WO2020016207A1

WO2020016207A1 - Joint for an orthopedic device

Info

Publication number: WO2020016207A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/069071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Hardt
Original assignee: Ottobock Se & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2018-07-16
Filing date: 2019-07-16
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Also published as: DE102018117180A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a joint (1) for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint (1) comprises a joint insert (10) having a first connection region (6), a second connection region (8) and an elastic material section (12) arranged between the first connection region (6) and the second connection region (8). According to the invention, the first connection region (6) is surrounded at least in part by a first abutment (2) for fastening to a first component (24) of the orthopedic device, and the second connection region (8) is surrounded at least in part by a second abutment (4) for fastening to a second component (26) of the orthopedic device.

Description

Joint for an orthopedic device The invention relates to an orthopedic device, the joint having a joint insert with a first connection area, a second connection area and an elastic material section arranged between the first connection area and the second connection area. For a large number of different orthopedic devices, in particular orthoses, it is necessary to connect different components of the orthopedic device in an articulated manner. In the case of orthoses in particular, body parts, for example joints, are to be supported or trained, so that it is desirable and advantageous for a large number of different applications if the two components of the orthopedic technical device can be pivoted relative to one another, but a force has to be overcome for this. This can be done via damping elements, hydraulic arrangements, pneumatic arrangements or elastic elements. Typically, two different elements are used to accomplish this task. On the one hand the joint, which can be a hinge, for example, and on the other hand the force application element in the form of a damper or an elastic element. These components have to be arranged side by side, so that a relatively large installation space is required. In addition, this arrangement has the consequence that the force to be overcome for pivoting the two components must not be generated and overcome directly in the joint, but at another point in the orthopedic device. In order to overcome this disadvantage, articulated inserts are known from the prior art, in which the two connection areas, which in this case are connected to the two components of the orthopedic device, are connected to one another via an elastic element. Such an arrangement is known, for example, from DE 10 2008 034 750 A1. Even the use of

Elastomer components are known from the prior art. This configuration ensures that the force to be overcome to pivot the two components against one another is generated directly in the joint. This also reduces the installation space required. However, it is disadvantageous that the stability of movement of the joint suffers as a result. While, for example, the axis of rotation is fixed and unchangeable in the case of a hinge or a mechanical joint, this is not necessarily the case when an elastic component is used. In addition, the movement-limiting stops of a joint cannot be integrated into the elastic component, so that they have to be implemented by separate stop elements which have to be arranged on the components of the orthopedic device to be connected to one another. On the one hand, this results in an increased design effort for these components and, on the other hand, requires the various components to be positioned very precisely relative to one another. Only in this way can it be ensured that the two components to be connected to one another stop exactly in the position and in this way limit the movement that is desired.

In joints of the type described here, the elastic material section lies between the first connection area and the second connection area. This preferably means that a direct line runs from the first connection area to the second connection area through the elastic material section. This line preferably runs from a fastening element, for example a fastening hole, to which a first component is fastened or can be fastened, to a fastening element, for example a fastening hole, to which a second component is fastened or fastened to the second connection region is.

This direct line, which is a section of a straight line, preferably runs through the elastic material section when it is relaxed. This preferably means that the elastic material section is in the shape, shape and position which it assumes without the action of external forces which are not caused and / or maintained by a component or element of the joint.

The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a joint for an orthopedic device in such a way that the smallest possible installation space is required and also ensures the stability of the axis of rotation and the swivel movement can be limited as easily as possible by stops.

The invention achieves the stated object by means of a joint for an orthopedic device, the joint having a joint insert with a first connection region, a second connection region and an elastic material section arranged between the first connection region and the second connection region, wherein the joint is characterized in that the first connection area is at least partially surrounded by a first attachment for fastening to a first component of the orthopedic device and the second connection area is at least partially surrounded by a second attachment for attachment to a second component of the orthopedic device.

