ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to an orthopedic device comprising a main part with a first surface which is provided with at least one adhesive region. At least one recess is provided in the main part, said at least one recess being at least partly formed behind the adhesive region and being provided with a pressure and/or suction connection. The first surface is designed to be at least partly suctioned into the recess when negative pressure is applied in the at least one recess and or pushed out when positive pressure is applied.

Claims

1. An orthopedic device comprising a main body with a first surface which is provided with at least one adhesive region, wherein at least one recess provided in the main body, said at least one recess being at least partially formed behind the adhesive region and being provided with a pressure and/or suction port, wherein the first surface is designed to be at least partially sucked into the recess when a negative pressure is applied in the at least one recess and/or to be pushed out when a positive pressure is applied.

2. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the first surface is formed separately from the main body and is secured thereon.

3. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein on a side of the main body lying opposite the first surface, a second, separate surface is secured which at least covers the at least one recess.

4. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the main body and the first surface are formed in one piece.

5. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the entire first surface is designed to be adhesive, or wherein a coating for increasing or reducing the adhesion is applied to some regions of the first surface.

6. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of cup-like or channel-shaped recesses are arranged in the main body and are fluidically connected to the pressure and/or suction port.

7. The orthopedic device of claim 6, wherein at least two of the cup-like or channel-shaped recesses in the main body are fluidically connected to the pressure and/or suction port via a valve.

8. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of cup-like or channel-shaped recesses are arranged in the main body and are fluidically connected to one another.

9. The orthopedic device of claim 8, wherein throttles or valves are arranged in the fluidic connections between the recesses.

10. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the recesses extend as far as an edge of the orthopedic device.

11. The orthopedic device of claim 5, wherein the adhesive region is arranged exclusively above the recesses.

12. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the first surface is produced from an elastic material.

13. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the orthopedic device is designed as a cuff, prosthesis liner, prosthesis socket or prosthesis socket component.

14. The orthopedic device of claim 1, wherein the prosthesis socket component has fastening devices for reversible fastening to a dimensionally stable outer socket.

15. An orthopedic device, the device comprising: a main body with a first surface which is provided with at least one adhesive region, the main body further comprising at least one recess at least partially formed behind the adhesive region, and a pressure and/or suction port, and the main body further comprising a second surface substantially opposite the first surface; wherein the first surface is designed to be at least partially sucked into the recess when a negative pressure is applied in the at least one recess and/or to be pushed out when a positive pressure is applied, and wherein the second surface covers at least one recess of the main body.

16. The orthopedic device of claim 15, wherein the entire first surface is designed to be adhesive.

17. The orthopedic device of claim 15, wherein a plurality of cup-like or channel-shaped recesses are arranged in the main body and are fluidically connected to the pressure and/or suction port.

18. The orthopedic device of claim 17, wherein at least two of the cup-like or channel-shaped recesses are fluidically connected to the pressure and/or suction port via a valve.

19. The orthopedic device of claim 15, wherein a plurality of cup-like or channel-shaped recesses are arranged in the main body and are fluidically connected to one another.

20. An orthopedic device, the device comprising: a main body with an adhesive first surface, the main body further comprising at least one recess at least partially formed behind the adhesive region, and a pressure and/or suction port, the main body further comprising: a second surface substantially opposite the first surface; and a plurality of cup-like or channel-shaped recesses fluidically connected to the pressure and/or suction port; wherein the first surface is designed to be at least partially sucked into the recess when a negative pressure is applied in the at least one recess and/or to be pushed out when a positive pressure is applied, and wherein the second surface covers at least one recess of the main body.

Description

[0021] An illustrative embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a prosthesis socket;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a variant of the invention in the starting state;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an orthopedic device according to FIG. 3 with a vacuum applied; and

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a detail from FIG. 4 in an enlarged sectional view.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a prosthesis socket 1 with a dimensionally stable outer shell 4 which forms a proximal access opening 5 surrounded by a proximal edge 2. The prosthesis socket 1 forms a distal, closed end region 3 on which fastening devices (not shown) for a further, distal prosthesis component are arranged. The distal prosthesis component can be a functional unit such as a prosthetic foot or a prosthetic hand or, in another embodiment, a prosthetic joint. The prosthesis socket 1 in the illustrative embodiment shown is a lower-leg socket that can be fitted on a lower-leg stump.

