FR3084252A1 - orthopedic walking aid device for gait rehabilitation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an orthopedic walking aid device of the type comprising a base (1) equipped with casters (41, 42, 43, 44), a saddle support (3) surmounting said base (1) and s' extending substantially vertically and along the length of said base (1) and possibly a saddle mounted on said saddle support (3) and the two blanks of which are substantially vertical. According to the invention, typically said device comprises on each side of said saddle support (3), an articulated arm (5), which comprises a first segment (51) whose first end (510) is rotatably mounted on said device around a first axis of rotation (X1) horizontal and perpendicular to said longitudinal direction of said base (1) and the second end (512) of which is mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation (X2) parallel to said first axis (X1), on the first end (520) of a second segment (52), in that the second end (522) of said second segment (52) comprises a wedging piece (53) rotatably mounted around a third axis of rotation (X3) parallel to said first axis (X1) and capable of receiving and blocking the calf of said patient and in that said wedging piece (53) is spaced from said device according to the width of the latter. FIG. 1 Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Description

Title of the invention: orthopedic walking aid device for gait rehabilitation [0001] The present invention relates to an orthopedic walking aid device more particularly intended for patients with motor disorders, in order to their gait rehabilitation.

Some children who have motor problems cannot walk alone and must be supported and often also maintained at the bust because their muscle tone is insufficient.

There are orthopedic walking aid devices. These devices include a base fitted with 4 casters ensuring good stability. This base is surmounted by a saddle support on which a custom-made or standard foam saddle can be mounted. In general, so that patients can use the above device, the saddle is very wide so as to spread the legs of the child.

Thanks to the aforementioned device, the child advances, therefore supported by the saddle, the legs spread apart by the latter. However, this position which is intended for rehabilitation generates friction between the legs of the child and the saddle; these frictions hinder the child's walking and the skin of his legs is quickly irritated or even burnt by the frictions which is a source of great discomfort.

In addition, the saddle does not maintain the patient's hips in position because it still has the freedom to spread the legs beyond the width of the saddle.

The saddle therefore does not prevent the poor positioning of the patient's knees and calves, which leads to vicious attitudes during learning / re-education of walking.

Furthermore, on this type of device, the child has the bust held in a custom corset, secured to the saddle; the set must be changed regularly according to the child's growth which is expensive.

The present invention aims to provide an orthopedic walking aid device which overcomes all or part of the drawbacks associated with the above device of the prior art.

Thus, the present invention relates to an orthopedic walking aid device of the type comprising a base equipped with casters, a saddle support surmounting said base and extending substantially vertically and along the length of said base, and possibly a saddle mounted on said saddle support and the two blanks of which are substantially vertical.

Typically, according to the invention, said device comprises on each side of said saddle support, an articulated arm, which comprises a first segment whose first end is rotatably mounted on said device around a first axis of horizontal and perpendicular rotation to said longitudinal direction of said base and the second end of which is mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation parallel to said first axis, on the first end of a second segment, the second end of said second segment comprises a wedging piece mounted for rotation about a third axis of rotation parallel to said first axis and capable of receiving and blocking the leg or foot of said patient and said wedging piece is moved away from said device according to the width of the latter and locked in position depending on the width of said device.

The wedging piece allows the patient's legs to be spread apart without having to use a wide saddle. The articulated arm accompanies the movement of the patient's legs and keeps them in the axis of the device and spread apart on either side of the latter. The spacing of the legs maintained by the wedging pieces keeps the patient's hips in position; in fact, the latter can neither spread his legs further, nor bring them together, which blocks his pelvis and avoids vicious attitudes during gait rehabilitation, especially at the knees.

The wedging piece also makes it possible to orient the leg without hampering walking and thus avoids vicious attitudes.

The wedging piece can be adapted to wedge the calf, thigh or foot of the patient. The position of the articulated arm is adapted accordingly.

The saddle can be made to measure or in series with possibly several ranges depending on the morphologies and size of the patients. The presence of the articulated arms makes it possible to equip the device with a common series saddle for several patients because the correction is carried out by the articulated arms and not by the saddle, as in the devices of the prior art.

