EP1011550A1 - Therapeutic ankle orthosis - Google Patents
Therapeutic ankle orthosisInfo
- Publication number
- EP1011550A1 EP1011550A1 EP99925888A EP99925888A EP1011550A1 EP 1011550 A1 EP1011550 A1 EP 1011550A1 EP 99925888 A EP99925888 A EP 99925888A EP 99925888 A EP99925888 A EP 99925888A EP 1011550 A1 EP1011550 A1 EP 1011550A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shell
- medial
- lateral
- ankle
- foot plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
- A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
- A61F5/0104—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation
- A61F5/0111—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation for the feet or ankles
Definitions
- An ankle brace is designed to limit the range of side-to-side foot motion during stressful functional activities.
- An ankle orthosis serves as a functional ankle brace during the transitional period between resolution of acute sprain symptoms and complete restoration of normal ankle function and, at the same time, therapeutically treats and controls residual sprain symptoms.
- An example of an ankle brace of the prior art is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,202. Its structure includes a foot shell pivoted to a leg shell which comprises lateral and medial uprights connected by an anterior band for holding the band against the leg of the wearer. Adjustable strap means are included for holding these components in operative position on the leg, ankle and foot.
- Another form of ankle brace is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,941 which includes medial and lateral shells connected to a foot shell, though without a pivotal joint between them.
- a therapeutic ankle orthosis is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,054 and includes a foot shell and a leg cuff interconnected by appropriate adjustable straps.
- German Gebrauschmuster hereinafter referred to as the "Petty” patent
- the Petty patent teaches a foot shell pivotally and slidably connected to the lower end of lateral and medial shells by means of a post in a curved slot, with the components held together by adjustable strap means.
- the lateral shell includes an aperture for encircling the fibular malleolus and an inner pad for compression.
- the pad is not of U-shape, though pads of that configuration are known from such prior art patents as my U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,932 to disperse edema upwardly from those regions around the fibular malleolus where excess fluid accumulates.
- the present invention provides an advantage over the prior art devices and mechanism by discarding the rigid foot plate in favor of a soft foot plate component that allows the person wearing the brace, while the brace is on the ankle in position, to tighten the strap that runs up and under the bottom of the foot by pulling up on the medial side of the strap where it attaches, as with Velcro R couplings.
- By increasing the tension on the straps it pulls the lower portion of the lateral pad in closer to the ankle.
- the effect of this is enhanced formability of the focal pressure pad to the anatomical contours around the malleolus, particularly the lower portion of what is referred to as the inferior aspect of the malleolus.
- the therapeutic ankle orthosis of the invention includes an extended lateral shell having an aperture for receiving the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture.
- An extended medial shell is adapted to fit beneath and upwardly above the tibial malleolus.
- a foot plate either rigid, semi-rigid or flexible is adapted to underlie primarily the rear foot and extend forwardly, optionally beyond the mid-tarsal joints.
- Pivoting means may connect the lower end portion of the medial shell to the side portion of the foot plate permitting ankle movement of the foot plate relative to the medial shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrual joint.
- Securing means may be provided for holding together the medial shell and the lateral shell with the provided foot plate to resist ankle inversion and eversion while enhancing and providing comfortable fit and conformity of the focal compression pad.
- Adjustable strap means are included for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot.
- the medial shell may be contoured generally to fit the lower leg and ankle.
- a U-pad is secured to the inside of the lateral shell and a pad 36 having a shape matching that of the lateral shell and having an aperture to receive the fibular malleolus may be secured to the inside of the lateral shell.
- a pivot means for the strapping may be a rivet fixed to the medial shell outer surface and extending around the lower ankle to wrap around and beneath the foot, then through slots in the lateral shell side portion and having terminal portions connecting again to the medial shell and holding the opposing sides comfortably together.
- the U-pad is preferably constructed with rounded edges along the margins of the edema drainage channel to enhance conformation of the U-pad to the normal anatomical contours of the lateral leg. Further, the U-pad may incorporate a silicone rubber inset or other soft material to enhance conformation of the U-pad to the normal anatomical contours of the fibular malleolus and to accentuate the application of external compression to the soft tissues on the periphery of the fibular malleolus in the anatomical areas referred to as the anterolateral and posterolateral gutters.
- a series of angled positioned slots may be formed in either the medial shell lower portion or the lateral shell lower portion.
- the angle of the slots may be centered about the axis of the normal pivot of the ankle.
