TW201742602A - Ankle foot orthosis - Google Patents

Abstract

An AFO includes a cuff, a foot plate, a strut, a joint unit and a stopping member. The cuff is securable to a calf of a patient. The foot plate is for supporting a foot. The strut is connected to the cuff. The joint unit is connected to the foot plate and the strut, and the joint unit includes an upper joint and a lower joint. The upper joint has a first end connected to the strut, and a second end. The lower joint has a third end connected to the foot plate, and a fourth end connected to the second end in a rotatable manner such that the lower joint is rotatable back and forth with respect to the upper joint. The stopping member is mounted on the joint unit for providing a stop limiting a movement range of the lower joint with respect to the upper joint.

Description

Foot and ankle aids

The present invention relates to an ankle assist device, and more particularly to an ankle aid having an adjustable restraining ability and flexibility/rigidity adjustable function for the ankle and/or the flexion of the ankle. .

During the walking gait cycle, the ankle joint, shank and foot of the human body play an important role in the related activities of movement including shock absorption, stability and kinetic energy storage. Foot and ankle aids need to provide different functions during different periods of the patient, such as during bed rest, during training standing, and during training walking. However, current ankle assists are often designed to provide only a single function and cannot meet the patient's needs. The functional requirements during different periods have resulted in inconvenience in use and economic burden.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an ankle assist device to solve the above problems.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an ankle assist device including a leg sleeve, a sole plate, a support plate, a joint unit, and a brake element. The leg sleeve can be fixed to the patient's calf. The sole of the foot is used to support the foot of the patient. The support plate is attached to the leg cuff. The joint unit is coupled to the sole plate and the support plate, and the joint unit includes an upper joint and a lower joint. The upper joint has a first end coupled to the support plate and a second end. The lower joint has a third end coupled to the soleplate and a fourth end movably coupled to the second end of the superior joint whereby the lower joint is rotatable relative to the superior joint. The brake element is disposed on the joint unit and It is configured to provide braking to limit the range of motion of the lower joint relative to the upper joint.

1‧‧‧foot assistive equipment

10‧‧‧ leg sets

20‧‧‧foot floor

22‧‧‧foot bottom

24‧‧‧foot root

30‧‧‧Support board

32‧‧‧ Backboard

32H‧‧‧ Hole

34‧‧‧Fixed components

40‧‧‧ joint unit

42‧‧‧Upper joint

42A‧‧‧ first end

42B‧‧‧second end

42H‧‧‧ Hole

42X‧‧‧Fixed components

42K‧‧‧first arm

421‧‧‧First screw hole

422‧‧‧Second screw hole

44‧‧‧ lower joint

44A‧‧‧Terminal

44B‧‧‧ fourth end

441‧‧‧first abutment

442‧‧‧second abutment

44K‧‧‧second arm

44P‧‧‧Bump

46‧‧‧ Hinges

50‧‧‧ brake components

52‧‧‧First brake

54‧‧‧Second brake

V‧‧‧ vertical axis

Γ‧‧‧rotation angle

In order to assist the reader to achieve the best understanding, it is recommended to refer to the attached figure and its detailed text description when reading this disclosure. Please note that in order to comply with industry standards, the drawings in this patent specification are not necessarily drawn to the correct scale. In some drawings, the dimensions may be deliberately enlarged or reduced to assist the reader in understanding the discussion.

1A is a top view of an ankle assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is a top view of the ankle assist device of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1C is a front view of the ankle assist device of FIG. 1A; FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ankle assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing the appearance of a joint on an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3B is a view on the top of FIG. Figure 3C is a front view of the joint of Figure 3A; Figure 3D is a side view of the joint of Figure 3A; Figure 4A is a schematic view of the joint of one of the embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 4B is a view of the joint of Figure 4A Figure 4C is a front view of the joint above Fig. 4A; Fig. 4D is a side view of the joint above Fig. 4A; Fig. 5A shows the joint above the ankle assist device in the direction of the back bend with respect to the lower joint A schematic view of a state in which the rotation is restricted; and FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing a state in which the rotation of the joint above the ankle assist device with respect to the lower joint is restricted in the warping direction.

The disclosure provides several different implementations or embodiments that can be used to implement different features of the invention. For the sake of simplicity, the disclosure also describes specific components and An example of the arrangement. Please note that these specific examples are provided for demonstration purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, in the following description of how the first feature is on or above the second feature, certain embodiments may be included, where the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and the description may include other differences Embodiments wherein there are other features in between the first feature and the second feature such that the first feature is not in direct contact with the second feature. In addition, various examples in the disclosure may use repeated reference numerals and/or text annotations to make the document more simplistic and clear, and such repeated reference numerals and annotations do not represent an association between different embodiments and configurations.

In addition, the disclosure discloses the use of spatially related narrative vocabulary such as "under", "low", "lower", "above", "upper", "above" and the like. For ease of description, the usage is to describe the relative relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature. In addition to the angular orientations shown in the figures, these spatial relative terms are also used to describe the possible angles and directions of the device in use and during operation. The angular orientation of the device may vary (rotating 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related descriptions used in this disclosure may be interpreted in the same manner.

The terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" as used herein are used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, such elements, components, regions, Layers and/or sections should not be limited to these terms. The words may be used in a single element, component, region, layer, or section and another element, component, region, layer, or section. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used herein to mean a sequence or order unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The disclosure relates to ankle foot orthosis (AFO). When the patient wears an ankle aid, the joint unit of the ankle aid is located behind the ankle joint of the patient. The joint unit includes an upper joint connected to the support plate and a lower joint connected to the sole plate. The upper joint and the lower joint are rotatably coupled, whereby the lower joint is rotatable relative to the upper joint. The ankle assist device includes a brake element that can adjust the lower joint relative to the upper joint The scope of the activity. By the combination of the braking element and the joint unit, the shank to vertical angle (SVA) of the patient's lower leg and the vertical axis can be limited to a predetermined range of motion. The support plate of the ankle assist device has an adjustable flexibility/rigidity function. By setting the rotation angle of the joint unit and the flexibility of the support plate, the ankle assist device of the present disclosure can be applied to various types. Different conditions caused by lesions of motor neurons or the nervous system such as muscle flaccidity, malnutrition or spasticity caused by excessive tension.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. The ankle assist device 1 of the present disclosure includes a cuff 10, a foot plate 20, a strut 30, a joint unit 40, and a stopping member 50. . The leg cuff 10 can be attached to the calf of the patient. When the ankle aid 1 is worn, the leg cuff 10 can cover the rear half of the calf. The leg sleeve 10 can be a material having sufficient structural strength such as plastic, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a strap can be selectively used to wrap around the lower leg with the leg cuff 10 to secure the ankle aid 1 tightly to the patient's leg. In addition, a cushion may be selectively used on the inner surface of the leg cuff 10 to enhance the comfort of the patient when wearing the ankle assist device 1.

The sole plate 20 is used to support the patient's foot when the patient wears the ankle aid 1 . In some embodiments, the soleplate 20 includes a sole part 22 for supporting the foot and a heel part 24 coupled to the sole 22 and the joint unit 40. In some embodiments, the foot base 22 and the foot root 24 are combined by two structures that can be joined to each other, but are not limited thereto. The sole 22 can be made in a customized manner to accommodate different foot shapes of individual patients. In some embodiments, the sole 22 can be fabricated using 3D printing techniques, but is not limited thereto.

The support plate 30 is coupled to the leg cuff 10 and the joint unit 40. In some embodiments, the relative position of the support plate 30 to the leg cuff 10 can be adjusted to accommodate patients with different leg lengths. For example, the support plate 30 can have a plurality of holes 32H disposed at different heights, and the legs The sleeve 10 can be secured to any of the holes 32H of the support plate 30 by means of fastening elements 34, such as screws, to adjust the height of the leg cuff 10.

