DE102022110388A1 - Orthotic body and orthosis - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an orthosis body (1) with a proximal and a distal end, wherein the orthosis body (1) is made up of a plurality of longitudinally aligned systems (3) and at least one end of the orthosis body (1) is provided in a ring shape (2). The invention further relates to an orthosis, in particular a wrist orthosis, comprising the orthosis body (1) according to the invention and a closure system with at least one closure element (9, 10). The orthosis according to the invention or the orthosis body according to the invention are safe to handle and easy to manufacture.

Description

The invention relates to an orthosis body and an orthosis, in particular a wrist orthosis, with the orthosis body according to the invention and a closure system.

An orthosis is an externally worn aid that is usually worn to stabilize, relieve pressure and immobilize a specific part or area of the body. Accordingly, orthoses are often used to stabilize and restrict movement or to relieve pressure, especially on the extremities and the correspondingly involved joints. In this function, orthoses support healing processes through immobilization, for example.

Orthoses are also used in cases of paralysis of the extremities in order to correct functional deviations and, for example, to enable the affected person to use the affected extremity at least to a certain extent.

Various orthoses for different parts of the body and for different areas of application are known in the prior art. What the well-known orthoses have in common is that they are composed of a large number of individual elements. Furthermore, known orthoses are generally composed of different materials. In particular, in addition to rigid, shaping elements, they include additional lining elements that serve, among other things, for upholstery.

Well-known wrist orthoses, but also many orthoses for the lower extremities, are usually constructed like a shell and include a locking system for fixation to the body.

Many of these orthoses have a closure system that includes several closure elements in the form of Velcro fasteners and/or twist locks with tension wires and which only results in a sufficiently stable fit of the orthosis when the individual closure elements are combined.

If orthoses with twist locks are known, they usually include several twist locks or at least several tension wires in order to create a sufficiently tight fit.

Such a locking system is disadvantageous because the correct fit of the orthosis and thus its effect depend very much on the ability of the user to put on the orthosis professionally through the correct operation of all locking elements. However, many users are not able to do this on their own.

Another disadvantage of the known orthoses is their relatively complex structure made up of different individual elements as well as different materials. On the one hand, this leads to a complex and expensive manufacturing process on the part of the manufacturer, and on the other hand, it leads to laborious cleaning and installation of the orthosis on the part of the user.

Last but not least, an orthosis consisting of several interconnected parts is susceptible to wear, particularly at the connection points.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an orthosis which does not have the defects mentioned and is in particular simple to manufacture and easy to use.

In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide an orthosis with as few individual parts as possible and, if possible, only one closure element.

A further object of the invention is to provide an orthotic body that is particularly suitable for production using new digitally supported techniques such as 3D printing.

This problem is solved by an invention with the features of claim 1 and claim 7. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can also be combined with one another in any technologically sensible manner and thus show further refinements of the invention.

The invention relates to an orthosis body with a first or proximal and a second or distal end or to an orthosis comprising the orthosis body according to the invention and a closure system provided on the orthosis body with at least one closure element.

The term distal refers to the part of the orthosis or orthosis body that is located further away from the user's torso, and the term proximal refers to the part of the orthosis or orthosis body that is located closer to the user's torso. Additional information about the location designations can be found in the figures.

The orthosis body according to the invention is formed from a plurality of longitudinally aligned extensions, hereinafter referred to as systems. At least one end of the orthosis body is provided in a ring shape. The systems are at least connected to this annular end.

Preferably, the distal end of the orthosis body is provided in a ring shape, with the ring preferably being closed.

Such a closed annular design is advantageous in order to achieve sufficient rigidity. It is also advantageous because the user does not have to make any size adjustments and the orthosis is therefore easy to use and protected against incorrect use and incorrect operation, for example by adjusting the specified size.

In an alternative embodiment, the annular end of the orthosis body can also have an open annular arrangement which has an adjustment option for the ring circumference and/or a simple closure option. This may be necessary for certain designs of the orthosis, for example for putting on the orthosis, or if the circumferential dimensions of the corresponding body part fluctuate significantly due to swelling.

The longitudinally aligned systems point in the same direction from the annular element connecting them.

From a distally arranged annular element, the systems point correspondingly proximally; from a proximally arranged annular element, the systems point correspondingly distally. If several ring-shaped elements are provided, the systems run accordingly at least between these rings.

The orthosis body according to the invention comprises between two and twelve, preferably between two and eight and in particular two to four systems.

