WO2025018487A1 - Detachable ankle orthosis - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detachable ankle orthosis comprising: a front support portion comprising a forefoot portion supporting the forefoot; a middle support portion comprising a mid-foot portion supporting the mid-foot, an instep portion which at least partially surrounds the instep, and an ankle portion which at least partially surrounds the ankle and extends to the upper portion of the ankle; and a rear support portion comprising a heel portion supporting at least part of the heel, and a calf portion at least partially surrounding the back of the calf, wherein the front support portion and the middle support portion are detachably coupled to each other, and the middle support portion and the rear support portion are detachably coupled to each other.

Description

Detachable ankle brace

The present invention relates to an ankle brace that can be modularly assembled and detached.

When ankle drop occurs due to paralysis or stiffness of the ankle muscles caused by stroke, spinal disease, etc., an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is manufactured to fix the movement of the ankle. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1649335 discloses an ankle joint orthosis.

However, as the patient's recovery progresses, the need changes from a fixed brace (solid AFO) that fixes the entire lower extremity to a UD flex type brace (UD flex AFO) that reduces the fixation area and has a simpler form.

Previously, fixed braces were manufactured and used in the early stages of recovery, and then UD flex type braces were manufactured again as recovery progressed, resulting in unnecessary waste for both medical staff and patients.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ankle brace that can be modularly combined and separated so that it can be used as various types of ankle braces depending on the user's recovery stage.

A detachable ankle brace according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a front support portion including a forefoot portion supporting a forefoot; a middle support portion including a midfoot portion supporting a midfoot, an instep portion covering at least a portion of an instep, and an ankle portion covering at least a portion of an ankle and extending upwardly of the ankle; and a rear support portion including a heel portion supporting at least a portion of a heel and a calf portion covering at least a portion of a rear portion of a calf.

The front support member and the middle support member can be detachably coupled to each other, and the middle support member and the rear support member can be detachably coupled to each other.

In one embodiment, the detachable ankle brace further includes a fixing member that surrounds a portion of the calf from the rear to the front in a band shape, and the intermediate support member and the fixing member can be detachably coupled to each other.

In one embodiment, the front support part further includes a first fastening part at the rear of the forefoot part, the intermediate support part further includes a second fastening part at the front of the midfoot part and a third fastening part at the rear of the midfoot part, and the rear support part further includes a fourth fastening part at the front of the heel part, and the first fastening part of the front support part and the second fastening part of the intermediate support part are detachably coupled to each other, and the third fastening part of the intermediate support part and the fourth fastening part of the rear support part are detachably coupled to each other.

In one embodiment, the first to fourth fastening members may include a magnetic material.

In one embodiment, the first fastening portion of the front support and the second fastening portion of the intermediate support may include magnetic materials of opposite polarities.

In one embodiment, the third fastening portion of the intermediate support and the fourth fastening portion of the rear support may include magnetic materials of opposite polarity.

In one embodiment, the first fastening portion of the front support portion and the fourth fastening portion of the rear support portion may include protrusions.

In one embodiment, the second fastening portion and the third fastening portion of the intermediate support may each include a recessed portion that engages with the protrusions of the first fastening portion and the fourth fastening portion.

In one embodiment, the intermediate support further includes at least one cover member (not shown), and the cover member can block the open concave portion when the intermediate support is separated from at least one of the front support member and the rear support member, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the concave portion.

In one embodiment, the intermediate support further includes at least two fifth fastening portions in a portion of the ankle portion extending to an upper portion of the ankle, the fixing member includes a sixth fastening portion at both ends of the band shape, and the fifth fastening portion of the intermediate support and the sixth fastening portion of the fixing member are removably coupled to each other.

In one embodiment, the fifth fastening portion of the intermediate support and the sixth fastening portion of the rear support can be joined in a button-type manner.

