Abstract: An improved ankle brace may have two relatively rigid side supports, the outer edge portion of the lower area of the side supports, adjacent to the ankle being covered with a flexible or resilient material. The flexible resilient material may be permanently secured to the side supports by bonding, mechanical interlocking, or by any other suitable arrangements. Additional resilient flexible material may be placed on the interior surface of the side supports to improve the fit and comfort of the brace around the user's lower leg. The rigid side supports may be of an open type with the resilient flexible material extending across the side supports and beyond the edges thereof. The lower area of the side supports may include a pivoting mechanism to adjustably receive heel straps. Each of the side supports may include a structural frame that surrounds but does not cover the ankle or malleolus.

Abstract: An orthopaedic brace for supporting a selected portion of the anatomy including a unitarily molded support having substantially flexible areas, substantially rigid portions for providing splinting action and a support coupling unitarily molded with the support for holding the opposed edges toward one another and for adjustably and removably securing the support onto the selected portion of the anatomy.

Abstract: A soft-goods type, custom "in situ" formable back brace for supporting a weakened or injured back and/or neck is disclosed having hardenable components which conform to the unique configuration of a patient's torso. An initially flexible rear torso component, generally extending circumferentially around the patient's back, is releasably coupled to the torso using a plurality of Velcro-type securing straps. Alternatively, an initially flexible front torso component in combination with a rear component may be releasably coupled to a patient's torso. Once properly secured, liquid, preferably water, may be introduced into each component to activate the activatable, hardenable material encapsulated therein. Each component may be further comprised of a plurality of panels or pads with elasticized, resilient material interposing adjacent panels. The panels or pads may be permanently or removably integrated into each torso component.

Abstract: A back support assembly including a bulb pump which when pumped or squeezed by the user inflates an air cushion to exert the desired pressure and fit against the user's lower back. The cushion is secured to the middle of the elastic belt, which is adapted to wrap around the user's back to position the air cushion against the middle of the user's back. Opposing adjustment straps are attached to the back of the strap. With the belt secured around the user the adjustment straps can be pulled and releasably secured to the belt and/or each other at respective positions exerting the desired force on the air cushion and against the user's back. The bulb pump is conveniently attached to and carried by one of the adjustment straps. It is secured to the rear of that strap, and has its rounded forward portion extending out through an opening in the strap, operatively accessible for inflation/deflation by the user.

Abstract: A soft-goods type, custom "in situ" formable knee brace for supporting weakened or injured knees is disclosed having formable components which conform to the unique configuration of an individual's leg surfaces. A flexible femoral component, extending circumferentially around the anterior femur, is pivotally connected with a flexible tibial component extending circumferentially around the anterior tibia. The pivoting hinge assemblies have their axes of rotation oriented along the axis of rotation of the knee joint, and may include condylar component pads. The initially flexible femoral and tibial components are secured to the leg and held in place by adjustable straps, and may be removed or adjusted by releasing or tightening the straps. The knee brace conforms to the leg surfaces through the use of a gas and liquid permeable matrix impregnated with a water-activated urethane polymer comprising, or contained within, each component.

Abstract: A lightweight and removable leg walker is provided for stabilizing and rapidly healing lower leg injuries of a patient. The injured limb is disposed in a removable inner ankle bootie whose interior is partially covered with inflatable support bladders. While the foot is secured within the booties, it is then inserted into and additionally supported by a removable soft goods-type support. The soft goods-type support is securely attached to a walker frame by a combination of strap fasteners with VELCRO attachments. Inflatable bladders are located along the inner surfaces of two strut bases and raised heel strip. A tongue portion of the soft goods-type support also includes an inflatable bladder which provides additional support to the injured limb. These inflatable bladders encourage proper circulation from the lower leg to the heart. The walker frame includes a pair of strut bases and struts in order to prevent inversion and eversion of the ankle.

