Orthopaedic brace with an inflatable air bag
First Claim
1. An orthopaedic brace for a joint joining two members, comprising:
- hinged rigid support means affixed to said two members providing support to the joint and for permitting a predetermined range of movement of the joint and defining a void space substantially surrounding the joint between the support means and the joint;
an inflatable air bag in the void space;
sensor means attached to the hinged rigid support means for providing a trigger signal in response to a predetermined condition on the joint that is capable of injuring the joint; and
inflation means operably connected to the sensor means and the air bag for inflating the air bag in response to the trigger signal.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An orthopaedic brace for a joint includes a support mechanism attached to limb members on either side of the joint for providing support to the joint and for permitting a predetermined range of movement of the joint. The support mechanism defines a void space substantially surrounding the joint between the support mechanism and the joint. An inflatable air bag that preferably includes several air cells substantially surrounds the joint in the void space. At least one sensor attached to the support mechanism provides a trigger signal in response to a predetermined, potentially injurious condition, such as a severe force, stress, strain or acceleration. An inflation mechanism operatively connected to the air bag and the sensor inflates the air bag in response to the trigger signal, thereby providing additional support to the joint before the joint is injured.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An orthopaedic brace for a joint joining two members, comprising:
-
hinged rigid support means affixed to said two members providing support to the joint and for permitting a predetermined range of movement of the joint and defining a void space substantially surrounding the joint between the support means and the joint; an inflatable air bag in the void space; sensor means attached to the hinged rigid support means for providing a trigger signal in response to a predetermined condition on the joint that is capable of injuring the joint; and inflation means operably connected to the sensor means and the air bag for inflating the air bag in response to the trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A brace for a knee joint joining thigh and leg members, said brace comprising:
-
brace means adapted to be spaced apart from the knee joint for providing support to the knee joint and for permitting a predetermined range of movement of the knee joint, including; a rigid posterior strut comprising an arcuate member adapted to extend through a popliteal space behind the knee joint and having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, first and second terminal members and first and second mounting means fixing said first and second terminal members to said first and second ends respectively of said arcuate member; a first rigid support member pivotally connected to said first terminal member and adapted to extend upward along a first side of the thigh member; a second rigid support member pivotally connected to said second terminal member and adapted to extend downward along a second side of the leg member opposite the first side of the thigh member; first support means adapted to secure said first rigid support member to the thigh member; and second support means adapted to secure said second rigid support member to the leg member; an inflatable air bag adapted to be positioned adjacent the knee joint and substantially surrounding the knee joint; sensor means attached to the brace means for providing a trigger signal in response to a predetermined condition that is capable of injuring the knee joint; and inflation means carried by the brace means and operably connected to the air bag and to the sensor means for inflating the air bag in response to the trigger signal from the sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. An orthopaedic brace for a joint, comprising:
-
support means for providing support to the joint and for permitting a predetermined range of movement of the joint, said support means being spaced apart from said joint and defining a void space about encircling the joint; sensor means attached to the support means for providing a trigger signal in response to a predetermined condition on the joint that is capable of injuring the joint, said predetermined condition being selected from a group consisting of, pressure, strain, stress and acceleration; muscle stimulator means adapted to be located adjacent a muscle connected to the joint for stimulating the muscle in response to the trigger signal such that the muscle is preloaded for protecting the joint from injury; an inflatable air bag in the void space; and inflation means operably connected to the sensor means and the air bag for inflating the air bag in response to the trigger signal.
-
Specification