In one embodiment, the fixing member, when the intermediate support member and the rear support member are in a coupled state, contacts a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the calf portion of the rear support member and can be removably coupled to the intermediate support member.

In one embodiment, the fixing member is removably coupled to the intermediate support member and contacts a portion of the calf when the intermediate support member and the rear support member are separated.

In one embodiment, the intermediate support member can be used alone as an assistive device for fixing the user's ankle when separated from both the anterior support member and the posterior support member.

In one embodiment, the detachable ankle brace further includes a fixing member that surrounds a portion of the calf from the rear to the front in a band shape, and the intermediate support member and the fixing member are detachably coupled to each other, and when the intermediate support member is separated from the front support member and the rear support member, the fixing member comes into contact with a portion of the user's calf and is detachably coupled to the fixing member, thereby reinforcing the fixing force of the intermediate support member.

In one embodiment, the forefoot portion of the front support may have a width equal to or greater than the user's toes area, so as to support the entire area of the user's toes.

In one embodiment, the heel portion of the rear support member may have an opening formed in at least a portion of the heel portion.

In one embodiment, the rear support further includes a strap in an upper region of the calf portion, the strap being capable of being fastened to secure the rear support to the user's calf.

By providing an ankle brace that can be modularly combined and separated so that it can be used as a variety of ankle braces adaptively to the user's recovery state, the inconvenience of having to manufacture and purchase individual ankle braces for each recovery stage can be avoided, and cost efficiency can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a detachable ankle brace according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms.

In order to clearly explain the embodiments of the present invention, parts that are not related to the description may be omitted. In addition, when explaining the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist or description of the present invention, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

In describing components of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used. The terms are provided for convenience of description by distinguishing one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, the nature, order, etc. of the components are not limited by the terms. In addition, it is not assumed that the components to which the terms are attached are different from each other.

Additionally, when it is described herein that a first component is “connected” or “coupled” to a second component, it may mean that the first component is directly connected or coupled to the second component, or it may mean that the first component is connected or coupled to the second component via a third component.

In this specification, the statement that a second component is formed "on" a first component may include not only cases where the second component is formed directly on the first component, but also cases where another third component is interposed between the first component and the second component. Conversely, the statement that a second component is formed "directly on" the first component may indicate that no other third component is interposed between the first component and the second component.

The division of components in this specification is only a division based on the main function of each component. In other words, two or more components may be combined into one component, or one component may be divided into two or more components with more detailed functions. In addition to its own main function, each component may additionally perform some or all of the functions of other components, and some of the main functions of each component may be exclusively performed by other components.

In this specification, “and/or” may mean each of the listed components and any combination of two or more of the listed components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a detachable ankle brace according to one embodiment.

A detachable ankle brace may include an anterior support (10), an intermediate support (20), and a posterior support (30).

The front support (10) and the middle support (20), and the middle support (20) and the rear support (30) are detachably connected and can be connected or separated from each other according to the user's needs.

The front support (10) may include a forefoot portion that supports the user's forefoot. For example, the forefoot portion may be formed in a shape (e.g., plate-shaped) that can support the forefoot. In order to improve the user's wearing comfort, the forefoot portion may also include a curved portion.

In one embodiment, the forefoot may support all of the user's toe joints. For example, the forefoot may be formed to have a width equal to or greater than the user's toe area so as to support the entire area of the user's toes.

The intermediate support (20) may include a midfoot portion that supports the user's midfoot, an instep portion that surrounds at least a portion of the instep, and an ankle portion that surrounds at least a portion of the ankle and extends to the upper portion of the ankle.

In one embodiment, the midfoot, instep and ankle may be formed integrally.

For example, the midfoot portion of the intermediate support member (20) may be formed in a plate shape to support the user's midfoot. The midfoot portion may also include a curved portion to improve the user's wearing comfort.

