1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for releasably connecting together two elements, such as two orthotic devices, or two elements of an orthotic device. More particularly, the invention relates to a quick connect apparatus that quickly and easily enables a user to attach and detach two devices or two elements of a device, such as the elements of a knee-ankle-foot orthosis.
2. Background of the Invention
Orthotic devices traditionally have been utilized to aid in supporting, guiding and limiting the range of motion of different joints in the human body, or in the case of prosthetic devices, to replace missing body joints and limbs or portions thereof. For example, if natural joints such as knees or ankles are congenitally impaired or become impaired due to disease or injury, an orthosis may be used to support the joints, and guide and limit their range of motion. Orthotic devices typically comprise one or more orthotic supporting members that support a limb or part of a limb, such as for example a foot, a leg, or a lower or upper portion of a leg. When more than one orthotic supporting member is used the members are typically connected with orthotic metal bars that may form a pivoting mechanical orthotic joint across, for example, the knee, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, spine, torso or neck of a patient. Such orthotic metal bars are typically mounted on opposite sides of the orthotic supporting members and cannot usually be detached except by an orthotist using fabrication techniques. Orthotic devices are often custom fit specifically for an individual patient, such as by contouring orthotic supporting members and orthotic metal bars to a plaster mold of a patient's anatomy. Examples of such procedures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,535, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In some cases a patient no longer needs part of their orthotic device, for instance where a patient with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis improves and requires only an ankle-foot orthosis. Alternatively, a patient with an ankle-foot orthosis may occasionally or temporarily need a knee-ankle-foot orthosis, for instance for certain physical activities. However, when orthotic metal bars are permanently or semi-permanently attached to the orthotic supporting members to create, for instance, a knee-ankle-foot orthosis, it is difficult and time consuming for the orthotist to later remove the various orthotic supporting members from the orthotic device. Because in the past they were not easily modified, patients have often required separate knee-ankle-foot and ankle-foot orthoses.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,129,689 and 6,736,567 to Dibello, both entitled Quick Connect Apparatus And Method For Orthotic And Prosthetics Devices, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference, are generally directed to a device for releasably connecting orthotic metal bars to orthotic supporting members. Each Dibello device includes two plate members attachable to different orthotic elements, and a slider plate that is movable between a first released position and a second locked position. The Dibello device also may include a stop to secure the slider plate in the locked position. While the Dibello device should theoretically be usable to allow a patient to releasably connect orthotic supporting members to his or her orthotic device, in practice the Dibello device has proven very difficult and tedious to implement and use, because it requires precise, simultaneous, three-dimensional alignment of complicated plate members. Specifically, two Dibello plate members must each be separately attached to orthosis metal bars, and then precisely aligned and connected with corresponding plate members attached to opposite sides of an orthotic supporting member. Such alignment and connection of the Dibello plate members is in practice very difficult even for a professional orthotist, due to the misalignment and dimensional variation inherent in custom fabrication, as well as normal flexing and deformation of the metal bars and polymer supporting members.
A need remains for a device and method of quickly and reliably attaching and detaching orthotic members to and from an orthotic device that can be performed easily, for instance by a patient. A need also exists for such a device and method allowing easy connection of orthotic members that is sturdy and reliable for the user of an orthotic device and will not inadvertently disconnect when the orthotic device is in use.