Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for an orthopedic brace having a rotatable hinge and a detent mechanism to automatically, yet releasably, lock the hinge in a fixed position of rotation. The hinge includes two rotatably attached members and the detent mechanism includes an indentation formed in the attached end of one member and a block pivotally mounted on the other member. The block has a locking projection that is biased toward the indentation and cooperates therewith to provide three positions of operation, a locked position, a release position, and an activated position. In the locked position, the locking projection fittingly engages the indentation, thereby substantially preventing rotation of the hinge. The release position displaces the locking projection a radial distance away from the indentation, thereby permitting the hinge to rotate freely.

Abstract: An adjustable shoulder brace is provided for stabilizing and immobilizing the shoulder following an injury or surgical trauma to the soft tissue thereof. The shoulder brace is mountable on the arm and torso to isolate the shoulder and is fully adjustable across the abduction, flexion and rotation ranges of motion of the shoulder to enable fixation of the shoulder in virtually any rehabilitative position. The brace is made up of a series of rigid support members secured to the body of the patient, and a plurality of selectively rotatable and lockable joints adjustably interconnecting the support members. The combined effect of the joints simulates the entire range of motion of the shoulder.

Abstract: A splint and a kit from which the splint is assembled include a plurality of components having a planar configuration for compact storage when in the kit, but having a three-dimensional configuration conforming to the desired body contours when the splint is assembled. The individual planar kit components include a rigid support member, a pad for cushioning the support member against the body, a plurality of straps for securing the support member to the body, and a pair of flexion members for fixedly retaining the flexion angle of the support member. The support member is an elongated surface having two longitudinal grooves formed therein that act as contour joints, and two slits formed therethrough perpendicular to the grooves that act as flexion joints. The joints remain fully extended and flat in the kit, but when the splint is assembled from the kit, the contour joints are flexed to impart a u-shape to the support member conforming to the desired contour of the body.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace for supporting a joint has a plurality of compliant support components, including a hinged shell of stiffened elastic material and at least one supple support strap engaging the brace at two points on opposite sides of the hinge to stabilize the weakened joint throughout its range of motion, The shell has a pair of cuffs adapted to engage the body adjacent to the joint and connected to one another across a rotatable hinge by arms integrally extending from the cuffs, The support strap is adjustable in length enabling the user to modify the support strap tension, and consequently the degree of support the brace provides to the joint.

Abstract: A system utilizable by a patient engaged in strengthening, stretching or range of motion exercise therapy of the shoulder which contains a number of interactive components combinable in any one of several different configurations to provide the patient with specific shoulder exercise devices. A first device provides shoulder exercise by moving the patient's arm in various directions against the elastic resistance of an elastomeric tube while the device is anchored to the foot of the patient or in a door jamb. A second device provides shoulder exercise by grasping opposite ends of an overhead line resting on a support guide anchored in a door jamb and pulling the opposite ends of the line back and forth across the glide. A third device provides shoulder exercise by performing various movements of the arms while grasping opposite ends of a baton assembly.

Abstract: An orthopedic ankle brace is provided having a pliant boot that surrounds the ankle joint, as well as the foot and lower leg in the region thereof. The boot may incorporate straps for applying compression to the ankle joint. Attached to the boot are a pair of adjustable tension straps vertically disposed about the ankle joint for restricting the mobility thereof. Integral with the boot are a pair of stiffening members positioned about the ankle joint to cooperate with the tension straps in the performance of their mobility restricting function. Further provided integral with the boot are retention members that isolate the malleoli from the stiffening members for the comfort of the wearer. Finally, one or more retention straps are provided to maintain the stability of the brace.

Abstract: A device is provided for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body with a nonambient temperature fluid which is circulated through a pad having a tortuous fluid pathway which is positioned on the treatment region. The device has fluid inlet and outlet lines, each having an end connected to the pad and an opposite end positioned in a reservoir containing the nonambient temperature fluid, thereby providing fluid communication between the pad and the reservoir, and enabling continuous circulation of the fluid therebetween. Fluid drive is provided by a submersible pump at the end of the fluid inlet line in the reservoir. Temperature control of the pad is enabled by an in-line valve and temperature monitor positioned in the outlet line.

Abstract: A device for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body with a nonambient temperature fluid includes a fluid feed reservoir, a fluid collection reservoir, and a fluid flowpath therebetween. The flowpath is made up of a heat transfer pad placed over the desired treatment region, an inlet line leading from the feed reservoir to the pad, and an outlet line leading from the pad to the collection reservoir. In operation, the feed reservoir is charged with a nonambient temperature fluid and maintained at a height substantially greater than the height of the collection reservoir to provide a fluid head sufficient to transport the fluid from the feed reservoir to the collection reservoir across the flowpath. In so doing, the pad provides therapeutic treatment to the region of the body that it contacts. The temperature of the pad is controlled by maintaining a height differential between the fluid levels in the feed reservoir and the collection reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid container stand is provided having an extension member supported in an upright vertical position by an underlying base. The base is constructed from a plurality of planar base members and a plurality of planar union members. The base members are radially disposed about the longitudinal axis of the stand in an upright intersecting position and provide a slot at their top ends to receive the lower end of the extension member. The union members orthogonally engage the base members at predetermined vertical intervals along the longitudinal axis of the stand to securely maintain the base members in their desired position. The stand is further provided with a hooked structure mounted on the upper end of the extension member for suspending fluid containers therefrom.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace is provided having one or more pads mounted thereon to provide secure and comfortable support for the brace when positioned against the body of a user. Each pad includes at least one pneumatic bladder, formed from a flexible skin permanently sealed to enclose a volume of gas therein. In a first embodiment, the brace has a point pad mounted thereon which is configured to conform to a surface of the body overlying a skeletal protrusion. The point pad contains a bladder having a substantially closed-loop configuration circumscribing the skeletal protrusion and having an interior opening to receive the protrusion. In a second embodiment, the brace has an areal pad mounted thereon which is configured to conform to a surface of the body overlying a curved, but relatively level, skeletal structure or soft tissue. The areal pad is a plurality of interconnected gas-inflated chambers that are maintained in fluid isolation from one another by flexible seams positioned between adjacent chambers.

Abstract: A portable rehabilitation device employing a suspension system to enable passive or active range of motion exercise of the knee or hip joint. The device has a base adapted to support the suspension system while the patient reclines to perform the respective leg exercises. The suspension system includes a linear track that retains three shuttles slidably positioned in series along the track attached to flexion, extension and leg support lines respectively. A pair of leg cuffs are connected to the leg support line and suspend the leg while isolating the knee joint. For passive suspension exercise, the leg support line is secured and the leg is suspended by only a single cuff at the ankle with the knee joint in a position of full extension. For passive motion exercise, the leg is suspended by both cuffs and the patient alternately pulls on handles attached to the flexion and extension lines causing alternate passive flexion and extension of the knee and hip joint.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace is provided which includes a pair of arms joined by a hinge about which the arms pivot relative to each other. The brace also includes pins for adjustably limiting the pivot range of the arms, members for retaining the pins in operable position during use of the brace and for retaining the pins in pivotal connection with the brace during repositioning of the pins, and a cover with a lid thereon for selectively accessing the pins and enabling repositioning of them as desired.

Abstract: A device is provided for therapeutically treating a desired region of a patient's body with a nonambient temperature fluid which is circulated through a pad having a tortuous fluid pathway which is positioned on the treatment region. The device has fluid inlet and outlet lines, each having an end connected to the pad and an opposite end positioned in a reservoir containing the nonambient temperature fluid, thereby providing fluid communication between the pad and the reservoir, and enabling continuous circulation of the fluid therebetween. Fluid drive is provided by a submersible pump at the end of the fluid inlet line in the reservoir. Temperature control of the pad is enabled by an in-line valve and temperature monitor positioned in the outlet line.