According to a particular embodiment, said articulated arm comprises return means which exert a return force directed towards one end of said base and / or vertical and oriented towards said saddle support. The end of the base corresponds to the front end in the patient's direction of travel.

These return means make it possible to lighten the weight of the patient's leg / foot, thereby facilitating propulsion, which also facilitates walking. The intensity and direction of the restoring force they exert is adapted to the patient.

These return means can be springs or small motors.

According to a first embodiment which can be combined with the above, said first end of said first segment is rotatably mounted on said saddle support. In this case, a mounting piece must be provided which also allows the position of the arm to be adjusted along the device. The first segment can be provided with a plurality of perforations which allow it to be fixed to the device, in particular to the mounting part and thereby the variation of its functional length for the articulated arm.

According to a second embodiment which can be combined with the particular embodiment described above, said first end of said first segment is rotatably mounted on a connecting piece integral with said base. This part may include a ring which is slid on the base and thus allows the attachment of the arm. We can thus adapt a device of the prior art of the aforementioned articulated arm. The position of the arm along the device is thus easily adjustable. As for the first embodiment, the first segment of the arm may also include a plurality of perforations allowing its fixing and the adjustment of its length.

Whatever the embodiment, said articulated arm can be mounted adjustable in position according to the length of said device. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the arm so that the wedging piece can be fixed at different places on the patient's leg, for example, to the thigh or calf or even to the ankle.

The recall means are not limited according to the invention. They may include a first spring or a first motor which substantially connects said second end of said first segment to said saddle support or to said base and a second spring or a second motor which connects said segments. The force exerted by the springs is adapted to the patient. The springs can thus be easily changed and exert a restoring force adapted to the patient.

Advantageously, the return means comprise on each articulated arm two motors and a spring or 3 motors and no spring.

Advantageously, whatever the embodiment, said wedging piece is mounted adjustable in position on said second end of said second segment according to the width of said device and it optionally includes links capable of being fixed to a shoe of said patient. so as to maintain the foot of said patient in a position substantially perpendicular to his calf. The width adjustment of the wedging elements makes it possible to adapt the device of the invention to the morphology and handicap of the patient and therefore to adjust the spacing of the legs and hips. The links make it easier for the patient to walk, as explained later.

Advantageously, whatever the embodiment, the length of said first segment and / or said second segment is adjustable. This adjustment can be obtained by means of a plurality of perforations equipping the segment considered. By varying the perforation which is used for mounting the segment on the device, the length between the attachment point of the segment and its second end is varied, and therefore the useful length of the latter. It is also possible to form a segment (first and / or second) with two parallel perforated plates, mounted one on top of the other. By shifting the plates one relative to the other, we modify the length of the segment. This adjustment also makes it possible to adapt the position of the wedging piece, for example, at the level of the patient's calf or thigh.

Advantageously also, whatever the embodiment, the depth of said saddle support measured along the length of said device is adjustable, in particular by sliding. This adjustment can be implemented by means of two sliding profiles, one in the other, the relative position of which can be fixed.

Advantageously, in all embodiments, said saddle support comprises means for holding the bust of said patient which are optionally adjustable in height and / or in width and / or tiltable towards one and / or the other ends of said device. These retaining means may include compression straps for restraining the patient on the retaining means. These holding means can be vertical bars mounted adjustable in height on the front and rear portions of the saddle holder and equipped with horizontal plates extending along the width of the device.

Advantageously, whatever the embodiment, the rear portion of the saddle support is mounted tiltable in the direction opposite to the front portion of the saddle support. This tilting rear portion makes it easier to install the patient on the device of the invention.

Advantageously, in all cases, the saddle support is mounted tiltable about an axis parallel to the width of the device so that it can be lifted in the direction opposite to said base. This adjustment can be obtained by means of plates as described later.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment which can be combined with any one of the abovementioned embodiments, said wedging piece comprises a sole fitted with a vertical wedging portion of the heel of said patient's foot. Such a wedging piece is able to cooperate with the patient's foot to block it, in particular along the width of the device. The sole is advantageously a metal plate 3mm thick covered with a layer of rubber for grip. The wedging part of the heel is vertical and integral with the sole.

