Importance

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Abstract

An adjustable orthosis for stretching tissue by moving a joint between first and second relatively pivotable body portions includes a first arm with a cuff at its outer end for releasably attaching the first arm to the first body portion, and a second arm with a cuff at its outer end for releasably attaching the second arm to the second body portion. The arms are pivotally connected at their inner ends. An actuator is connected to the arms for applying force to the arms to pivot them relative to each other to move the Joint. The actuator includes flexible force transmitting element connected with at least one of the arms, and a drive assembly for applying force to the flexible force transmitting means to move the first and second arms relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible force transmitting element is a rope or cable and the drive assembly is a manually actuatable winch for winding the rope or cable. The drive assembly located at a distance from the pivotal connection of the first and second arms. The orthosis is adjustable while on the limb to a plurality of different positions including at least a first position in which the Joint is flexed to a relatively greater degree and a second position in which the joint is extended to a relatively greater degree. The orthosis can also be used to flex.

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First Claim