- a second pair of angled slots complimentary to the first pair of angled slots may be formed in the medial or lateral shell lower end portion and spaced to cooperate with each other.
- An optional securing means may extend through the slot intermediate the ends thereof when the leg and foot are vertical and horizontal, respectively.
- the lateral and medial shell lower end portions are secured by the straps wrapped around and beneath the inside of the ankle and foot about the heel with the securing means affixed to the medial shell lower end portion.
- the strapping means may include a first strap fixed at one end of a forward portion of the medial shell and threaded through slots in the lateral shell and adjustably secured at the opposite end to buckling means.
- a second strap may be provided which is fixed at one end to a rearward portion of the medial shell and threaded through slots in the lateral shell and adjustably securable as its opposite end to the buckling means.
- a single continuous strap may be threaded through slots in the lateral shell, attached at one end to a forward portion of the medial shell and the other end attached to a rearward portion of the medial shell. Because the alternative strap configuration would not encircle the leg, an additional circumferential strap, with buckling means for adjustable strap tension, would be added to compress the medial and lateral shells against the ankle and leg.
- the lateral shell may be movable up and down and forward and rearward, with the strap or straps sliding in their respective lateral shell slots, to locate the lateral shell in a selected position relative to a user's fibular malleolus.
- the X-straps may be removably affixed to the underside of the foot plate or the lower end portion of the medial shell.
- the buckling or securing means for the first and second straps may overlie the medial shell by means of hook and pile fastener.
- the foot plate 11 is made of semi-rigid plastic or a pliable fabric, such as cotton, nylon with or without further padding, and the like.
- the shells are preferably semi-rigid, by which is meant that they are stiff enough so that the lateral and medial shells, for example, do not significantly lose their leg or ankle-contoured shape under normal maximum adult weight, but are flexible enough to be depressed to exert extra localized pressure against the ankle behind a tightly fitted securing strap.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the therapeutic ankle orthosis of the invention viewed from the medial side.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective of the lateral side of the assembled therapeutic ankle orthosis of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the lateral side of the ankle orthosis of the invention using an alternative strap arrangement.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the medial side of the ankle orthosis of the invention of FIG 3.
- FIG. 5 is a side view of yet another alternative strapping and fastening means of the lateral shell side of the ankle orthosis of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative strapping and fastening means of the medial shell side of the ankle orthosis of the invention of FIG. 5.
- the therapeutic ankle orthosis of the invention includes at least two semi-rigid shells: namely, an extended lateral shell 10, a foot plate 11 and an extended medial shell 12.
- Each of the shells is of unitary molded plastic construction, perhaps of varying thickness to vary the degree of semi-rigidity in different portions of each shell.
- Polypropylene or polyethylene may be suitable materials for the shells.
- Each is contoured to fit generally against typical leg, ankle and foot anatomy against which it is disposed during use.
- the lateral shell 10 fits against and is contoured to the lateral side of the lower leg and ankle and may include an aperture 13 to receive the fibular malleolus. If desired, the lateral shell 10, foot plate 11, and medial shell 12 could each be symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and therefore be reversible to fit on either the left or the right foot and ankle.
- the lateral shell 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the fibular malleolus. It is of symmetrical configuration and can be used on either the left or the right ankle. It includes a slot 18 and a slot 19. Placed below these slots are slots 20A and 20B portions.
- the foot plate 11 is adapted to underlie the rear foot. It is in the form of a contoured stirrup which includes an upper medial side portion 21a and an optional lateral side portion 21b (FIGS 1 AND 2).
- FIG. 1 Shown in FIG. 1 is a U-pad 36 of self-supporting thermoplastic foam material or other appropriate material such as silicon or a capsule having U-shaped configuration filled with air, gel or the like. It is releasably secured to the inside of the lateral shell 10 by appropriate means such as quick-release hook-an-pile fastener patches sold under the trademark "Velcro R ".
- the U-shaped configuration provides an upwardly open channel for translocation of edema from around the fibular malleollus.
- the "U-pad” is unitary with the shell or as an inset of material to provide to channel away swelling and produce compaction of soft tissue, especially around the fibular malleolus in the anatomical areas referred to as the anterolateral and posterolateral gutters.
- the X-strap ends 40 and 41 are fixed to the forward and rearward portions respectively of the medial shell 12 by means of either hook and pile fastener or rivets.
- the forward attachment 40 secures one end of a strap 49 which is threaded through slots 20A and 18 in the lateral shell 10.