The present invention, its characteristics, and the various advantages it provides will appear more clearly on reading the following description of two embodiments presented by way of non-limiting examples and which refers to the accompanying drawings on which :

- [Fig.l] shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, the wedging piece being at rest;

- [Fig.2] shows the base and the saddle support of the device of FIG. 1, the decorative plastic casing having been removed for the sake of clarity;

- [Fig.3] shows a side view of one of the articulated arms fitted to an alternative embodiment of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

- [Fig.4] shows a side view of one of the articulated arms according to a second embodiment of these articulated arms;

Referring to FIG. 1, the device of the invention comprises a base 1 (more visible in FIG. 2) equipped with 4 rollers 41, 42, 43, 44, spaced from one another. The base 1 is extended by a vertical portion equipped with a grip bar or handlebar 13. The grip bar 13 extends according to the width of the device; the length of the base Defines the length of the device. In Fig. 1, the base is covered with a plastic shell representing a motorcycle. The structure of the base is more visible in FIG. 2. The base 1 is surmounted by a saddle support 3. The saddle support 3 is connected to the base 1 by a vertical beam which will be more fully detailed with reference to FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the saddle support 3 has a bottom bar 32 which extends along the length of the device. This bottom bar 32 is used for fixing a foam saddle on which the patient is astride. The bottom bar 32 is formed of two side rails sliding one inside the other and includes a screw for locking in position (visible in Fig. 2). The two sliding bars forming the bottom bar 32 make it possible to modify the length of the bottom bar 32 and therefore the depth of the saddle support 3. The bottom bar 32 is integral with a front bar 33 and a rear bar 34. The front bar 33 is secured to the external beam forming the bottom bar 32 while the rear bar 34 is secured to the internal beam of the bottom bar 32, which internal beam slides in the aforementioned external beam. The bottom bar 32 and the front and rear bars 33 and 34 form a U open upwards, in the direction opposite to the base 1. The front bar and the rear bar 33, 34 have transverse plates 330 (only one is referenced in Fig. 1, for the sake of clarity of the figures) and 340 on which the patient's bust can come to bear.

Referring to FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, the rear bar 34 is rotatably mounted on the bottom bar 32 about an axis parallel to the width of the device. Its angular position relative to the bottom bar 32 can be adjusted and then fixed by means of a pin G3 (visible in Fig. 2). The rear bar 34 can thus be brought into a horizontal position in which it extends the bottom bar 32.

Referring to FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, the front bar 33 and the rear bar 34 are hollow. They respectively support a front holding element 41 and a rear holding element 43. These holding elements 41, 43 are each formed of a vertical cross member which slides in the front / rear bar 33/34 and which can be fixed in position vertical by a clamping screw (not visible). Each holding element has a plate 411, 431 which extends along the width of the device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the front holding element 41 has two elbows 415 and

417 which each have three portions extend respectively along the width of the device, along its length, in the direction of the rear retaining element 43 and towards the base 1 (in the direction of the end integral with the vertical cross member of the holding element 41 towards the free end of the elbow). These two elbows 415, 417 enclose the bust of the patient, taking him under the armpits and maintaining the thickness of his bust.