In some embodiments, the support plate 30 is an adjustable flexible support plate that can be adjusted to have different flexibility/rigidity to meet different functional needs of the patient such as support, resistance or assist. When the patient wears the ankle assist device 1, the support plate 30 is located behind the tibia. In some embodiments, the support plate 30 includes a plurality of back plates 32, and each back plate 32 is detachably coupled to the leg cover 10 and the joint unit 40, whereby the back cover 32 can be attached and detached. Adjust the flexibility of the ankle aid 1 . Each of the back sheets 32 may be a metal sheet such as a stainless steel sheet, but is not limited thereto. Further, when the number of the backboards 32 mounted on the leg cuff 10 and the joint unit 40 is small, the support plate 30 and the ankle assisting device 1 have greater flexibility; otherwise, when installed in the leg cuff When the number of the back plates 32 on the joint unit 40 is large, the support plate 30 and the ankle assist device 1 have a large rigidity.

Referring to Table 1, Table 1 lists one of four flexible/rigid classifications of the ankle assist device of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the support plate 30 includes four back plates 32, and the flexibility/rigidity of the support plate 30 can be adjusted by disassembling the four back plates 32, respectively. When a piece of backing plate 32 is installed, the supporting plate 30 is flexible; when two pieces of the backing plate 32 are installed, the supporting plate 30 is semi-flexible; when three pieces of the backing plate 32 are installed, the supporting plate 30 is semi-rigid And when the four back sheets 32 are mounted, the support sheets 30 are rigid. The flexibility/rigidity of the ankle aid 1 can also be adjusted in other ways. For example, a different material is selected as the backing plate 32. It is worth noting that the flexibility/rigidity of the ankle aid 1 is a relative standard, that is, the flexibility/rigidity applicable to different patients may vary with the muscle strength, weight, and leg tension of the patient. Or other factors.

The joint unit 40 is coupled to the foot root 24 of the sole plate 20 and the support plate 30. When the patient wears the ankle assist device 1, the joint unit 40 is located behind the patient's foot. The joint unit 40 is configured to have a range of motion limits that limit the patient's ankle joint in the plantarflexion direction and/or the dorsiflexion direction, whereby the patient's ankle joint can be fixed or limited Rotate within the degree. The joint unit 40 is composed of a material having sufficient structural strength such as metal, but is not limited thereto. The joint unit 40 includes an upper joint 42 and a lower joint 44, and the two are rotatably coupled to each other whereby the lower joint 44 is rotatable relative to the upper joint 42. 3A-3D and 4A-4D, the upper joint 42 has a first end 42A and a second end 42B, and the lower joint 44 has a third end 44A and a fourth end 44B. The first end 42A is coupled to the support plate 30. In some embodiments, the first end 42A of the upper joint 42 includes a hole 42H that can be secured to the support plate 30 by a securing member 42X, such as a bolt or latch. The third end 44A of the lower joint 44 is attached to the foot root 24 of the sole plate 20. In some embodiments, the third end 44A is a tab 44P that can be inserted into the pocket of the foot root 24 and secured by a securing member such as a screw or cassette. In some embodiments, the upper joint 42 and the lower joint 44 are hinged to each other through a hinge 46. For example, the second end 42B of the upper joint 42 can have a first knuckle 42K, the fourth end 44B of the lower joint 44 can have a second pitch arm 44K, and the first pitch arm 42K and the second knuckle arm The 44K can be hinged to each other via bolts and nuts. Through the above configuration, the lower joint 44 and the upper joint 42 can be hinged to each other by the first joint arm 42K and the second joint arm 44K and the matching hinges 46 formed by bolts and nuts, whereby the lower joint 44 can be opposite to the upper joint 42 Rotate in the axial direction of the hinge 46.

Brake element 50 is disposed on joint unit 40 and is configured to provide braking to limit the range of motion of lower joint 44 relative to upper joint 42 in the direction of back curvature and/or tortuosity Wai. In some embodiments, the brake element 50 includes a first brake member 52, and the lower joint 44 has a first abutment surface 441, wherein the first brake member 52 can extend through the upper joint 42 and extend toward the first abutment surface 441. Brake is provided to limit the movement of the lower joint 44 and the sole plate 20 relative to the upper joint 42 and the support plate 30 in the direction of the back curve. Further, when the first brake member 52 is in contact with the first abutting surface 441, the range of motion of the shank to vertical angle (SVA) of the patient in the direction of the back bend can be restricted. Therefore, the maximum allowable degree of rotation of the patient's ankle joint in the direction of the back bend can be controlled by adjusting the position of the first brake member 52. In some embodiments, the upper joint 42 has a first screw hole 421, and the first brake member 52 is a first screw that can be fixed in the first screw hole 421.

