Orthosis

Abstract

An orthosis for attachment to an extremity (6) comprising a first fastening device (2) which is designed as a cuff adapted to an upper arm (8) or thigh (9), and a second fastening device (3), wherein the first fastening device (2) is connected to the second fastening device (3) by means of at least one spring element (5), characterized in that - the first fastening device (2) - comprises two opposite webs (7) which serve to fasten the spring elements (5) and to guide at least one fixing band (31) or - comprises a lateral support element (27) and - the second fastening device (3) - designed to be fixed to a forearm (18) or a wrist (17) or to fix an ankle (21) - and for fixing the ankle joint (21) comprises a sole plate (5) with a fastening strap (23), wherein a heel part (25) is connected to the sole plate (24), on which a lower leg cuff (15) is arranged.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an orthosis for attachment to an extremity, comprising a first fastening device which is designed as a cuff adapted to an upper arm or thigh, and a second fastening device, wherein the first fastening device is connected to the second fastening device by means of at least one spring element.

[0002] An orthosis, also known as a splint, is a medical device used to stabilize, relieve pressure, immobilize, guide, or correct limbs or the torso.

[0003] State-of-the-art orthoses are generally essentially rigid, meaning they have a quasi-static effect, and restrict the patient's mobility. Immobilizing a limb or joint is often accompanied by undesirable muscle loss.

[0004] DE 20 2014 008 160 U1 discloses a hip joint relief orthosis with a first fastening device and a second fastening device, wherein the first fastening device is connected to the second fastening device by means of at least one spring element.

[0005] DE 20 2018 103 647 U1 discloses a wrist orthosis comprising a first fastening device and a second fastening device with receiving bores for dip tubes. Each of the dip tubes is loaded at its end face by a spring element arranged in the receiving bores of the first fastening device. The spring element does not create a connection between the first fastening device and the second fastening device.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 20 2010 006 299 U1 shows an orthosis with three fastening devices, with adjacent fastening devices connected to each other via orthosis joints. Furthermore, lockable gas springs are arranged between adjacent fastening devices.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of creating an orthosis of the type mentioned at the outset which contributes to joint relief and yet allows mobility, wherein the degree of mobility or relief can be selected or adjusted if necessary.

[0008] According to the invention, the object is achieved in that - the first fastening device - comprises two opposing webs which serve to attach the spring elements and to guide at least one fixing strap or - comprises a lateral support element and - the second fastening device - designed to be fixed to a forearm or wrist or to fix an ankle - and for fixing the ankle, comprises a sole plate with a fastening strap, wherein a heel part is connected to the sole plate, to which a lower leg cuff is arranged.

[0009] The orthosis is a so-called traction orthosis.

[0010] The first and second fastening devices are applied to the patient's extremities in such a way that a joint is arranged between them. For example, the first fastening device is assigned to a forearm, an upper arm, a lower leg, or a thigh, and the second fastening device is assigned to a hand, a forearm, a foot, an ankle, or a lower leg, and is fastened, for example, by means of straps or cuffs or the like. The patient can move the joint located between the two fastening devices, i.e., the wrist, elbow, knee, or ankle, while the extremity is still relieved of stress under the dampening effect of the at least one spring element.

[0011] The spring element, together with the associated fastening devices, which are coupled to the spring element, for example, by means of screws or rivets, ensures targeted relief with a mobility essentially determined by the spring force. The spring element can be a conventional compression or tension spring, a gas pressure spring, a gas tension spring, a hydraulic or pneumatic spring element, a spring rod, or the like with a spring characteristic or spring force that can be selected or adjusted by a person skilled in the art.

[0012] The first fastening device comprises two opposing webs that serve to attach the spring elements and / or guide fixation straps. Accordingly, the first fastening device has a relatively simple structure and is easily adaptable to the patient. The two webs extend longitudinally to the extremity to which the fastening device is to be applied and have, for example, guide openings for looping or threading at least one fixation strap that wraps around the associated extremity, for example, the patient's upper arm or thigh.

