Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A supporting and orienting device for the ankle and the foot of a leg wherein the tibia carries an external osteosynthetic fixation unit, comprising a coupling member connectable to the fixation unit; an elongated variable-length carrier having a first end adjacent and a second end remote from said coupling member, said carrier being arranged to extend along the ankle of the leg wherein the tibia carries a fixation unit; a first joint having means for articulately connecting said first end with said coupling member; a brace arranged to abut the sole of the foot of a leg wherein the tibia carries a fixation unit; a link between said brace and said second end; a second joint having means for articulately connecting said second end with said link; and a third joint having means for articulately connecting said link with said brace.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A supporting and orienting device for the ankle and the foot of a leg wherein the tibia carries an external osteosynthetic fixation unit, comprising a coupling member connectable to the fixation unit; an elongated variable-length carrier having a first end adjacent and a second end remote from said coupling member, said carrier being arranged to extend along the ankle of the leg wherein the tibia carries a fixation unit; a first joint having means for articulately connecting said first end with said coupling member; a brace arranged to abut the sole of the foot of a leg wherein the tibia carries a fixation unit; a link between said brace and said second end; a second joint having means for articulately connecting said second end with said link; and a third joint having means for articulately connecting said link with said brace.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said coupling member comprises means for separably attaching said first joint to an external fixation unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said joints is a universal joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one joint is a spherical joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said joints further comprises means for releasably locking the respective connecting means in a selected position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said coupling member comprises an adapter having mutually inclined first and second leg members, and means for separably attaching one of said leg members to a fixation unit, said first joint being interposed between the other of said leg members and said first end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 6, wherein said adapter is substantially L-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said link includes means for varying the distance between said second and third joints.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said link is straight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said carrier includes means for infinitely varying the distance between said first and second ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 10, wherein said carrier includes a first section including said first end, a second section including said second end and being movable toward and away from said first end between a plurality of positions, and means for fixing said second section in a selected one of said plurality of positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said brace includes a platform and a sole-contacting cushion on said platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said coupling member comprises a pair of shells arranged to receive a portion of a fixation unit between them, and fastener means for clamping said shells against such portion of the fixation unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said brace is substantially round or oval.