Referring to FIG. 2, the base 1 and the articulation of the saddle support 3 will now be described. In Fig. 2, the plastic casing which covers the base 1 and serves as decoration has been removed to reveal the metallic structure of the base 1 and of the saddle support 3. The base 1 comprises a central beam 11 which has a rectilinear part at the end of which are mounted the rear rollers 41 and 42. The central beam 11 is in fact made up in part of two sliding profiles one inside the other and capable of being fixed in position relative to each other thanks to a pin G. It is thus possible to modify the length of the rectilinear part of the central beam 11. The rectilinear part is extended on the front part of the base 1 by a substantially vertical curved portion whose end is equipped with the handlebar 13. Ee handlebar 13 is slidably mounted in the central beam 11 and its height position can be adjusted via a locking screw or pin 14. Ees front casters 43 and 44 are mounted via b ranches 15 and 16, facing forward and integral with the start of the rectilinear and vertical part of the central beam 11. Fa vertical beam 17 disposed at the rear of the handlebar 13 is used for mounting the saddle support 3 on the base 1 This vertical beam 17 is mounted on the straight portion of the central beam 11. The saddle support 3 which has the shape of a U is rotatably mounted on the free end of the vertical beam 17 around an axis X4 , parallel to the width of the base 1. Two plates 121 and 122 parallel to the length of the base surround the vertical beam 17 and are integral with the front portion 33 of the saddle support 3. These two plates 121, 122 allow articulation around axis X4 and in addition, the blocking in angular position of the saddle support 3 relative to the vertical beam 17. The lower part of the plates 121 and 122 is provided with four perforations. By pivoting the saddle support 3 around the X axis and by inserting through the perforations of the two plates 121/122 rods which extend along the width of the base 1, one can thus lock in position the saddle support 3, which is inclined towards the rear of the device, relative to the vertical beam 17. Fa FIG. 4 shows in addition the screws or tightening pin which make it possible to lock in position two elements sliding one inside the other. The central beam 17 is itself formed by two sliding beams one inside the other and biocables in position, which allows its length to be adjusted according to the size of the patient.

Referring to FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3, the device of the invention also comprises, on each side of the base 1 and of the saddle support 3, an articulated arm 5. This articulated arm 5 comprises a first segment 51 whose first end 510 is mounted for rotation on the support seat 3 along a first axis XI parallel to the width of the device. The second end 512 is mounted on the first end 520 of a second segment 52 around a second axis X2, parallel to the first. The second end 522 of the second segment 52 supports a wedging piece or wedging element 53 in the shape of a U, the opening of the U being oriented towards the front of the device. The wedging element 53 is rotatably mounted on the second end 522 of the second segment at a third axis X3, parallel to the other two. In Fig. 3 which represents a variant of the device of FIG. 1, the wedging element 53 is formed by a sole 539 and a heel wedging portion 5391. The heel wedging portion referenced 5391 in FIG. 3 is oriented in the same way as the U-shaped wedging element 53 in FIG. 1. This wedging portion of the heel 5391 extends vertically with respect to the sole 539 and is integral with the latter.

Referring to FIG. 1, the two articulated arms 5 are independent of each other, that is to say that the movement of one does not cause the other to move.

The kinematics of the articulated arms 5 will be more fully detailed with reference to FIG. 3. The wedging piece or wedging element 53 is mounted at the end of a mounting segment 531 which is adjustably fixed on the second segment 52 of the arm. This mounting segment 531 is parallel to the second segment 52 and makes it possible to extend the latter. By sliding the mounting segment 531 along the second segment 52, the position of the wedging element 53 is modified along the second segment 52 and possibly lengthens the latter. The attachment of the mounting segment 531 to the second segment 52 is made by means of a nut and a bolt.

Still with reference to FIG. 3, the heel wedging element 5391 which has the shape of a U is integral with the second end of the mounting segment 531. It is also mounted on the second end 522 of the second segment 52 by means of this segment mounting 531. The heel wedging element or heel wedging portion 5391 is integral with a sole 539 on which the patient can put his shoe or his foot. The assembly formed by the sole 539 surmounted by the heel wedging element 5391 constitutes the wedging element 53. This wedging element 53 is mounted on the second end of the mounting segment 531 by means of a perforated bar 533 (which materializes the third axis X3) which extends along the width of the device. The position of the wedging element 53 on this perforated bar 533 can be modified. The wedging element 53 is fixed in position by two rods 535 which cooperate with perforations of the perforated bar 533 on each side of the cylinder which allows the mounting of the wedging element on the perforated bar 533. Fa position of the wedging element 53 according to the width of the device is therefore adjustable;

