WO2019169463A1 - Orthosis with active tensioning for upper limbs - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an orthosis (1) comprising an upper armband (2) in the position of the biceps and triceps, a splint glove (3) and an elbow support (4), as well as an active tension module formed by tensioning rods (5) and springs (M1 and/or M2 and/or M3) that are passed through orifices (6 and 6') in the supports (7) and positioned in the three parts mentioned above, in which said module exerts a calculated tensile force, caused by a gentle movement of the elbow, on the spastic arm, thereby generating a neuromuscular stimulus in the user's upper limb.

Description

 ACTIVE TENSIONAL DYNAMICS FOR UPPER MEMBERS

Introduction

 This patent application refers to an unprecedented orthosis produced using engineering thermoplastics, metals, rubbers and fabrics whose technology provides active tension from the elbow region on the user's upper limbs.

 Application field

 The claimed invention is applied in the field of physiotherapy and occupational therapy to assist in the treatment of spasticity, in the dynamization and maximization of the results of post-injury recovery and arm surgery, as well as in the physical education segment in sports activities.

 In this context the orthosis is used in histories of spasticity caused by clinical features of stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia, Krabbe disease, and other clinical cases. that may present spasticity.

 The orthosis is for use by occupational therapists and physical therapists, as well as physical education professionals for the implementation and improvement of isometric and upper limb strengthening exercises. It is also applied as a device for muscle development, having its use allowed, including in water aerobics.

 Convincing

Cases of stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegias, Krabbe's disease and other clinical conditions that may present spasticity (involuntary increase in muscle contraction), which prevents the person from doing their daily activities until recently had treatments available based solely on physical therapy and occupational therapy. The most frequent spasticity is that which appears after a neurological change such as stroke or as a consequence of cerebral palsy, which can affect only one muscle group, such as the arm, or appear in various locations such as on the right side of the body depending on neurological damage. [0006] Treatments based on physical therapy and occupational therapy are invasive, time consuming and painful for the patient.

 State of the art

 The current state of the art anticipates some patent documents dealing with upper limb orthoses applied to people with spasticity problems, such as BR 202016006506-8 entitled “Bracing Constructive Arrangement” - to be used in the upper limb in the acute phase of Stroke, with the potential to prevent shoulder dislocation, painful shoulder and extremity deformities of the upper limb. The forearm portion also allows wrist and hand stabilization to prevent deformities. The orthosis comprises three parts. A cuff, a belt and the body.

 Although the anticipated orthosis in the above document, despite being applied to the upper limb in people with stroke, it is passive acting, ie it does not promote any resultant forces between its parts and consequently with the upper limb of the user, serving only to prevent dislocations and shoulder pain.

 Objectives of the invention

 [0009] It is the object of the present invention to propose an active, dynamic acting bracing, providing the user with a modern, less invasive, painless and effective treatment and / or physical activity. Active tensioning acts directly on the anatomophysiological restoration of the upper limb.

 It is the object of the present invention to propose an active tensioning orthosis that respects the anatomical movements of the user's upper limb in a smooth, comfortable and accurate manner.

 It is the object of the present invention to propose an effective, active tensioning orthosis that can be used in both conventional spasticity and physical training treatments, which become different and more motivating.

[0012] It is the object of the present invention to propose an active tensioning orthosis capable of promoting improvement in the user's quality of life, as well as better muscle recovery, better training and muscle isometry. This isometry is characterized by muscle contraction, which has the balance between agonist and antagonist muscles. Muscle isometry is also being very used to increase the physical endurance of practitioners, being a great tool for beginners and those recovering from injury.

 It is the object of the present invention to propose an active tensioning orthosis capable of reducing the treatment time of spasticity and loss of selective upper limb muscle complex activity caused by stroke and other diseases in users, which may return more rapidly to daily activities.

It is the object of the present invention to propose an active tensioning orthosis capable of assisting in maintaining joint amplitude, thus avoiding other complications such as muscle stiffness due to lack of use of the affected upper limb joint.

 It is the object of the present invention to propose an active tensioning orthosis whose wearer gradually reduces its degree of spasticity.

 [0016] It is the object of the present invention to propose an active tensioning orthosis which in some way creates a marketing differential for the practitioner who uses it.

 Summary of the invention

 The Active Tension Bracing for Upper Limbs is an orthosis that provides treatment efficiency through the active tension module driven by the coupling of tensioning bars and springs through the holes in the sleeve-splice brackets, clamp. upper body and wrapped around the elbow support, arranged in an orderly position to obtain the required tension, so as to make, from the gentle elbow thrust, a calculated tension in the spastic arm, thus generating a muscular nerve stimulation in the upper limb of the elbow. stroke or other clinical cases that may present spasticity. The same active tensioning technology can be used for both recovery and physical activity.

 Description of the figures

 Following are the figures to further explain the patent application in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

Figure 1: Perspective view of active tensioned orthosis for upper limbs. Figure 2: Inverted perspective view of the active-tensioned orthosis for the upper limbs.

 Figure 3: Sectional view of the active-tensioned orthosis for upper limbs.

 Figure 4: Exploded perspective view of the active-tensioned orthosis for upper limbs.

 Figure 5: Perspective view of the active tensioned orthosis for upper limbs, in a constructive variation with flat spring cutting detail.

 Figure 6: Perspective view of the active tensioned orthosis for upper limbs, showing use with the arm extended.

