Together for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of a knee

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising: a knee brace intended to assist movement, said brace comprising two parts intended to respectively encircle the lower thigh and the upper leg surrounding the knee; a thermotherapy brace comprising a compressible sheath (1, 1a) around the knee incorporating a gel with thermal properties suitable for applying thermotherapeutic treatment; the gel being arranged in at least two compartments (2, 2a, 2b) of the sheath (1, 1a) and comprising: between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent; less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and / or pH compensating agent; and the remainder being saline water. Figure 4a

Description

Title of the invention: Set for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of a knee

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of a wearer's knee, in particular for post-traumatic or post-operative treatment, or for sports recovery of said knee.

[0002] We know of sets comprising: - a splint intended to be worn on the knee to assist its movements, particularly during a period of rehabilitation following an injury and / or a surgical operation; - a thermotherapy splint comprising a sheath which is compressible around the knee, and which further incorporates a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermo-therapeutic treatment to said knee.

[0003] In particular, thermotherapy splints are known in which the sheath is inflatable, for example by means of a manually operated pump or a portable electronic inflation module, as taught by document FR-3 080 986, in order to inflate a chamber provided for this purpose in said sheath with a suitable inflation fluid, and thus exert a compressive force on the part of the body to be treated by means of said sheath.

[0004] For good distribution of cold or heat around the part of the body to be treated, the thermal gel is generally packaged in a compartment of large dimensions, preferably with an area substantially equal to the area of ​​said sheath.

[0005] In this type of sheath, the gel is generally packaged as is in its compartment, which, due to its low viscosity, can cause a heterogeneous distribution of said gel around the body part, and thus alter the quality of the treatment provided by the splint. In particular, when the sheath is arranged vertically, for example around the knee of a human wearer standing upright, the thermal gel can collapse in its compartment under the effect of gravity.

[0006] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing a set for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of a knee, which notably comprises a thermotherapy splint in which a thermal gel is distributed so as to be able to homogeneously surround said knee, said gel also having improved thermal properties to facilitate the transfer of heat or cold within said sheath.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention proposes a set for treatment and rehabilitation functional of a knee of the wearer, said assembly comprising: - a splint intended to be worn on the knee to assist its movements, said splint comprising an upper part and a lower part intended to surround respectively the lower part of the thigh and the upper part of the leg surrounding the knee, said parts: • being connected by two central hinges intended to be arranged on either side of said knee along a common axis of rotation parallel to that of said knee; and • each comprising two upper and lower tightening straps around the lower thigh and the upper leg respectively; - a thermotherapy splint comprising a compressible sheath around the knee and incorporating a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying thermo-therapeutic treatment to said knee;

[0008] the gel being arranged in at least two compartments of the sheath to be compressed on said knee, said gel comprising: - between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; - between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent; - less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and / or pH compensating agent; - the salt water supplement.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0010] [Fig-1] represents in perspective view from above a sheath of a thermo splint therapy of a set according to a first embodiment of the invention, adapted to be arranged around a knee of a human wearer;

[0011] [Fig.2] represents in perspective an inflation pump adapted for a thermotherapy splint according to all of the embodiments represented;

[0012] [Fig.3] shows in front view a holding element for placing a thermotherapy splint according to [Fig.l] around a knee of a human wearer;

[0013] [Fig.4a],

[0014] [Fig.4b] and

[0015] [Fig.4c] each represent in top view and in a partially transparent manner a sheath according to a respective variant embodiment of [Fig.l];

[0016] [Fig.5a] and

[0017] [Fig.5b] each represent, respectively in top view and in bottom view, a splint intended to be worn on the knee to assist its movements, according to a first embodiment of the invention, and intended to form a unit with

