Range of motion device

• US 20070100267A1
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Inventors: Bonutti, Boris, Bonutti, Peter, Ruholl, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0266 Foot
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2001/0207 Nutating movement of a body part around its articulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2001/027 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/14 Special force transmission means, i.e. between the driving means and the interface with the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention provides an orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions. The orthosis includes a first member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. The second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member and travels through the first extension member along an arcuate path when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first arm member.

Claims

1. An orthosis for stretching tissue around a foot and toe, the orthosis comprising:

a first member affixable to the foot and including a first extension member extending therefrom; and

a second member affixable to the toe and including a second extension member,

wherein the second extension member comprises an arcuate shape extending therefrom, the second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member so that relative movement between the first and second affixable members is determined by movement along the arcuate shape.

2. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein the arcuate shape associated with the second extension member is convex.

3. The orthosis of claim 2 wherein the arcuate shape has a constant radius of curvature.

4. The orthosis of claim 2 wherein the arcuate shape has a variable radius of curvature.

5. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein the arcuate shape of the second extension member is a cam surface, and wherein the first extension member comprises cam followers that control the relative movement between the affixable members.

6. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein a plurality of gear teeth are disposed on the arcuate shape of the second extension member.

7. The orthosis of claim 6 further comprising:

a motor-operated drive assembly in communication with the arcuate shape of the second extension member; and

a programmable control system capable of automatically cycling relative movement between the first and second affixable members according to predetermined parameters.

8. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein the relative movement between the first and second affixable members is about an axis of rotation that corresponds to an axis of rotation of relative movement between the toe and foot.

9. The orthosis of claim 8 wherein the location of the axis of rotation of movement between the first and second affixable member is not constant.

10. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein the relative movement between the first and second affixable members is about a fixed axis of rotation.

11. The orthosis as set forth claim 1 further comprising a drive assembly on the first extension member, the drive assembly engaging the second extension member for selectively moving the second member with respect to the first member.

12. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein the second affixable member further comprises a base and a sliding contact surface that allows for relative movement between the toe and the base of the second affixable member.

13. The orthosis of claim 1 wherein the second affixable member has a first end distal to the first affixable member and a second end proximate to the first affixable member and wherein the second affixable member further comprises a cushion that allows one or both ends to flex as forces from relative movement of the first and second affixable members are imparted to the toe.

14. The orthosis of claim 13 wherein the cushion comprises one or more of a spring, compressed gas, an elastic material, or a foamed material.

15. The orthosis of claim 11 wherein the drive assembly includes a worm gear rotatably mounted therein and wherein the worm gear is manualably rotatable for selectively moving the second member with respect to the first member.

16. The orthosis of claim 1 further comprising means for securing the foot to the first affixable member and means for securing the toe to the second affixable member.

17. An orthosis for stretching tissue around a foot and a toe, the orthosis comprising:

a first member affixable to the foot;

a second member affixable to the toe and including an extension member; and

an arcuate shape operatively communicating with the extension member so that relative movement between the first and second affixable member is determined by movement of the extension member along the arcuate shape.

18. The orthosis of claim 17 wherein the arcuate shape is disposed on the first affixable member, the curvature of the arcuate shape is convex and has a constant radius of curvature.

19. The orthosis of claim 17 wherein the curvature of the arcuate shape is concave.

20. The orthosis of claim 17 further comprising:

a drive assembly on the first extension member, the drive assembly engaging the second extension member for selectively moving the second member with respect to the first member; and

a motor operatively connected to the drive assembly for selectively moving the second member with respect to the first member,

wherein the relative movement between the first and second affixable members is about an axis of rotation that corresponds to an axis of rotation of relative movement between the toe and foot.

21. The orthosis of claim 20 wherein the second affixable member further comprises a base and a sliding contact surface that allows for relative movement between the toe and the base of the second affixable member.

22. The orthosis of claim 20 wherein the second affixable member has a first end distal to the first affixable member and a second end proximate to the first affixable member and wherein the second affixable member further comprises a cushion that allows one or both ends to flex as forces from relative movement of the first and second affixable members are imparted to the toe.