US 12,279,986 B2
Reciprocating connecting bar assembly for a clubfoot brace
Thomas M. Cook, Iowa City, IA (US); Nicole M. Grosland, Iowa City, IA (US); and Jose Morcuende, Iowa City, IA (US)
Assigned to University of Iowa Research Foundation, Iowa City, IA (US)
Filed by University of Iowa Research Foundation, Iowa City, IA (US)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/017,160.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/898,099, filed on Sep. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0069003 A1, Mar. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. A61F 5/01 (2006.01); A61F 5/14 (2022.01); A61F 5/37 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/14 (2013.01) [A61F 5/0127 (2013.01); A61F 5/3715 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for treating clubfoot in a patient comprising:
a first shoe attachment member, the first shoe attachment member configured to releasably attach to a first shoe;
a second shoe attachment member, the second shoe attachment member configured to releasably attach to a second shoe;
a first crossbar extending between the first shoe attachment member and the second shoe attachment member, defining an x-axis therebetween;
a second crossbar extending between the first shoe attachment member and the second shoe attachment member,
with the second crossbar disposed vertically below the first crossbar, defining a y-axis therebetween, and parallel to the first cross bar, each of the first crossbar and the second crossbar are planar in shape, the x-axis and the y-axis forming a plane;
a first hinge having a first pin disposed perpendicularly to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis, the first hinge configured to rotabably couple the first shoe attachment member to the first crossbar;
a second hinge having a second pin disposed perpendicularly to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis, the second hinge configured to rotabably couple the second shoe attachment member to the first crossbar;
a third hinge having a third pin disposed perpendicularly to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis, the third hinge configured to rotabably couple the first shoe attachment member to the second crossbar; and
a fourth hinge having a fourth pin disposed perpendicularly to the plane formed by the x-axis and the y-axis, the fourth hinge configured to rotabably couple the second shoe attachment member to the second crossbar,
wherein the first shoe attachment member can be displaced relative to the second shoe attachment member, only in the plane formed by the x-axis and y-axis while maintaining a constant abduction angle of the first and the second shoe during the displacement via rotation of the first and the second cross members about the first, second third and fourth pins.