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025] one of the thermotherapy splints from the previous figures; [Fig.6] represents in perspective view from above a hinge of the assistance splint of figures 5a and 5b; [Fig.7] shows a top view of a knee movement assistance splint according to another embodiment of the invention. In relation to these figures, a set is described below for the treatment and functional recovery of a wearer's knee, in particular for post-traumatic or post-operative treatment, or for sports recovery of said knee. The set includes: - a splint 10a, 10b intended to be worn on the knee to assist its movements, in particular during a period of rehabilitation of said knee following an injury and / or a surgical operation; - a thermotherapy splint comprising a sheath 1 which is compressible around the knee. In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken in reference to the position of a splint worn by the wearer. Thus: - the terms “internal” and “external” relate to an arrangement by a median sagittal plane passing through the wearer’s body, and relate to an arrangement respectively close to and far from said plane; - the terms “interior” and “exterior” relate to a disposition relative to the wearer’s body, and relate to a disposition respectively close to and far from said body. Sleeve 1 incorporates a gel with thermal properties suitable for applying thermotherapeutic treatment to the knee, in order to relieve, by varying the temperature, pain following an injury and / or an operation. This pain can affect the joints, tendons and / or muscles, and may be due, for example, to contractures, aches and pains, or even inflammation (tendinitis, etc.). In particular, cold treatment (cryotherapy) helps reduce the diameter of blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling, bruising and inflammation, and also facilitating the evacuation of lactic acid after physical exertion. This treatment is therefore particularly recommended as a first-line treatment for pain and / or injuries resulting from sports, such as muscle aches, sprains, dislocations or strains. Conversely, heat treatment helps dilate blood vessels, thus facilitating blood circulation and also facilitating muscle relaxation. This treatment is particularly suitable for relieving chronic muscle and / or joint pain, and can be used in particular as a second intention to treat injuries resulting from sports practice.

[0026] Advantageously, the sheath 1 incorporates a thermal gel which is suitable for both cold and heat treatments, which allows the splint to be used throughout the recovery period following trauma and / or a surgical operation.

[0027] To do this, the thermal gel includes: - between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; - between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent; - less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and / or pH compensating agent; - the salt water supplement.

[0028] The use of propylene glycol proves to be particularly interesting, in that this component has heat-transfer properties, in particular when it is in the aqueous state. In addition, the addition of a glycol to an aqueous formulation makes it possible to lower its freezing point, which makes it possible to limit the hardening of the thermal gel when it is subjected to low temperatures, for example when it is placed in a freezer for a cryotherapy treatment.

[0029] In particular, the proportions of propylene glycol in the thermal gel allow it to be cooled without hardening, which allows the thermotherapy splint to be used immediately after cooling of said gel, without hard areas remaining which could cause pain and / or discomfort to the wearer.

[0030] Hydroxyethylcellulose makes it possible to modulate the viscosity of the gel, and also has film-forming properties, which makes it possible to form a protective barrier on the surface of said gel, in order to maintain for a prolonged period the thermal effects provided by said gel at the contact surface of the sheath 1 with the knee. This component also acts as a stabilizing agent, which makes it possible to stabilize the composition of the gel and increase its shelf life.

[0031] Triethanolamine (TEA) is a basic component known for preparing gels, in that it makes it possible to complement the gelling action of carbomers which are generally used to thicken these formulations. This component is also particularly interesting due to its pH compensation properties.

[0032] The formulation presented makes it possible to obtain a thermal gel with a viscosity of between 35,000 and 55,000 centipoise (cP) at 25°C, as well as a pH of between 6 and 7. It also allows the gel to cool very quickly when placed in a freezer, with a temperature drop to -20°C after less than 5 minutes, then to maintain a temperature below 0°C for approximately 50 minutes, before stabilizing at a temperature of between 17 and 18°C ​​after approximately 90 minutes.

[0033] The thermal gel may also comprise additional components, depending on the desired properties. In particular, the thermal gel may comprise a coloring agent to give it an aesthetic appearance related to its use, for example a blue-colored dye for use for cryotherapy purposes (cold treatment).

[0034] The thermal gel is arranged in at least two compartments 2 of the sheath 1 to be compressed on the knee. This improves the distribution of the gel around the knee, which makes it possible to apply a thermo-therapeutic treatment homogeneously over the entire surface of said knee surrounded by the sheath 1.

[0035] The sheath 1 has a flat geometry which is symmetrical with respect to a plane (not shown) which extends perpendicular to said sheath as shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c, the gel compartments 2 being distributed equally on either side of said plane of symmetry.

[0036] The sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” comprises two lateral compartments 2a and an upper compartment 2b intended to come respectively on either side and above the knee, and each containing a portion of thermal gel, as shown in Figures 4a to 4c. This arrangement ensures that a portion of thermal gel remains above the knee when the wearer of the thermotherapy splint is standing.

[0037] In the embodiments shown, the sheath 1 comprises an envelope comprising two outer 3a and inner 3b layers of textile material, which are joined by seams 4 along their respective peripheries, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b of thermal gel being formed between said inner and outer layers.