The larger the respective portion of the connection area which is surrounded by the respective attachment, the more this portion can restrict the freedom of movement of the elastic element and focus it in the desired direction. The respective attachment is also designed to be larger than the respective connection area in order to at least partially surround it. Since the respective attachment is arranged on the respective component of the orthopedic device in the assembled state of the joint, a secure and stable attachment is also ensured in this way. Both effects help to improve the comfort and the feeling of security of the wearer of the orthopedic device and thus to increase acceptance.

The first attachment and the second attachment are advantageously fastened to one another so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis of the joint. This also leads to two effects. On the one hand, it ensures that the two components are only pivoted about the pivot axis. Other freedom of movement that the elastic element, if necessary, is prevented by this configuration, so that the joint can only be moved in the desired manner. In addition, a movement of the two attachments and thus the components connected to these attachments in the assembled state of the orthopedic device is prevented. Such a movement would also be permitted by an elastic material section. However, this also leads to a feeling of instability that must be avoided. It is preferably the

Swivel axis around a virtual swivel axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the first attachment and the second attachment are pivotably attached to one another on one side or on two opposite sides of the elastic material section. If the fastening is carried out only on one side of the elastic material section, additional installation space is saved. The joint can be made small and light. If, on the other hand, the two attachments are connected to one another on two opposite sides of the elastic material section, increased stability against mechanical loads is achieved.

At least one stop element is advantageously arranged on the first attachment and / or on the second attachment, by means of which a pivoting movement of the first attachment relative to the second attachment about a pivot axis is limited in at least one direction. In this case, the desired restriction of movement can take place directly in the joint, without additional components having to be adapted to one another or changed in any other way. In this way it is possible in particular to use the joint in existing orthopedic equipment and to realize the advantages achieved thereby.

The at least one stop element is preferably adjustable. All stop elements are particularly advantageously adjustable. For this purpose, for example, a recess provided with an internal thread, for example a threaded channel, can be present in the first attachment and / or in the second attachment. For example, a grub screw can be screwed into it. The further the screw is screwed in, the greater the possible movement of the two attachments relative to one another. The first attachment and / or the second attachment is preferably made of a metal, in particular titanium or an aluminum alloy, or of a fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular of a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

The first attachment and / or the second attachment can be designed, for example, in the form of a sleeve or hood into which the respective connection area of the joint insert is inserted. The first attachment and / or the second attachment can be connected to the respective connection area, for example, by means of a screw, a rivet or a pin. This ensures that the elastic material section, which is present between the two connection areas, is movable within each of the attachments designed as a hood, so that the elasticity can be used. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the first attachment and / or the second attachment solid. For each connection area there is then a recess in the corresponding attachment, the shape and size of which is adapted to the connection area of the joint insert.

This reduces the possible movements that the elastic material section allows. The mechanical stability is increased in such an attachment, but the weight is also increased.

The respective attachment particularly preferably only partially surrounds the connection area of the joint insert, in particular on three sides. This saves space and material.

The invention also achieves the stated object by means of a mounting set for upgrading a joint insert for a joint described here, the mounting set having a first attachment and a second attachment for such a joint. The joint insert itself is known in various forms from the prior art. By means of a mounting set of the type described here, the advantages of the joint according to the invention can also be realized with existing joints and joint inserts.

The invention also achieves the object set by means of an orthopedic device with a first component and a second component which are connected to one another by a joint of the type described here. advantageously, the orthopedic device is an orthosis, in particular a foot lifting orthosis or an ankle orthosis.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. Show it

Figures 1 to 3 - schematic representations of joints according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a joint according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 5 - the schematic representation of an orthosis with a corresponding joint and

Figure 6 - a schematic representation of a joint according to a further embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 1 shows a joint 1 with a first attachment 2 and a second attachment 4, which at least partially surround a first connection area 6 and a second connection area 8. The first connection area 6 and the second connection area 8 are parts of a joint insert 10 and are connected to one another by an elastic material section 12.

The first attachment 2 is pivotally connected to the second attachment 4 by a swivel joint 14, which also defines the swivel axis of the joint 1. Both the first attachment 2 and the second attachment 4 have fastening holes 16, through each of which a fastening element, for example a screw or a rivet, can be passed in order to attach the respective attachment 2, 4 to a component of a component (not shown) Fasten the orthosis. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first attachment 2 contains two threaded channels 18, in each of which there is a grub screw 20. These grub screws 20 form the stop which limits a pivoting movement of the first attachment 2 relative to the second attachment 4 about the pivot axis of the joint 1 and the pivot joint 14.