- a second strap 44 Secured by the hook and pile fastener or rivet attachment 41 is a second strap 44 which is threaded through the slots 20B and 19. Straps 44 and 49 could be secured and adjustably tightened by passing them through a pair of D-rings 61 and 62 attached to the medial shell 12 (FIG 6), or alternatively, a pair of slots in the same relative proximity on the medial shell 12.
- a single continuous strap may be threaded through slots 30A and 30B in the lateral shell, attached at one end to a forward portion of the medial shell and the other end attached to a rearward portion of the medial shell, FIGS. 3 and 4 . Because the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 does not incorporate the X-strap system, circumferential strap 43, with buckling means 47B for adjustable strap tension, would be added to compress the shells against the ankle and leg.
- a leg strap 51 is affixed at one end by hook and pile fastener to the upper portion of the medial shell.
- the strap 51 may be adjustably tightened by being secured to itself by suitable hook-and-pile fastener or buckling means.
- the lateral shell 10 and the U-pad 36 may be adjustable up and down and forwardly and rearwardly as shown in FIGS 3-6, with the X-strap system 44 and 49 sliding in its respective lateral shell slots 18, 19 and 20 to locate the lateral shell 10 properly relative to the user's fibular malleolus and direct edema upwardly from that area. Edema drainage is facilitated by channel 60 that molded into the lateral shell 10.
- a system for the interactive effect of a U-shaped pad (attached to the inner surface of the lateral shell), lateral semi-rigid shell anatomical contour, said U-shaped pad adjustably positioned in the lateral shell location in relation to the position of the fibular malleolus (the bony prominence on the outer surface of the ankle) and a strapping system for accentuating the compression effect on the soft tissue surrounding the fibular malleolus for control of ankle swelling.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nursing (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US8908098P | 1998-06-12 | 1998-06-12 | |
US89080P | 1998-06-12 | ||
PCT/US1999/011651 WO1999063915A1 (en) | 1998-06-12 | 1999-05-27 | Therapeutic ankle orthosis |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1011550A1 true EP1011550A1 (en) | 2000-06-28 |
EP1011550A4 EP1011550A4 (en) | 2000-08-30 |
Family
ID=22215576
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99925888A Withdrawn EP1011550A4 (en) | 1998-06-12 | 1999-05-27 | Therapeutic ankle orthosis |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1011550A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU6309999A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999063915A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2002051343A1 (en) | 2000-12-22 | 2002-07-04 | Timothy Ian Moore | Ankle brace |
GB2396301B (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2004-08-04 | Timothy Ian Moore | Bracing of ankles |
GB0031460D0 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2001-02-07 | Moore Timothy I | Lock and load whole ankle brace |
KR20010070596A (en) * | 2001-05-25 | 2001-07-27 | 최윤소 | Splint for supporting ankle |
GB2389795B (en) * | 2002-06-22 | 2005-04-20 | Atkinson Jennifer Anne | Ankle braces |
FR2850266B1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2005-11-25 | Gsl Holding | DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE ANKLE ROTATING AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING SAID DEVICE |
AT507998B1 (en) * | 2009-02-18 | 2010-10-15 | Ima Integrated Microsystems Au | SUPPORTING SHELL ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING AND RAISING LEGS |
FR3040291B1 (en) * | 2015-08-26 | 2017-09-01 | Implants Service Orthopedie - Iso | SYSTEM FOR TREATING BY CRYOTHERAPY THE ARTICULATION OF THE ANKLE |
CN105853038A (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2016-08-17 | 上海昕健医疗技术有限公司 | Personalized and customized external fixation protective tool |
CN105853045A (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2016-08-17 | 上海昕健医疗技术有限公司 | External fixation brace for bone injury |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5445603A (en) * | 1993-12-17 | 1995-08-29 | Wilkerson; Gary B. | Therapeutic ankle orthosis |
US5630792A (en) * | 1995-12-07 | 1997-05-20 | Deroyal Industries, Inc. | Ankle brace |
US5902259A (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1999-05-11 | Wilkerson; Gary | Therapeutic ankle orthosis |
-
1999
- 1999-05-27 AU AU63099/99A patent/AU6309999A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-05-27 WO PCT/US1999/011651 patent/WO1999063915A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-05-27 EP EP99925888A patent/EP1011550A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
No further relevant documents disclosed * |
See also references of WO9963915A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1011550A4 (en) | 2000-08-30 |
WO1999063915A1 (en) | 1999-12-16 |
AU6309999A (en) | 1999-12-30 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20000313 |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20030306 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20030717 |