Abstract
A foot lift orthosis comprising at least one tensile element which is configured, when the foot lift orthosis has been attached, to extend from a forefoot region of a foot along an arch of the foot and to exert a first tensile force onto the forefoot region in the direction of a first bearing position above an upper ankle joint, and at least one second tensile element which is configured, when the foot lift orthosis has been attached, to exert a second tensile force onto the forefoot region in the direction of a second bearing position in a heel region of the foot.
Claims
1. A foot lift orthosis comprising: at least a first tension element configured to extend from a frontal region of a foot along an instep of the foot when the foot lift orthosis is being worn, and configured to exert, on the frontal foot region, a first tensile force toward a first support position above an upper ankle joint; and at least a second tension element configured to exert, on the frontal foot region, a second tensile force toward a second support position in a heel region of the foot when the foot lift orthosis is being worn.
2. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the second tension element is configured to extend from the frontal foot region along a sole of the foot when the foot lift orthosis is being worn.
3. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the first tension element and the second tension element are interconnected in the frontal foot region and are integral with one another.
4. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the second tension element has an opening and is configured to be wrapped around the heel of the foot.
5. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the first tension element has at least one opening and is configured to be wrapped around the ankle region.
6. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting link that extends upward from the first support position and is configured to be guided around a lower leg of the user when the orthosis is being worn.
7. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, further comprising at least one opening configured to receive at least one toe of the foot when the orthosis is being worn, the at least one opening being located between the first tension element and the second tension element.
8. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 6, further comprising at least one reinforcement element configured to be fastened on the lower leg and extend along the instep to permit increase of the first tensile force that can be applied by the first tension element.
9. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 6, further comprising at least one stabilizing element configured to extend around the frontal foot region when the orthosis is being worn.
10. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the foot lift orthosis is made of silicone and is formed in one piece.
11. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the foot lift orthosis comprises a stocking made of a textile material on which the first tension element and the second tension element are arranged.
12. A foot lift orthosis comprising: a first tension element configured extend from a frontal region of a foot of a user along an instep of the foot when the foot lift orthosis, the first tension element being configured to exert a first tensile force on the frontal foot region in a direction toward a first support position above an upper ankle joint of the user; and a second tension element configured to exert a second tensile force on the frontal foot region in a direction toward a second support position in a heel region of the foot.
13. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 12, wherein the second tension element is configured to extend from the frontal foot region along a sole of the foot when the foot lift orthosis is being worn.
14. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 12, wherein the first tension element and the second tension element are interconnected in the frontal foot region and are integral with one another.
15. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 12, wherein the second tension element has an opening and is configured to be wrapped around the heel of the foot.
16. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 12, wherein the first tension element has at least one opening and is configured to be wrapped around the ankle region.
17. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 16, further comprising at least one supporting link that extends upward from the first support position and is configured to be guided around a lower leg of the user when the orthosis is being worn.
18. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 12, further comprising at least one opening configured to receive at least one toe of the foot when the orthosis is being worn, the at least one opening being located between the first tension element and the second tension element.
19. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 17, further comprising at least one reinforcement element configured to be fastened on the lower leg and extend along the instep to permit increase of the first tensile force that can be applied by the first tension element.
20. The foot lift orthosis according to claim 12, further comprising at least one stabilizing element configured to extend around the frontal foot region when the orthosis is being worn.
Description
[0024] An embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail in the following with references to the attached drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is the schematic side view of a foot lift orthosis according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
[0026] FIG. 2 is the schematic 3D view of a foot lift orthosis,
[0027] FIG. 2a is a slight modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2,
[0028] FIG. 3 is the schematic plan view of the foot lift orthosis from FIG. 2,
[0029] FIG. 4 is a view of the foot lift orthosis from below,
[0030] FIG. 5 is the schematic rear view of the foot lift orthosis,
[0031] FIG. 6 is the schematic view of the foot lift orthosis when it is not being worn.
[0032] FIG. 7 is the schematic view of a foot lift orthosis according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[0033] FIG. 8 is the schematic view of a foot lift orthosis according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[0034] FIG. 9-11 are schematic views of a foot lift orthosis according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[0035] FIG. 12-14 show another embodiment, and
[0036] FIG. 15 is the schematic view of another embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 1 is the schematic view of a foot lift orthosis 1. It comprises a first tension element 2 and a second tension element 4, one end of each element acting on a frontal foot region 6 of a foot 8. The first tension element 2 extends from the frontal foot region 6 along an instep 10 to a first support position 12 which is located above the upper ankle joint. In this way, a first tensile force which extends along the first tension element 2 can be exerted on the frontal foot region 6. A supporting link 14 that extends upward along the lower leg 16, and comprises surrounding means 18 that can be wrapped around the lower leg 16, is attached to the posterior end of the first tension element 2. In this case, the surrounding means 18 preferably comprise a closure element (not shown in FIG. 1), such that the surrounding means 18 can be opened in order to put on and take off the foot lift orthosis.
