EP3135265B1

EP3135265B1 - Hip joint self-treatment device and use thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3135265B1
Application number: EP15183210.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Björn Eriksson
Original assignee: Oue Prelab
Current assignee: Oue Prelab
Priority date: 2015-08-31
Filing date: 2015-08-31
Publication date: 2018-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-31
Also published as: EP3135265A1; PL3135265T3; DK3135265T3; ES2684636T3; LT3135265T

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to traction devices of treatment for the hip joint area. More specifically, the invention is a device, which enables self-treatment of hip joint area.

Prior art

Traction is an effective treatment used within orthopedic medicine to stretch and relieve pressure on the human skeleton, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Hip joint traction known as femoral and acetabular separation is used for pain relief in the hip joint, that for example derives from osteoarthritis, impingement, tightness in the muscles, joint stiffness, mobility loss and for pre-surgical mobilization.
Historically, traction has been used combining ropes and weights to apply enough force to achieve separation of the joint. Orthopedic physiotherapists are using manual traction of the joints as a common daily treatment alternative. The physiotherapist treatment involves pulling the patient's body parts in different angles achieving the traction and vacuum phenomena at the joint required. Unfortunately, physiotherapist or any third party assistance is not always available. Therefore, an opportunity to perform necessary traction by oneself is needed.
Some devices for performing traction of the joint without any third party assistance are known from prior art. For example, US5681272 discloses a portable traction device, which enables pelvic traction by a user for the self-application without the need for specialized equipment or third party assistance. Due to its large size and complex construction, the mentioned traction device is uncomfortable to carry and needs careful dedication while in use.
US 4,181,125 which is considered to the closest prior art document, discloses portable traction device comprising a sling 80 which during use is attached to the foot of the user. The sling 80 is connected through a rope 82 across pully 60 to a traction weight 86. To achieve a separation in the hip joint, a traction force of at least 400 N must be applied (see, Arvidsson I. (1990) The hip joint: forces needed for distraction and appearance of the vacuum phenomenon, pages 157-161 of Scand J Rehabil Med. 22(3)).
Known devices need third party assistance or large equipment, wherein careful mounting is necessary to apply correct traction force. A need for hip joint traction may be necessary anywhere, therefor, there is a need for compact, portable, safe and easy self-treatment traction device.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to a hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1. The a self-treatment device may be used to manually perform traction of the hip joint (femoral-acetabular joint) by using leg strength and body weight. The device includes a solid ankle brace, which comprises a fastening strap and anchoring mechanism that is connected to the holding point, which can be a support plate or a door chink.
The hip joint self-treatment device provides an innovative way of achieving hip traction by using body strength and weight. Moreover, the invention is portable, as it for example, fits into a pocket, costs a fraction of the price of any existing product, enables correct traction force, which corresponds to the force of 450N that creates a femoral head/socket "spring" effect for easier separation and can be used without the need for third party assistance.
Hip joint self-treatment device is a new and innovative medical tool that will fill the unanswered market gap of no side-effect self-treatments of hip joint disorders and is an alternative to pain and inflammatory drugs.

List of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with accompanying drawings, wherein the drawings represent following:

FIG 1: overall view of the hip joint self-treatment device;
FIG 2: overall view of the hip joint self-treatment device;
FIG 3: overall view of the hip joint self-treatment device;
FIG 4: overall view of the hip joint self-treatment device, while placing the leg between dual-ended strap;
FIG 5: overall view of the hip joint self-treatment device, while attached around a leg;
FIG 6: overall view of the hip joint self-treatment device, while attached around a leg;
FIG 7: overall view of using the hip joint self-treatment device with support plate;
FIG 8: top view of the support plate, while using the hip joint self-treatment device;
FIG 9: sectional view of the door chink, while the hip joint self-treatment device is used;
FIG 10: side view of using the hip joint self-treatment device, while fastened between a door chink;
FIG 11: side view of using the hip joint self-treatment device, while fastened between a door chink.

