Motorized tensioning system for medical braces and devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical brace comprising:
- a main body configured to be fit about a limb of a user;
a tensioning member coupled with the main body; and
a motorized tensioning device configured to adjust the tensioning member to tighten and loosen the main body, the motorized tensioning device comprising;
a motor and a gear reduction system, wherein the motor drives the gear reduction system;
a spool connected to the gear reduction system and configured to wind the tensioning member, wherein the spool rotates in a first rotational direction to tighten the tensioning member and wherein the spool rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to loosen the tensioning member;
a torque transmitting system cooperating with the spool, wherein the torque transmitting system substantially prevents the spool from driving the motor; and
wherein the torque transmitting system is configured to transmit torque from a gear of the gear reduction system to the spool;
wherein the motorized tension device further comprises a secondary winding assembly configured to apply torque to the spool so as to wind slack in the tensioning member when the motor is deactivated, wherein the spool includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the torque generated by the motor is transmitted to the first end of the spool and wherein the torque generated by the secondary winding assembly is delivered to the second end of the spool.
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Abstract
A tensioning system for medical braces and devices is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The motorized tensioning device includes a torque transmitting system that allows for incremental tightening, incremental loosening, and full loosening of the tensioning member.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A medical brace comprising:
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a main body configured to be fit about a limb of a user; a tensioning member coupled with the main body; and a motorized tensioning device configured to adjust the tensioning member to tighten and loosen the main body, the motorized tensioning device comprising; a motor and a gear reduction system, wherein the motor drives the gear reduction system; a spool connected to the gear reduction system and configured to wind the tensioning member, wherein the spool rotates in a first rotational direction to tighten the tensioning member and wherein the spool rotates in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to loosen the tensioning member; a torque transmitting system cooperating with the spool, wherein the torque transmitting system substantially prevents the spool from driving the motor; and wherein the torque transmitting system is configured to transmit torque from a gear of the gear reduction system to the spool; wherein the motorized tension device further comprises a secondary winding assembly configured to apply torque to the spool so as to wind slack in the tensioning member when the motor is deactivated, wherein the spool includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the torque generated by the motor is transmitted to the first end of the spool and wherein the torque generated by the secondary winding assembly is delivered to the second end of the spool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for automatically tightening a medical brace fit about a limb, the medical brace including a motorized tensioning device and a control unit communicatively coupled therewith, the motorized tensioning device and control unit being configured to adjust a tensioning member of the medical brace to tighten and loosen the medical brace, the method comprising:
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determining via the control unit that a user has finished tensioning the tensioning member of the medical brace fit about the limb; monitoring the tension of the tensioning member for an interval of time to determine a tension value for the tensioning member; determining via the control unit that the tension of the tensioning member has decreased below the tension value; and in response to said determination, increasing the tension of the tensioning member by triggering the motorized tension device via the control unit so as to return the tension of the tensioning member to near the tension value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for automatically tightening or loosening a medical brace fit about a limb in response to a variance in tension of a tensioning member from a desired tension level, the medical brace including a motorized tensioning device and a control unit communicatively coupled therewith, the motorized tensioning device and control unit being configured to adjust a tensioning member of the medical brace to tighten and loosen the medical brace, the method comprising:
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measuring a tension of the tensioning member while the medical brace is fit about the limb of an individual; determining via the control unit a variance in tension of the tensioning member from a desired tension level; determining that the variance in tension of the tensioning member exceeds a variance threshold, the variance in tension corresponding to swelling or atrophy of the limb of the individual; and in response to said determination, actuating the motorized tension device via the control unit to cause adjustment of the tension of the tensioning member to at or near the desired tension level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A medical brace system comprising:
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a main body configured to be fit about a limb of a user; a tensioning member coupled with the main body; a motorized tensioning device configured to adjust the tensioning member to tighten and loosen the main body, the motorized tensioning device including; a spool; a motor configured to drive a gear reduction assembly; a torque transmitting system capable of transmitting torque from the gear reduction assembly to the spool in order to wind the tensioning member around the spool, wherein the torque transmitting system prevents the spool from driving the motor; and a secondary winding assembly configured to apply torque to the spool so as to wind slack in the tensioning member when the motor is deactivated, wherein the spool includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the torque generated by the motor is transmitted to the first end of the spool and the torque generated by the secondary winding assembly is delivered to the second end of the spool; and a tension control device that is configured to control the motorized tensioning device in order to adjust the tension of the tensioning member. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification