ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE HAVING A PATIENT COMPLIANCE SYSTEM

• US 20090099495A1
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: Leeder, Chad, Campos, Michael, Arnold, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,043,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence

Abstract

An orthopedic device includes a strut assembly having a resilient shell defining opposed first and second sides, and a patient compliance system. The patient compliance includes a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the shell. The tightening strap has first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly. The tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.

Claims

1. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a strut assembly having a resilient shell, and defining first and second sides; and

a patient compliance system including a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the strut assembly, the tightening strap having first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly.

2. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the strut assembly includes at least one bracket located at one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly, the bracket engaging one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap.

3. The orthopedic device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap is adjustable only uni-directionally relative to the bracket.

4. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the strut assembly includes a rigid frame element connecting to the shell, the shell bendable about the frame element.

5. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, further comprising a sole portion pivotally connected to the strut assembly.

6. The orthopedic device according to claim 5, further comprising a lock device connected to the strut assembly and the sole portion, the lock device locking the strut assembly relative to the sole portion.

7. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.

8. The orthopedic device according to claim 2, wherein the bracket defines an opening and a detent extending in the opening, the tightening strap arranged to extend through the opening and engage the detent.

9. The orthopedic device according to claim 8, wherein the first end portion of the tightening strap defines a stop portion sized and dimensioned larger than the opening.

10. The orthopedic device according to claim 8, wherein the second end portion of the tightening strap defines a handle arranged to extend through the opening.

11. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the tightening strap defines a plurality of indicia indicating tightening settings of the shell about an anatomical portion of a wearer.

12. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the tightening strap defines a central portion having a reduced thickness relative to the first and second end portions.

13. The orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the shell defines a flexible rear portion connecting the first and second sides to one another, the shell having an open frontal portion defining a clearance between the first and second sides, the tightening strap arranged to reduce the size of the clearance as at least one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap is moved relative to a respective one of the first and second sides of the shell.

14. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a strut assembly including a resilient shell having first and second sides, the shell having a flexible rear portion connecting the first and second sides to one another, the shell having an open frontal portion defining a clearance between the first and second sides, the shell forming a generally U-shaped cross-section, the strut assembly farther including at least one substantially rigid frame member unitarily secured to the shell; and

a patient compliance system including at least one tightening strap connecting the first and second shell sides, the tightening strap arranged to draw the first and shell sides toward one another to reduce the size of the clearance.

15. The orthopedic device according to claim 14, wherein the strut assembly includes at least one bracket located at one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly, the bracket engaging one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap.

16. The orthopedic device according to claim 14, wherein one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap is adjustable only uni-directionally relative to the bracket.

17. The orthopedic device according to claim 14, further comprising a sole portion pivotally connected to the strut assembly.

18. The orthopedic device according to claim 17, further comprising a lock device connected to the strut assembly and the sole portion, the lock device locking the strut assembly relative to the sole portion.

19. The orthopedic device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one bracket defines an opening and a detent extending in the opening, the tightening strap arranged to extend through the opening and engage the detent, the first end portion of the tightening strap defining a stop portion sized and dimensioned larger than the opening and the second end portion of the tightening strap defining a handle arranged to extend through the opening.

20. A method for installing an orthopedic device on a user, the orthopedic device having a strut assembly defining opposed sides separated by a clearance, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the orthopedic device on a limb of a wearer;

providing at least one tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the strut assembly;

securing a first end of the tightening strap to a first side of the strut assembly; and

incrementally adjusting the tightening band relative to the second side of the strut assembly in a uni-directional movement thereby reducing the clearance.