Range of motion device

• US 8,287,479 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• 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 P., Bonutti, Peter M., Ruholl, Kevin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US13/305,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20120071805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 602/23, 602 27- 30, 482/79
• 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

A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer is provided. The method includes providing a first member affixable to the foot and including a first extension member extending therefrom, providing 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, and coupling the first member to the second member.

Claims

1. A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer, said method comprising:

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

providing 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; and

coupling the first member to the second member.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a convex shape.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a constant radius of curvature.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a variable radius of curvature.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a plurality of gear teeth are disposed on the arcuate shape of the second extension member.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising coupling a drive assembly to the arcuate shape of the second extension member.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein coupling a drive assembly further comprises coupling a drive assembly to the arcuate shape of the second extension member wherein the drive assembly is a programmable control system capable of automatically cycling relative movement between the first and second members according to predetermined parameters.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein coupling the first member to the second member further comprises coupling the first member to the second member such that 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. A method of using an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer, said method comprising:

coupling a first member to the foot, wherein the first member includes a first extension member extending therefrom; and

coupling a second member to the toe, wherein the second member includes a second extension member that includes 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 members is determined by movement along the arcuate shape.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein coupling a second member to the toe further comprises coupling a second member to the toe such that the relative movement between the first and second members is about an axis of rotation that corresponds to an axis of rotation of relative movement between the toe and foot.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein coupling a second member to the toe further comprises coupling a second member to the toe such that the location of the axis of rotation of movement between the first and second member is not constant.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein coupling a second member to the toe further comprises coupling a second member to the toe such that the relative movement between the first and second members is about a fixed axis of rotation.

13. A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer, said method comprising:

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

providing 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; and

coupling a drive assembly to the first extension member; and

coupling the drive assembly to the second member.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising coupling a base and a sliding contact surface to the first member, the base and the sliding contact surface configured to allow relative movement between the toe and a base of the second member.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising coupling a cushion to the second member, wherein the cushion is configured to flex as forces from relative movement of the first and second affixable members are imparted to the toe.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein coupling a cushion further comprises coupling a cushion including at least one of a spring, compressed gas, an elastic material, and a foamed material.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein coupling a drive assembly further comprises coupling a drive assembly drive that includes a worm gear rotatably mounted on the first extension member, wherein the worm gear is manualably rotatable for selectively moving the second member with respect to the first member.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a convex shape.

19. A method according to claim 13, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a constant radius of curvature.

20. A method according to claim 13, wherein providing a second member further comprises providing a second member including a second extension member having a variable radius of curvature.