The instep covers a portion of the user's instep and extends from the midfoot to the ankle, and the ankle can cover a portion of the user's ankle and extend to the upper portion of the ankle. In addition, the middle support portion (20) can have openings formed in portions corresponding to the forefoot area, the heel area, and the ankle area of the user's foot so as to accommodate the user's foot.

In one embodiment, the intermediate support (20) can be coupled with the anterior support (10) and the posterior support (30) (primary coupling) at the metatarsal head line. The intermediate support (20) can be coupled with the posterior support (30) (secondary coupling) at a portion formed above the user's ankle joint in the ankle region to fix the user's ankle joint at 80 to 100 degrees, 85 to 95 degrees, or 88 to 92 degrees, or about 90 degrees.

The posterior support (30) may include a heel portion that supports at least a portion of the heel and a calf portion that surrounds at least a portion of the posterior portion of the calf. For example, the calf portion may surround a portion of the posterior and lateral portions of the calf and may extend 0.5 to 2 inches, 0.75 to 1.5 inches, 0.9 to 1.2 inches, or about 1 inch below the fibular head. Such a shape of the posterior support (30) may serve to fix the ankle joint at the angle described above (e.g., about 90 degrees) when the posterior support (30) is coupled with the intermediate support (20).

In one embodiment, the rear support (30) may include a strap (32) in the upper region of the calf. The strap (32) may be used as a means to assist in the fastening means to the intermediate support (20) of the rear support (30) to be described later, and may be fastened to secure the rear support (30) to the user's calf.

For example, the heel portion of the rear support member (30) may be formed without an opening, or an opening may be formed in a portion of the heel.

In one embodiment, the detachable ankle brace may further include a fixation member (40). For example, the fixation member (40) may be formed in a band shape and may be configured to surround a portion of the calf from the rear toward the front.

The fixing member (40) can be detachably connected to the intermediate support member (20). The fixing member (40) can provide the user with the fixing force required by the user in a manner adaptive to the usage of the ankle brace, which can be connected and separated in a modular manner in various ways.

Below, the detachable connection relationship of the front support member, the middle support member (20), the rear support member (30), and the fixed member (40) will be examined.

The front support (10) may include a first fastening portion (11) at the rear of the forefoot. The middle support (20) may include a second fastening portion (21) at the front of the midfoot and a third fastening portion (22) at the rear of the midfoot. The rear support (30) may include a fourth fastening portion (31) at the front of the heel.

The first fastening part (11) of the front support part (10) and the second fastening part (21) of the middle support part (20) can be detachably coupled to each other. The third fastening part (22) of the middle support part (20) and the fourth fastening part (31) of the rear support part (30) can be detachably coupled to each other.

The connection of the first and second fastening parts (21) and the connection of the third and fourth fastening parts (31) need only be in a detachable manner and are not limited to a specific method.

In one embodiment, the joining of the first and second fasteners (21) and the joining of the third and fourth fasteners (31) can be performed via a magnetic material.

For example, the first to fourth fastening portions (31) may include magnetic materials, but the first fastening portion (11) of the front support portion (10) and the second fastening portion (21) of the intermediate support portion (20) may include magnetic materials having opposite polarities. The third fastening portion (22) of the intermediate support portion (20) and the fourth fastening portion (31) of the rear support portion (30) may include magnetic materials having opposite polarities. Accordingly, the coupling of the front support portion (10) and the intermediate support portion (20), and the coupling of the intermediate support portion (20) and the rear support portion (30) can be fastened and separated.

For a more specific example, if the first fastening portion (11) of the front support portion (10) includes a N-polar material, the second fastening portion (21) of the intermediate support portion (20) includes a S-polar material, so that magnetic coupling can be established between the first and second fastening portions (21). Conversely, if the first fastening portion (11) of the front support portion (10) includes a S-polar material, the second fastening portion (21) of the intermediate support portion (20) includes a N-polar material, so that magnetic coupling can be provided. The coupling between the third fastening portion (22) of the intermediate support portion (20) and the fourth fastening portion (31) of the rear support portion (30) can also be performed in the same manner.