[0028] On the inner face of the prosthesis socket 1, an orthopedic device is arranged which is either connected permanently to the dimensionally stable outer socket 4, for example welded, adhesively bonded or otherwise secured thereon, or designed with same, or is fastened releasably thereto via fastening devices or fastening elements. The orthopedic device would then be part of the prosthesis socket and would be designed as a prosthesis socket component which on the inner face, i.e. on the side directed toward the limb stump, has a first surface 12 provided with at least one adhesive region 20. In the illustrative embodiment shown, a plurality of regions 20 distributed about the whole circumference are arranged in zigzag lines from the proximal edge 2 as far as the distal end region. Other forms are likewise possible. In particular, straight lines or lines arranged in a spiral shape can likewise be arranged or formed on the first surface 12. Behind the adhesive regions 20, channels 30 are worked out inside a main body, which will be explained later. The channels 30 are connected by a pressure and/or suction port (not shown) to a pump or a compressor via which air can be pumped into the channels 30 or via which air can be pumped out of the channels 30. The port for a pump or a compressor can be arranged on the stable outer socket 4 or on the orthopedic device on the inner face of the outer socket 4.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of an orthopedic device 1 with a main body 10 which is preferably flexible, in particular elastic, and with a first surface 12 and a second surface 14. The first and second surfaces 12, 14 are designed as films or layers of a suitable material, for example silicone or another polymer. Both the main body 10 and the two surfaces 12, 14 can have a predefined shape, which is substantially maintained when the orthopedic device 1 is in use. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the orthopedic device 1 is designed as a planar element which, for example, can be arranged on the inner face of a prosthesis socket and can be fastened thereon permanently or reversibly. There is also the possibility of the second surface 14 being formed by the prosthesis socket or another component.

[0030] A port 40 for a suction and/or pressure device, i.e. a pump and/or a compressor, is arranged or formed on the main body 10 in order to pump air or a fluid out of recesses 30 in the main body 10 or to pump a fluid into them. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the recesses 30 are designed as through-holes; they can be formed during the process of production of the main body 10 or can be introduced later, for example by being punched out, by being cut out or by other separating methods. To produce the orthopedic device 1, the main body 10 is connected to the second surface 14 on the underside or outer side of the main body 10, for example by welding or adhesive bonding, such that a substantially closed outer surface is obtained. On the opposite side of the main body 10, the first surface 12 is applied likewise in such a way that an airtight connection to the main body 10 is present, for example by means of a weld seam or adhesive seam running about the circumference or surrounding the recesses 30. The individual recesses 30 can be fluidically connected to one another by connection channels. These connection channels can be formed in the main body 10, in the second surface 14 or in the first surface 12, and it is likewise possible to form a plurality of fluidic connections, such that the volumes formed in each case by the first surface 12, by the main body 10 with the recesses 30 and by the second surface 14 can be evacuated and/or filled with a fluid.

[0031] On the upper side of the first surface 12, i.e. on the side lying opposite the main body 10, adhesive regions 20 are formed, which are arranged corresponding to the recesses 30 in the main body. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the recesses 30 and also the adhesive regions 20 are round. The surface area or extent of the adhesive regions 20 corresponds substantially to the contour of the recesses 30. In principle, it is also possible that the surface area of the adhesive regions 20 is smaller or also slightly greater than the surface area of the recesses 30 lying underneath. Beyond the adhesive regions 20, the surface 12 on the inner face is smoother or less adhesive, in particular being provided with a coating 13 that reduces adhesion. The inner face or upper side of the first surface 12 can initially be produced from an adhesive material, for example an adhesive silicone, which by means of a corresponding coating, for example by means of a parylene coating in the context of a CVD process, is divided into adhesive regions 20 separated from one another. Conversely, there is the possibility of initially producing the surface 12 from a smooth, non-adhesive material and then applying the adhesive regions 20 by a corresponding coating.

