System for assisting persons who are disabled due to spine, hip and lower limb injuries

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for assisting persons who are disabled due to spine, hip and lower limb injuries, which uses a complementary support system that bypasses the damaged element, comprising: A frustoconical tubular strap (4p) which covers part of the thoracic area, a belt-strap (4w), a hip belt-strap (4h), a thigh strap (4m), a frustoconical strap (4rp) which is placed on the narrowing below the knee and rests on the upper area of the gastrocnemius or calf muscles, tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles, and a cover-strap of the lower area of the leg and the middle area of the foot (4pp). Some of these elements are joined and integrated together with the adjacent elements or joined by threading or by a tongue-and-groove joint by means of flat strips, corrugated strips, helical springs or springs formed by corrugated circular washers or rings that are stacked on top of one another, where all of them are actuated by pressure.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] AID SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DUE TO INJURIES TO THE SPINE, HIP, AND LOWER LIMBS

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR In aid and recovery devices for people with problems in the waist, hips and lower limbs.

[0004] The object of the Invention consists of:

[0005] Use assistive devices that facilitate the mobility of disabled personnel with problems in one or both of the lower extremities, the hips, or the spine. Prevent falls and allow for rehabilitation and recovery of damaged elements. Totally or partially unload the body weight supported by the legs when these, the spine, or the hips are damaged, especially when the opposite foot or leg is lifted. With this system, the total or partial weight is supported by the device, which rests on the armpits, chest, waist, hips or pelvic area and buttocks, the muscles and the area immediately below the knee and optionally on the feet. It can also be complemented with a crutch, necessary in some cases, when the weight is very heavy, to which the arm or hand cooperates. The system is valid for rehabilitation, partially unloading the body weight depending on the existing damage.That is, the device can support the entire body or part of it, when the injury is minor. The device or devices bypass or bridge the damaged areas, supporting the weight instead of the affected areas.

[0006] The system can be used on one or both legs simultaneously.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

[0008] Canes and crutches are currently used to assist walking, but their use is complicated or ineffective when it comes to assisting injured or disabled people, especially if the damage is to the lower extremities. The present invention solves or reduces these problems.

[0009] Problem to solve and advantages.

[0010] Being able to walk normally, or almost normally, with full or partial support from the device or apparatus, as appropriate. Optionally, one or two crutches or canes may be used additionally. These may be necessary in more severe cases, although their use may be eliminated or reduced as the muscles and menisci recover, or the affected bones of the spine, hips, legs, and feet heal.

[0011] The assistance system for people with spinal, hip, and lower limb injuries uses support devices and devices that separate them. It is characterized by the fact that it includes: a) truncated cone-shaped support elements or brackets, b) helical springs that generally surround the damaged area, and c) flat or corrugated steel strips. Helical springs are generally made of round wire but can also be made of radially flattened wire or longitudinally flattened. In the latter, the wires are inserted into each other with adjacent wires. Helical springs and strips allow for a greater quantity and number of movements. Helical springs are all pressure springs; corrugated strips can also act in the same way. The springs, acting under pressure, tend to separate the two elements involved.

[0012] When the injury is minor, the support of the device on the waist, hips, thighs, and the upper part of the leg below the knee may be sufficient. This means that not all support points must necessarily be used. The chest, thighs, and below-the-knee areas are held, covered, or surrounded by flexible, semi-rigid, truncated-cone-shaped elements, although they can also be rigid. Belts or bands are used at the waist and hips. These can be replaced by straps that spirally encircle and wrap the affected limbs. These are secured to rigid or semi-rigid support elements. The areas in the legs can be covered with a stocking.

[0013] It provides a simple, economical, useful and practical system that allows the rehabilitation and movement without affecting the damaged areas.