[0038] The second tension element 4 that also acts in the frontal region 6 of the foot 8 extends along a sole 20 of the foot as far as a second support position 22 in the region of the heel 24 of the foot 8. The second tension element 4 has an opening 26 through which the heel 24 extends, and the first element 2 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has an opening (not shown) through which the lower leg 16 extends.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the foot lift orthosis 1. The first tension element 2 can be seen, along with part of the second tension element 4, through the opening 26 of which the heel 24 extends. The opening 28 in the first tension element 2 through which the lower leg 16 extends can now be seen. The supporting link 14 and the surrounding means 18 attached thereto can be seen in the posterior region of the lower leg 16, which means now comprise a closure element 30 that is designed as a pin guided through a hole in the present example.
[0040] Two openings 32 are shown in the frontal foot region 6, a toe 34 extending through each of said openings.
[0041] FIG. 2a shows an embodiment of the foot lift orthosis 1 that corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The lower leg 16 extends through the opening 28, whereas the toes 34 protrude through the openings 32. However, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the foot lift orthosis 1 shown in FIG. 2a does not have a supporting link 14 and surrounding means 18 by means of which a further retaining position is achieved on the lower leg 16.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the orthosis shown in FIG. 2. The first tension element 2 extends over the instep 10 from a frontal foot region 6 toward the ankle region, and has an opening 28 through which the leg is guided. The two openings 32 through each of which a toe 34 extends can be seen in the frontal foot region 6.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a view of the foot lift orthosis 1 from below. The sole 20 of the foot and the second tension element 4 can be seen, the heel 24 extending through the opening 26 in said element. A large portion of a ball 36 is not covered by the second tension element 4, such that the wearer of an orthosis can experience the feeling of being barefoot when wearing the orthosis 1 in the embodiment shown without socks and shoes. As in FIG. 3, two toes 34 extend through the openings 32.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the foot lift orthosis 1. The heel 24 extends through the opening 26 in the second tension element 4. A tab 38 is located on said second tension element, which tab facilitates putting on the orthosis because the tab 38 can be gripped, and therefore the second tension element 4 can be tensioned and the heel 24 can be guided through the opening 26. As has already been explained, the supporting link 14 having the surrounding means 18 is attached to the second tension element 2.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows the foot lift orthosis 1 when it is not being worn. The foot lift orthosis 1 as shown in FIG. 6 is formed in one piece and is advantageously made of silicone. This embodiment is particularly easy to clean, simple to produce and is in particular waterproof, in particular also in the case of sea water, i.e. salt water. It can clearly be seen that the openings 32 for the toes are located between the first tension element 2 and the second tension element 4. In an alternative embodiment of the foot lift orthosis 1, which is represented by dashed lines in FIG. 6, the number of openings 32 is increased to 4 such that four toes can be guided through said openings 32, one toe being guided through each opening. Of course, it is also possible to design the openings 32 such that more than one toe can be guided through each opening.
[0046] The opening 26 in the second tension element 4, through which the heel 24 can be guided, is located at the end of said element that is opposite the openings 32. The opening 28 is located at the end of the first tension element 2 that is opposite the openings 32. In this case, in order to put on the orthosis, the foot is guided through the opening 28, and the region between the two tension elements 2, 4 in which the openings 32 are located is subsequently arranged on the toes and in the frontal region 6 of the foot. The first tension element 2 is tensioned as a result and already exerts a tensile force on the forefoot 6. The second tension element 4 can then be tensioned along the sole of the foot, and the heel 24 can be guided through the opening 26. The tab 38 can be gripped for this purpose, making it significantly easier to put on the foot lift orthosis 1. In addition, the supporting link 14 is also arranged along the lower leg and the enclosing means 18 are closed in order to put on the orthosis.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows the foot lift orthosis 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the first tension element 2 and the supporting link 14 that comprises the enclosing means 18 and is attached to said element, the foot lift orthosis shown in FIG. 7 also has a reinforcement element 40 that can be fastened to the wearer's lower leg 16 in the upper region by means of further enclosing means 42. In the embodiment shown, the lower region of the reinforcement element 40 is fastened to the first tension element 2 by means of an arrowhead-shaped interlocking connection element 44. For this purpose, the interlocking connection element 44 is guided through a slot 46 provided in the first tension element 2. The reinforcement element is also advantageously resilient. However, an additional tensile force that increases the tensile force of the first tension element 2 can also be applied to the frontal foot region by means of a non-resilient reinforcement element 40.
