Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An orthosis for passive or active movement of a joint of a body limb comprising: (a) spaced pairs of proximal and distal shafts for medial and lateral positioning about the proximal and distal parts of the limb at each side of the joint, cooperating proximal and distal shafts being joined at a pivot, the pivots to be juxtaposed the joint and permit pivoting of the distal shafts in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the distal part of the limb with lugs projecting outwardly away from the limb along the sides of the shaft; (b) limb holding means secured between opposite proximal and opposite distal shafts for releasably securing the orthosis to proximal and to distal parts of the limb; (c) a plurality of lever arms fixed to and extending away from portions of the proximal and distal shafts; (d) linear biasing means to be releasably secured by and extending between selected lugs or lever arms to join proximal and distal shafts, and so secured by the lugs or lever arms that they exert either flexion or extension torque about the pivots on the proximal shafts without the necessity of repositioning the securing means, the shafts, lever arms and lugs being provided with means to permit the lever arms and lugs to be adjustably secured to the shafts at various positions along the lengths of the shafts, whereby the torque exerted by the biasing means may be adjusted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
An orthosis for passive or active movement of a joint of a body limb comprising: (a) spaced pairs of proximal and distal shafts for medial and lateral positioning about the proximal and distal parts of the limb at each side of the joint, cooperating proximal and distal shafts being joined at a pivot, the pivots to be juxtaposed the joint and permit pivoting of the distal shafts in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the distal part of the limb with lugs projecting outwardly away from the limb along the sides of the shaft; (b) limb holding means secured between opposite proximal and opposite distal shafts for releasably securing the orthosis to proximal and to distal parts of the limb; (c) a plurality of lever arms fixed to and extending away from portions of the proximal and distal shafts; (d) linear biasing means to be releasably secured by and extending between selected lugs or lever arms to join proximal and distal shafts, and so secured by the lugs or lever arms that they exert either flexion or extension torque about the pivots on the proximal shafts without the necessity of repositioning the securing means, the shafts, lever arms and lugs being provided with means to permit the lever arms and lugs to be adjustably secured to the shafts at various positions along the lengths of the shafts, whereby the torque exerted by the biasing means may be adjusted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
An orthosis according to claim 1, wherein each proximal shaft is provided with an upstanding lever arm, one end of which is securable to different positions at the upper end of that shaft and a lower, downwardly extending lever arm, one end of which is securable to different positions at the lower end of the proximal shaft, and the distal shaft is provided with a further, downwardly extending lever arm, one end of which is securable to different positions at the free end of that shaft, means being provided near the free ends of these lever arms to releasably hold ends of the biasing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An orthosis according to claim 2, wherein the shafts are further provided with lugs, outwardly extending in a direction away from the limb, and adjustably securable at different positions along the shafts for receiving ends of the biasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An orthosis according to claim 1, wherein cuff and strap means are secured between opposite proximal and opposite distal shafts for releasably securing therein proximal and distal parts of the limb.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means is one or more flexible elastic tension bands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An orthosis according to claim 1, wherein stops are provided to prevent extension pivoting of the distal shafts with respect to the proximal shafts beyond a position corresponding to the normal position of full extension of the distal part of the limb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An orthosis according to claim 1, wherein each of the confronting surfaces of pair of proximal and distal shafts are contoured to conform to the profile of the adjacent parts of the limb to which the orthosis is to be fitted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An orthosis according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means remains approximately in the plane of relative movement of the proximal and distal shafts to which it is joined during operation of the orthosis.