[0013] The first fastening device that can be applied to the upper arm comprises a lateral support element that can be applied, for example, to an upper body of the patient in order to stabilize the arm of the patient, in particular the upper arm, relative to the upper body.

[0014] The second fastening device is designed for attachment to the forearm or wrist, or for fixation at the ankle. A type of cuff can be provided to secure the spring elements, or the previously described webs can be provided. In both cases, attachment can be achieved by means of at least one fixation strap.

[0015] The fixing band mentioned above and below can be designed, for example, as a flexible band or a tensile band, in particular a Velcro band, a band with snap fasteners, fastening buckles or the like.

[0016] The second fastening device comprises a footplate with a fastening strap for securing the ankle. A heel portion is attached to the footplate, to which a lower leg cuff is attached. Thus, the ankle is held in the fastening device and the foot is aligned in a defined position relative to the lower leg.

[0017] The subclaims represent advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0018] Preferably, two parallel and spaced-apart spring elements are arranged on opposite sides of the fastening devices. When the orthosis is in use, there is a free space between the two spring elements for the extremity to be supported. When the orthosis is applied to a patient, the two spring elements support the extremity laterally, allowing the joint to be relieved to move between the two spring elements.

[0019] To achieve the pivotable mounting of the first fastening device relative to the second fastening device, each of the spring elements is expediently coupled to at least the first fastening device in an articulated manner. For example, the coupling can be realized around the axis of a screw or rivet, or across multiple axes, by means of a ball joint acting between the spring element and the associated fastening device.

[0020] The spring element is designed as a gas spring. This provides a force that is virtually independent of the spring travel, yet still retains a compact spring element design. The spring element's damping can be adjusted, for example, by changing the preload or the prevailing pressure. This allows for variable relief of the extremity, adapting it to the patient's weight or the required degree of relief.

[0021] The spring elements are conveniently attached to both sides of the sole plate.

[0022] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations. The scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0024] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an orthosis for a forearm of a patient, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the orthosis according to Fig. 1 on one of the patient’s forearms, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the orthosis for a patient’s lower leg, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the orthosis according to Fig. 3 on the patient's lower leg Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the orthosis for one arm of the patient, Fig. 6 another perspective view of the orthosis according to Fig. 5, Fig. 7 an enlarged view of detail VII according to Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 a schematic representation of the orthosis according to Fig. 6 on the patient's arm.

[0025] The orthosis 1 designed as a so-called traction orthosis comprises a first fastening device 2 and a second fastening device 3 spaced therefrom, wherein the first fastening device 2 is connected to the second fastening device 3 by means of spring elements 5 designed as gas springs 4 in order to generate a force opposing the displacement of the first fastening device 2 relative to the second fastening device 3, which force enables a relief of an extremity 6 provided with the orthosis 1 with only slightly restricted freedom of movement.

[0026] The first fastening device 2 comprises in the embodiments according to the Fig. 1 to 4, two webs 7, which can be aligned parallel and spaced apart from one another, in order to accommodate the extremity 6, in this case the upper arm 8 or the thigh 9, between the webs 7. For fastening, at least one fixing strap 31 designed as a hook-and-loop fastener 10 is provided, which wraps around the associated extremity 6 and is guided through guide slots 11 in the webs 7. Of course, one hook-and-loop fastener 10 can be arranged in a spiral shape, or several hook-and-loop fasteners 10 or fixing straps 31 can be arranged parallel to one another.

[0027] At each web 7, one end of a gas spring 4 is arranged, which has a ball joint 11. A joint ball of the ball joint is guided through the web 7 with a screw pin and secured with a nut 12. Either the patient's elbow joint 13 or knee joint 14 is arranged in this area. The other end of the gas spring 4 is assigned to the second fastening device 3 in such a way that the two gas springs 4 run parallel and spaced apart from each other.

[0028] The second fastening device 3 is, according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 around a type of cuff 15, which is secured around the wrist 17 with a Velcro fastener 16. The gas springs 4 are attached diametrically opposite each other to the cuff 15 of the second fastening device 3.