Detailed description of the invention

In the context of the present invention, the term "foot/ankle strap" and "strap with two free ends" shall be considered synonyms. Additionally, the terms "attachment strap" and "strap with one free end" shall be considered synonyms. The hip joint self-treatment device comprises of a three-way strap and optionally a support plate. As shown on FIG 1, the three-way strap 1 is formed of two parts as a strap with two free-ends 2 and a strap with one free end 3, which are connected to one another and is preferably made of a stiff or strong material. In preferred embodiment of the invention, the strap with two free-ends 2 and strap with one free end 3 are two separate pieces, wherein both pieces have fastening means for attaching one to another. The fastening means comprise of a tunnel and a sliding pin mechanism. As shown on FIG 1 and FIG 2, the strap with two free-ends 2 comprises an attaching pin 4, which is fastened in the middle of the strap with two free-ends 2 and the strap with one free end comprises a tunnel shaped hook 5, in which an attaching pin 4 slidably fits, in its one end. As shown on FIG 2, the attaching pin 4 comprises of a leg, which is flexible part 6 and a stiff head 7. The flexible part 6 is made of a flexible material and the stiff head 7 of the pin is made of a stiff material. In preferred embodiments, the flexible material is soft rubber, which is pressed or sewed into textile.
In another embodiment of the invention, the strap with two free-ends 2 and the strap with one free end 3 are in one piece, as shown on FIG 3, wherein both parts are attached to each other with flexible part 6, which is made of a soft rubber, which is pressed or sewed into textile. In both embodiments, the flexible part 6 stretch slightly with force of 450 N (Newton), which is the force necessary for creating vacuum traction separation of the hip joint and giving the sought-after relief sensation.
The strap with two free-ends 2 is a brace, which has fastening means on both ends of the strap for fastening around an ankle or leg as shown on FIG 4-6. The strap with two free-ends 2 in alternative solutions of the invention is an ankle brace or a shoe or a boot (not shown on figures). In preferred embodiment of the invention, fastening means are Velcro® fasteners or buckles or knots.
The strap with one free end 3 starts from the middle of the strap with two free-ends 2 while attached. The strap with one free end comprises anchoring mechanism 8 for a fastening pin 9 in its open end and a flexible part 6, which in one embodiment of the invention is a attaching pin 4, in its upper part, which is attached to the strap with two free-ends 3. The fastening pin 9 anchoring mechanism 8 comprises of parallel tube shaped pockets 10, which both ends are open, inside the strap with one free end 3 and a detachable fastening pin 9, which fits inside the tube shaped pockets 10. The fastening pin 9 anchoring mechanism 8 is a suitable portable board for fastening the fastening pin 9 inside the strap and enables using the device to perform a treatment using a solid point wherever the treatment is performed. The fastening pin 9 anchoring mechanism 8 is suitable for fastening the hip joint self-treatment device to the holding point, which, for example can be a door chink or a vertical pole or a table leg or a hook.
In another embodiment of the invention, the hip joint self-treatment device comprises a support plate 11 anchoring point, as shown on FIG 7, which is a convex solid plate, which comprises a vertical slot 12 or slots, wherein an attaching pin 4 fits into the vertical slot 12. The support plate 11 is suitable for placing against a support, which in preferred embodiment is a wall.

Use of the invention

The hip joint self-treatment device is used while lying down with the back on the floor with both feet toward the holding point.
In preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding point is a support plate 11. Firstly, two parts of the hip joint self-treatment device strap with two free-ends 2 and strap with one free end 3 are separated and the support plate 11 is placed against a support, which in preferred embodiment is a wall, in a way that the slot 12 is in a vertical position.
Secondly, in a seated position, the leg 14 with the hip joint to be treated is fastened with the strap with two free-ends 2 around an ankle of the leg 14, which keeps it fastened on the ankle as an ankle brace, as shown in FIG 5, and is to be treated in a cross over fastening manner creating a solid and close fit. In other embodiments of the invention, the strap with two free-ends 2 can also be tied around an ankle or tied or fastened around a foot of the leg 14 to be treated.
Thirdly, while lying down with the back on the floor, the other leg 15 is on the floor in a bent position and pushed slightly against the support plate to keep it in place and the leg 14 with the hip joint to be treated is fastened with the attaching pin 4 into the vertical slot 12 at an angle of about 5-40 degrees with the foot resting slightly outwards. Finally, the leg 15, which is on the floor, is straightened and at the same time the body is pushed away from the anchored point using straightening leg force, as shown on FIG 7, until essentially straight position is achieved. At the same time, i.e. when the body moves away from the holding point, also the necessary traction is achieved in the treated hip joint.
In another embodiment of the invention, wherein the strap with two free-ends 2 and the strap with one free end 3 are attached to one another, in alternative embodiment, they are in one piece; the hip joint self-treatment device is used without the support plate 11. In these embodiments of the invention, the hip joint self-treatment device is used as following:

