GB2262450A

GB2262450A - Cervical orthosis

Info

Publication number: GB2262450A
Application number: GB9125730A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terry Strange
Original assignee: MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASS; Salt and Son Ltd
Current assignee: MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASS; Salt and Son Ltd
Priority date: 1991-11-30
Filing date: 1991-11-30
Publication date: 1993-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-30
Also published as: GB2262450B; GB9125730D0

Abstract

An orthosis for the head comprises a first portion (11) engageable in use by the chin of a wearer, a second portion (12) engageable in use with the trunk of the wearer, means (18) connecting the first (11) and second (12) portions which permit the chin engaging portion (11) to move generally downwardly from a rest position towards the trunk engaging portion (12), and means (21, 22) to return chin engaging portion (11) to the rest position. The means for returning the chin engaging portion (11) may be a pair of torsion springs (21, 22) or a linear actuator or motor. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Orthosis Description of invention This invention relates to an orthosis, particularly but not exclusively, for use by persons with muscle wasting diseases such as motor neurone disease.

Presently, as the muscles which support the head deteriorate, the only orthosis suitable for assisting the muscles in the support of the head is a rigid collar, which permits virtually no movement of the head. Such an orthosis is uncomfortable to wear and is unnecessarily restrictive where the wearer still has at least some use of the neck muscles.

Furthermore, persons with diseases such as motor neurone disease have difficulty in swallowing, which can be relieved by lowering the head at the instance of swallowing. Obviously therefore, the wearing of a rigid collar aggravates the difficulty in swallowing.

According to the invention we provide an orthosis for the head comprising a first portion engageable in use by the chin of a wearer, a second portion engageable in use with a trunk of the wearer, and means connecting the first and second portions which permit the chin engaging portion to move generally downwardly from a rest position towards the trunk engaging portion, and there being means to return the chin engaging portion to the rest position.

Thus the invention provides a dynamic orthosis which permits of at least limited flexion of the head forwardly, and assists the wearer in returning the head to a rest position.

The, second, trunk engaging portion may comprise a pair of generally downwardly extending limbs which engage a front surface of the wearer's trunk although any alternative suitable construction can be employed.

The, first, chin engaging portion may comprise a generally planar member on which the chin makes a single area contact, so that the wearer may still be permitted to achieve some lateral flexion of the head without significant restraint.

It will be appreciated also that by virtue of the orthosis having a chin engaging portion on which the chin makes contact, there is no restriction to the wearer achieving a rearward extension movement of the head.

In one embodiment, the means which connect the first chin engaging and second trunk engaging portions, may comprise a restoring means which provides a restoring force to the chin engaging portion when the chin engaging portion is moved generally downwardly by the wearer to return the chin engaging portion to the rest position. Thus the wearer may use his muscles to move the chin engaging portion generally downwardly towards the trunk engaging portion against the restoring means.

The restoring means may for example comprise a spring means such as a torsion spring means. Particularly but not exclusively where the trunk engaging portion comprises a pair of limbs, the spring means may comprise a pair of torsion springs acting between the chin engaging portion and the trunk engaging portion, for example one spring acting between one of the limbs of the trunk engaging portion and the chin engaging portion and the other spring acting between the other limb of the trunk engaging portion and the chin engaging portion.

The orthosis may conveniently comprise a framework comprising the spring means, and the framework having secured thereto, the trunk engaging portion and the chin engaging portion. The framework may comprise a single length of wire bent to provide a pair of limbs for the trunk engaging portion and a loop part which provides a mounting for the chin engaging portion.

In another embodiment, the means which return the chin engaging portion to the rest position, may comprise a motive means which may be operated also to permit the chin engaging portion to move towards the trunk engaging portion. Thus the orthosis may be used by a wearer who has no motive control of the neck muscles, but who may be able to operate the motive means to achieve forward flexion of the head from the rest position, and to return the head to the rest position.

In each embodiment, preferably the connecting means is shaped and constructed so that no part of the orthosis engages with a collarbone of the wearer, thus to add to the comfort of the orthosis.

Additional wearer engaging means may be provided to attach the orthosis to the wearer. For example, a strap may be provided which extends around the back of the neck and/or head of the wearer. Such a strap may be removable from the remainder of the orthosis, for example for cleaning or replacement, and/or the length of such strap may be adjustable to enable the chin of the wearer to engage with the chin engaging portion in the most comfortable position.