[0029] Using this orthosis 1 according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a forearm 18 of the patient is relieved by the action of the gas springs 4, which displace the first fastening device 2 in a direction opposite to the second fastening device 3.

[0030] The second fastening device 3 according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is designed for attachment to a foot 19, wherein the foot 19 is aligned with a lower leg 20 relieved by the orthosis 1, thus being held in a defined position. The second attachment device 3 is secured by fastening straps 23, encompassing an ankle 21 and spanning the instep 22, and comprises a sole plate 24, to which a heel part 25 is connected. Spring elements 5, designed as gas springs 4, are arranged on both sides of the heel part 25.

[0031] The first fastening device 2 is in the embodiments according to the Fig. 5 to 8 are essentially ring-shaped and adapted to the upper arm 8. Of course, a design with two half-shells and a connecting element, in particular a Velcro fastener, can also be advantageous here in order to enable comfortable donning and wearing of the first fastening device 2. On the first fastening device 2, fastening plates 26 for securing the ball joints 12 of the spring elements 5 designed as gas springs 4 are arranged on opposite sides. Furthermore, on the first fastening device 2, above a fastening plate 26, there is a roof-shaped support element 27, the first leg 28 of which extends from the first fastening device 2 and merges at an acute angle into a second leg 29 which is longer than the first leg 28.When an orthosis 1 is applied to a patient, the second leg 29 of the support element 27 rests on an upper body 30 of the patient.

[0032] To connect the gas springs 4 to the second fastening device 3, which is designed as a cuff 15 adapted to the forearm 18 of the patient, the second fastening device 3 also carries fastening plates 26 on opposite sides of its circumference for coupling to the ball joints 12 arranged between the gas springs 4 and the second fastening device 3.

[0033] The orthosis 1 according to the Fig. 5 to 8 serves to relieve the upper arm 8 of the patient through the action of the gas springs 4, which displace the first fastening device 2 in a direction opposite to the second fastening device 3.

[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the gas springs 4 can be replaced by hydraulic and / or pneumatic spring elements or by compression springs arranged, for example, in mutually movable sleeves. Furthermore, tension springs attached via bell cranks can also be used. Reference symbol 1 orthosis 2 fastening device 3 Fastening device 4 gas spring 5 spring element 6 Extremity 7 jetty 8 Upper arm 9 thighs 10 Velcro fasteners 11 Guide slot 12 ball joint 13 Elbow joint 14 Knee joint 15 cuff 16 Velcro fasteners 17 Wrist 18 Forearm 19 feet 20 lower legs 21 Ankle 22 Instep 23 Fastening tape 24 Foot sole plate 25 Heel part 26 Mounting plate 27 Support element 28 legs 29 legs 30 Upper body 31 Fixing tape

Claims

[1] An orthosis for attachment to an extremity (6) comprising a first fastening device (2) which is designed as a cuff adapted to an upper arm (8) or thigh (9), and a second fastening device (3), wherein the first fastening device (2) is connected to the second fastening device (3) by means of at least one spring element (5), characterized by , that - the first fastening device (2) - comprises two opposite webs (7) which serve to fasten the spring elements (5) and to guide at least one fixing band (31) or - comprises a lateral support element (27) and - the second fastening device (3) - designed to be fixed to a forearm (18) or a wrist (17) or to fix an ankle (21) - and for fixing the ankle joint (21) comprises a sole plate (5) with a fastening strap (23), wherein a heel part (25) is connected to the sole plate (24), on which a lower leg cuff (15) is arranged. [2] Orthosis according to claim 1, characterized by that two parallel and spaced-apart spring elements (5) are arranged on opposite sides of the fastening devices (2, 3). [3] Orthosis according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that each of the spring elements (5) is articulatedly coupled at least to the first fastening device (2). [4] Orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the spring element (5) is designed as a gas spring (4). [5] Orthosis according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the damping of the spring element (5) is adjustable. [6] Orthosis according to claim 1, characterized bythat the second fastening device (3) can be fixed by means of at least one fastening strap (23). [7] Orthosis according to claim 1, characterized by that the spring elements (5) are attached to both sides of the sole plate (24).

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