Magnet assisted orthotic brace
First Claim
1. An orthotic brace hinge comprising:
- a first hinge element;
a second hinge element;
the first and second hinge elements being operably connected;
the first and second hinge element having a first and second magnetic field respectively whereby the first and second magnetic fields provide a repelling force urging the first and second hinge elements in a pre-determined direction; and
a third magnetic field on one of the first and second hinge elements providing an attracting force to at least one of the first and second hinge elements further urging the first and second hinge elements in the pre-determined direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An orthotic brace and brace hinge are disclosed where the brace hinge comprises a first hinge element operably connected to a second hinge element, at least one hinge element having a magnetic field whereby the magnetic field provides a magnetic force urging one hinge elements in a pre-determined direction. Embodiments of the present invention generally utilize magnetic forces to stabilize, influence and/or maintain adjacent joint portions in pre-determined desired relationships and for constraining motion and/or rotation of the joint portions. Through the use of the repelling and attracting forces of magnets, mechanical forces in the brace and brace hinge can be replaced or supplemented to reduce the force put on joint bones, to influence the bones so that the joint is biased into certain positions or to apply different forces through different points of joint flexion. Embodiments of braces with magnetic fields on other brace elements are also disclosed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An orthotic brace hinge comprising:
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a first hinge element; a second hinge element; the first and second hinge elements being operably connected; the first and second hinge element having a first and second magnetic field respectively whereby the first and second magnetic fields provide a repelling force urging the first and second hinge elements in a pre-determined direction; and a third magnetic field on one of the first and second hinge elements providing an attracting force to at least one of the first and second hinge elements further urging the first and second hinge elements in the pre-determined direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An orthotic brace hinge comprising:
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a first hinge element; a second hinge element; the first and second hinge elements being operably connected; the first and second hinge element having a first and second magnetic field respectively whereby the first and second magnetic fields provide a repelling force urging the first and second hinge elements in a pre-determined direction; and a third magnetic field on one of the first and second hinge elements providing a second repelling force to at least one of the first and second hinge elements further urging the first and second hinge elements in the pre-determined direction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An orthotic brace for a joint of a patient'"'"'s body, the brace comprising:
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a first brace frame adapted for securing to a first portion of a patient'"'"'s body on a first side of a joint; a second brace frame adapted for securing to a second portion of the patient'"'"'s body on a second side of the joint; a pivot connection between the first and second brace frames; a force element operably connected to at least one of the first and second brace frames imparting a repelling force on one of the first and second brace frames in a pre-determined direction; the repelling force comprising a magnetic field; and at least one of the brace frames further comprises a second pivot connection. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An orthotic brace for a joint of a patient'"'"'s body, the brace comprising:
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a first brace frame adapted for securing to a first portion of a patient'"'"'s body on a first side of a joint; a second brace frame adapted for securing to a second portion of the patient'"'"'s body on a second side of the joint; a pivot connection between the first and second brace frames; a force element operably connected to at least one of the first and second brace frames imparting a repelling force on one of the first and second brace frames in a pre-determined direction; the repelling force comprising a magnetic field; at least one additional force element operably connected to at least one of the first and second brace frames imparting an additional force to at least one of the first and second brace frames; and the pivot connection enables at least one portion of the first and second brace frames to pivot relative to the other brace frame and the pre-determined direction is about the pivot connection. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification