Patent US5277698A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5277698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Knee bracing method
Assignee: Ossur hf
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Filing: 1992-08-24
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Granted: 1994-01-11
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Expires: 2012-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of reducing the effect of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of a knee. A force is applied to the knee on that side of the knee remote from the compartment having osteoarthritis as the knee moves to extension. Preferably, the force is applied at a point about 10° to 15° posterior of the normal axis of rotation of the knee.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean A. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of reducing the effect of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of a knee of a leg that comprises applying a brace around and against the knee such that the principal force generated by the brace on that side of the knee remote from the compartment having osteoarthritis as the knee moves to extension is applied on that side at a point about 10 ° to 15 ° posterior of the normal axis of rotation of the knee.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of reducing the effect of unicompartmental osteoarthritis of a knee of a leg that comprises applying a brace around and against the knee such that the principal force generated by the brace on that side of the knee remote from the compartment having osteoarthritis as the knee moves to extension is applied on that side at a point about 10 ° to 15 ° posterior of the normal axis of rotation of the knee.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said principal force is applied by a brace that includes a hinge having first and second rigid limbs extending from it and a cross strap having first and second ends and being tightenable across the knee to urge the knee towards the hinge on extension of the knee.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the brace includes upper and lower cuffs to be located one above and one below the knee with the hinge joining the cuffs on that side of the knee adjacent the compartment with osteoarthritis; the cross strap being anchored to one cuff to extend around the knee, remote from the hinge, then back to a fastening point on the second cuff; whereby extension of the leg acts to tighten the cross strap to apply a force against the knee and flexion of the leg acts to loosen the cross strap about the knee.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the brace includes a hinge mechanism comprising part spherical bodies formed one at an end of each limb; a connector piece comprising a pair of part spherical bodies, one to be received in each part spherical body of the limbs; openings formed in the part spherical bodies of the limbs; threaded openings formed in the connector piece; threaded members to extend through the hinge spherical members to engage in the connector piece; the spherical arrangements allowing control of movement of the knee and the openings guiding and restricting the amount of movement available.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the hinge includes an elastic member extending from an anchor point on the connector piece to an anchor point on the lower cuff member whereby the brace is urged from the flexed to the extended position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the brace is applied such that the point at which the principal force is applied and the normal axis of rotation of the knee define a plane that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the femur of the leg when the leg is extended.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 including coupling the first end of the strap to the first rigid limb, coupling the second end of the strap to the second rigid limb, spirally wrapping the cross strap around the knee, and applying the principal force to said point through the cross strap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |