LIMB ORTHOSIS, IN PARTICULAR KNEE BRACE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a limb orthosis, in particular a knee orthosis, comprising a strap system, wherein a strap as a first section of the strap system is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region and that a strap as a second section of the strap system is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region.

Claims

1. Limb orthosis (100, 300), comprising a strap system (20), characterized in that a strap as a first section (21) of the strap system (20) is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region (22) and that a strap as a second section (23) of the strap system (20) is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region (24), and comprising a coupling element (40) to which the first section (21) of the strap system (20) and the second section (23) of the strap system (20) are coupled, wherein for the donned limb orthosis (100, 300), the first section (21) and the second section (23) of the strap system (20) are routed around the limb in such a manner that the first section (21) and the second section (22) of the strap system (20) wrap around the limb and thereby cross over at least once.

2. Limb orthosis (100, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the limb is a leg.

3. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element in the donned state contacts the leg at knee level or contacts the arm at elbow level.

4. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element in the donned state of the limb orthosis is positioned on the outside of the limb.

5. Limb orthosis (100, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a carrier element (10) having an upper subregion (11), a central subregion (12) and a lower subregion (13) and comprising the strap system (20) coupled to the carrier element (10) by means of a coupling element (40), wherein a strap as a first section (21) of the strap system (20) is routed around the upper subregion (11) of the carrier element (10) in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region (22) and that a strap as a second section (23) of the strap system (20) is routed around the lower subregion (13) of the carrier element (10) in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region (24).

6. Limb orthosis according to claim 5, wherein the carrier element (10) is a support.

7. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the limb orthosis is a knee orthosis (100).

8. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element (40) is attached to the central subregion (12) on the carrier element (10).

9. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap system (20) has a first crossing element (25) in which the strap is routed in a first crossing region (22) and has a second crossing element (26) in which the strap is routed in a second crossing region (24), wherein preferably the first crossing element (25) can be reversibly attached to the upper subregion (11) of the carrier element (10) and preferably the second crossing element (26) can be reversibly attached to the lower subregion (13) of the carrier element (10).

10. Limb orthosis according to claim 9, wherein the first (25) and the second (26) crossing element can be reversibly attached by means of hook and loop connections (27, 28) to various points of the carrier element (10).

11. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first section (21) of the strap system (20) is formed by a first strap and the second section (23) of the strap system (20) is formed by a second strap.

12. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap system (20) is movably attached to the coupling element (40).

13. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling element has a tensioning element (41) for tensioning the strap of the first section (21) of the strap system (20) and/or for tensioning the strap of the second section (23) of the strap system (20).

14. Limb orthosis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the limb orthosis (100) has a joint splint (50).

15. Limb orthosis according to claim 14, wherein the joint splint (50) has a first bar section (51), a second bar section (52) and a third bar section (53), and wherein the first bar section (51) and the second bar section (52) are each connected by a joint (54, 55) to the third bar section (53).

16. Limb orthosis according to claim 14, wherein the joint splint (50) has a first bar section (51) in the region of the upper subregion (11) of the carrier element (10), a second bar section (52) in the region of the lower subregion (13) of the carrier element (10) and a third bar section (53) in the region of the central subregion (12) of the carrier element (10), and wherein the first bar section (51) and the second bar section (52) are each connected by a joint (54, 55) to the third bar section (53).

17. Limb orthosis according to one of the claim 15 or 16, wherein the third bar section (53) is formed of a spring element, particularly a leaf spring.

Description

[0064] The invention is further explained by means of an example and the drawings, wherein these are not to be understood as restrictive.

[0065] FIG. 1 depicts a knee orthosis according to the invention in a frontal view;

[0066] FIG. 2a depicts the outside of the knee orthosis of FIG. 1;

[0067] FIG. 2b depicts a detailed section of FIG. 2a;

[0068] FIG. 3 depicts the inside of the knee orthosis of FIG. 1;

[0069] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic drawing of the force effect of the knee orthosis according to the invention;

[0070] FIG. 5 depicts another knee orthosis according to the invention in a frontal view;

[0071] FIG. 6 depicts the outside of the knee orthosis of FIG. 5;

[0072] FIG. 7 depicts the inside of the knee orthosis of FIG. 5;

[0073] FIG. 8 depicts an elbow orthosis according to the invention in a frontal view;

[0074] FIG. 9 depicts the elbow orthosis of FIG. 8 when the arm is bent;

[0075] FIG. 10 depicts the inside of the elbow orthosis of FIG. 8;

[0076] FIG. 11 depicts another elbow orthosis according to the invention in a frontal view;

[0077] FIG. 12 depicts the elbow orthosis of FIG. 11 when the arm is bent;

[0078] FIG. 13 depicts the inside of the elbow orthosis of FIG. 11.