As a rule, two systems are often sufficient for a functional orthotic body, as long as they are designed to be stable enough. The disadvantage of an embodiment with only two systems can be that due to the higher cross-sectional area of the systems, which ensures sufficient stability, the overall flexibility of the individual systems decreases and putting on an orthosis designed in this way becomes more difficult.

In an embodiment with four systems, the individual systems can be designed more flexibly and still form a stable orthotic body overall. The embodiment with four systems therefore represents a good compromise between rigidity for immobilization on the one hand and flexibility for comfortable donning on the other.

The design with four systems is also preferred for use as a wrist orthosis. Four systems are sufficient to sufficiently restrict the mobility of the enclosed joint. For example, the wrist can be very easily limited in its two degrees of freedom, each of which has two directions of movement. On the one hand, the flexion and extension in the palmar and dorsal directions and, on the other hand, the radial and ulnar abduction in the medial and lateral directions are sufficiently immobilized.

A higher number of systems leads to an unnecessary susceptibility to errors in the orthosis, since on the one hand the large number of systems makes the individual system less stable and, on the other hand, the large number of systems can confuse the user when putting on the orthosis correctly.

It goes without saying that the orthotic body or the systems of the orthotic body largely follow the anatomy of the corresponding body part. In mass production, it makes sense to provide certain standard sizes that correspond to the anatomy of a large number of users and thus offer a sufficient fit.

The systems end at the end at which they are not connected in a ring, preferably open or unconnected. They are therefore preferably not connected to an annular element at this end. This is advantageous because the unconnected ends of the systems can assume an open state and the orthosis can therefore be put on easily.

However, embodiments are also conceivable in which at least some ends of the systems are connected to one another. With four systems, it would be conceivable, for example, for two systems to be connected to each other at this other end of the orthosis body. Where necessary, this leads to an increase in rigidity and in certain cases can make it easier to put on the orthosis while still ensuring sufficient flexibility when putting it on.

In addition to the described terminal connections of the systems, it can also make sense to provide further non-terminal connections at least between some of the systems. These additional connections between the systems can provide additional shaping and stability of the orthotic body. They are preferably to be provided in orthoses according to the invention whose systems tend to be unstable due to their length. This may be necessary, for example, with orthoses for a complete lower or upper extremity.

In order to ensure sufficient ventilation of the parts of the body lying under the systems, at least some of the systems can have recesses. The expert selects the number, shape and size of the recesses after weighing up sufficient stability and the microclimatic properties to be achieved.

The orthosis body is preferably made from just a single material. A wide variety of skin-friendly and moisture-resistant plastics, such as those known from orthotic technology, such as polyamide, polypropylene or polyethylene, are preferably used as materials. The material must be chosen to be stiff enough to ensure the fixation of the corresponding joint, but at the same time it must also have sufficient flexibility to enable the orthosis to close around the respective body part.

Individual areas of the systems may have elements for additional stiffening, such as grooves or thickenings.

The advantage of the inventive production of the orthosis body from a moisture-resistant plastic is that the orthosis can easily be worn in water, for example when swimming, showering or bathing, and can then remain on the body to dry quickly.

Known orthoses or orthotic bodies, on the other hand, are constructed in several parts and are usually provided with cushioning elements, so that when they come into contact with liquids they can become saturated with them and should not remain on the body both during and after the activities mentioned.

The orthosis body is preferably made in one piece. This can advantageously be produced individually in known casting processes, for example in the injection molding process, which is particularly suitable for mass production, or in 3D printing processes or using hand-laying technology. Particularly in the 3D printing process, orthotic bodies according to the invention can in the future also be manufactured individually on site at short notice.

Advantageously, the one-piece orthosis body can already include the elements necessary for attaching a closure system, such as fixing elements, sockets, deflection or guide elements, so that these do not have to be attached subsequently. This is also advantageous when producing using 3D printing processes and in particular when producing individualized orthoses or individualized orthotic bodies.

The invention also relates to an orthosis with an orthosis body according to the invention and a closure system.

To fix the orthosis to the respective body part, a closure system with at least one closure element is provided on the orthosis body. The closure elements are suitable for positively connecting the systems and the respective body part.

The systems of the orthosis body are designed in such a way that they can be transferred from an open state to a closed state. In the open state, the systems are further apart than in the closed state. When closed, the systems lie against the respective body part.

By actuating the closure element or closure elements, the systems can be reversibly transferred from an open to a closed state.

Corresponding closure elements are known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, Velcro fasteners that are guided around the systems of the orthosis. Likewise, for example, adjustable click fasteners, snap fasteners, magnetic fasteners or other fasteners can be provided.

