Description

Brace

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a brace and, in particular, a brace for the shoulder joint.

Background Art

The use of various types of braces is known for different problems linked to human joints.

In the case of the shoulder joint, as a result of many different pathologies, the scapula may become separated from the rib cage. Said separation causes loss of the fixed point on which the humerus must operate in a lever fashion in order to perform a correct arm movement.

If, for example, the shoulder joint cannot be used even for reasons other than those which caused the above-mentioned separation, then rehabilitation of the joint, at muscular and tendon level, is made very problematic if the scapula is separated.

Indeed, for the performance of rehabilitation exercises to have a beneficial effect on muscles and tendons, the latter must be stressed correctly. If, instead, there is a scapula separation, such movements, far from bringing any benefit, cause improper stresses on the muscles and so bring no benefit or may even cause damage.

Disclosure of the Invention

In this context, the present invention has for an aim to provide a brace which is able to allow correct movements of the shoulder joint to be performed, even in the presence of a scapula separation.

The present invention also has for an aim to provide a brace, in particular for the shoulder joint, which is effective, practical to use and inexpensive to make.

The technical characteristics of the invention according to the aforementioned objects may be easily inferred from the contents of the appended claims, especially claim 1, and preferably any of the claims that depend, either directly or indirectly, on claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The advantages of the invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

- Figure 1 is a front schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the brace in accordance with the present invention, worn by a user;

- Figures 2 and 3 are respective rear schematic perspective views of the brace of Figure 1 in two of its different configurations for use; - Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the brace of the previous figures, not worn by a user, in an open configuration;

- Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a detail of the brace of the previous figures;

- Figure 6 is a front schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the brace of the previous figures;

- Figures 7, 8 and 9 are respective front schematic perspective views of three different alternative embodiments of the brace in accordance with the present invention, worn by a user;

- Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of another alternative embodiment of the brace in accordance with the present invention;

- Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a detail of the brace in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention As illustrated in Figure 1, the numeral 1 denotes as a whole a brace for the shoulder joint made in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to Figure 4, the brace comprises two bands 2, 3 made of soft fabric, whether woven or non-woven, or other similar material, each band extending principally lengthways along a predetermined direction A, B, respectively.

Each band 2, 3 respectively has a first end 2a, 3a, a second end 2b, 3b longitudinally opposite the first end 2a, 3a, and a middle zone 2c, 3c.

To form the brace 1, the two bands 2, 3 are arranged so that they cross over and lie on top of one another at the respective middle zones 2c, 3 c. For the brace 1, the two bands 2, 3 form a soft structure 4 designed to engage both of the user's shoulders, as described in more detail below.

Fixed to the first end of one of the two bands 2, 3 - the band 2, with reference to the accompanying drawings - there is a hooking section 5 with hooks of the Velcro® type, designed to facilitate stable fixing of the band 2 on the other band 3. The Velcro® type section 5 fixed on the band 2 forms a removable fastener which, for the brace 1, forms a fastening element 6 for removably connecting the soft structure 4 to the user's torso.

Advantageously, each band 2, 3 has a respective outer edge 7, which is stitched, designed to guarantee the brace 1 the greatest possible resistance to wear and the most practical use.

The area where the middle zones 2c, 3c of the two bands 2, 3 are placed on top of one another, approximately having the shape of a rhombus, has at its vertices respective triangular stitching 8, designed to stably connect the bands 2, 3 to each other. At said area where the two bands are placed on top of one another, the two bands 2, 3 form a first pocket 9 between them.

With reference to Figures 2, 3 and 5, the brace 1 comprises a removable plate 10 with predetermined thickness. The plate 10 is designed to be at least partly inserted in the first pocket 9, at least partly placed over one of the user's scapulae.

Therefore, the first pocket 9 forms a housing for the plate 10.

The plate 10 advantageously comprises an inner core formed by a substantially rigid sheet, not visible in the accompanying drawings, and a soft surface covering. On at least one of the two opposite faces of the plate 10 there is a hooking section 11 with hooks of the Velcro® type, designed to facilitate stable fixing of the plate 10 on the bands 2, 3.