EXAMPLES

[0079] Knee Orthosis:

[0080] FIG. 1 depicts for illustrative purposes a knee orthosis (100) according to the invention in a frontal view on a leg (200), having a textile support as a carrier element (10) having an upper subregion (11), a central subregion (12) and a lower subregion (13). Coupled to the carrier element (10) via a coupling element (40) is a strap system (20), wherein a first strap as a first section (21) of the strap system (20) is routed around the upper subregion (11) of the carrier element (10) in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region (22) and wherein a second strap as a second section (23) of the strap system (20) is routed around the lower subregion (13) of the carrier element (10) in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region (24). Both sections (21, 23) of the strap system (20) are thereby each designed as slings, thus wrapping around the respective region of the leg (200).

[0081] The coupling element (40) is attached to the central subregion (12) on the carrier element (10) and the strap system (20) is movably attached to the coupling element (40) via suspension means (42, 43). The coupling element (40) has a rotary knob (41) as a tensioning element for tensioning the strap of the first section (21) of the strap system (20) and for simultaneously tensioning the strap of the second section (23) of the strap system (20). Tensioning occurs by winding up cables, connected to the straps, onto a spool in the rotary knob (40).

[0082] The straps (21, 23) of the strap system (20) are formed of cords that run in flat strip tunnels. In the drawings, one can see primarily these flat strip tunnels of the strap system (20) and not the tensionable cords running in them.

[0083] The strap system (20) has a first crossing element (25), in which the strap is routed in the first crossover region (22) and a second crossing element (26) in which the strap is routed in the second crossover region (24), wherein the first crossing element (25) is reversibly attached by means of a hook and loop connection (27a) to the upper subregion (11) of the carrier element (10), and that the second crossing element (26) is reversibly attached by means of a hook and loop connection (27b) to the lower subregion (13) of the carrier element (10). The crossover regions (22, 24) are positioned on the region of the support contacting the inside of the leg.

[0084] The knee orthosis (100) also has a joint splint (50), which is mounted on the support (10) in the region of the outside of the leg. The joint splint (50) has a first bar section (51) in the region of the upper subregion (11) of the carrier element (10), a second bar section (52) in the region of the lower subregion (1.3) of the carrier element (10) and a third bar section (53) in the region of the central subregion (12) of the carrier element (10). The first bar section (51) and the second bar section (52) are each connected by means of a monocentric joint (54, 55) to the third bar section (53). The third bar section (53) is designed as a spring element in the form of a leaf spring. The coupling element (40) is attached to the central subregion (12) so that the strap system (20) exerts a tensile force on this region of the joint splint (50) when tensioning the straps. The strap system (20) also secures the joint splint (50) at its upper and lower ends.

[0085] FIG. 2a depicts the outside of the knee orthosis (100) of FIG. 1. One can clearly see the support (10) with the abutting joint splint (50), which is again divided into the three subregions (51, 52, 53), and which are connected to each other by the two monocentric hinge joints (54, 55). At the top and bottom, the strap system (20) is connected to the joint splint (50) by means of plate elements (61, 62).

[0086] The straps of the strap system (20) are connected to the coupling element by means of movable suspension means (42, 43).

[0087] FIG. 2b depicts an enlarged section of the third bar section (53) from FIG. 2a. The third, central bar section is designed as a leaf spring (53) and is connected to the two other sections (51, 52) of the joint splint by means of the two hinged joints (54, 55). Located on the central bar section (53) is the coupling element (40) with the rotary knob (41) as a tensioning element. The straps of the strap system (20) are connected to the coupling element (40) via movable suspension means (42, 43).

