NL1039802C2

NL1039802C2 - Clavicle brace.

Info

Publication number: NL1039802C2
Application number: NL1039802A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Yves Fortems
Original assignee: Yves Fortems
Priority date: 2012-09-14
Filing date: 2012-09-14
Publication date: 2014-03-18

Description

MCI-003 -1-

CLAVICLE BRACE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a brace for stabilising fractured clavicles to enable the fracture to heal.

5 Compared to the known braces for clavicle fractures, the design of the brace of the present invention does not only immobilize the shoulder but also reducts the fractured clavicle, i.e. puts the fractured clavicle back in position, and for more limits the abduction of the shoulder and elevation of the arm above shoulder height to accelerate the healing process.

10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the non-operative treatment of a clavicula or clavicle fracture the arm is typically supported by use of a splint or sling to keep the joint, in particular the shoulder, stable in a more or less immobilized state. Usually, a figure-of-eight splint that wraps the shoulders to keep them forced back is used and the arm is placed in a clavicle strap for comfort.

15

The use of a figure-of-eight splint is however faced with a number of problems.

1. As already outlined above, it wraps around the shoulder and as such the bandage crosses the clavicle with a ‘painful’ pressure on the fractured bone as evident from Figure 1; 20 2. The immobilization over-shoulder straps must be tensioned to such an extend that they tend to cause problems in the shoulder pit, including local skin problems, and vascular an neurological restriction in this area of the body, leaving the wearer with a loss of sensation or tingling in the arm; 3. The figure-of-eight splint does not sufficiently limit the elevation and abduction of the 25 arm. Elevation of the arm above shoulder height is still possible and this may seriously affect the fracture healing process. In case the fractured bone did not yet sufficiently heal, the rotation associated with the elevation above shoulder height may now occur in the bone causing rotary shear forces impairing the healing process of the clavicle.

30

In an effort to address the foregoing discomforts and problems associated with the figure-of-eight bandage, a number of braces are currently offered for sale, such as for example the clavicle splint sold by Ossur, the Premium Posture Correction Support Brace sold by The Back Care Warehouse or the harness described in US patent application US 2012/0022417.

35 However, a reoccurring problem with each of said devices is that straps are still present across shoulder position with an inefficient immobilization of the shoulders of the user.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a treatment that addresses the foregoing problems and results in; 1039802 -2- 1. A relative immobilisation of the shoulders); 2. A decent reduction of the fractured bone, by sufficiently stretching the collar bone; 3. A higher comfort level to the user, more in particular in the shoulder pit area of the user; 5 4. No pressure of the bandage onto the fracture; 5. Prevention of undesired shoulder movements that could delay the healing process; 6. Optionally provides an under arm support as part of the clavicle brace; a,d 7. Allows self-adjusting by the user.

10 As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, by using rigid brackets adjustable mounted on a base plate, the clavicle brace of the present invention complies with each of the foregoing and desired characteristics.

15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a clavicle brace comprising a base plate (1) with adaptable brackets (2) secured thereto; wherein said adaptable brackets are configured to be looped over the user’s shoulders and wherein said brackets further 20 comprise immobilisation members (4) and straps (7) to connect said immobilisation members to the base plate under the user’s arm.

In use the base plate is present at the user’s back and secured to the user’s body with straps that can be wound round the user’s body and extend to be secured to the base plate at the 25 user’s back. Thus in an embodiment of the present invention the clavicle brace is further characterized in that it comprising straps (5) configured to be looped about the waist of the user and extends to be secured to the base plate at the user’s back. In another embodiment, the base plate is secured to the user’s back using the straps (7) connected to the immobilisation members and configured to be secured to the base plate and extend to be 30 looped round the user’s body, with a mechanical fastener on a free end so that it can be secured on itself like a belt

The base plate as used herein is made from a rigid material, in particular metal. Consequently, for the comfort of the user the base plate is preferably covered with a soft, 35 compressible, textile material , such as for example , a soft textile padding, and the like. As such, in an embodiment of the present invention, the base plate is covered with a resilient compressible body (3). A similar covering material (13) may also be applied to the brackets of the clavicle brace.