[0038] In particular, the sheath 1 may comprise an inner layer 3b made of polyamide (Nylon®) soaked in polyurethane (PU) or any other ad hoc material substituting it, intended to come into direct contact with the wearer's knee, as well as an opposite outer layer 3a made of a brushed mesh base of a polyester or polyamide base.

[0039] The sheath 1 further comprises at least two intermediate layers 6 made of plastic material, for example based on a polyurethane (PU) film, which are arranged between the textile layers 3a, 3b and associated at their peripheries via a common welding strip 5, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b of thermal gel being arranged between said intermediate layers.

[0040] In each of the embodiments shown, the intermediate layers 6 are also associated at their peripheries with the inner 3b and outer 3a layers via the seam 4 and a bonding strip 9 extending between said seam and the peripheral weld 5.

[0041] In Figures 4a, 4b, the intermediate layers 6 are further welded together along at least one line 7 to form at least two compartments 2, 2a, 2b for the receipt of a portion of thermal gel respectively.

[0042] According to a first variant, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b are arranged to each receive a portion directly in the form of gel ([Fig.4a]). To do this, the intermediate layers 6 can be reinforced, for example by internal coating of a suitable product, to be able to receive gel in a sealed manner, in particular to prevent gel leaks between two compartments 2, 2a, 2b and / or outside the sheath 1, 1a.

[0043] According to a second variant, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b are arranged to each receive a pocket 8 in which a portion of thermal gel is packaged ( [Fig.4b]). The pockets 8 are made of a waterproof material that is sufficiently strong to be able to deform under the effect of the pressure exerted by the sheath 1, 1a' when it is compressed around the part of the body, while preventing them from breaking and gel from leaking inside their respective compartments 2, 2a, 2b.

[0044] In particular, each compartment 2, 2a, 2b may have at least one reclosable opening formed in the sheath 1a', for example by punctual interruption of the seams 4 and the gluing and welding strips 5, 9 and / or by means of self-gripping devices of the Velcro® type, to allow the insertion and removal of a pocket 8 of thermal gel in said compartment.

[0045] [Fig.4c] represents a third variant embodiment of the invention, in which the intermediate layers 6 are welded together only at their peripheries, so as to form a space 12 for receiving at least two pockets 8 in each of which a portion of thermal gel is conditioned, said pockets each forming a compartment 2, 2a, 2b of thermal gel within said space.

[0046] Advantageously, in this third variant, the space 12 may have at least one closable opening formed in the sheath 1, 1a” to allow the insertion and removal of at least one pocket 8 of thermal gel in said space, for example to replace said pocket with a previously cooled or heated pocket, depending on the treatment chosen.

[0047] For this purpose, openings may be formed locally at the peripheral junction 4, 5, 9 of the layers 3a, 3b, 6, for example by means of Velcro-type self-gripping devices, in order to allow the removal and insertion through said openings of gel pockets 8 into the portion of the space 12 opposite.

[0048] The sheath 1 further comprises an inflation chamber formed above the compartments 2, 2a, 2b for conditioning the thermal gel, in order to ensure their compression around the knee by inflation of said chamber.

[0049] To this end, in the embodiments shown, the sheath 1 comprises an external valve 13 for inflating the chamber which comprises a means 15 for connection to a manual inflation device 14 ([Fig.2]), said valve further comprising an in switch 16 for selectively opening and closing the communication of said chamber with the outside.

[0050] The inflation device 14 comprises a tube 17 equipped at one end with a nozzle 18 for its sealed connection to the inflation valve 13, the second end of said tube being provided with a deformable pump 19 on which a user must exert successive manual pressures to inject air into the chamber via said inflation valve.

[0051] The inflation chamber is formed between the outer textile layer 3a opposite the thermal gel conditioning compartments 2, 2a, 2b and the adjacent intermediate layer 6, the inflation valve 13 being arranged on said outer layer. In particular, the sheath 1 may comprise a third intermediate layer of polyurethane film arranged between the outer textile layer 3a and the adjacent intermediate layer 6 delimiting the gel compartments 2, 2a, 2b, said third layer being equipped with the inflation valve 13.

[0052] The thermotherapy splint comprises an element 20 (shown in [Fig.3]) for maintaining and compressing the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” around the knee.