Abstract: An improved ankle brace may have two relatively rigid side supports, the outer edge portion of the lower area of the side supports, adjacent to the ankle being covered with a flexible or resilient material. The flexible resilient material may be permanently secured to the side supports by bonding, mechanical interlocking, or by any other suitable arrangements. Additional resilient flexible material may be placed on the interior surface of the side supports to improve the fit and comfort of the brace around the user's lower leg. The rigid side supports may be of an open type with the resilient flexible material extending across the side supports and beyond the edges thereof.

Abstract: A soft-goods type, custom "in situ" formable back brace for supporting a weakened or injured back and/or neck is disclosed having hardenable components which conform to the unique configuration of a patient's torso. An initially flexible rear torso component, generally extending circumferentially around the patient's back, is releasably coupled to the torso using a plurality of Velcro-type securing straps. Alternatively, an initially flexible front torso component in combination with a rear component may be releasably coupled to a patient's torso. Once properly secured, liquid, preferably water, may be introduced into each component to activate the activatable, hardenable material encapsulated therein. Each component may be further comprised of a plurality of panels or pads with elasticized, resilient material interposing adjacent panels. The panels or pads may be permanently or removably integrated into each torso component.

Abstract: In an orthopedic support pad with semi-permanent relief zones, an airtight bladder is filled with a material which retains its shape when air is evacuated from the bladder during the formation process. The afflicted areas of an appendage are temporarily covered with padding and the support pad is then conformed to the wearer's particular anatomy. When the padding is subsequently removed, areas of pressure relief for the afflicted areas are maintained in the support pad.

Abstract: A pneumatic ankle brace having a pair of relatively rigid side supports with inflatable main bladders attached to their inside surfaces. The inflatable main bladders are coupled to an interconnected foot pump. Additional support and back-up bladders may be placed distally upon the main bladders to provide further cushioning and support. The foot pump is activated through normal use, such as walking or running, whereby entrapped fluid is displaced back and forth between the main bladders and the pump. This creates a pulsing action which provides a massaging compression effect which helps reduce swelling and increase venous and lymphatic return.

Abstract: Footgear is provided with an inner sole having a grid of removable resilient elements to permit removal of selected elements to provide relief to ulcerated or otherwise injured areas of the foot. An air bladder may underlie the inner sole, preferably with additional cushioning material within the air bladder. A walker with a soft goods type support may be provided with the foregoing type of inner sole within the support.

Abstract: An ankle brace is shown which is inserted into a laced shoe. The brace includes side supports with padding between the supports and ankle for immobilizing the inversion and eversion movement of the ankle. Ties or straps are used to secure the supports on either side of the ankle while the lower portion of each support is secured within the shoe by attachments to which the shoelaces may be engaged. The inventive improvement rests in the design of the attachments which are mounted in a plurality of apertures which may include a series of circular apertures or a slot having semicircular apertures along one or both edge. Each attachment includes a middle portion from which a protuberance extends for engagement with one of the apertures. The attachment may then be secured in one of the apertures by a fastener. The fastener may be formed by either deforming a lower portion of the attachment or by use of a threaded fastener, such as a screw.

Abstract: An ankle brace designed to be worn under the shoe has a first bladder which is filled with the high viscosity gel resistant to rapid deformation to apply pressure to the ankle and conform to its shape to provide support to the ankle. A second bladder inflatable with air is juxtaposed the first bladder to provide a uniform compressive force upon the bladder filled with the gel. A canvas ankle brace holds a pair of air and gel bladders along each of its sidewalls and is wrapped about the lower extremity and snugly fit thereto. Once the brace is in position, air is introduced into the second bladder to press the first bladder against the ankle and to conform to the shape thereof. Broad elastic straps may be secured to the lower rear of the brace to extend over the front of the ankle and the instep in a cruciate configuration.