For fitting purposes, and in order to adapt the brace to the bodily dimensions of the user, -3- brackets of different lengths, optionally adaptable in length, can be used within the context of the present application. In addition, the brackets are in a particular embodiment of the present invention orient combined with the base plate. As such the immobilisation members present on said brackets can be appropriately positioned to reduct the fracture clavicle and limit the 5 abduction and elevation of the arm(s) of the users. Accordingly, in a further aspect of the present invention, the brace is characterized in that the brackets are orient combined with the base plate.

In particular, the adaptable brackets comprise one or more slits (9,10,12) that in cooperation 10 with fixation means (8) at the base plate allow orient combined connection of the adaptable braces to the base plate.

Within this embodiment and different from the art known clavicle bandages, the brackets are made from a rigid material; in particular a bendable rigid material such as for example metal or plastic.

15

As evident from the foregoing, in combination with the orientation of the brackets, the immobilisation members will reduct and retain the fractured clavicle in the desired position. As such, said immobilisation members (4) must be configured to stabilize the lateral clavicle ending, but without actual pressure to the fractured bone. They are accordingly configured to 20 grip and hold the shoulder at a desired position to allow healing of the fractured clavicle, at the same time limiting the abduction of the shoulder and elevation of the arm(s) of the users above 90° (above shoulder height). Thus in a particular embodiment the support members are shellshaped (concave), and may comprise a resiliently compressible body wherein said compressible body is either present within or covers said immobilisation members.

25 Analogous to the brackets, these immobilisation members are preferably made of a rigid material, such as metal or plastic, more in particular plastic.

A further advantage related to the foregoing adaptability, is that the brace of the present invention can be adjusted asymmetrically, with a strong containment at the fracture side when 30 compared to the non-fractured side, which further attributes to the comfort of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

35 With specific reference now to the figures, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the different embodiments of the present invention only. They are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than -4- is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

5 Fig. 1 : Front view of a user wearing a prior art bandage, showing how the bandage crosses the clavicle with a ‘painful’ pressure on the fractured bone.

Fig. 2: Front view of a user wearing a clavicle brace of the present invention. Showing the position of the immobilisation members (4) at the shoulders, the straps (7) underneath the 10 user’s arm to connect the brackets and immobilisation members to the base plate, and the strap (5) about the waist of the user.

Fig· 3: Front view of a user wearing a clavicle brace of the present invention. Showing an alternative embodiment wherein the breast strap (5) is replaced with two straps (11) connected 15 to the immobilisation members (4) and crossing at the user’s torso, to be fixed at base plate (1) at the user’s back.

Fig. 4: Rear view of a user wearing a clavicle brace of the present invention. Showing the brackets (2) looped over the user’s shoulders, the base plate (1) with the brackets connected 20 thereto and the how strap (5) circumferences the user’s torso and reconnects at the base plate.

Fig. 5: Close view of the base plate without covering. Showing how the brackets (2) are position combined with the base plate. In this particular embodiment through the presence of 25 slits (9,10) in the brackets (2) that in combination with fixation means (8) allow adjusting the orientation of the brackets vis-a-vis the base plate.

Fig. 6: Close view of the base plate without covering. Showing how the brackets (2) are position combined with the base plate. In this particular embodiment through the presence of 30 slits (9,10) in the brackets and slits (12) in the base plate, that in combination with the fixation means (8) allow adjusting the orientation of the brackets vis-a-vis the base plate.

Fig. 7: Side view of a brace according to the present invention, showing one of the brackets (2) with immobilisation member (4), the base plate (1), one of the straps (7) securing the 35 immobilisation member to the base plate, the chest strap (5), a belt like fastener (15) to close said chest strap at the front of the user and an under arm support (16) cooperating with the chest strap in supporting the arm of the user.

-5-

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the finding that the use of a rigid base plate with positionally 5 adjustable and rigid brackets connected thereto, allows proper positioning of the broken bone with arm movement restrictions, without the need of straps crossing the shoulder causing pain and discomfort to the user.

In order to retract the shoulder in the desired position, said brackets comprise immobilisation 10 members (4) that through the orientation of the bracket arms and the position (in particular the horizontal position) of the base plate, pull and retain the shoulders in a retracted position. As already explained herein before, said immobilisation members must be configured to grip and hold the shoulder at a desired position, and at the same time limit the abduction and elevation of the arm(s) of the users. They are accordingly made of a rigid material, in particular shell-15 shaped. In this preferred embodiment the internal void of the shell-shaped immobilisation members is worn facing the body and preferably filled with a resilient material to enable the immobilisation member to be pressed against the user’s body to support and align the clavicle whilst it heals.

20 In one embodiment of the present invention the immobilisation members are further characterized in that there orientation with respect to the bracket arms can be adjusted to even further optimize the fit of the shoulders in said immobilisation members. In particular, the immobilisation members can be rotated around a fixation point with the bracket arms.

25 As evident from figures 2, 3 and 4, with the brace of the present invention no straps or bandage is crossing the collarbone region. Immobilisation and fixation is completely looped around the shoulder region of the user. In as far this already prevents undesired pressure on the fracture area, it further assists in limiting abduction and elevation of the arm(s) of the user. Also, given the position of the immobilisation members in front of the shoulder joint, the straps 30 (7) connecting the immobilisation members with the base plate will not cross and cut through the armpit, but traverse to the back at a much lower position in the underarm area of the body. It accordingly assists in prevention of the above-mentioned problems typically observed in this area of the body when using the traditional clavicle braces. Said straps (7) are connected to the base plate, in particular at about the same position as the strap around the user’s torso, 35 and accordingly comprise a mechanical faster that either in combination with elements present on said base plate or with the cover of said base plate allow said strap to be secured to said plate. In a particular embodiment said mechanical fastener consists of Velcro ™ and be securable to the base plate or the material covering the base plate.

-6-

Fixation of the device is fully focussed around the base plate at the user’s back. As mentioned above, back-pull of the shoulders through the brackets and immobilization members is at least partially determined by the crano-caudal position of the back plate. As it is desirable to strap and fixate said plate about the user’s torso, dependent on the bodily dimensions of the user, 5 brackets with different lengths will be used to adjust the brace to the size of the user. In one embodiment brackets that are adjustable in length are used in the clavicle brace of the present invention. With reference to Figure 3, this may for example be realized through the slits (9) present within the brackets. Through the presence of further lateral recesses (10) within said slits, not only the length but also the orientation angle of the brackets may be adjusted to 10 improve the fit of the brace to the size of the user. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that alternative methods to adjust the length and orientation of the brackets vis-a-vis the base plate are within the admit of the invention, and that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described herein and shown in Figure 3 of the present text. As for example shown in Figure 6, slits and recesses in the base plate may also be used, optionally 15 in combination with slits and recesses in the brackets, to adjust the length and orientation of the brackets vis-a-vis the base plate. Accordingly in a further embodiment, the brace of the present invention is further characterized in that the base plate comprises one or more slits (12) that in cooperation with fixation means (8) at the base plate allow orient combined connection of the adaptable braces to the base plate; in particular in combination with slits (9) 20 and/or recesses (10) in the brackets.

As it is important for the base plate to remain in position during use, different configuration of straps can be used to secure the base plate at the user’s back. In one configuration the straps (7) connected to the immobilisation members are configured to be connected to the base plate 25 and extend to be looped around the user’s torso. Fastening either occurs either with any suitable fasteners to the base plate or preferably through mechanical fastener on their free ends so that they can be secured to one another in a belt like manner. In order to enable selfadjustment by the user, said straps (7) are slide-ably connected to the base plate, such as for example through a ring, loop, slit or shackle (14) connected to the base plate.