[0053] In particular, the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” shown in Figures 1 and 4a to 4c is arranged to be placed on the front of the knee, and for this purpose comprises a central recess 21 for receiving the kneecap, the lateral compartment 2a and upper compartment 2b coming respectively from either side and above said knee. Furthermore, the holding element 20 is arranged to come to the rear of the knee, while holding the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” on the front of said knee.

[0054] Advantageously, the holding element 20 comprises an envelope in which an additional compartment 2c containing thermal gel is formed, in order to be able to apply a thermo-therapeutic treatment to the back of the knee. In particular, this envelope may have outer 3a, inner 3b and intermediate 6 layers identical to those of the envelope of the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a”, the additional compartment 2c being formed by welding 5 between said intermediate layers.

[0055] In a variant not shown, the holding element may comprise a textile strip intended to at least partially surround the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” to compress it around the knee.

[0056] The holding element 20 comprises at least one strap 22 made of gripping material, in particular Velcro® type hooks, intended to be associated with a complementary gripping material carried by the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” and / or by the holding element 20 to compress said sheath around the knee.

[0057] For this purpose, the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” and / or the holding element 20 may comprise an outer layer 3a covered at least in part with such a material. additional grip, for example in brushed mesh.

[0058] In [Fig. 3], the holding element 20 comprises two pairs of gripping straps 22 fixed on either side of its envelope, and each intended to engage on the outer layer 3a of brushed mesh of the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a”.

[0059] To use the splint for cryotherapy purposes, the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” may be placed in a freezer, at a temperature between -22°C and -18°C, for approximately 8 hours. For this purpose, the thermotherapy splint may be marketed with a hermetic bag adapted to receive the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a”, in order to preserve said sheath from humidity and to avoid any contact with other products, in particular food, which may be stored simultaneously in said freezer.

[0060] In the case where the thermotherapy splint is equipped with removable gel pockets, said pockets can be extracted from the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” to be placed in the freezer for the recommended duration and within the recommended temperature range, in particular by being placed in the airtight bag described above.

[0061] When using the thermotherapy splint, the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” can be removed from the freezer and then massaged over its entire surface, in order to ensure good distribution of the gel in their compartments. Such an operation can also be carried out with a sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” equipped with removable gel pockets, by replacing said pockets in their compartments 2, 2a, 2b or in the space 12 provided for this purpose, in order to avoid direct contact of said refrigerated pockets with the hands of the wearer or a third party caregiver.

[0062] The sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” is then placed on the wearer's knee, arranging its central recess 21 around the kneecap and the compartments 2, 2a, 2b respectively around and above said knee, then held on said knee by means of the holding element 20.

[0063] To do this, the wearer or a third party helper can in particular place the holding element 20 flat on a support, for example a bed or a sofa, with its inner layer 3b facing upwards, and the wearer can place his leg so as to have the back of his knee on said inner layer.

[0064] Then, the wearer or a third party helper can place the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” on the front of the knee of said wearer, as indicated previously, then hold and compress said sheath on said knee by means of the element 20 and the gripping strips 22.

[0065] To avoid direct contact between the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a”, the envelope of the element 20 and the wearer's skin, and thus avoid any risk of burning from the cold, said sheath and the element 20 may in particular be worn over a shaping and / or compressive garment, for example a post-operative compressive stocking or tights, or a protective fabric placed on said skin.

[0066] For optimal results, the wearer can especially keep lying down and feel- ably straighten the leg wearing the thermotherapy splint throughout the treatment session, during which the sheath 1, the, the', the” and the element 20 can remain in place for a maximum of 20 minutes, in order to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold.

[0067] At the end, the wearer or the third party helping can remove the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a” and the element 20, in particular to replace them in the freezer for a subsequent treatment session.

[0068] In relation to Figures 5a to 7, the assembly further comprises a splint 10a, 10b intended to be worn on the knee to assist its movements. This splint 10a, 10b can in particular be worn during the day, in order to assist in the functional rehabilitation of the knee after an injury and / or a surgical operation.

[0069] This assistance splint 10a, 10b comprises an upper part 22 and a lower part 23 intended to surround respectively the lower thigh and the upper leg surrounding the knee of the wearer, and are connected by two central hinges 24a, 24b intended to be arranged on either side of said knee, along an axis of rotation parallel to that of said knee.

[0070] In the embodiments shown, the assistance splint 10a, 10b comprises two lateral supports 25a, 25b intended to be arranged on either side simultaneously of the knee, the lower thigh and the upper leg of the wearer, said supports each comprising an upper portion 26a, 26b and a lower portion 27a, 27b connected by a central hinge 24a, 24b, which respectively form the upper 22 and lower 23 parts of said splint.