In one arrangement, the means which connect the chin engaging portion to the trunk engaging portion may comprise a pair of rings, one either side of the neck, and the strap may be releasably connected to each of the rings via for example, hook and loop connectors such as are sold under the Trade Mark Velcro. Where the orthosis comprises a pair of torsion springs, these may conveniently provide the rings for attachment of the strap.

In another embodiment, the additional wearer engaging means may comprise a secondary trunk engaging portion which engages with a back surface of the trunk of the wearer.

The chin engaging portion may comprise a lower element which is connected for example via clips or brackets to the means which connect the chin engaging portion and trunk engaging portion, and a removable upper element on which a wearer's chin rests.

The upper element may be connected to the lower element by interengaging hook and loop material such as is sold under the Trade Mark Velcro.

Thus the upper element may be removable for cleaning or replacement as desired.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an orthosis in accordance with the invention showing in outline, the manner in which the orthosis is attached to a wearer, FIGURE 2 is an underside plan view of part of the orthosis of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an orthosis indicated at 10, for a head, and including a first chin engaging portion 11 which is in use, engaged by a wearer's chin, and a trunk engaging portion 12 which in this example, is provided by a pair of limbs, 13,14, which, in use, engage a front surface 15 of the wearer's trunk 16. The chin engaging portion 11 is connected to the trunk engaging portion 12 by a connecting means which in this example, is a wire framework 18.

The framework 18 is provided by a single length of wire bent to include two limb parts 19,20, to which the limbs 13,14, of the trunk engaging portion 12 are attached, and a loop part 20 on which the chin engaging portion 11 is mounted, each side of the loop part 20 being integral with a ring 21,22, which is connected to a respective limb part 19,20.

The rings 21,22, are in this example, torsion springs, which together provide a restoring force to return the chin engaging portion 11 to the rest position shown, after the chin engaging portion 11 has been moved against the restoring force generally downwardly towards the trunk engaging portion 12.

The orthosis includes additional wearer engaging means comprising in this example, a strap 23 which is connected to each of the rings 21,22. To achieve this, each end of the strap 23 has a section 24 of loop or hook material which is engaged with corresponding hook or loop material 25 of the remainder of the strap 23. Such hook and loop material is sold under the Trade Mark Velcro.

The strap carries a pad 26 which engages about the back of the neck 27 of the wearer although in another embodiment, a headband instead of, or in addition to, the strap 23 may be provided to engage the rear of the wearer's head.

By virtue of the ends of the strap 23 being each connectable to the rings 21,22, by the hook and loop material, the length of the strap 23 is adjustable to suit difference individuals. If desired, one end of the strap 23 may be permanently connected to one ring, adjustment only being possible at the other end.

In yet another embodiment, instead of the strap 23, the orthosis may include a further trunk engaging portion which may for example, engage a rear surface 28 of the wearer's trunk 16, to support the chin engaging portion 11 in the rest position.

It will be noted that in the example of the drawings, the framework 18 includes curved parts 31,32, which ensure that no part of the orthosis 10 contacts collarbone 33 of the wearer.

The framework 18 preferably comprises a plastic coated wire, and the pad 26, and limbs 13,14, of the trunk engaging portion 12 preferably comprise foamed plastic material for the wearer's comfort.

The chin engaging portion 11 preferably comprises a lower element 34 to which are attached, via bolts or other fasteners, three brackets indicated at 35,36, and 37. The lower element 34 is preferably provided with a plurality of holes each capable of receiving the fastener for the bracket 36 to enable the position of the lower element 34 to be adjusted for the wearer's comfort.

The brackets 35,36,37 each engage with the loop part 20 of the framework 18 to connect the lower element 34 to the loop part 20.

On its upper surface, the lower element 34 is preferably provided with hook or loop material, and an upper element comprising a pad of a suitable foamed or other soft, preferably plastic, material, which has looped or hooked material provided on its underside, is thus releasably connectable to the lower element 34, for cleaning or replacement.

It will be appreciated that the orthosis 10 shown in the drawings, permits a wearer to lower his chin, using his muscles, by overcoming the restoring force of the torsion springs 21 and 22. When a wearer desires to raise his head again, the torsion springs 21,22, will return the chin engaging portion 11 to the rest position shown, and assist movement of the head back to the rest position.

By virtue of the wearer's chin engaging on the chin engaging portion 11, there is no restriction to the wearer extending his head rearwardly, and by virtue of the wearer's chin engaging the chin engaging portion 11 by a generally single area contact, the wearer may roll his head from side to side, and even move his head from side to side through a limited angle, without restriction. In the event that the wearer wishes to perform lateral flexion of his head, beyond that usually permitted by the orthosis, by virtue of the construction of the trunk engaging portion 12 and the framework 18, the orthosis 10 can be deformed to an extent to permit at least some further lateral flexion.

Various further modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, although in the example shown, a pair of torsion springs 21,22, are provided to return the chin engaging portion 11 to the rest position, any other spring means or the like for providing a restoring force to the chin engaging portion 11 may be provided.

Any alternative means for mounting the chin engaging portion 11 on the framework 18 may be provided. The trunk engaging portion 12 need not comprise a pair of limbs 13,14, as described but any other suitable construction could be employed.

In another embodiment, instead of providing springs or other means for providing a restoring force, a motive means such as a linear actuator or motor may be provided which acts between the chin engaging portion 11 and the trunk engaging portion 12 to drive the chin engaging portion 11 back to the rest position. Such drive means may be controlled by the wearer via a remote operating switch. The motive means may also be operable to permit the wearer operating switch. The motive means may also be operable to permit the wearer to lower his head from the rest position, by driving the chin engaging portion 11 towards the trunk engaging portion 12.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed result, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. An orthosis for the head comprising a first portion engageable in use by the chin of a wearer, a second portion engageable in use with a trunk of the wearer, and means connecting the first and second portions which permit the chin engaging portion to move generally downwardly from a rest position towards the trunk engaging portion, and there being means to return the chin engaging portion to the rest position.

2. An orthosis according to claim 1 wherein the second, trunk engaging, portion comprises a pair of generally downwardly extending limbs which engage a front surface of the wearer's trunk.

3. An orthosis according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first, chin engaging, portion comprises a generally planar member on which the chin makes a single area contact, whereby the wearer can still achieve some lateral flexion of the head without significant restraint.

4. An orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which provides no restriction to the wearer achieving a rearward extension movement of the head.

5. An orthosis according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means which connect the first chin engaging and second trunk engaging portions, comprises a restoring means which provides a restoring force to the chin engaging portion when the chin engaging portion is moved generally downwardly by the wearer, to return the chin engaging portion to the rest position.

6. An orthosis according to claim 5 wherein the restoring means comprises a spring means.

7. An orthosis according to claim 6 wherein the spring means comprises a pair of torsion springs acting between the chin engaging portion and the trunk engaging portion.

8. An orthosis according to claim 7 where appendant to claim 2 wherein one spring acts between one of the limbs of the trunk engaging portion and the chin engaging portion and the other spring acting between the other limb of the trunk engaging portion and the chin engaging portion.

9. An orthosis according to any one of claims 6 to 8 which comprises a framework comprising the spring means, and the framework having secured thereto, the trunk engaging portion and the chin engaging portion.

10. An orthosis according to claim 9 wherein the framework comprises a single length of wire bent to provide a pair of limbs for the trunk engaging portion and a loop part which provides a mounting for the chin engaging portion.

11. An orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the means which return the chin engaging portion to the rest position, comprises a motive means which may be operated also to permit the chin engaging portion to move towards the trunk engaging portion.

12. An orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the connecting means is shaped and constructed so that no part of the orthosis engages with a collarbone of the wearer, thus to add to the comfort of the orthosis.

13. An orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein a strap is provided which extends around the back of the neck and/or head of the wearer, the strap being removable from the remainder of the orthosis, and the length of the strap being adjustable to enable the chin of the wearer to engage with the chin engaging portion in the most comfortable position.

14. An orthosis according to claim 13 wherein the means which connect the chin engaging portion to the trunk engaging portion comprises a pair of rings, one either side of the neck, and the strap being releasably connected to each of the rings.

15. An orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein a secondary trunk engaging portion is provided which engages with a back surface of the trunk of the wearer.

16. An orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the chin engaging portion comprises a lower element which is connected for example via clips or brackets to the means which connect the chin engaging portion and trunk engaging portion, and a removable upper element on which a wearer's chin rests.

17. An orthosis according to claim 16 wherein the upper element is connected to the lower element by inter-engaging hook and loop material such as is sold under the Trade Mark Velcro.

18. An orthosis substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.