As illustrated in Figure 4, at the second end 2b, 3b, each band 2, 3, splits into two strips 21, 22 and 31, 32 designed to connect to each other, in pairs, in a loop to form an opening 12 for connection to a user's shoulder.

Advantageously, also as shown in Figure 4, the two strips 21, 22 and 31, 32 of each band 2, 3 can be connected to each other by a removable fastener comprising a hooking section 13 with hooks of the Velcro® type, so as to guarantee easy adjustment of the extension of the opening 12, to adapt the latter to the specific requirements of each user.

In practice, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the user wears the brace 1 with the two openings 12 positioned at the second ends 2b, 3b of the bands 2, 3 connected

on his shoulders and with the respective two first ends 2a, 3 a fastened around his torso.

The two first ends 2a, 3 a are at least partly pulled so that they are under tension and fixed to each other by means of the section 5 with hooks of the Velcro® type.

Advantageously, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in

Figures 1 to 4, the looped openings 12 of the bands 2, 3 are adjusted according to the user's specific measurements, varying the positioning of the strips 21, 22 and

31, 32 over one another and fixing said reciprocal position using the sections 13 with hooks of the Velcro® type.

Said pulling of the two first ends 2a, 3a of the bands 2, 3 guarantees the user a lumbar support action and, thanks to the connection formed by the openings 12 connected to the user's shoulders, also a suitable pulling force on the user's back, in the directions Dl, D2 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The fact that the two bands 2, 3 are at least partly pulled so that they are under tension in the user's back area means that at least a portion of the soft structure 4 applies a predetermined pressure on the user's scapulae, said pressure constituting an action opposing any separation of the scapulae.

In other words, the pressure applied by the soft structure 4, and in particular by the portions of the bands 2, 3 close to the respective second ends 2b, 3b, contributes to keeping the scapulae in their correct position, opposing the negative action, relative to the shoulder joint, of any scapula separation.

To increase said pressure applied to the scapulae, the brace 1 comprises the above-mentioned plates 10 which thanks to their thickness can be inserted between the bands 2, 3 with the dual function of increasing the pulling action of the band 2, 3 and therefore the pressure that the band applies to the scapula, and of concentrating said pressure at the desired points, thanks to the substantially rigid structure of the inner sheet.

The plates 10 are advantageously inserted in the first pocket 9 formed by placing the two bands 2, 3 on top of one another and the plates remain in position thanks to the presence of the section 11 with hooks of the Velcro® type which engages with and grips the material of which the bands 2, 3 are made.

The above-mentioned portions of the bands 2, 3 which are opposite the scapulae, and the plates 10, form, for the brace 1, presser means 14 designed to apply a predetermined pressure to at least one of the user's scapulae.

This description referred exclusively to sections with hooks of the Velcro® type, thus assuming that the material used to make the bands 2, 3 offers sufficient

grip for said hooks. If the bands 2, 3 are made of material that is not suitable for gripping by the hooks of the Velcro® type, then sections of material, stitched if necessary, must be provided for engaging with and gripping the hooks.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate, by way of example only the application of a plate 10 respectively to the left scapula and to the right scapula of the user. Said two applications may also be made simultaneously on a user who, for example, has separation of both scapulae.

If necessary, should the need arise, two or more plates 10 may be placed on top of one another to achieve the desired pressure on the scapula. According to the alternative embodiment of the brace 1 illustrated in Figure

6, the looped opening 12 made at the end 2b, 3b of the bands 2, 3 is not adjustable, also having fixed size which cannot be modified.

In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, not illustrated, instead of two strips, the first end 2a, 3a of each band 2, 3 may comprise just one strip which, by means of a Velcro® connection, directly on the body of the band 2, 3 can fasten on the latter to form the looped opening 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the opening 12 is formed by a sleeve 2m, 3m made in an intermediate zone of the bands 2, 3 which continue to extend so that they fasten, advantageously by means of Velcro®, substantially over themselves, with their ends 2a', 3a', at the fastening means 6, on the user's stomach.

Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the brace of Figure 7 where, in place of the sleeve 2m, 3m, each band 2, 3 has, at its intermediate zone, a portion 2s, 3 s designed to wrap around the top of a user's shoulder, thus adopting a concave shape.

Advantageously, the embodiments of the brace 1 just described, and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, respectively form with the sleeves 2m, 3m and with the portions 2s, 3 s, elements for wrapping around the shoulder which allow stabilisation of the glenohumeral joint, that is to say, the joint between the humerus and the scapula.

If, in addition to or alternatively to instability of the scapula, a patient has instability of the glenohumeral joint, the brace 1 disclosed can apply an effective stabilising action on both joints.

Advantageously, the brace disclosed, in its embodiments described above, achieves the function of stabilising the scapula and the glenohumeral joint in traumatic, neurological, degenerative pathologies, and in those involving altered posture and dimorphisms, said term referring to those modifications of the normal

morphology caused by congenital or acquired alterations of osteofϊbrous structures.

The lumbar band, which is part of the shoulder brace, also performs the function of supporting the lumbar region so as to reduce lumbar lordosis and consequently to reduce dorsal hyperkyphosis.

Figure 9 shows another alternative embodiment of the braces 1 illustrated in

Figures 1 and 6. Said alternative embodiment has the bands 2, 3 extending longitudinally until they removably connect, advantageously by means of a

Velcro® connection, substantially on themselves, with their ends 2a', 3 a', at the fastening means 6, on the user's stomach.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 10 is another alternative form of the brace 1 described above. In said alternative embodiment the soft structure 4 has a central body 15 having an approximately trapezoidal shape. Connected to the bottom of the body 15 there is a lumbar band 16 having respective longitudinal ends 16a, 16b designed to removably connect to each other, advantageously by means of a Velcro® connection.

For the brace 1 the band 16 forms respective fastening means 6 for removably connecting the structure 4 to the user's torso.

At its longitudinal ends 16a, 16b the lumbar band 16 has respective second pockets 17, 18 designed to engage with the user's hands during band 16 tensioning and fastening around the user's torso.

Extending from the top of the central body 15 there are two straps 19, 20 with respective ends 19a, 20a designed to be removably connected to the lumbar band 16, at any point of the lumbar band, advantageously by means of a Velcro® connection, after being wrapped around the user's shoulders, similarly to what is illustrated in Figure 9, with reference to another embodiment. The two straps 19, 20 may or may not cross over each other.

Advantageously, the soft structure 4 of the brace 1 disclosed comprises one or more stiffening slats 21 whose main function is to locally increase, where required, the tension applied by the brace 1 to the user's body.

The slats 21 are inserted, advantageously removably, in respective third pockets 22 made in the brace 1.

Figure 10 shows a plurality of said third pockets 22 made in the central body 15 of the brace 1. Similarly to the embodiment in Figure 10, the other embodiments of the brace 1 illustrated in the previous figures may also advantageously comprise one or more third pockets 22 for respective slats 21.

Advantageously, in alternative embodiments not illustrated of the brace according to the invention, mounted on the brace there are one or more sensors designed to detect respective brace operating measurements, said term referring to parameters such as the position of the sensor in space or the tension applied to the user's body at predetermined points.

Figure 11 shows an elastic strip 23 with respective longitudinal ends 23 a,

23b designed to removably connect with different portions of the brace 1, advantageously by means of a Velcro® connection, so as to apply an elastic pulling action between said portions, as required according to the individual user's needs.

The detection of said parameters with suitable receivers and relative circuits is very useful in biomechanics and allows, for example, very precise and detailed diagnosis of a patient's state of health.

Advantageously, by using the brace disclosed, thanks to the pressing action applied to one or both scapulae, it is possible to keep the scapula in a correct position even in the presence of scapula separation.

Said situation therefore guarantees that, even in the presence of scapula separation, the movements to which the respective joint is subjected are correct.

Advantageously, the brace according to the invention is made of anallergic, elasticated fabric, designed to support portions made of Velcro®.