Electrical stimulation for orthopedic devices

Abstract

An orthopedic device includes a brace support having at least one strap for providing corrective orientation of a joint and unloading of the joint, and an electrical stimulation system for providing an electrical signal to a user's musculature at or proximate to the joint. The electrical stimulation system provides at least one electrical pulse to the musculature in supplement to the corrective orientation of the joint to induce contraction of the musculature. The electrical stimulation system may include at least one electrode for generating the electrical pulse, and a sensor module for determining movement and orientation of a user's limb for selectively activating the at least one electrode according to predefined criteria and feedback from the sensor module.

1 . An orthopedic device comprising:
 a brace support for a joint, the brace support comprising at least one strap providing corrective orientation of the joint; and   an electrical stimulation system connected to the brace support and comprising at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to muscle groups, a sensor module configured to detect positions of the joint, and a control unit connected to the at least one electrode and the sensor module, and configured to provide a signal to activate the at least one electrode;   wherein the electrical stimulation system is configured to provide biofeedback to the muscle groups at the positions of the joint in cooperation with the corrective orientation of the joint provided by the at least one strap.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a garment arranged to be worn with the brace support and the electrical stimulation system. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , wherein the garment is a sleeve arranged to be worn between the brace support and anatomy of a user. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic device of  claim 3 , wherein the garment extends beyond a portion of the anatomy of the user corresponding to the brace support, and covers additional areas of the anatomy of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one electrode is connected to the garment and stimulates additional muscle groups corresponding to the additional areas of the anatomy of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a processor connected to the sensor module and is configured to calculate movement of the joint and direct the at least one electrode to electrically stimulate the muscle groups according to the positions of the joint, and in cooperation with the corrective orientation provided by the at least one force strap. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is mounted on the at least one strap. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one pad or distancing element is connected to the brace support, and the electrical stimulation system is incorporated in the at least one pad or distancing element. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic device of  claim 6 , wherein the processor comprises a menu comprising a plurality of levels of electrical stimulation corresponding to at least one movement pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation system comprises at least one sequence corresponding to a severity of osteoarthritis and activating the at least one electrode according to the severity of the osteoarthritis. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation system is configured to strengthen and prevent muscular atrophy of the muscle groups by providing neuromuscular electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation system is further configured to stimulate the muscle groups to improve blood circulation and/or relax muscle spasms. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation system provides dynamic electrical stimulation based on activity of the muscle groups and positions of the joint during stages of a gait. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the brace support is a knee brace and the at least one electrode is arranged over a gluteus medius of a user. 
     
     
         15 . An orthopedic device comprising:
 a brace support for a joint, the brace support comprising a frame having hingedly connected proximal and distal portions, and at least one strap attached to the hingedly connected proximal and distal portions, the at least one strap configured for providing corrective orientation of the joint;   a garment arranged to be worn with the brace support; and   an electrical stimulation system attached to the garment and comprising at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to muscle groups, a sensor module configured to detect positions of the joint, and a control unit connected to the at least one electrode and the sensor module, and configured to provide a signal to activate the at least one electrode;   wherein the electrical stimulation system is configured to provide dynamic biofeedback to a user to use the muscle groups at the positions of the joint in cooperation with the corrective orientation of the joint provided by the at least one strap.   
     
     
         16 . The orthopedic device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one electrode is one of a matrix of electrodes configured to provide stimulation to the muscle groups throughout various stages of a range of motion of the joint. 
     
     
         17 . The orthopedic device of  claim 15 , wherein sensor module comprises a plurality of sensors comprising at least one accelerometer configured for identifying specific motion events of the joint. 
     
     
         18 . The orthopedic device of  claim 15 , wherein the garment is worn between an anatomy of a user and the brace support. 
     
     
         19 . The orthopedic device of  claim 15 , wherein the control unit is configured to allow a user to select different levels of electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         20 . An orthopedic device comprising:
 a brace support for a joint, the brace support comprising a frame having hingedly connected proximal and distal portions, and at least one strap attached to the hingedly connected proximal and distal portions and extending therebetween, the at least one strap providing corrective orientation of the joint;   a garment arranged to be worn with the brace support; and   an electrical stimulation system attached to the garment and comprising at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to muscle groups, a sensor module configured to detect positions of the joint, and a control unit comprising a processor, the control unit connected to the at least one electrode and the sensor module, and configured to provide a signal to activate the at least one electrode;   wherein the electrical stimulation system is configured to provide dynamic biofeedback to the muscle groups at the positions of the joint in cooperation with the corrective orientation of the joint provided by the at least one strap.