Adjustable orthotic brace

Abstract

An Orthotic brace is adjustable in response to a sensed brace parameter or a treatment regimen to optimize the attachment of the brace to a limb and alter the support provided to the muscles and ligaments of the joint.

1 . An adjustable Orthotic bracing system comprising: 
 (a) a bracing element including a first lever hinged to a second lever;    (b) an attaching element restraining said bracing element to a limb;    (c) a loading transducer altering at least one of said bracing element and said attaching element in response to a fist signal;    (d) a program for a data processing device including a program instruction; and    (e) a data processing device outputting said first signal to said loading transducer in response to said program instruction.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said loading transducer altering at least one of said bracing element and said attaching element in response to a first signal comprises a transducer arranged for substantially rotating said first lever and said hinged second lever of said bracing element.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said transducer comprises a pneumatic actuator connected to said first and said second levers.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein a rate of actuation of said pneumatic actuator is responsive to said first signal.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said transducer comprises a hydraulic actuator connected to said first and said second levers.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein a rate of actuation of said hydraulic actuator is responsive to said first signal.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said transducer comprises a motor having an output alterable in response to said first signal.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said transducer includes a rheological fluid having a flow characteristic responsive to said first signal.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said transducer comprises a polymer-metal composite element connected to said first and said second levers.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said transducer comprises a polymer-metal composite element having an electrical characteristic responsive to a change in a dimension, said polymer-metal composite element being connected to said first and said second levers such that relative rotation of said first and said second levers will change said dimension.  
   
   
       11 . A method of supporting a joint of a limb comprising the steps of 
 (a) binding a first lever to a first element of said limb;    (b) binding a second lever to a second element of said limb, said second element of said limb being connected to said first element by said joint and said second lever being joined to said first lever by a hinge proximal said joint, said hinge facilitating substantially relative rotation of said first and said second levers while substantially resisting other relative motion of said levers; and    (c) altering at least one of a force and a displacement of at least one of said first lever, said second lever, and said binding of at least one for said first and said second levers in response to at least one of a treatment regimen and a sensed characteristic of at least one of said first and said second levers and said binding.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of altering at least one of a force and a displacement of at least one of said first lever, said second lever, and said binding for at least one of said first and said second levers in response to at least one of a treatment regimen and a sensed characteristic of at least one of said first and said second levers and said binding comprises the step of varying a length said binding in response to sensing a tension of said binding.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of altering at least one of a force and a displacement of at least one of said first lever, said second lever, and said binding for at least one of said first and said second levers in response to at least one of a treatment regimen and a sensed characteristic of at least one of said first and said second levers and said binding comprises the step of varying a resistance to said relative rotation of said levers according to a relationship of said resistance and a sensed rotational position.