In some embodiments, the brake element 50 further includes a second brake member 54 and the lower joint 44 has a second abutment surface 442, wherein the second brake member 54 can penetrate the upper joint 42 and toward the second abutment surface 442. Extending to provide braking to limit the movement of the lower joint 44 and the sole plate 20 relative to the upper joint 42 and the support plate 30 in the tortuous direction. It is further explained that when the second brake member 54 is in contact with the second abutting surface 442, the range of movement of the angle between the lower leg and the vertical axis of the patient in the distorting direction can be restricted. Therefore, the maximum allowable degree of rotation of the patient's ankle joint in the direction of the warp can be controlled by adjusting the position of the second brake member 54. In some embodiments, the upper joint 42 has a second screw hole 422, and the second brake member 54 is a second screw that can be fixed in the second screw hole 422.

The relative positions of the first brake member 52 and the second brake member 54 and the first abutting surface 441 and the second abutting surface 442 are not limited to the above embodiments, and may be disposed on any of the back bends. / or the appropriate location of the distorted range of activities.

The combination of the joint unit 40 of the ankle assist device 1 of the present invention and the brake element 50 can adjust the angle between the patient's lower leg and the vertical axis, and thus can be applied to patients having different neurological symptoms. Adjustable brake elements limit the range of back and/or tortuous movements, thus helping to maintain ankle movement during bed rest, stabilizing ankle during training standing, and during training walks Support can be provided to avoid vertical foot and knee flexion.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing a state in which the rotation of the upper joint of the ankle assist device in the direction of the back bend is restricted with respect to the lower joint, and FIG. 5B illustrates the joint of the upper joint of the ankle assist with respect to the lower joint in the direction of the warp. A schematic diagram of the state in which the rotation is restricted. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the upper joint 42 is rotated in the back curve direction, the rotational angle γ between the upper joint 42 and a vertical axis V is restricted by the first brake member 52. When the upper joint 42 is rotated to a certain extent in the back curve direction, the first brake member 52 comes into contact with the first abutting surface 441 to restrict the rotational angle γ. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the upper joint 42 is rotated in the warping direction, the rotational angle γ between the upper joint 42 and the vertical axis V is restricted by the second brake member 54. When the upper joint 42 is rotated to a certain extent in the tortuous direction, the second brake member 54 comes into contact with the second abutting surface 442 to restrict the rotational angle γ.

It is worth noting that the angle between the lower leg and the vertical axis of the patient wearing the ankle assist device 1 can be limited and adjusted by the ankle assist device 1, but the angle between the patient's lower leg and the vertical axis and the upper joint 42 and the vertical axis The angle of rotation γ between V is not necessarily equal. After wearing the ankle aid 1, the angle between the patient's calf and the vertical axis may still be affected by other factors.

In one embodiment, the ankle assist 1 can be classified into five categories depending on the functions provided. Referring to Table 2, Table 2 lists the five actions of the ankle aid 1 for enhancing or suppressing the back curve and distortion.

Referring to Table 3, Table 3 lists the flexibility/rigidity of the ankle aids at different scales of the manual muscle test (MMT), and the ankle aids are provided for the back and tortuous The action and the ankle aid allow the patient's range of the angle between the calf and the vertical axis An implementation of the combination.