[0088] FIG. 3 depicts the inside of the knee orthosis of FIG. 1. One can clearly see the support (10) with the crossover regions (22, 24) of the strap system (20), which are routed into the crossing elements (25, 26). The crossing elements (25, 26) are attached in a flexible and repositionable manner to loop regions (28) of the support (10) by means of underside hook connections (27a, 27b). The two crossover regions (22, 24) create a strap routing of the strap system (20) in the form of a double figure-eight.

[0089] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic drawing of the force effect of the knee orthosis (100) according to the invention on a bow-legged misalignment. On the right leg (R), one can see the knee orthosis (100) from FIG. 1; on the left leg (L), one can see a schematic drawing with key sub-elements. On both sides, one can see the strap system (20) with the crossover regions (22, 24), the coupling element (40) with the rotary knob (41) for tensioning the strap system (20), a plate element (61) and the joint splint (50) that is again divided into three subregions, which are connected to each other by means of the two monocentric hinged joints (54, 55). On the left leg (L), one can see how the center bar section (53), designed to be springy, is bent in a springy manner by the bow leg. By the doubly crossed routing of the strap system (20), the joint splint (50) is well pressed in a positionally stable manner on the outside of the leg against the carrier element (10) and thus the leg, since the two inside crossover regions (22, 24) act as outwardly acting counterforces (F1, F2) in relation to the inward acting force (F3) of the coupling element (40), which is attached to the joint splint (50). In this way, the knee orthosis (100) acts biomechanically according to the three-forces principle.

[0090] FIG. 5 depicts for illustrative purposes a knee orthosis (100) according to the invention having a strap system (20) as in FIG. 1 in a frontal view on a leg (200), yet in an embodiment without a carrier element. The strap system (20) is coupled to a coupling element (40), wherein a first strap as a first section (21) of the strap system (20) is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region (22) and wherein a second strap as a second section (23) of the strap system (20) is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region (24).

[0091] The strap system (20) is movably attached to the coupling element (40) by means of suspension means (42, 43). The coupling element (40) has a rotary knob (41) as a tensioning element for tensioning the strap of the first section (21) of the strap system (20) and for the simultaneous tensioning of the strap of the second section (23) of the strap system (20). Tensioning occurs by winding up cables connected to the straps onto a spool in the rotary knob (40). The straps (21, 23) of the strap system (20) are formed of cords, which run in flat strip tunnels. In the drawings, one can see primarily these flat strip tunnels of the strap system (20) and not the tensionable cords running in them.

[0092] The strap system (20) has a first crossing element (25) in which the strap is routed in the first crossover region (22) and a second crossing element (26) in which the strap is routed in a second crossing region (24). The crossover regions (22, 24) are positioned on the inside of the leg.

[0093] The knee orthosis (100) also has a joint splint (50), which is mounted in the region of the outside of the leg. The joint splint (50) has a first bar section (51), a second bar section (52) and a third bar section (53). The first bar section (51) and the second bar section (52) are each connected by means of a monocentric joint (54, 55) to the third bar section (53). The third bar section (53) is designed as a spring element in the form of a leaf spring. The coupling element (40) is attached to the strap system (20) and the joint splint (50) so that the strap system (20) exerts a tensile force on this region of the joint splint (50) when tensioning the straps. The strap system (20) also secures the joint splint (50) on its upper and lower ends.

[0094] FIG. 6 depicts the outside of the knee orthosis (100) of FIG. 5. One can clearly see the joint splint (50), which is again divided into three subregions (51, 52, 53) that are connected to each other by the two monocentric hinged joints (54, 55). At the top and bottom, the strap system (20) is connected to the joint splint (50) by means of plate elements (61, 62).

[0095] The straps of the strap system (20) are connected to the coupling element by means of movable suspension means (42, 43).

[0096] FIG. 7 depicts the inside of the knee orthosis of FIG. 5. One can clearly see the crossover regions (22, 24) 495 of the strap system (20), which are routed into the crossing elements (25, 26). The two crossover regions (22, 24) create a strap routing of the strap system (20) in the form of a double figure-eight.

