Dynamic exoskeletal orthosis
View Patent ↗An exoskeletal orthosis includes a proximal cuff comprising a hinge along an upper edge of the cuff; an ankle section/footplate; and at least one posterior strut connecting the proximal cuff to the ankle section and foot plate.
1. An orthosis, comprising:
a proximal cuff comprising at least one hinge along an upper edge of the cuff forming a proximal fixed axis point;
an ankle section/footplate; and
at least one posterior strut attached at a proximal end to the proximal cuff and attached at a distal end to the ankle section/footplate, thereby forming a vertical axis between the proximal cuff and the ankle section/footplate,
wherein the at least one hinge allows part of a lower edge of an anterior portion of the proximal cuff to open in a direction upward and away from said vertical axis via the proximal fixed axis point while a posterior portion of the proximal cuff maintains its position.
2. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the at least one posterior strut comprises a dual strut configuration.
3. The orthosis of claim 2 , wherein each strut of the dual strut configuration has a tubular or cylindrical shape.
4. A method of treating an injury, comprising:
fitting an individual having an injury with an orthosis according to claim 1 ; and
placing the individual's foot with the attached orthosis inside a shoe or boot.
5. A method according to claim 4 , further comprising progressing the individual from ambulation during a post-injury phase to agility and impact activities.
6. A method according to claim 4 , further comprising modifying the at least one posterior strut over time, wherein a second at least one posterior strut is stiffer than a first at least one posterior strut.
7. A method according to claim 4 , wherein the injury is selected from the group consisting of ankle fusion; talus or calcaneus fractures; tibial nerve injury; peroneal nerve injury; partial foot amputation; soft tissue loss in a leg; and pain in an ankle during a weight-bearing activity.
8. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the proximal cuff comprises a reinforced carbon fiber composition.
9. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the at least one posterior strut comprises a single strut having a rectangular bar shape.
10. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the at least one posterior strut is integral with at least one of the proximal cuff or ankle section/footplate.
11. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the at least one posterior strut is removably attachable to at least one of the proximal cuff or the ankle section/footplate.
12. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the ankle section/footplate comprises a reinforced carbon fiber composition.
13. The orthosis of claim 1 , wherein the at least one posterior strut has a length of about 5 inches to about 12 inches.
14. The orthosis of claim 1 , further comprising a detachable knee orthosis section.
15. The orthosis of claim 1 , further comprising an upper knee cuff connected to said proximal cuff via a hinge.
16. The orthosis according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one hinge is configured to allow part of the lower edge of the anterior portion of the proximal cuff to open in a direction forward and away from the vertical axis, thereby providing a wider opening at a distal end than at a proximal end of the proximal cuff.
17. The orthosis according to claim 1 , wherein the ankle section/footplate comprises a supramalleolar ankle section having a lateral wing.
18. The orthosis according to claim 1 , wherein the ankle section/footplate comprises a footplate section extending to the tips of a user's toes and having an arch.