The foot and ankle aid of the present disclosure can selectively limit or allow 踝 under the inoperable operation The rotation of the joint in the direction of the back curve and/or the direction of the twist, and the range of the angle between the lower leg and the vertical axis of the patient can be adjusted by the operation of the joint unit, the brake element and the flexible adjustable support plate, so that it is applicable For patients with different neurological symptoms. Brake elements can limit the patient's back curvature and/or distortion and thus provide different effects during different periods of the patient. The use of ankle assist during bed rest helps maintain the ankle joint's mobility and allows the ankle joint to be fixed in position and angle to avoid the effects of tension or gravity on the ankle joint. Stabilizes the ankle joint during training standing. Support can be provided during training walks to avoid foot and knee flexion. The support plates can provide different effects at different times under conditions of adjustment to different flexibility/rigidity. Balance and support can be provided during training standing. Avoid footing and compensate for tension during training standing. Resistance can be provided during exercise to exercise muscle strength. In addition, the dynamic storage characteristics of the support plate can help the patient lift the foot and avoid excessive knee extension.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and the equivalents of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The description may not necessarily be drawn to scale. Due to the variables in the manufacturing process and the like, there may be a difference between the artistic reproduction in the present invention and the actual device. There may be other embodiments of the invention that are not specifically described. The description and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative and not limiting. Modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, material composition, method or procedure to the objects, spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Although the methods disclosed herein have been described with reference to specific operations performed in a particular order, it is understood that the operations can be combined, sub-sequenced, or re-sequenced to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the present invention. . Therefore, the order of operations and groupings are not limiting of the invention unless specifically indicated herein.

1‧‧‧foot assistive equipment

10‧‧‧ leg sets

20‧‧‧foot floor

22‧‧‧foot bottom

24‧‧‧foot root

30‧‧‧Support board

32‧‧‧ Backboard

34‧‧‧Fixed components

40‧‧‧ joint unit

42‧‧‧Upper joint

42X‧‧‧Fixed components

42K‧‧‧first arm

44‧‧‧ lower joint

441‧‧‧first abutment

442‧‧‧second abutment

44K‧‧‧second arm

46‧‧‧ Hinges

50‧‧‧ brake components

52‧‧‧First brake

54‧‧‧Second brake

Claims (10)

An ankle assist device comprising: a leg sleeve that can be fixed to a calf of a patient; a sole plate for supporting a foot of the patient; a support plate coupled to the leg sleeve; and a joint unit connected to the foot a bottom plate and the support plate, the joint unit includes: an upper joint having a first end connected to the support plate, and a second end; and a lower joint having a third end connected to the sole plate And a fourth end is movably coupled to the second end of the upper joint, whereby the lower joint is rotatable relative to the upper joint; and a brake element is disposed on the joint unit and configured A brake is provided to limit the range of motion of the lower joint relative to the upper joint. The ankle assist device of claim 1, wherein the joint unit comprises a hinge, and the lower joint and the upper joint are hinged to each other by the hinge. The shackle of claim 1 , wherein the brake element comprises a first brake member, the lower joint has a first abutting surface, and the first brake member can penetrate the upper joint and abut the first brake The face extends to provide a brake to limit the movement of the lower joint relative to the upper joint in a dorsiflexion direction. The ankle aid of claim 3, wherein the first brake member limits the range of movement of the patient's shank to vertical angle (SVA) in the direction of the back curve. The ankle assisting device of claim 3, wherein the upper joint has a first screw hole, and the first brake member is a first screw that can be fixed in the first screw hole. An ankle aid as claimed in claim 3, wherein the brake element further comprises a second brake member, The lower joint has a second abutting surface, and the second brake member can penetrate the upper joint and extend to the second abutting surface to provide braking to limit the lower joint to a distortion with respect to the upper joint ( Planarflexion) direction of activity. The ankle assist device of claim 6, wherein the second brake member limits the range of motion of the angle between the patient's lower leg and the vertical axis in the tortuous direction. The ankle assisting device of claim 6, wherein the upper joint has a second screw hole, and the second brake member is a second screw that can be fixed in the second screw hole. The footrest of claim 1, wherein the support plate comprises a plurality of back plates, and each of the back plates is detachably coupled to the leg cover and the joint unit. The ankle assist device of claim 1, wherein the sole plate comprises a sole of the foot, and a root of the foot is coupled to the base of the foot and the lower joint of the joint unit.