The orthosis preferably comprises a screw lock as a closure element, with which a tension wire guided through the systems or along the systems can be tightened and also released again.

Due to the inventive guidance of the tension wire, only a single twist lock with a single tension wire is generally necessary for adequate fixation of the orthosis in several areas at the same time, such as in the preferred embodiment of a wrist orthosis. A corresponding exemplary embodiment is described in more detail below using figures.

To guide and deflect the closure elements or parts thereof, guide and/or deflection elements are provided on the systems.

The guide elements can be provided in particular in the form of eyelets, rings, tunnels, channels or guide rails. What is particularly important is that the guide elements are suitable for guiding the closure elements or parts thereof reliably and smoothly, i.e. to hold them in the places intended for them.

The deflection elements can also be provided in particular in the form of eyelets, rings, tunnels, channels or guide rails. It is also important here that the deflection elements are suitable for directing the closure elements or parts of them in the desired direction and at the same time holding them in the places intended for them.

In order to avoid contact of the closure elements or parts thereof, for example the tension wire of a twist lock, with the user's body, widening of the systems can optionally be provided in areas of the closure elements and their guidance. The widenings must be designed in such a way that the closure elements or parts thereof do not come into contact with the patient's body. The widenings can, for example, be provided on the sides of the systems in a wing-like manner.

The orthosis according to the invention and the orthosis body were described primarily using the example of a wrist orthosis, but they can also be adapted to other parts of the body.

The orthosis according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art that it comprises an orthosis body that can be manufactured in one piece and can therefore be produced easily and inexpensively, for example individually using 3D printing processes. Depending on the material selected, the orthosis can also be worn in contact with liquids and especially in water.

Due to the preferred embodiment with only one closure element in the form of a twist lock with only one tensioning wire, the orthosis according to the invention is also very easy to use and is not susceptible to incorrect operation and malfunctions.

Another advantage of the orthosis according to the invention or the orthosis body is that it can be easily disinfected due to the absence of, for example, cushioning elements such as textiles or foams.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below using the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment variant shown. In particular, the invention includes, to the extent that it makes technical sense, any combinations of the technical features that are listed in the claims or described in the description as relevant to the invention.

• 1 den erfindungsgemäßen Orthesenkörper in einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform für eine Handgelenkorthese in vier verschiedenen Ansichten A bis D;
• 2 den erfindungsgemäßen Orthesenkörper in einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform für eine Handgelenkorthese in vier verschiedenen Ansichten A bis D;
• 3 eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Orthese mit einem Orthesenkörper gemäß 2 in vier verschiedenen Ansichten A bis D.

Show it:

• 1 the orthosis body according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment for a wrist orthosis in four different views A to D;
• 2 the orthosis body according to the invention in a second preferred embodiment for a wrist orthosis in four different views A to D;
• 3 a preferred embodiment of the orthosis according to the invention with an orthosis body 2 in four different views A to D.

1 shows the orthosis body 1 according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment for a wrist orthosis with four systems 3 in four different views A to D of one of the systems 3, namely the dorsal system 3A, the palmar system 3B, the medial system 3C and the lateral system 3D.

The orthosis body 1 distally comprises an annular element 2, also called metacarpal socket, from which the four systems 3A-D extend proximally. The metacarpal socket 2 is preferably closed and provided without size adjustment. The four systems 3A-D end open proximally, that is, they are not connected to one another proximally.

In the preferred embodiment shown, no elements are provided for defining a closure system. However, the orthosis body 1 can be modified for any closure system by subsequently attaching appropriate elements.

It is also conceivable that the orthosis body 1 is fixed to the body without further elements using bandages or Velcro straps (not shown), which are guided around the orthosis body 1 or around the systems 3.

2 shows the orthosis body 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment for a wrist orthosis with four systems 3 in four different views A to D of one of the systems 3, namely the dorsal system 3A, the palmar system 3B, the medial system 3C and the lateral system 3D .

The orthosis body 1 distally comprises an annular element 2, also called metacarpal socket, from which the four systems 3A-D extend proximally. The metacarpal socket 2 is preferably closed and provided without size adjustment. The four systems 3A-D end open proximally, that is, they are not connected to one another proximally.

The attachments 3A-D each also include a distal 4A-D and a proximal widening 5A-D. Closing elements (not shown) can be provided, particularly in the areas of the processing areas 4, 5. The widenings 4, 5 serve to prevent contact between the closure elements and the user's body, as the contact could possibly lead to constrictions or irritation.