the wedging element 53 can be more or less distant from the saddle support 3 which represents the plane of symmetry of the device. The wedging element 53 therefore makes it possible, as explained below, to spread the patient's legs more or less on each side of the saddle support 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the articulated arm 5 also includes return means. These return means comprise a first spring 71 which connects the saddle support 3 (via a connecting tab 34) to the second end 512 of the first segment. This first spring 71 exerts a restoring force directed towards the front of the device and towards the saddle support 3. A second spring 73 connects the first segment 51 to the second segment 52. This second spring 73 extends substantially vertically in FIG. . 3. The second spring 73 is mounted on a perforation of the first segment and on a specific fixing eyelet which equips the second segment 52. This second spring 73 exerts a substantially vertical restoring force which limits the angular displacement of the second segment 52 relative to the first segment 51. A third spring 75 connects the rear of the wedging element 53 to a perforated rod 532 which is fixed in a removable and adjustable manner on the second segment 52, by means of a bolt mounted on a perforation of the second segment 52 (the bolt rod also passes through a perforation in the mounting segment 531). The rod 532 is parallel to the perforated bar 533 and directed in the same direction. The position of the rod 532 along the second segment 52 can be adjusted. The third spring 75 connects an eyelet 538 fitted to the wedging element 53 to a perforation of the strip 532. This third spring 75 exerts a restoring force on the wedging element 53 which is directed towards the rear of the device; this spring keeps the wedging piece 53 substantially horizontal, while allowing its rotation around the bar 533.

Referring to FIG. 3, the trajectories of the various elements of the articulated arm 5 will now be described. The second end 522 of the second segment describes an arc C1 which extends in a vertical plane. The wedging element 53 always remains in the same position thanks to the third spring 75: it remains horizontal, the opening of the U directed towards the front of the device. The second end 522 of the second segment 52 (and therefore the wedging piece 53) describes an ellipse El which is situated in a vertical plane in FIG. 3 A second embodiment of the articulated arm 5 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. The elements in common with the first embodiment are referenced identically. The differences with the aforementioned first embodiment are the location of the attachment of the first end 510 of the first segment 51 and the position of the first and of the second spring 71, 73. It will be noted that in the two embodiments, the length of the first segment 51 is adjustable because of the plurality of perforations that it has. By moving the attachment point of the first arm 51 along the perforations of the latter, the length of the first segment 51 is modified between its attachment point and its second end. In this second embodiment, the articulated arm 5 is mounted on the base 1 by means of a fixing part 56. The fixing part 56 comprises a ring 560 which is threaded on the central beam 11 of the base 1. This ring 560 is extended vertically by two legs 561 and 563 (which extend on each side of the central beam 11 of the base 1 and therefore on each side of the saddle support 3 and partially along the base 1, towards the rear rollers). Each tab 561, 563 has a hole for fixing the first end 510 of the first segment 51 and a specific perforation for fixing one end of the first spring 71. The first spring 71 therefore connects the fixing tab 561, 563 to the second end of the first segment 52. The second spring 73 connects the second end 512 of the first segment 51 to substantially the second end 522 of the second segment 52. The trajectories of the elements of the articulated arm 5 are identical to those shown with reference to the first mode of production. The first spring 71 exerts a restoring force directed towards the front of the device and towards the saddle support 3. The second spring 73 exerts a restoring force directed towards the rear of the device and towards the saddle support 3.

The use of the first embodiment will now be described with reference to Lig. 1, 2 and 3.

By adjusting the various elements of the base 1 and the saddle support 3, the device of the invention is adapted to the size of the patient. Is fixed on the bottom bar 32 of the saddle support 3, a saddle (not shown) which comprises two substantially vertical blanks which extend on each side of the bottom bar 32. The position of the wedging element is adjusted 53 depending on the width of the device so as to spread the legs of the patient when he is installed astride the saddle. Once the patient is installed astride the device, the wedging element 53 is pulled down to bring it into the low position B1 of the minor axis of the ellipse El. The wedging element 53 is fixed the calf of the patient (on each side of the device). In this position, the patient's feet are on the ground, legs apart so that there is no friction between the patient's thighs and the saddle. The patient's bust is held by the aforementioned holding means, which are also adjusted beforehand to its size.