30

In another configuration, the straps (7) connected to the immobilisation members and secured at the base plate do not extend to be looped around the users torso, but one or more further straps (5) are connected to the base plate and looped around the user’s torso, hereinafter also referred to as the 'chest strap’. In analogy with the foregoing, fastening either occurs either 35 with any suitable fasteners to the base plate or preferably through mechanical fastener on its free end so that it can be secured on itself like a belt. In an alternative embodiment, this chest strap is replaced with two straps (11), hereinafter also referred to as ‘torso straps’, connected to the immobilisation members and crossing at the user’s torso with their free ends securable to the base plate (1) at the back of the user. Again and in analogy with straps (7) above, these -7- torso straps may be slide-ably connected to the base plate and extend to be looped around the user’s torso with mechanical fastener on their free ends so that they can be secured to one another in a belt like manner.

5 In each of the foregoing embodiments the straps may be configured to enfold the torso more than once, and in principle any suitable fastener to mount said straps (chest strap or torso straps) to the base plate, the material covering the base plate, or to themselves can be used, including for example buttons, hooks, clips, Velcro ™ and the like. In a particular embodiment said mechanical fastener consists of Velcro ™ and be securable to the straps or the material 10 covering the base plate.

As already mentioned hereinbefore, the belt like configuration allows the user to self adjust the force exerted by the brace. In as far a minimal force will be required, markers on the belt may assist in defining the range to the user.

15

With reference to Figure 7, in a particular embodiment a brace according to the present invention may further comprise an under arm support. This further under arm support functions to support the arm adjacent the fractured clavicle and thereby helps to immobilise the arm and clavicle as well as to reduce the strain on the fractured clavicle whilst it heals. There 20 are no particular limitations to the shape and type of material used in said arm support as long as it allows to be fashioned about the user’s arm and secured to the strap(s) looped around the user’s torso. The arm support may for example comprise a length of material (preferably a relative soft material) that can be fashioned into a tube about the arm of the user and secured to the strap(s) looped around the user torso by a mechanical fastener, such as Velcro™.

25

This and other embodiments will become evident from the claims herein below. It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all equivalent arrangements, 30 combination of features and/or embodiments, and obvious modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1039802

Claims

A clavicle fracture brace comprising a base plate (1) with adjustable brackets (2), wherein the adjustable brackets are configured to make a loop over the user's shoulders and wherein the brackets furthermore immobilization elements (4) and bands (7) ) to connect these immobilization elements to the base plate under the user's arm.

2. The brace of claim 1, wherein the adjustable brackets are orientably combined with the base plate.

3. The brace of claim 2, wherein the adjustable brackets include one or more slots (9) that can be used in conjunction with fasteners (8) on the base plate to adjust the orientation of the brackets relative to the base plate.

The brace of claim 2, wherein the base plate comprises one or more slits (12) that can be used in conjunction with fastening means (8) on the base plate to adjust the orientation of the brackets relative to the base plate. 20

The brace of claim 1 wherein the adjustable brackets are made from a rigid material, in particular a flexible rigid material, such as for example metal or plastic.

The brace of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the brackets are provided with a resiliently compressible coating (13).

The brace of claim 1, wherein the immobilization elements (4) are configured to immobilize the broken clavicle. 30

The brace of claim 7, wherein the immobilization elements comprise a resiliently compressible coating.

The brace of claim 7 or 8, wherein the immobilization element is shell-shaped. 35

The brace of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the immobilization elements are plastic.

The brace of claim 1, wherein the base plate is provided with a resilient 40 compressible liner (3) 1039802 -9-

The brace of claim 1, wherein the base plate is metal.

The brace of claim 1, wherein the straps (7) are slidably connected (14) to the base plate, and are extended to be placed in a loop around the user's trunk.

The brace of claim 13, wherein the straps (7) include mechanical fastening element at their free ends so that they can be attached to each other as with a belt. 10

The brace of claim 1, further comprising a strap (5) configured to be placed in a loop over the waist of the user and attached to the base plate on the back of the user, or provided at the free end with a mechanical fastener (15) so that it can be fixed on itself as with a belt.

The brace of claim 1, further comprising straps (11) connected to the immobilization elements and configured to cross over the user's torso and to be attached to the base plate on the user's back. 20

The brace of claim 16, wherein the straps (11) are slidably connected (14) to the base plate and extended to be placed in a loop around the user's torso with mechanical fasteners at their free ends so that they meet can be attached to each other like with a belt. 25

The brace of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a forearm support (16). 1039802