[0032] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 and the two surfaces 12, 14 are each formed as separate structural parts or components which are fastened to one another in order to form a cavity together with the recesses 30. This has the advantage of being a simple manufacturing method permitting a high degree of variability in production.

[0033] In the illustrative embodiment shown, the adhesive regions 20, and the regions of the inner face of the first surface 12 that are provided with an adhesion-reducing coating 13, are situated in a common plane. When a negative pressure is applied via the suction port 40, the regions of the first surface 12 that lie above the recesses 30 are sucked into the recesses 30. If the second surface 14 is more dimensionally stable than the first surface 12, only the material of the first surface 12 is sucked into the recesses 30. In this way, the adhesive regions 20 are brought into a plane which lies deeper than the starting plane or the plane of the adhesion-reducing coating 13 or below the plane of the material of the main body, such that the adhesive regions 20 no longer bear, or bear only to a reduced extent, on a body coming into contact with the side of the first surface directed away from the main body. It is thereby possible to adjust the friction between the orthopedic device 1 and the body by application of a negative pressure. Conversely, by application of a positive pressure by pumping fluid in through the pressure port 40, the adhesive regions 20 can be pressed out such that they protrude beyond the base plane, in order thereby to bring exclusively the adhesive regions 20 into contact or to permit an increased contact pressure of the adhesive regions 20 on the body. In principle, it is also possible to initially provide set-back adhesive regions 20, i.e. hollow-like or cup-like adhesive surfaces remaining behind the base plane, which only by application of a positive pressure in the recesses come into contact with a body lying or bearing thereon. The material of the first surface 12 is preferably elastic or provided with a restoring ability, such that the first surface 12 returns to a starting position after removal of a positive pressure or negative pressure.

[0034] A variant of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 in which, instead of a multi-part embodiment of the orthopedic device 1 with a separate main body 10, a separate first surface 12 and a separate second surface 14, a one-piece design is chosen. The method of producing an orthopedic device of this kind can for example have additive components such that, in the production of the orthopedic device 1, the recesses in the form of cavities and also their fluidic connections and the adhesive regions 20 can be generated during the primary forming method. In FIG. 3, the orthopedic device 1 is shown in a starting state in which the upper side of the first surface 12 is substantially flat.

[0035] In FIG. 4, the embodiment according to FIG. 3 is shown in a state in which a negative pressure has been applied by the suction port 40. The regions 20 provided with the adhesive coating are drawn into the recesses 30, such that a cup-like, indented surface structure is obtained. Beyond the plane formed by the non-adhesive or adhesion-reduced coating 13 in the region of the main body 10, the adhesive regions 20 are set back, and the second surface 14 has remained substantially flat.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through a part of an orthopedic device 1 with the main body 10, the recess 30 formed thereon, and the first and second surfaces 12 and 14, which together with the main body 10 close off a volume which, by way of a connection channel 15, is fluidically connected to a further recess (not shown) and to a corresponding volume. In the state according to FIG. 5, the first surface 12 is drawn with the adhesive region 20 into the recess 30, since a negative pressure is applied within the recess 30. If a positive pressure is applied or the negative pressure is compensated, such that atmospheric pressure prevails inside the recess, the first surface 12 returns to its starting state, such that the adhesive region 20 lies in a plane with the rest of the first surface 12, in particular with the plane in which the non-adhesive coating 13 is applied. In the state shown, it is possible that the outside of the first surface 12 slides along a body bearing on it, since the non-adhesive or adhesion-reduced coating 13 allows this. As soon as the adhesive region 20 is pressed out in the plane of the non-adhesive coating 13 or in addition out of the recess 30, the adhesive region 20 comes into contact with the surface of the body bearing on it and increases the adhesion and reduces a relative movement between the orthopedic device and the further body.