By using a magnetic material, for example, a magnet, in the joint, sufficient joint strength can be provided when the front support (10), the middle support (20), and the rear support (30) are joined, while at the same time providing convenience of separation when separation between the respective support parts is required according to the user's needs.

In one embodiment, the first to fourth fasteners (31) can perform physical fit-fitting coupling in addition to magnetic coupling.

For example, the first fastening portion (11) of the front support portion (10) and the fourth fastening portion (31) of the rear support portion (30) may include protrusions. The second fastening portion (21) of the intermediate support portion (20) may include a concave portion that engages with the protrusion of the first fastening portion (11) as a coupling target, and the third fastening portion (22) of the intermediate support portion (20) may include a concave portion that engages with the protrusion of the fourth fastening portion (31) as a coupling target.

A detachable connection can be provided by fitting the protrusion of the first fastening portion (11) of the front support portion (10) into the concave portion of the second fastening portion (21) of the intermediate support portion (20), and fitting the protrusion of the fourth fastening portion (31) of the rear support portion (30) into the concave portion of the third fastening portion (22) of the intermediate support portion (20). By providing a fitting connection in addition to the magnetic connection, the stability of the connection can be further improved.

In one embodiment, the intermediate support (20) may include at least one cover member. The cover member blocks the open recessed portion when the intermediate support (20) is separated from at least one of the front support (10) and the rear support (30), thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the recessed portion.

For example, the cover member may be formed of plastic, rubber, metal, etc., and may have a shape that can be inserted into the concave portion. However, the shape and material of the cover member are not limited, and the cover member may be formed of various shapes and materials that can avoid opening of the concave portion.

Below, the detachable connection relationship between the intermediate support (20) and the fixed member (40) will be examined in detail.

The intermediate support member (20) may include at least two fifth fastening members (23) in a portion of the ankle portion extending to the upper portion of the ankle. The fixing member (40) may include sixth fastening members (41) at both ends of the band shape. The fifth fastening member (23) of the intermediate support member (20) and the sixth fastening member (41) of the fixing member (40) may be removably coupled to each other.

In one embodiment, the fifth fastening portion (23) of the intermediate support (20) and the sixth fastening portion (41) of the fixing member (40) can be joined in a button-like manner. That is, when the fifth fastening portion (23) of the intermediate support (20) and the sixth fastening portion (41) of the fixing member (40) are joined, the button is in a raised state, and by pressing the button downward, the fastening between the fifth fastening portion (23) of the intermediate support (20) and the sixth fastening portion (41) of the fixing member (40) can be separated.

The fixed member (40) can be used both when the middle support member (20) and the rear support member (30) are combined and when they are separated.

When the intermediate support (20) and the rear support (30) are combined, that is, when the third fastening part (22) of the intermediate support (20) and the fourth fastening part (31) of the rear support (30) are combined (first combination of the rear support (30)), the fixing member (40) can be combined to the intermediate support (20) in a manner that wraps around the outer side of the rear support (30).

For example, the fixing member (40) may be removably coupled to the intermediate support member (20) while coming into contact with a portion of the outer surface of the calf portion of the rear support member (30). Accordingly, the fixing member provides a secondary coupling of the rear support member (30) to the intermediate support member (20). Since the primary coupling is provided at the level of the sole, and the secondary coupling is provided at the level above the ankle, the fixing force of the rear support member (30) can be further enhanced.

Meanwhile, when the intermediate support (20) and the rear support (30) are separated, the fixing member (40) comes into contact with a portion of the user's calf and can be detachably coupled to the intermediate support (20). The fixing member (40) coming into contact with the user's calf and being coupled to the intermediate support (20) is applicable to both cases where the intermediate support (20) is used alone and/or where the intermediate support (20) is used in combination with the front support (10). In particular, depending on the user's recovery stage, the intermediate support (20) can be used alone in a state separated from not only the rear support (30) but also the front support (10), and the fixing member (40) can act as a means for fixing the intermediate support (20) to the user's ankle.