[0014] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention prevents or reduces the difficulty experienced by people with mobility problems related to injuries to the spine, hips and lower limbs and facilitates their recovery or restoration. The assistance system for people with disabilities due to injuries to the spine, hip and lower limbs uses a complementary support system that bypasses the damaged element and is characterized in that it comprises support elements formed by: A truncated conical tubular band that covers part of the thoracic area, a belt band, a hip belt band, a wrist, a truncated conical band that is located in a narrowing position below the knee and rests on the upper area of ​​the calf (or gastrocnemius or twin muscles, anterior tibial and long lateral peroneus), a band - covering the lower area of ​​the leg and the middle area of ​​the foot.Some of these elements are joined together by means of threads or tongue-and-groove joints using flat or corrugated strips, helical springs with round wire, flat wire, or corrugated flat wire, all of which are pressure-actuated. This is to prevent or reduce contact between damaged bones and / or muscles. The support elements can be rigid, semi-rigid, or elastic.

[0016] The muscles involved in these areas are of great consistency or resistance to traction and compression and together, all or part of them, they support all or part of the weight that normally rests on each of the lower limbs.

[0017] In the area of ​​the thoracic wall, the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, serratus anterior, subclavius, intercostals (external, internal and intimate), subcostals and transverse thoracic muscles act, also including the diaphragm.

[0018] In the waist area, the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, iliopsoas, femoris, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, teres major, serratus anterior, triceps brachii and lumbar muscles act.

[0019] In the hip area the muscles act in two layers:

[0020] Bulky, superficial muscles whose primary actions are to abduct and extend the hip at the hip joint. These are the gluteus maximus, pluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor thalassemia latae.

[0021] Small, deep muscles whose primary function is to rotate the hip at the hip joint: these are the piriformis, obturator internus, superior gastrocnemius, inferior gastrocnemius, and quadratus femoris muscles. These are also known as the deep hip muscles, pelvic trochanteric muscles, or deep lateral rotators. The following muscles act on the thighs:

[0022] Anterior thigh muscles or hip joint flexors These also extend the knee and leg.

[0023] Medial muscles of the thigh or adductors of the hip joint.

[0024] Posterior thigh muscles or extensors of the hip joint These also act by flexing (the knee.

[0025] In the upper part of the leg, below the knee, the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles are the main muscles involved.

[0026] A slight elevation can be applied to the opposite shoe or foot in case you do not want the foot on the injured side to rest on the ground. Likewise, in this case, the height of the injured foot can be adjusted so that it rests on the ground gradually as the injury or deterioration improves and reduces. In this case, a foam pad can be added and the support element can be adjusted in length using two parts or elements threaded together, or extendable, tongue and groove, inserting one end into the other in a bayonet shape.

[0027] The elements or devices can be manufactured taking into account the patient's characteristics or using an adjustment system by threading or inserting one into the adjacent one. The system can be used simultaneously on both legs.

[0028] The support element may be supported on one or both axes. Stainless steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber are used as materials, and plastic polymers, fabrics, fiberglass, plastic polymer foams, and similar materials are used for the straps, bands, or sleeves. The sleeves, bands, or straps used may have a Velcro-type closure at one end.

[0029] Flexible elements, rods, strips, wave and helical springs are available in varying consistencies or compressive strengths and different dimensions to suit different users. They can also be adjusted to adjacent elements by threading, tongue and groove, etc., in length and width. Helical springs can be made of round wire, flat wire, or waved flat wire.

[0030] Flat wire helical springs can take the form of a corkscrew

[0031] Flat-wire helical springs have angled wires, giving each coil a conical shape. Therefore, when pressure is applied, each coil tends to push into the adjacent coil.

[0032] A variant of a spring, it is made up of several washers or circular, wavy crowns superimposed on each other.

[0033] All types of springs can be interchanged or placed together, acting as a support between the various related elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic, elevational and side view of an individual with the system of the invention.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 show schematic, elevated and side views of an individual wearing a variant of the system of the invention. Figure 4 shows a schematic, elevated and side view of an individual wearing a stocking covering the orthoses used in Figures 1 through 3.

[0036] Figures 5 to 11 show schematic variants, in elevation and side views, of an individual with variants of the system of the invention.

[0037] Figure 12 shows a schematic variant, in elevation and front view, of the skeleton of an individual showing the points of application of the fastening or support elements.

[0038] Reference numbers used in the drawings: 1f. Flat strips.

[0039] 1s. Wavy straps.

