patients can wear a rigid ankle brace 11 for daily activities. The rigid ankle brace 11 provides protection for daily activities, while the small airbag 18 provides continuous mechanical stimulation through compression, further promoting ligament remodeling.

[0043] Example 2, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, the large airbag 17 and small airbag 18 can be configured as an intelligent fluid filling system: replacing the original large airbag 17 and small airbag 18 with an intelligent fluid filling system. This system consists of a series of microfluidic channels filled with a flowable liquid or gel. Users can adjust the flow rate or pressure of the liquid within the channels through the control system, thereby achieving pressure and support for the ankle. The intelligent fluid filling system offers greater flexibility and precision, allowing for fine-tuning according to the user's rehabilitation needs. Simultaneously, the system can also be equipped with a temperature sensor to monitor and adjust the liquid temperature, providing a comfortable rehabilitation experience for the user.

[0044] Self-powered charging: The brace is charged using a micro-generator generated by the user's activities (such as walking or running). This method increases the self-sufficiency of the brace.

[0045] The above specific embodiments are merely several optional embodiments of this utility model. Based on the technical solution of this utility model and the relevant teachings of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various alternative improvements and combinations to the above specific embodiments.

Claims

1. A brace for ankle ligament repair, characterized in that, include: A detachable ankle brace and a rigid ankle brace (11), the rigid ankle brace (11) being used alone or in conjunction with the detachable ankle brace; An air bladder (17) is fixedly installed inside a rigid ankle brace (11) and covers the entire ankle joint and foot to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling and pain through a wide pressure distribution; Small airbags (18) installed on the rigid ankle brace (11) are used to provide precise targeted pressure stimulation based on the user’s specific injury location to promote ligament healing and regeneration.

2. The ankle ligament repair brace according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detachable ankle brace includes an ankle brace foot support base (1), which is made of a lightweight and sturdy material. An ankle brace toe guard (2) for limiting the range of motion of the toes is adjustablely installed at the front end of the ankle brace foot support base (1). An ankle brace instep guard (3) for supporting the instep is adjustablely installed above the ankle brace foot support base (1). An ankle brace strap (4) is fixedly installed on the ankle brace foot support base (1). An ankle brace calf guard (5) for supporting the calf is adjustablely installed on the ankle brace foot support base (1) and above the ankle brace strap (4).

3. The ankle ligament repair brace according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ankle brace strap (4) is wrapped around the user's ankle and is made of a soft and elastic material.

4. The ankle ligament repair brace according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape and size of the hard ankle brace (11) are designed to conform to ergonomics. The hard ankle brace (11) has support plates (15) on both sides. The support plates (15) are made of hard material. The hard ankle brace (11) has soft padding inside.

5. A brace for ankle ligament repair according to claim 4, characterized in that, A support plate strap (16) is fixedly installed on the support plate (15). The support plate strap (16) is made of elastic material and is designed with adjustment buckles and Velcro.

6. The ankle ligament repair brace according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an air pump control component, which controls the inflation and deflation of the large airbag (17) and the small airbag (18). The air pump control component includes an air pump control box (6) fixedly installed on one side of the ankle brace footrest base (1). The air pump control box (6) has a built-in air pump control system for controlling the inflation and deflation of the large airbag (17) and the small airbag (18). The air pump control box (6) is provided with a control box master switch (7), a large airbag switch (8) and a small airbag 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 airbag (17) and the small airbag (18).

7. A brace for ankle ligament repair according to claim 6, characterized in that, The air bladder (17) is provided with an air bladder interface (14), which is used to connect the air bladder (17) and the air pump control system.

8. A brace for ankle ligament repair according to claim 7, characterized in that, 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.

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