ORTHOTIC LIFT APPARATUS

The KX2 Device is an assist for a person with focal limb weakness, in particular those having a foot-drop type of disability with weakness or paralysis of dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot and extension of the toes. In particular the KX2 foot drop aid is quickly and easily attached on the foot or shoe and onto the leg of the patient employing reliable, long use coil springs for the motive force.

Persons who have sustained a stroke, peripheral nerve injury, or suffer from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, generally incur certain neuromuscular pathological conditions because of damage to the nerves which innervate the muscles involved. This damage occurs centrally in the brain and/or spinal cord, or locally to peripheral nerves, such as those found in the leg, resulting in paralysis or partial paralysis in varying degrees of severity to different parts of the body. Generally, the distal joints are proportionately weaker than the more proximal joints (proximal meaning close to the midpoint of the body). Foot-drop is characterized in that a person, who otherwise has sufficient muscular control to move his foot relative to his ankle in plantar flexion (a downward push off motion), lacks sufficient muscular control to subsequently effect a dorsiflexion motion to raise the foot back up for the next step. Also usually evidenced in persons having foot-drop is the diminished capacity to move the foot in what is termed eversion, or rotating the outer part of the foot in an upward manner.

Paralysis, in any degree, of the ankle and the mid-tarsal joint (just distal to the ankle), and the resultant foot-drop, present greater problems because of the independent movement required of them in walking. Ankle motions are dorsi-flexion (up) and plantar flexion (down), and mid-tarsal joint motions are inversion (inward turning) and eversion (outside edge of the foot turned up). Paralysis or partial paralysis for any of the reasons described herein usually impairs the ankle and mid-tarsal joint such that dorsi-flexion and eversion are weaker than plantar flexion and inversion. Where a foot-drop problem is present, walking without the assistance of a brace or support will result in the front (toe) portion of the foot dragging along the ground after the leg and foot have completed the plantar flexion portion of the gait. Therefore, a need exists for a foot-assist mechanism which selectively provides dorsiflexion support for the foot by compensating for the weakened muscles while allowing the functioning flexor muscles or portions thereof to continue to contract to their fullest extent.

It is an advantage of the KX2 foot lift device that in addition to allowing full range of motion of the foot and usage of those muscles either not effected or only partially effected, that it provides a more reliable and longer use foot lift component. It is a further advantage of the foot lift device that is easily attached by the patient directly to the foot for use with a shoe or directly onto any shoe worn by the patient.

Finally, KX2 Devices intended to provide a foot-drop assist device which is lightweight, relatively inconspicuous, easy to use, and maintain. A person having a foot-drop type disability and wearing the KX2 Devices foot lift apparatus can use relatively unaffected muscles without hindrance or discomfort to their fullest extent, e.g., by extending the foot (plantar flexion), while at the same time enjoying the benefits of a convenient selectively-active assist mechanism which will help them to walk normally. The foot lift device is particularly useful to stroke victims since the muscles used to raise the foot (dorsi-flexion) and turn it outward (eversion), both of which are required in walking, are nearly always affected by those persons suffering residual paralysis as a result of a stroke or athletic injury.