[0040] 1 ch Helical spring between waist and hip

[0041] 1 hm. Helical spring between hip and wrist

[0042] 1 pc. Helical spring between the chest and waist areas. 1 pc. Flat wire spring above the knee.

[0043] 1 rh. Helical spring above the knee, but without contact with it.

[0044] 1st. Flat wavy knee wire spring.

[0045] 1 ph. Helical spring between the band under the knee and the cover over the foot

[0046] 1 rc Flattened, truncated-cone helical mill. 4p. Truncated-cone tubular element that covers part of the thoracic area.

[0047] 4w. Belt.

[0048] 4h. Hip band-belt.

[0049] 4m. Musiera.

[0050] 4pp Item that covers the lower leg and midfoot. 4pt Item that covers the leg from below the knee and the midfoot.

[0051] 4rp. Sleeve that narrows below the knee.

[0052] 4th. Sleeve opening (4rp). Facilitates putting on. It is held in place with the band or strap (4rw).

[0053] 4rw. Rolled band over the sleeve (4rp). 7. Area for placing cylindrical underarm support elements. Optional.

[0054] 8. Sleeve placement area on the thoracic area.

[0055] 9. Seat belt placement area

[0056] 10. Area of ​​the cavities between the ilium and the greater trochanter.

[0057] 11. Mustard area. 12. Narrowing area below the knee.

[0058] 15. Media

[0059] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0060] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the support system on an individual consisting of a mustard (4m) which, by means of flat straps (1f), rests on the sleeve (4rp) located narrowly below the knee and on the calf triceps (formed by the union of the gastrocnemius muscles, known as twins, and the soleus). The dashed line indicates that the weight supported by the mustard is transferred and supported by the sleeve (4rp), sleeve located narrowly below the knee. It is manufactured or adjusted to the characteristics or needs of each individual.

[0061] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the support system for an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of wave springs (1s), rests on a sleeve (4rp) located in a narrowing position below the knee (generally in an inverted truncated cone shape with respect to the wrist support) and on the triceps of the calf. The dashed line indicates that the weight supported by the wrist support is applied to the sleeve (4rp). It is manufactured or adjusted to the needs of each individual.

[0062] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the support system for an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of wave-shaped springs (1s), rests on the sleeve (4rp) located at the narrowing point below the knee and on the triceps of the calf. The dashed line indicates that the weight, or part of the weight, supported by the wrist support is applied to the sleeve (4rp). In turn, the sleeve (4rp) is supported by other wave-shaped springs (1s) on the cover (4pp) that covers the lower part of the leg and the middle part of the foot that rests on the sole or shoe. It is manufactured or adjusted to the characteristics or needs of each individual.

[0063] Figure 4 shows an individual fitted with a stocking (15) covering the stocking and the devices or orthoses used in Figures 1 to 3.

[0064] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the support system on an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of the helical spring (1 rh) curved in the front area and mounted on the knee, rests on the sleeve (4rp) (conical and inverted with respect to the wrist support), located narrowly below the knee and on the triceps of the calf. It is manufactured or adjusted to the needs of each individual,

[0065] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of an aid system on an individual consisting of a wrist (4m) which, by means of the helical spring (1 rh) curved in the front area and mounted on the knee, rests on the sleeve (4rp), narrowing below the knee and on the triceps of the calf. In turn, the sleeve (4rp) is supported by the helical spring (1 ph) located between the sleeve narrowing below the knee and the cover (4pp) that covers the lower area of ​​the leg and rests on the floor of the shoe. It is manufactured to adjust to the characteristics or needs of each individual.

[0066] Figure 7 shows, on an individual, an embodiment of the support system consisting of the truncated cone-shaped tubular element (4p) that covers part of the thoracic area and, by means of the helical spring between the thorax and waist (1 pc), rests on the belt (4w), which in turn rests on the hip belt band (4h) by means of the helical spring (1 ch) and this rests on the hip and thigh (4m) by means of the helical spring (1 hm) on the thigh (4m). :which by means of the helical spring (1rh) curved in the front area and mounted on the knee, rests on the sleeve (4rp) narrowing below the knee and on the triceps of the calf. It is not necessary to use all the supports or supports, it is as a complement to the elements used. You can add some supports in the armpits where an optional c-lindrical tubular element rests, not shown in the figure, on which the truncated conical element (4p) of the pectoral area rests. It is manufactured or adjusted to the characteristics or needs of each individual.

