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EP-3746009-B1 - APPARATUS FOR TREATING OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE

EP3746009B1EP 3746009 B1EP3746009 B1EP 3746009B1EP-3746009-B1

Inventors

  • THOR, Arni

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20190204

Claims (3)

  1. An orthopedic device (100), comprising: a first panel (126) defining opposed first (128) and second sides (130); a second panel I (132) having a first end (134) secured to the first side I (128) of the first panel (126) along a seam (136), and a second end (138) securable to the second side (130) of the first panel (126) at a location site (146); a first strap (112) having a first end (142) secured to the first side (128) of the first panel (126) along the seam (136) and laying under the second panel (132), and a second end (144) securable to the second side (130) of the first panel (126) at the location site (146), wherein the orthopedic device (100) further comprises a dynamic force strap (102) helically extending between upper and lower portions of the orthopedic device (100) and connecting to the first panel (126); and a second dynamic force strap (118) connecting with one of its ends at the center (120) of the first dynamic force strap (102) and with its second end to the first panel (126) opposite where the first dynamic force strap (102) connects to the first panel (126), the second dynamic force strap (118) helically extending from the center (120) of the first dynamic force strap (102) to the first panel (126).
  2. The orthopedic device (100) of Claim 1, further comprising a hinge assembly (154) secured to the first panel (126) and extending between upper and lower portions of the orthopedic device (100).
  3. The orthopedic device (100) of Claim 1, further comprising a second strap (116) having a first end (148) secured to the first side (128) of the first panel (126) along the seam (136) and laying under the second panel (132), and a second end (150) securable to the second side (130) of the first panel (126) at a second location site (152).

Description

Copyright A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the disclosure The present disclosure relates generally to orthopedic devices, and in one exemplary aspect to a knee brace with a wraparound sleeve having one or more straps for unloading a knee for treatment of osteoarthritis. Description of Related Art Orthopedic devices, such as orthopedic devices that are specifically suited for the knee, have been known to be used for, inter alia, "unloading" the knee that's been affected by osteoarthritis ("OA") in order to, for example, relieve pain. However, prior devices are often considered too bulky, heavy, and/or difficult to put on, thereby making it challenging for patients to want to wear them. Such devices may be configured to impart forces (or leverage) on the limbs surrounding the knee joint in order to relieve compressive forces within a portion of the knee joint, or to otherwise reduce the load on that portion of the knee. The knee is acknowledged as one of the weakest joints in the body and serves as the articulating joint between the thigh and calf muscle groups. The knee is held together primarily by small but powerful ligaments. Knee instability arising out of cartilage damage, ligament strain, and other causes of knee instability is relatively commonplace since the knee joint is subjected to significant loads during the course of almost any physical activity that requires the use of an individuals legs. Osteoarthritis is a problematic knee pathology, and may arise when there is a persistent uneven distribution of pressure in the medial compartments of the knee. Compartmental osteoarthritis can be caused by, inter alia, injury, obesity, misalignment of the knee, or due to aging of the knee. A major problem resulting from osteoarthritis is that the smooth cartilage lining the inside of the knee wears away. This leads to a narrowing of the joint space due to the development of cysts and erosions in the bone ends. Because of the narrowing of the joint, bone comes directly in contact with bone, and an uneven distribution of pressure develops across the knee, which may cause the formation of bone spurs around the joint. All of these changes ultimately lead to increasing pain and stiffness of the joint. While there are no cures for osteoarthritis, there are many treatments such as medications, surgery, and non-surgical interventions. Non-surgical interventions include using canes, lateral shoe wedges, and knee braces. Knee bracing is useful in providing pain relief by reducing the load on the compartment through application of an opposing external valgus moment about the knee joint. Unloading knee braces have been shown to significantly reduce osteoarthritis knee pain while improving knee function. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,698 filed August 24, 1992 and entitled "Knee Bracing Method", describes a method of reducing the effect of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of a knee. A force is applied to the knee on that side of the knee remote from the compartment having osteoarthritis as the knee moves to extension. Preferably, the force is applied at a point about 10° to 15° posterior of the normal axis of rotation of the knee. U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,610 filed December 21, 2005 and entitled "Knee Brace and Method for Securing the Same" describes a knee brace that is divided into anterior and posterior halves including a proximal member and a distal member. The brace further includes a substantially inelastic cross strap adjustable in length and connected to the proximal and distal members. The cross strap has first and second portions which intersect at an intersection point located between the proximal and distal members. The intersection point is defined at a location posterior of the frontal plane of the brace. US2016/193066 A1 discloses an orthopedic device which includes a first panel defining opposed first and second sides, a second panel which has a first end secured to the first side of the first panel along a seam between upper and lower corners of the seam, and a second end defining at least one first flap securable to the second side of the first panel at a location site. A first strap has a first end secured to the first side of the first panel and extends from an upper portion of the seam including the upper corner of the seam and overlies at least a portion of the second panel. A dynamic force strap helically extends between upper and lower portions of the orthopedic device and connects to the first panel. Individuals suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee have varying degrees of discomfort and undergo stages of worsening osteoarthritis.