Active Mobilization Shoulder Brace

Many types of shoulder injuries can be treated by positioning the arm in abduction (elevated sideways) and external rotation (twisting the arm outwards). This results in an extremely uncomfortable position for the patient and it is difficult for this position to be maintained. Furthermore, the inwardly rotated position of the shoulder when the arm is held in a sling for between three and six weeks is actually counterproductive to the healing of the lesions associated with anterior shoulder dislocations.

Although devices for maintaining the shoulder in a more anatomical position of external rotation and abduction do exist, these have a number of significant drawbacks. All of them fix the arm in a position, which, in the case of fixed external rotation, means that everyday tasks can become extremely cumbersome because the user’s affected arm continuously protrudes from the side of the body. Consequently there often is a lack of compliance by the user who chooses not to wear the brace.

Furthermore, existing braces fix the arm more or less rigidly in a given position and increase the risk of the affected joints becoming stiff during treatment. Researchers have developed a device which restrains the joint in an optimal therapeutic orientation yet allows movement within a prescribed range. The shoulder brace allows all arm movements, except those that are counterproductive, i.e. it inhibits adduction (positioning the arm right beside the body) and internal rotation (rotating the arm so that the hand moves towards the centre of the body). It does this by means of a novel arrangement of splints, strapping and braces that can be produced as a single device. The patient is then able to move the arm, patient compliance is maintained and the treatment is more effective.

A device that allows movement whilst inhibiting 'dangerous' shoulder/arm positions is unique. No other device achieves this. All existing braces fix the arm rigidly, increasing the risk of the joint stiffening during rehabilitation, making everyday tasks cumbersome to perform due to lack of movement and causing patient non-compliance.

Patent Status
A patent application has been filed and has been granted in Europe and is pending in the US and other territories.

Case 2519

Type of Offer: Licensing



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