[0067] Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the aid system on an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of the helical spring (I ra) (of horizontally flattened thread) curved in the front area and mounted on the knee, rests on a band (4rp) that surrounds the lower area of ​​the knee.

[0068] Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the support system on an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of the helical spring (1 ra) (made of horizontally flattened wire) curved in the front area and mounted on the knee, rests on a band (4rp) that surrounds the lower area of ​​the knee. The sleeve (4rp) is open to facilitate its application, according to the line (4rd). It is fastened with the enveloping band (4rw) and finished with a Velcro closure (4cv). It is manufactured according to the needs of each individual.

[0069] Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the aid system on an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of the flattened and truncated-conical helical spring (1rc) bulging in its front frontal area and mounted on the knee, rests on the sleeve (4rp) (truncated-conical and inverted with respect to the wrist support), located in a narrowing position below the knee and on the triceps of the calf. It is manufactured or adjusted to the needs of each individual.

[0070] Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the support system for an individual consisting of a wrist support (4m) which, by means of the vertically flattened helical spring (1rp), curved in its front area and mounted on the knee, rests on the element (4pt) that extends from below the knee to the middle area of ​​the foot. It is manufactured or adjusted to the needs of each individual.

[0071] Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the support system on an individual consisting of a wrist (4m) which, by means of the corrugated flattened wire spring (1 ro), curved in its front area and mounted on the knee, rests on the sleeve (4rp) (truncated cone and inverted with respect to the wrist), located in a narrowing position below the knee. It is manufactured or adjusted to the needs of each individual. The flattened wire spring (1 ro) is formed by sheets in the form of corrugated circular crowns.

[0072] Figure 13 shows a skeleton with the application areas of the devices: The area of ​​the cylindrical elements (7) supporting the armpits which is optional, the area of ​​the truncated conical elements (8) on the thoracic area, the area of ​​the belt (9) or waist, the area of ​​the band-belt (10) (in the hollows between the ilium and the greater trochanter), the area of ​​the thighs (11) and the area of ​​the sleeve (12) placed on the narrowing below the knee.

[0073] All coil springs may have a bulge or widening in the front center area.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Aid system for people with injuries to the spine, hip and lower limbs, which uses a complementary support system that bypasses the damaged element and is characterized by comprising support elements formed by: A truncated conical tubular band (4p) that covers part of the thoracic area, a belt-band (4w), a hip belt-band (4h), a wrist (4m), a truncated conical band (4rp) that is located in a narrowing under the knee and rests on the upper area of ​​the gastrocnemius or twin muscles, anterior tibial and long lateral peroneus, a band-covering of the lower area of ​​the leg and the middle area of ​​the foot (4pp), some of these elements being joined together integrated with the adjacent ones or joined by threads or by tongue and groove by means of flat strips, wavy strips, helical springs or springs formed by washers or wavy circular crowns superimposed on each other, all are of actuation by pressure.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the support elements are rigid, semi-rigid or elastic.

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the helical springs are made of round wire, flat wire or corrugated wire.

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the flat wire helical springs take the form of a corkscrew.

5. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the flat wire helical springs have the wire inclined, each coil adopting a conical shape, so that when pressure exists each coil tends to enter the adjacent one.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the support elements sleeves, mustaches, bands and belts used, when used as bandages, use a Velcro-type closure at one end.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the support elements, straps and springs are joined together by threading.

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the support elements, straps and springs are joined together by means of tongue and groove, inserting some into the adjacent ones.

9. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the support elements, straps and springs are adjustable in length and width.

10. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible elements, rods, strips, wavy and helical springs are provided with different consistency or resistance to compression and different dimensions, length and width, to adapt to different users.

11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that stainless steel, fiberglass or carbon fiber are used as materials, and plastic polymer bands or sleeves, fabrics, fiberglass, plastic polymer foams.

12. System according to claim 1, characterized in that a small elevation is applied under the foot opposite the damaged side with a foam rubber pad.

13. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the helical knee springs have a bulge or widening in their front central area.

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