[0071] In Figures 5a and 5b, each support 25a comprises two upper 28 and lower 29 rods made of rigid material, for example metal, which are each secured to a plate 30 forming the hinge 24a, each rod 28, 29 comprising two pads, respectively upper 31 and lower 32, intended to come into contact with the lower thigh and the upper leg of the wearer respectively.

[0072] The pads 31, 32 have oblong geometries, in particular elliptical, the upper pads 31 intended to come into contact with the thigh having a length which is greater than that of the lower pads 32 intended to come into contact with the leg.

[0073] In particular, each support 25a has a central pad 33 of circular geometry, on an outer face of which the plate 30 of the hinge 24a is mounted.

[0074] Each pad 31, 32, 33 comprises an inner face 34 arranged to come to bear on the wearer's body, said inner face being coated with a layer of flexible material, in particular elastomer foam, in order to allow said pad to fit the area of ​​the wearer's body on which it comes to bear, and thus to improve the support of the splint 10a on the wearer's body.

[0075] The upper end of each lower rod 29 is slidably mounted in a groove 35 formed in an arc of a circle on the periphery of the plate 30 to allow rotation following the hinge 24a of the lower part 23 of the splint 10a relative to its upper part 22, and thus allow the wearer to bend his leg when he puts on said splint.

[0076] In relation to figures 5a and 6, the hinges 24a each comprise an element 36 for adjusting their angular amplitude of rotation around the axis of rotation of the knee, in order to allow the wearer to limit the movements of said knee, depending on the stage of healing and / or functional recovery of said knee.

[0077] In particular, the adjustment element 36 comprises two tabs 38 mounted in rotation on the plate 30 around a central pivot 37 with an axis parallel to that of the hinge 24a, said tabs each having a free end movable along the groove 35 by rotation of said tab, and on which are mounted a lug for locking said tab in rotation on said plate, as well as a push button 39 for deactivating said lug to release said rotation.

[0078] The arrangement of the tabs 38 on the plate 30 allows them to form two stops to limit the sliding travel of the lower rod 29 in the groove 35, and thus limit the amplitude of rotation of the lower part 23 of the splint 10a relative to the upper part 22. To adjust this travel, the wearer or a third party helping presses at least one push button 39, then slides the tab(s) 38 along the groove 35 to a chosen position, then releases said push button(s) to automatically lock said position.

[0079] In [Fig.7], the supports 25b each comprise a blank made of textile material which has in a single piece the upper 26b and lower 27b portions, as well as a central portion 40 of reduced width which connects the portions 26b, 27b and has an external face on which a metal hinge 24b is associated.

[0080] The upper 22 and lower 23 parts each further comprise two upper 41a, 41b and lower 42a, 42b straps to enable them to be tightened around the lower thigh and the upper leg of the wearer respectively.

[0081] In the embodiments shown, each strap 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b comprises a portion 43a, 43b which has a first end associated with a lateral support 25a, 25b and a free end intended to slide in a tightening loop 44 mounted on the other lateral support 25a, 25b to allow tightening of the corresponding splint part 23, 23 around the lower thigh or upper leg of the wearer.

[0082] In Figures 5a, 5b, each lateral support 25a, 25b comprises four loops 45 each mounted on an outer face of a pad 31, 32 respectively, and in each of which slides a strap 41a, 42a respectively, said lateral supports being connected by portions 46 of said straps which each extend between two loops respective 45 of said supports facing horizontally.

[0083] In particular, in this first embodiment, the assistance splint comprises four straps 41a, 42a which extend continuously between the two supports 25a, presenting in a single piece: a portion 47 with which the tightening loop 44 is associated; a central portion 46 connecting said supports; a portion 43a whose free end is intended to slide in the loop 44.

[0084] In [Fig.7], each strap 41b, 42b comprises two portions 48, 43b formed from separate parts and each associated with a lateral support 25b respectively, the free end of a first portion 48 carrying a tightening loop 44 in which the free end of a second portion 43b is intended to slide. In particular, each lateral support 25b has an alternation of two by two first portions 48 and second portions 43b.

[0085] In this second embodiment, the lateral supports 25b are connected at their internal edges by at least one upper elastic band 49 associated with the upper part 22 and at least one lower elastic band 50 associated with the lower part 23.