[0097] Elbow Orthosis

[0098] FIG. 8 depicts for illustrative purposes an elbow orthosis (300) according to the invention in a frontal view on an arm (400), having a textile support as a carrier element (310) having an upper subregion (311), a central subregion (312) and a lower subregion (313). Coupled to the carrier element (310) via a coupling element (340) is a strap system (320), wherein a first strap as a first section (321) of the strap system (320) is routed around the upper subregion (311) of the carrier element (310) in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region (322) and wherein a second strap as a second section (323) of the strap system (320) is routed around the lower subregion (313) of the carrier element (310) in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region (324). Both sections (321, 323) of the strap system (320) are thereby each designed as slings, thus wrapping around the respective region of the arm (400).

[0099] The coupling element (340) is attached to the central subregion (312) on the carrier element (310) and the strap system (320) is movably attached to the coupling element (340) via suspension means (342, 343). The coupling element (340) has a rotary knob (341) as a tensioning element for tensioning the strap of the first section (321) of the strap system (320) and for simultaneously tensioning the strap of the second section (323) of the strap system (320). Tensioning occurs by winding up cables, connected to the straps, onto a spool in the rotary knob (340).

[0100] The straps (321, 323) of the strap system (320) are formed of cords that run in flat strip tunnels. In the drawings, one can see primarily these flat strip tunnels of the strap system (320) and not the tensionable cords running in them.

[0101] The strap system (320) has a first crossing element (325), in which the strap is routed in the first crossover region (322) and a second crossing element (326) in which the strap is routed in the second crossover region (324).

[0102] The elbow orthosis (300) also has a joint splint (350), which is mounted on the support (310) in the region of the outside of the arm. The joint splint (350) has a first bar section (51) in the region of the upper subregion (311) of the carrier element (310), a second bar section (352) in the region of the lower subregion (313) of the carrier element (310) and a third bar section (353) in the region of the central subregion (312) of the carrier element (310). The first bar section (351) and the second bar section (352) are each connected by means of a monocentric hinge to the third bar section (353). The third bar section (353) is designed as a spring element in the form of a leaf spring. The coupling element (340) is attached to the central subregion (312) so that the strap system (320) exerts a tensile force on this region of the joint splint (350) when tensioning the straps. The strap system (320) also secures the joint splint (350) at its upper and lower ends.

[0103] FIG. 9 depicts the outside of the elbow orthosis (300) of FIG. 8. One can clearly see the support (310) with the abutting joint splint (350), which is again divided into the three subregions (351, 352, 353), and which are connected to each other by the two monocentric hinge joints (354, 355). At the top and bottom, the strap system (320) is connected to the joint splint (350) by means of plate elements (361, 362).

[0104] FIG. 10 depicts the inside of the elbow orthosis (300) of FIG. 8. One can clearly see the support (310) with the crossover regions (322, 324) of the strap system (320), which are routed into the crossing elements (325, 326). The crossing elements (325, 326) are attached in a flexible and repositionable manner to the loop region (328) of the support (310) by means of underside hook connections (327a, 327b). The two crossover regions (322, 324) create a strap routing of the strap system (320) in the form of a double figure-eight.

[0105] FIG. 11 depicts for illustrative purposes an elbow orthosis (300) according to the invention having a strap system (320) as in FIG. 8 in a frontal view on an arm (400), yet in an embodiment without a carrier element. The strap system (320) is coupled to a coupling element (340), wherein a first strap as a first section (321) of the strap system (320) is routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a first crossover region (322) and wherein a second strap as a second section (323) of the strap system (320) is 555 routed in such a manner that the strap crosses over in a second crossover region (324),

[0106] The strap system (320) is movably attached to the coupling element (340) by means of suspension means (342, 343). In regard to the further construction of the orthosis (300), one shall refer to the description of FIGS. 5 and 8.

[0107] FIG. 12 depicts the outside of the elbow orthosis (300) of FIG. 11. One can clearly see the joint splint (350), which is again divided into the three subregions (351, 352, 353), and which are connected to each other by the two monocentric hinge joints (354, 355). At the top and bottom, the strap system (320) is connected to the joint splint (350) by means of plate elements (361, 362).

[0108] FIG. 13 depicts the inside of the elbow orthosis (300) of FIG. 11. One can clearly see the crossover regions (322, 324) of the strap system (320), which are routed into the crossing elements (325, 326). The two crossover regions (322, 324) create a strap routing of the strap system (320) in the form of a double figure-eight.