Firstly, the strap with one free end 3 is anchored to the holding point, preferably to a door chink 13, as shown on FIG 8, so that in use the angle between the strapped leg and the floor is about 0-40 degrees up from floor, as shown on FIG 10 - FIG 11. In other embodiments the strap with one free end 3 can be anchored at same degrees around a vertical pole or any other solid point;
Secondly, in a seated position on the floor, the leg 14 with the hip joint to be treated is fastened with the strap with two free-ends 2 around ankle of the leg 14, which keeps it fastened on the ankle as an ankle brace, as shown in FIG 5 - FIG 6, and is to be treated in a cross over fastening manner creating a solid and close fit. In other embodiments of the invention, the strap with two free-ends 2 can also be tied around an ankle or tied or fastened around a foot;
Thirdly, while lying down with the back on the floor, the leg 14 with the hip joint to be treated is straight and at an angle of about 5-40 degrees with the foot resting slightly outwards. The other leg 15 is in a bent position with the foot on the floor against the holding point as shown on FIG 10. Finally, the leg 15, which is on the floor, is straightened and at the same time the body is pushed away from the anchored point using straightening leg force, as shown on FIG 11, until essentially straight position is achieved. At the same time, i.e. when the body moves away from the holding point, also the necessary traction is achieved in the treated hip joint;

With described method of use, the hip joint self-treatment device replicates manual long axis traction of the hip joint for relief of a wide range of hip joint disorders.

Claims

Hip joint self-treatment device for attaching around a leg, which joint self-treatment device comprises a three-way strap (1), which is formed of two parts
- a foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2), and,

- an attachment strap with one free end (3), wherein the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) is a foot/ankle brace which during use is fastened around the leg of a user and which has fastening means on both free ends of the strap so to allow said fastening of the strap around the leg of the user, and wherein the attachment strap with one free end (3) is attached to the middle of the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) and comprises an anchoring mechanism (8) with a fastening pin (9) for securing the free end of the strap to a holding point such as a door chink.
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) and the attachment strap with one free end (3) are two separate pieces, wherein the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) comprises an attaching pin (4), which has a flexible leg (6) and a stiff head (7) and which is fastened to the middle of the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) and wherein the attachment strap with one free end (3) comprises a tunnel shaped hook (5) in its one free end, into which tunnel shaped hook (5) the attachment part (4) slidably fits.
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 2, wherein between the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) and the attachment strap with one free end (3) a flexible part (6) is provided, which is attached to the foot/ankle strap with two free-ends (2) or wherein the flexible leg (6) of the attaching pin (4) is the flexible part (6).
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a support plate (11), which is a convex solid plate, which comprises a vertical slot (12) or slots, wherein the attaching pin (4) fits into the vertical slot (12).
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the device is made of a stiff material.
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means are Velcro® fasteners or buckles or knots.
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism (8) comprises parallel tube shaped pockets (10), both ends of each of said tube shaped pockets (10) being open and extending inside the attachment strap with one free end (3), so that the detachable fastening pin (9) fits inside each of the tube shaped pockets (10).
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring mechanism (8) is suitable for fastening the hip joint self-treatment device to the holding point, which is a door chink or a vertical pole or a table leg or a hook.
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible part (6) is made of rubber, which is pressed on or sewed to the attachment strap with one free end (3).
Hip joint self-treatment device according to claim 3, wherein the flexible part (6) stretches with force of 450 N.