In the preferred embodiment shown, no elements are provided for defining a closure system. However, the orthosis body 1 can be modified for any closure system by subsequently attaching appropriate elements.

It is conceivable that the orthosis body 1 is fixed to the body without further elements using bandages or Velcro straps (not shown), which are essentially provided in the areas of the widenings 4, 5 and are guided around the orthosis body 1 or around the systems 3.

In the area of the widenings 4, 5, additional guide elements and deflection elements can be provided for guiding and deflection of the closure elements.

3 shows the wrist orthosis according to the invention with the orthosis body 1 according to 2 .

In the preferred embodiment shown, a single closure element in the form of a twist lock 9 with a single tension wire 10 is provided as the closure system. Accordingly, a socket 8 for receiving the twist lock 9 is provided on the dorsal system 3A.

According to the invention, the one tension wire 10 of the closure element is guided from the twist lock 9 on the dorsal system 3A first via the lateral or medial system 3C, D along channel-shaped guide elements 6 to the palmar system 3B and from there via two angled and overall U-shaped deflection elements 7 via the lateral or medial system 3C, D via further channel-shaped guide elements 6 back to the dorsal system 3A. It is therefore possible to close the orthosis in two areas 4, 5 by means of a single twist lock with only a single tensioning wire or to place it in a form-fitting manner on the respective body part.

The tension wire can optionally be passed back and forth several times between the dorsal and palmar systems in a similar manner.

When open and with the wire 10 relaxed, the orthosis can simply be pushed over the user's hand. When closed with the wire 10 tightened, the orthosis sits firmly and positively on the user's body. The widenings 4, 5 in the area of the wire guide prevent the wire 10 from cutting into the tissue of the user's body.

In addition to this preferred embodiment, the rotary closure 9 can also be provided on another system 3 B, C, D, and the rotary closure 9 can also be arranged centrally at another location on the corresponding system 3, for example instead of proximally as shown, with the arrangement of the elements for guiding and deflection 6, 7 of the tension wire 10 must then be adjusted accordingly.

As described above, orthoses with, for example, two systems are also possible in a similar design, for wrist orthoses preferably with a dorsal and a palmar system (not shown). In this case, the tension wire is guided from a twist lock, which is preferably provided on the dorsal contact, via guide elements to the palmar contact and from there via two angled and overall U-shaped deflection elements, between which a further channel-shaped guide element can be arranged, led back to the dorsal system. The tension wire can optionally be passed back and forth several times between the dorsal and palmar systems in a similar manner.

So that contact of the tension wire with the user's body is avoided even in an embodiment with only two systems, the systems are wider and / or the extensions provided on the systems are optionally wider and / or longer than in the embodiment men with more than two systems, as exemplified in the figures.

Instead of the twist lock, other closure systems are also conceivable in all embodiments. For example, 4, 5 Velcro fasteners or other fasteners could be provided in the areas of the widenings.

Reference symbol list

1

Orthotic body (wrist orthosis)

2

Ring-shaped element (metacarpal setting)

3

Systems (forearm systems:)

3A

dorsal,

3B

palmar,

3C

media,

3D

lateral

4

First/distal widening (first/distal wings)

5

Second/proximal widening (second/proximal wings)

6

Leadership element

7

Deflection element

8th

version

9

Closure element (twist lock)

10

Wire/tension wire

d

distal

p

proximal

Claims (11)

Orthosis body with a proximal and a distal end, characterized in that the orthosis body (1) is provided from a plurality of longitudinally aligned systems (3) and at least one end of the orthosis body (1) is provided in a ring shape (2). orthotic body Claim 1 , characterized in that the systems (3) are connected distally at least to the annular end (2). orthotic body Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the orthosis body (1) comprises between two and twelve and in particular four systems (3). Orthosis body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular end (2) of the orthosis body (1) is designed to be closed and annular. Orthosis body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orthosis body (1) is made in one piece. Orthosis body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orthosis body (1) is made from a single material. An orthosis comprising an orthosis body (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a closure system provided on the orthosis body (1) with at least one closure element (9, 10). orthosis Claim 7 , characterized in that the closure system comprises a twist lock (9) with a single tensioning wire (10) as a closure element. orthosis Claim 7 , characterized in that the closure system comprises Velcro fasteners, snap fasteners, magnetic fasteners as a fastening element. Orthosis according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the systems (3) have widenings (4, 5) in the area of the closure elements and parts of the closure elements. Orthosis according to one of the Claims 7 until 10 , characterized in that the orthosis is a wrist orthosis.

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