As described above, the fixing member (40) may be fastened to the intermediate support member (20) in a state of direct contact with the user's calf, or may be fastened to the intermediate support member (20) in a state of contacting the outside of the rear support member (30). Therefore, in order to provide an adaptive fixing force in each case, the belt-shaped fixing member (40) may have a length adjustment means. Alternatively, the fixing member (40) may be formed of an elastic material.

Below, examples of combining or separating the previously discussed fasteners to form a front support (10), an intermediate support (20), and a rear support (30) in various combinations according to the user's needs will be examined in detail.

<Example 1: Front support + middle support + rear support>

According to the first embodiment, the front support (10), the middle support (20), and the rear support (30) can all be used in a combined state. In order to further strengthen the ankle fixation force, a fixation member (40) can be optionally combined with the middle support (20).

When the front support (10), the middle support (20), and the rear support (30) are all combined, not only can the user's ankle joint be fixed as a whole, but even the toe joints can be fixed, that is, the joint contracture phenomenon caused by continuous sagging from the ankle to the toes can be prevented.

The first embodiment, in which the front support (10), the middle support (20), and the rear support (30) are all used in combination, can provide a function as a conventional 'solid AFO'. For example, it can be suitable for a patient in the bed ridden stage. Compared to other embodiments, the ankle stability is the highest, but the mobility is the lowest.

<Example 2: Middle support + rear support>

According to the second embodiment, the front support (10) can be used in a separated state, and the middle support (20) and the rear support (30) can be used in a combined state. In order to further strengthen the ankle fixation force, a fixation member (40) can be optionally coupled to the middle support (20).

The second embodiment can fix the ankle joint at the angle described above (for example, about 90 degrees) so that plantar flex does not occur. Also, doris flex can hardly occur or can occur only slightly. However, since the support for the toe joint is removed compared to the first embodiment, the fixation is intermediate and the mobility is also intermediate.

Meanwhile, compared to a conventional ankle orthosis (AFO), since an intermediate support member (20) is additionally attached, it can provide higher fixation than a conventional ankle orthosis.

For example, the second embodiment can assist in walking by fixing the feet so that they do not drag when the paralysis is severe (initial gait stage).

<Example 3: Intermediate support>

According to the third embodiment, both the front support (10) and the rear support are separated, and only the middle support (20) can be used alone. By attaching the fixing member (40) to the middle support (20), a fixing force for the ankle can be provided.

In the third embodiment, the fixing force is more relaxed than in the second embodiment, so that movement on the instep side becomes smoother and movement on the sole side is relaxed, although limited.

Compared to the first and second embodiments, the ankle fixation is the lowest and the mobility is the highest. Therefore, in a range not assisted by the intermediate support (20), the user must actively adjust the ankle fixation and mobility. Accordingly, the third embodiment can provide assistance in a simple form by reducing the assistance for foot dragging appropriate to the user's recovery state in a stage where walking is possible and the degree of paralysis is not severe (gait stage of the middle or higher).

If we simply compare the first to third embodiments discussed above, the fixation of the ankle has the relationship of first embodiment > second embodiment > third embodiment, and the mobility of the ankle has the relationship of third embodiment > second embodiment > first embodiment.

