Hinge for orthopedic device
A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.
1 . A hinge, comprising:
a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge and adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first end and the second end are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end;
wherein the hinge body forms a rib protruding from a base thickness of the hinge body at least along the articulating section in a longitudinal direction of the hinge body along the neutral axis, the hinge body having the base thickness outside of the articulating section, and the rib forming a maximum thickness in a middle of the articulating section and resisting articulation within the angular range;
wherein the hinge body includes a first strut and a second strut each arranged on opposed ends of the articulating section, the first strut and the second strut having a first width transverse to the neutral axis, and the articulating section having a second width more narrow than the first width, the hinge body tapering from the first width to the second width;
wherein the hinge body is adapted to bend about the articulating section such that the first end of the hinge body remains coplanar to the second end of the hinge body throughout the angular range.
2 . The hinge of claim 1 , wherein the hinge body is formed from a single material and continuously extends without interruption from the first end to the second end of the hinge in a longitudinal direction along the neutral axis.
3 . The hinge of claim 2 , wherein the single material is a polymeric material.
4 . The hinge of claim 1 , wherein the first strut defines a wing portion extending obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction.
5 . The hinge of claim 4 , wherein the second strut defines a wing portion extending obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction.
6 . The hinge of claim 1 , wherein the first strut defines at least one strap slot extending longitudinally between the first and second ends of the hinge.
7 . The hinge of claim 6 , wherein the at least one strap slot includes a first strap slot defined along the first strut, and a second strap slot defined along the second strut.
8 . The hinge of claim 1 , wherein the base thickness of the hinge body is uniform along the first and second struts, and less than the thickness of the articulating section.
9 . The hinge of claim 1 , wherein the rib includes a receptacle for placement of an insert.
10 . The hinge of claim 1 , further comprising first and second bolsters extending from the first and second struts, respectively, the first and second bolsters having a greater width than the first width transverse to the neutral axis.
11 . A hinge, comprising:
a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge and adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first end and the second end are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end;
wherein the hinge body forms a rib protruding from a base thickness of the hinge body at least along the articulating section in a longitudinal direction of the hinge body along the neutral axis, the hinge body having the base thickness outside of the articulating section, and the rib forming a maximum thickness in a middle of the articulating section and resisting articulation within the angular range;
wherein the hinge body includes a first strut and a second strut each arranged on opposed ends of the articulating section, the first strut and the second strut having a first width transverse to the neutral axis, and the articulating section having a second width more narrow than the first width, the hinge body tapering from the first width to the second width;
wherein the hinge body is formed from a single material and continuously extends without interruption from the first end to the second end of the hinge in a longitudinal direction along the neutral axis;
wherein the first strut defines first strap slot extending longitudinally along the first strut, and a second strap slot extending longitudinally along the second strut, the first and second strap slots extending parallel to the rib;
wherein the hinge body is adapted to bend about the articulating section such that the first end of the hinge body remains coplanar to the second end of the hinge body throughout the angular range.
12 . The hinge of claim 11 , wherein the first and second struts each include a wing portion protruding away relative from the first width to the longitudinal direction.