 Figure 7: Perspective view of active tensioned orthosis for upper limbs showing use with bent arm.

 Detailed Description of the Invention

 [0019] THE ACTIVE TENSIONAL ORTHESIS FOR THE UPPER MEMBERS consists of an orthosis (1) consisting of an upper cuff (2) in the position of the biceps and triceps, a splice sleeve (3) and an elbow support (4), in addition to an active tension module formed by tensioning bars (5) and springs (M1 and / or M2 and / or M3) which are passed through the holes (6 and 6 ') in the supports (7) which take place in the three aforementioned parts, a modulus that exerts a calculated tension from the gentle elbow thrust on the spastic arm, thus generating a muscular nerve stimulus in the upper limb of the user.

More particularly, the invention consists of an upper limb orthosis (1) composed of an upper armband (2) in the position of the biceps and triceps, an elbow support (4), a splint (3) and an active tension module composed of springs (M1 and / or M2 and / or M3) and tensioning bars (5), properly positioned along the orthosis (1) in order to promote gentle elbow thrust, thus stimulating movement flexion of the upper limbs, that is, the physiological anatomic restoration of the same. In this embodiment of the invention, the upper bracket (2) is comprised of fabric-dubbed rubber (2B), concave rigid thermoplastic plates (2P) and velcro closure (2F), zipper or pushbutton. The elbow support (4) is made of dubbed rubber with fabric (4B), internal shock absorbers (4A) in high memory and low hardness polymer, high memory and low hardness thermoplastics, fabrics and foams. The splice sleeve composition (3) comprises fabric-dubbed rubber (3B), thermoplastic concave splice (3T), a rigid thermoplastic abductor (3A) attached to the concave splice (3T) and Velcro closure means (3F) , zipper or push button. The active tension module consists of at least two engineered thermoplastic tensioning bars (5) with high flexibility and memory and two tension springs (M1), as well as concave supports (7) with holes (6) in rigid thermoplastics. , for tensioning bars (5) and holes (6 ') for springs (M1), which brackets are fixed externally to the plates (2P) of the upper clamp (2) and to the concave sleeve (3T) of the sleeve-splice (3 ). A stop (8) prevents the elbow support from moving along the tension bars (5). The number of tensioning bars (5) and the type of springs (M1 and / or M2 and / or M3) used are predetermined by medical advice and the need for each case.

 In a constructive variation of the orthosis, as illustrated in Figure 5, the active tension module is formed by at least three engineered thermoplastic tensioning bars (5) with high flexibility and memory, a tensile spring (M2), a tension spring (M1) and a flat spring (M3), in addition to concave supports (7) with holes (6 E 6 ') in rigid thermoplastics, tensioning bars (5) and springs (M1 and M2) which are fixed externally to the plates (2P) of the upper clamp (2) and to the concave sleeve (3T) of the sleeve-splice (3). In said hole (6) of the brackets (7) of the upper clamp (2) and the sleeve sleeve (3) are inserted the tensioning bars (5), while in the holes (6 ') the springs (M1 and M2) take place with the M1 spring passing and the non-passing spring (M2) between the lower brackets (7) of the upper clamp (2) and sleeve sleeve (3) while the flat spring (M3) remains on the elbow support (4)

 As shown in figures 6 and 7, once the orthosis (1) is worn, the active tension module will drive the spasticity-stiffened arm with constant and gentle tension from the elbow, providing movement of this limb and strengthening the same and assisting in the exercises and physiotherapy so that the user regains the movements during the treatment.

[0023] The embodiment of the above invention is not limited to the materials cited but may, without prejudice to the inventive concept be extended to various types of fabrics, metals, thermoplastics, rubbers, carbon steel, stainless steel, polyurethanes, silicones, gel, carbon fibers and glass. Likewise, the orthosis may be manufactured in different sizes and configurations of the splint gloves, elbow supports and upper cuff.

Claims

1) ACTIVE TENSIONAL ORTHESIS FOR UPPER MEMBERS, consisting of an upper clamp (2), in the position of the biceps and triceps, an elbow support (4), a splice sleeve (3) characterized by having an active tension module composed springs (M1 and / or M2 and / or M3) and tensioning bars (5) positioned on brackets (7) externally attached to the plates (2P) of the upper clamp (2) and the concave sleeve (3T) of the splice sleeve ( 3) in order to promote gentle elbow thrust, thereby stimulating the flexion movement of the upper limbs; A stop (8) prevents the elbow support from moving along the tension bars (5). Active tensioning orthosis for upper limbs according to Claim 1, characterized in that the active tensioning module is formed by at least two engineered thermoplastic tensioning bars (5) with high flexibility and memory and two tensioning springs (M1). , in addition to concave brackets (7) with holes (6), in rigid thermoplastics, for tensioning bars (5) and holes (6 ') for springs (M1), which brackets are externally attached to the clamp plates (2P) upper (2) and concave sleeve (3T) of the sleeve-splice (3); A stop (8) prevents the elbow support from moving along the tension bars (5). Active tensioning orthosis for upper limbs according to claim 1, characterized in that in one constructional variation the active tensioning module is formed by at least three engineered thermoplastic tensioning bars (5) with high flexibility and memory, one spring. (M2), a tension spring (M1) and a flat spring (M3). Active tensioning orthosis for upper limbs according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of tensioning bars (5) and the type of springs (M1 and / or M2 and / or M3) used are predetermined by medical advice and need for each case.