[0086] Advantageously, the upper 22 and lower 23 parts each comprise two elastic bands 49, 50 which each have a first upper end 51 fixed to an internal edge of a lateral support 25b and a second lower end 52 fixed to an internal edge of the other lateral support 25b, the respective upper 51 - and lower 52 - ends of said elastic bands being arranged horizontally opposite each other.

[0087] Thus, each part 22, 23 of the assistance splint 10b comprises two elastic bands which cross between the internal edges of the lateral supports 25b, which makes it possible to improve the comfort of the wearer using said assistance splint.

Claims

Claims

1. Set for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of a wearer's knee, said set comprising: - a splint (10a, 10b) intended to be worn on the knee to assist its movements, said splint comprising an upper part (22) and a lower part (23) each intended to surround respectively the lower part of the thigh and the upper part of the leg surrounding the knee, said parts: • being connected by two central hinges (24a, 24b) intended to be arranged on either side of said knee along a common axis of rotation parallel to that of said knee; and • each comprising two upper (41a, 41b) and lower (42a, 42b) tightening straps around the lower thigh and the upper leg respectively; - a thermotherapy splint comprising a compressible sheath (1, la, la', la”) around the knee and incorporating a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermo-therapeutic treatment to said knee; said assembly being characterized in that the gel is arranged in at least two compartments (2, 2a, 2b) of the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a”) to be compressed on said knee, said gel comprising: - between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; - between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent; - less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and / or pH compensating agent; - the salt water supplement.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the assistance splint (10a, 10b) comprises two lateral supports (25a, 25b) intended to be arranged simultaneously on either side of the knee, the lower thigh and the upper leg, said supports comprising each an upper portion (26a, 26b) and a lower portion (27a, 27b) connected by a central hinge (24a, 24b) which respectively form the upper (22) and lower (23) parts of said splint.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the straps (41a, 41b, 42a, 42b) of the assistance splint (10a, 10b) each comprise a portion (43a, 43b) which has a first end associated with a lateral support (25a, 25b) and a free end intended to slide in a tightening loop (44) mounted on the other lateral support (25a, 25b) to allow the tightening of the corresponding splint part (22, 23) around the lower thigh or upper leg of the wearer.

4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral supports (25a) each comprise four loops (45) in each of which slides respectively a strap (41a, 42a), said lateral supports being connected by portions (46) of said straps which each extend between two respective loops (45) of said supports facing horizontally.

5. Assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral supports (25a) each comprise two upper pads (31) and two lower pads (32) intended to come into contact with the lower thigh and the upper leg of the wearer respectively, each pad (31, 32) comprising an inner face arranged to come into contact with the body of the wearer and an outer face on which a loop (45) is mounted.

6. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral supports (25b) are connected at their internal edges by at least one upper elastic band (49) associated with the upper part (22) and at least one lower elastic band (50) associated with the lower part (23).

7. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper (22) and lower (23) parts of the assistance splint (10b) each comprise two elastic bands (49, 50) which each have a first upper end (51) fixed on an internal edge of one support (25b) and a second lower end (52) fixed on an internal edge of the other support (25), the respective upper (51) - or lower (52) - ends of said elastic bands being arranged horizontally opposite each other.

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hinges (24a) each comprise an element (36) for adjusting their angular amplitude of rotation around the axis of knee rotation.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a”) comprises two lateral compartments (2a) and an upper compartment (2b) intended to come respectively on either side and above the knee, and each containing a portion of thermal gel.

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a”) comprises an inflation chamber formed above the gel conditioning compartments (2, 2a, 2b) to ensure their compression around the knee by inflation of said chamber.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the sheath (1, la, la', la”) comprises an external valve (13) for inflating the chamber which comprises means (15) for connection to a manual inflation device (14), said valve further comprising a switch (16) for selectively opening and closing the communication of said chamber with the outside.

12. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the thermotherapy splint comprises an element (20) for holding and compressing the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a”) on the knee.

13. Assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the holding element (20) comprises an envelope in which an additional compartment (2c) containing thermal gel is formed.

14. Assembly according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the holding element (20) comprises at least one strap (22) made of gripping material intended to be associated with a complementary gripping material (3a) carried by the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a”) and / or by the holding element (20) to compress said sheath onto the part of the body.

15. Assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a”) and / or the holding element (20) comprises an outer layer (3a) covered at least in part with a complementary gripping material.

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