[0048] The particular sectional shape, shown in particular in FIG. 6, of the foot lift orthosis that is preferably formed in one piece allows the orthosis to be put on easily. The second tension element 4 that follows the plantar fascia, and the opening 26 that provides an annular support around the heel 24, provide a counter-tension to the dorsal tensile stress. i.e. the first tensile force that is applied by the first tension element 2. Said dorsal tensile stress, which in the embodiment shown extends through the toes 34 and then annularly above the upper ankle joint, i.e. the first support position 12, allows the foot to be lifted. Different strengths, different material thicknesses and widths, or other changes to the parameters make it possible for tensile forces having different intensities to be exerted by the first tension element 2 and the second tension element 4. In order to prevent the individual elements from slipping on the foot and, if necessary, also to further reinforce the tensile stress direction, the supporting link 14 extends proximally on the posterior of the Achilles tendon and is for example secured below the calf at a spacing of approximately 15 to 20 cm by means of the surrounding means 18. This is also advantageously carried out entirely using a waterproof material that is in particular not corroded by salt water.
[0049] The closure of the surrounding means 18 remains in its place by means of the supporting link and cannot slide down in the direction of the talus.
[0050] FIG. 8 shows another design of the foot lift orthosis 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Various strips 50 made of the material of the foot lift orthosis 1 are applied, for example bonded or molded, to a stocking 48. The first tension element 2, which is guided around the toes in the frontal foot region 6, can be seen. In the example shown, the supporting link 14 is cruciform. Further stabilizing elements 52 are also provided. Designing said stabilizing elements as the stocking 48 largely prevents the foot lift orthosis 1 from slipping on the foot 8, such that the elements 14, 52 used for stabilization, together with other components which are not shown, can be designed differently.
[0051] FIG. 9 to 11 show a particularly simple embodiment of the foot lift orthosis 1. The stocking 48 to which the material of the foot lift orthosis 1 is applied can be seen. The first tension element 2 extends over the instep 10 as far as the frontal foot region 6. The foot is guided through the opening 28, and the first support position 12 is formed in the rear region of the foot (in the region of the Achilles tendon in the embodiment shown). In the region of the sole 20 of the foot, the second tension element 4 extends from the frontal foot region 6 as far as the heel 24, where the opening 26 is located. A widening 54 in the material of the foot lift orthosis 1, which can for example be silicone, is located in the region of the ball of the foot. It is therefore ensured that the orthosis material is distributed as evenly as possible, in particular in this region in which a high load acts on the foot when said orthosis is being worn, and therefore uncomfortable or painful pressure points can be avoided.
[0052] FIG. 12 to 14 show an embodiment of the foot lift orthosis 1 that corresponds to the embodiment that has the stocking 48 shown in FIG. 9 to 11. The first tension element 2 that extends over the instep 10 can also be seen here. However, the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 to 14 also comprises a second tension element 4 that extends around the heel 24, which protrudes through the opening 26 that is formed.
[0053] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the foot lift orthosis 1. This embodiment also comprises the opening 26 through which the heel protrudes when the orthosis is being worn. Four openings 32 for the toes and the opening 28 through which the foot is guided when the orthosis is being put on can also be seen. The main difference with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the design of the foot lift orthosis 1 in the region of the opening 28. Rather than being completely flat, said opening has a three-dimensional contour having an upper edge 58 that is raised with respect to a lower edge 56. The wall extending between said edges is adapted to the geometry of the leg, which passes through the opening 28 when the foot lift orthosis 1 is being worn.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0054]
TABLE-US-00001 1 foot lift orthosis 2 first tension element 4 second tension element 6 frontal foot region 8 foot 10 instep 12 first support position 14 supporting link 16 lower leg 18 surrounding means 20 sole of the foot 22 second support position 24 heel 26 opening 28 opening 30 closure element 32 opening 34 toe 36 ball 38 tab 40 reinforcement element 42 enclosing means 44 interlocking connection element 46 slot 48 stocking 50 strip 52 stabilizing element 54 widening 56 lower edge 58 upper edge