In this way, the detachable ankle brace according to various embodiments can avoid the inconvenience of having to manufacture and purchase each ankle brace for each recovery stage by providing various types of ankle braces suitable for the user's recovery state, and can provide cost efficiency. In addition, it can be used universally for various disease groups, and can be used continuously from the early stage of diagnosis to the later stage. In addition, through magnetic coupling and button-type coupling, it can provide both strong coupling strength and convenience of separation.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be manufactured in various different forms, and a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Front support 11: First fastening part

20: Middle support 21: Second fastening part

22: Third fastening section 23: Fifth fastening section

30: Rear support 31: 4th fastening part

32: Strap 40: Fixed member

41: 6th concluding section

Claims (18)

An anterior support including a forefoot portion supporting the forefoot; An intermediate support portion including a midfoot portion supporting the midfoot, an instep portion covering at least a portion of the instep, and an ankle portion covering at least a portion of the ankle and extending to the upper portion of the ankle; and A rear support portion comprising a heel portion supporting at least a portion of the heel and a calf portion wrapping at least a portion of the rear of the calf, The above front support and the above middle support are detachably connected to each other, A detachable ankle brace in which the above intermediate support member and the above rear support member are detachably connected to each other. In the first paragraph, It further includes a fixed member that surrounds a portion of the calf from the rear to the front in a belt shape, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the intermediate support member and the fixing member are detachably connected to each other. In the first paragraph, The above front support portion further includes a first fastening portion at the rear of the forefoot portion, The above intermediate support portion further includes a second fastening portion at the front of the midfoot portion and a third fastening portion at the rear of the midfoot portion, The above rear support part further includes a fourth fastening part in front of the heel part, The first fastening part of the above front support part and the second fastening part of the above intermediate support part are detachably connected to each other, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the third fastening portion of the above intermediate support portion and the fourth fastening portion of the above rear support portion are detachably connected to each other. In the third paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the first to fourth fastening parts include a magnetic material. In the fourth paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the first fastening portion of the front support portion and the second fastening portion of the intermediate support portion include magnetic materials of opposite polarities. In the fourth paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the third fastening portion of the intermediate support portion and the fourth fastening portion of the rear support portion include magnetic materials of opposite polarities. In the fourth paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the first fastening portion of the front support portion and the fourth fastening portion of the rear support portion include protrusions. In Article 7, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the second fastening portion and the third fastening portion of the intermediate support portion each include a concave portion that engages with the protrusions of the first fastening portion and the fourth fastening portion. In Article 8, The above intermediate support further comprises at least one cover member, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the cover member blocks the open concave portion when the intermediate support portion is separated from at least one of the front support portion and the rear support portion, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the concave portion. In the second paragraph, The above intermediate support further comprises at least two fifth fastening members in a portion of the ankle portion extending to the upper portion of the ankle, The above fixed member includes a sixth fastening member at both ends of the belt shape, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the fifth fastening portion of the intermediate support portion and the sixth fastening portion of the fixing member are detachably connected to each other. In Article 10, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the fifth fastening portion of the above-mentioned intermediate support portion and the sixth fastening portion of the above-mentioned rear support portion are joined by a button type. In the second paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the above-mentioned fixing member, when the intermediate support member and the rear support member are in a combined state, comes into contact with a portion of the outer surface of the calf part of the rear support member and is detachably coupled to the intermediate support member. In the second paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the fixing member, when the intermediate support and the rear support are in a separated state, comes into contact with a portion of the calf and is detachably connected to the intermediate support. In the first paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the intermediate support member can be used alone as an auxiliary device for fixing the user's ankle when separated from both the front support member and the rear support member. In Article 14, It further includes a fixed member that surrounds a portion of the calf from the rear to the front in a belt shape, The above intermediate support member and the above fixing member are detachably connected to each other, A detachable ankle brace, wherein when the intermediate support is separated from the front support and the rear support, the fixing member is in contact with a portion of the user's calf and is detachably coupled to the fixing member, thereby reinforcing the fixing force of the intermediate support. In the first paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the forefoot portion of the front support member has a width equal to or greater than the user's toe area so as to support the entire area of the user's toes. In the first paragraph, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the heel portion of the rear support member has an opening formed in at least a portion of the heel portion. In the first paragraph, The above rear support further includes a strap in the upper area of the calf, A detachable ankle brace, wherein the strap is fastened to secure the rear support member to the user's calf.

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