Figures 2 and 3 show similar embodiments. The joint 1 with the first attachment 2, the second attachment 4 and the joint insert 10 with the first connection area 6, the second connection area 8 and the elastic material section 12 is shown in each case. As in FIG. 1, FIGS and 3 the joint insert 10 is connected to the respective attachment 2, 4 at only one fastening point 22. This ensures optimal freedom of movement of the joint insert 10 relative to the two attachments 2, 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the joint has only one threaded channel 18 in which a grub screw 20 is located. In this case, the movement of the two attachments 2, 4 can only be limited in one direction. In FIG. 3 there are two threaded channels 18, each of which has a grub screw 20. However, in comparison to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, they are arranged at a different angle, so that the movement is restricted in another way.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the joint 1, in which in particular the two thread channels 18 with the grub screws 20 protruding therefrom can be clearly seen. In Figure 4, however, the threaded channels 18 are arranged in the second attachment 4.

FIG. 5 shows an orthopedic device in the form of an ankle orthosis, in which a first component 24 is connected to the first attachment 2 of the joint 1. A second component 26 is connected to the second attachment 4. Both the first component 24 and the second component 26 are each fixed to the body part of the wearer via a fastening strap 28.

FIG. 6 shows a joint 1 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The first attachment 2 and the second attachment 4 are on the first closing area 6 and arranged on the second connection area 8 of the joint insert 10. The elastic material section 12 is located in between. The two attachment holes 16 are used to arrange the respective attachment 2, 4 on the respective connection area 6, 8 and also a component 24, 26 (not shown) on the joint 1.

In the first attachment 2 there are again stop elements 30, which are arranged in the form of screws in the threaded channels 18, so that their position can be changed by rotation. As a result, the stop elements 30 are screwed in or out of the threaded channel 18, so that the stop of the joint is changed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 joint

2 first essay

4 second essay

6 first connection area

8 second connection area

10 joint insert

12 elastic material section 14 swivel joint

16 mounting hole

18 thread channel

20 grub screw

22 attachment point

24 first component

26 second component

28 fastening strap

30 stop element

FR / ydr

Claims

claims

1. joint (1) for an orthopedic device, the joint (1) having a joint insert (10)

a first connection area (6),

a second connection area (8) and

an elastic material section (12) arranged between the first connection area (6) and the second connection area (8)

having,

characterized in that

the first connection area (6) at least partially from a first attachment (2) for attachment to a first component (24) of the orthopedic device and the second connection area (8) at least partially from a second attachment (4) for attachment to a second Component (26) of the orthopedic device is surrounded.

2. Joint (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first attachment (2) and the second attachment (4) are fastened to one another so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (14) of the joint (1).

3. joint (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pivot axis (14) is a virtual pivot axis (14).

4. Joint (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first attachment (2) and the second attachment (4) on one side or on two opposite sides of the elastic material section (12) are pivotally attached to each other ,

5. joint (1) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that an extension of the pivot axis through the elastic material section (12).

6. Joint (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one stop element is arranged on the first attachment (2) and / or on the second attachment (4), by means of which a pivoting movement of the first attachment (2nd ) relative to the second attachment (4) about the pivot axis in at least one direction.

7. Joint (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop element is adjustable.

8. Joint (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first attachment (2) and / or the second attachment (4) made of a metal, in particular titanium or an aluminum alloy, or of a fiber-reinforced plastic , in particular is made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

9. Mounting set for upgrading a joint insert (10) for a joint (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting set has a first attachment (2) and a second attachment (4) for a joint (1) according to one of the first - Has existing claims.

10. Orthopedic device with a first component (24) and one

second component (26) which are connected to one another by a joint (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8.

11. The orthopedic device according to claim 10, characterized in that the device is an orthosis, in particular an ankle orthosis or an ankle orthosis.