To install the patient on the device, the rear portion 34 of the saddle holder 3 is pivoted so that it is horizontal. The patient is then easily installed by sliding them onto the saddle from the back of the device.

Referring to FIG. 3, the springs 71 and 73 exert an upwardly oriented vertical force which tends to lift the patient's feet, thereby helping him to walk and facilitating propulsion. These springs also exert a forward-facing force on the device that tends to help the patient put their leg forward, helping them to walk. The patient lifts a foot, helped by the means of recall; his knee bends and his foot (and therefore the wedging piece 53) describes the rear portion of the ellipse El, in the direction of the arrow Fl, up to the high position HL When the wedging element 53 is in the high position H1 of the minor axis of the ellipse El, the patient rests his foot on the ground by exerting a force on the springs 71 and 73 which makes it possible to build muscle. The wedging piece 53 then describes the front part of the ellipse El according to arrow F2. The force exerted towards the front of the device by the return means also helps the movement of the patient's leg. This movement is also helped by gravity. The patient thus manages to move, carrying the device with him thanks to the articulated arm 5.

The wedging elements 53 may also include eyelets through which passes a link capable of being fixed on a shoe of the patient. This link makes it possible to keep an angle formed by the patient's foot and leg when the patient is walking. This link (one on each side) helps prevent the patient's foot from aligning with the leg and preventing them from properly placing their foot on the floor. The use of the second embodiment of the invention is identical to the first embodiment described above.

Claims (1)

claims [Claim 1] Orthopedic walking aid device of the type comprising a base (1) fitted with rollers (41, 42, 43, 44), a saddle support (3) surmounting said base (1) and extending substantially vertically and according to the length of said base (1), characterized in that said device comprises on each side of said saddle support (3), an articulated arm (5), which comprises a first segment (51) whose first end (510) is rotatably mounted on said device about a first horizontal axis of rotation (XI) and perpendicular to said longitudinal direction of said base (1) and the second end (512) of which is rotatably mounted around a second axis of rotation ( X2) parallel to said first axis (XI), on the first end (520) of a second segment (52), in that the second end (522) of said second segment (52) comprises a wedging piece (53) mounted rotating around a third axis of rotation (X3 ) parallel to said first axis (XI) and capable of receiving and blocking the leg or the foot of said patient and in that said wedging piece (53) is moved away from said device according to the width of the latter and locked in position along the width of said device. [Claim 2] Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulated arm (5) (71; 73; 75) comprises return means which exert a return force directed towards one end of said base (1) and / or oriented towards said support saddle (3). [Claim 3] Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said device comprises a saddle mounted on said saddle support (3) and the two blanks of which are substantially vertical, in that said first end (510) of said first segment (51) is mounted in rotation on said saddle support (3) or in that said first end (510) of said first segment (51) is rotatably mounted on a connecting piece integral (56) of said base (1). [Claim 4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said articulated arm (5) is mounted adjustable in position along the length of the said device. [Claim 5] Device according to claim 2 or claims 3 and 4 considered in combination with claim 2, characterized in that said return means comprise a first spring (71) or a first motor which substantially connects said second end (512) from said first segment (51) to said saddle support (3) or to said base (1) and a second spring or a second motor (73) which connects said segments (51; 52). [Claim 6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wedging piece (53) is mounted adjustable in position on said second end (522) of said second segment (52) according to the width of said device and / or according to the length of said segment, and in that it optionally includes links capable of being fixed to the shoes of said patient so as to maintain the foot of said patient in a position substantially perpendicular to his calf. [Claim 7] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of said first segment (51) and / or of said second segment (52) is adjustable. [Claim 8] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the depth of said saddle support (3) measured along the length of said device is adjustable, in particular by sliding and / or in that said saddle support (3) is mounted tilting around an axis parallel to the width of the device so that it can be lifted in the direction opposite to said base. [Claim 9] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said saddle support comprises means for holding (41; 43) the bust of said patient which are optionally adjustable in height and / or in width and / or tiltable towards the one and / or the other of the ends of said device. [Claim 10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wedging piece comprises a sole (539) equipped with a vertical portion (5391) for wedging the heel of the foot of said patient. 1/2