HINGE USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME
First Claim
1. An orthotic device having a first and second cuffs connected to one another by an articulating hinge between first and second positions, the orthotic device defining a proximal-distal plane, and an anterior-posterior plane intersecting one another to form an intersection axis, the hinge comprising:
- an upper linkage having first and second pivoting ends;
a lower linkage having first and second pivoting ends; and
first and second upright linkages pivotally connected to the first and second pivoting ends of the upper and lower linkages,the pivotal connection of the first and second upright linkages forming an instant center of rotation (ICoR) located at an inferior position on the posterior side of the anterior-posterior plane, and urging a force directed through the second cuff due to a relative displacement of the first cuff relative to the second cuff which increases as the orthotic device approaches full flexion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for using the device arranged to maintain anatomical alignment between a joint by creating a dynamic load around the joint to restore and maintain the anatomical alignment. The orthotic device uses a hinge to create a directed force on a tibia by maintaining misalignment of an instant center of rotation (ICoR) of the hinge at a position relative to an anatomical knee joint.
25 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An orthotic device having a first and second cuffs connected to one another by an articulating hinge between first and second positions, the orthotic device defining a proximal-distal plane, and an anterior-posterior plane intersecting one another to form an intersection axis, the hinge comprising:
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an upper linkage having first and second pivoting ends; a lower linkage having first and second pivoting ends; and first and second upright linkages pivotally connected to the first and second pivoting ends of the upper and lower linkages, the pivotal connection of the first and second upright linkages forming an instant center of rotation (ICoR) located at an inferior position on the posterior side of the anterior-posterior plane, and urging a force directed through the second cuff due to a relative displacement of the first cuff relative to the second cuff which increases as the orthotic device approaches full flexion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. An orthotic device having a first and second cuffs connected to one another by an articulating hinge between first and second positions, the orthotic device defining a proximal-distal plane, and an anterior-posterior plane intersecting one another to form an intersection axis, the hinge comprising:
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an upper linkage having first and second pivoting ends; a lower linkage having first and second pivoting ends; and first and second upright linkages pivotally connected to the first and second pivoting ends of the upper and lower linkages, the pivotal connection of the first and second upright linkages forming an instant center of rotation (ICoR) of the hinge located at a superior position relative to the intersection axis, and transmitting either an anteriorly or posteriorly directed force through the second cuff due to a relative displacement of the first cuff relative to the second cuff thereby increasing or decreasing as the hinge articulates. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method for using an orthotic device on a leg, the orthotic device having a lower tibial cuff, an upper femoral cuff, and a hinge comprising upper and lower linkages and first and second upright linkages pivotally connected to the upper and lower linkages, where the pivotal connection forms an instant center of rotation (ICoR) located at an inferior position relative to an anatomical knee joint, the method of using the orthotic device comprising the steps of:
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flexing the anatomical knee joint having the orthotic device; shifting the ICoR of the hinge to move to a further inferior position with respect to the anatomical knee joint at greater flexion angles; and generating an anteriorly directed force by shifting the lower tibial cuff with respect to the upper femoral cuff
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Specification