Abstract: An improved, lightweight and removable leg walker is provided for stabilizing and rapidly healing lower leg injuries of a patient. The injured limb is disposed in a removable inner ankle bootie whose interior is partially covered with inflatable support bladders. While the foot is secured within the booties, it is then inserted into and additionally supported by a removable soft goods-type support. The soft goods-type support is securely attached to a walker frame by a combination of strap fasteners with Velcro attachments. Inflatable bladders are located along the inner surfaces of two strut bases and raised heel strip. A tongue portion of the soft goods-type support also includes an inflatable bladder which provides additional support to the injured limb. These inflatable bladders encourage proper circulation from the lower leg to the heart. The walker frame comprises a pair of strut bases and struts in order to prevent inversion and eversion of the ankle.

Abstract: The back support is constructed from a back brace of elastic material which carries a gel pad and an air bladder. The brace supports the pad against lower back of the user in firm engagement. The air bladder is juxtaposed and generally co-extensive with the pattern containing the gel-like material. The air bladder has three individually inflatable chambers, including left, right, and overall areas, so that the user may adjust the pressure exerted on the pad and hence the support of the lower back. The gel pad may also contain an adjustable heating element to electrically heat the gel-like material. The main portion of the back brace has two wide belt portions which extend forewardly and upwardly from the main lower back support area, and which are secured together by overlapping Velcro members at the lower stomach area; and the centerlines of these two wide belt portions may make an angle of about 30 degrees to 60 degrees with one-another.

Abstract: An adjustable wrist and hand splint employs four rigid aluminum stays for providing support for the forearm, fourth and fifth fingers and the outer portion of the hand. The aluminum stays are bendable for accommodating particular needs of the user. The splint also employs a sleeve that encompasses and provides further support for the forearm, fourth and fifth fingers and outer portion of the hand. The sleeve also provides padding between the stays and the forearm, hand and fingers. In addition, the splint includes pockets that are secured to the sleeve. The aluminum stays are housed within the pockets. Further, the splint may be readily put on or removed using a set of adjustable straps. The straps normally include "Velcro" type material that engage the mating "Velcro" type material on the surface of the sleeve. The fastening straps also help to further immobilize the wrist, fourth and fifth fingers and outer portion of the hand.

Abstract: An orthopaedic gel pad assembly includes a layer of gel, with a backing layer behind it, an apertured pad extending around the layer of gel and a thin plastic film extending over the front surface of the gel. The plastic film controls the configuration of the front face of the gel, and the gel may be recessed, or indented, and may protrude forwardly out from the apertured pad. Stiff orthopaedic supports may be provided to back up the gel pad unit.

Abstract: An ankle brace designed to be worn under the shoe has a first bladder which is filled with the high viscosity gel resistant to rapid deformation to apply pressure to the ankle and conform to its shape to provide support to the ankle. A second bladder inflatable with air is juxtaposed the first bladder to provide a uniform compressive force upon the bladder filled with the gel. A canvas ankle brace holds a pair of air and gel bladders along each of its sidewalls and is wrapped about the lower extremity and snugly fit thereto. Once the brace is in position, air is introduced into the second bladder to press the first bladder against the ankle and to conform to the shape thereof. Broad elastic straps may be secured to the lower rear of the brace to extend over the front of the ankle and the instep in a cruciate configuration.

Abstract: The back support is constructed from a back brace of elastic material which carries a gel pad and an air bladder. The brace supports the pad against lower back of the user in firm engagement. The air bladder is juxtaposed and generally co-extensive with the pattern containing the gel-like material. The air bladder has three individually inflatable chambers, including left, right, and overall areas, so that the user may adjust the pressure exerted on the pad and hence the support of the lower back. The gel pad may also contain an adjustable heating element to electrically heat the gel-like material. The main .[.portion.]. .Iadd.body member .Iaddend.of the back brace has two wide belt portions which extend forewardly and upwardly from the main lower back support area, and which are secured together by overlapping Velcro members at the lower stomach area; and the centerlines of these two wide belt portions may make an angle of about 30 degrees to 60 degrees with one-another.

Abstract: An orthopaedic gel pad assembly includes a layer of gel, with a backing layer behind it, an apertured pad extending around the layer of gel and a thin plastic film extending over the front surface of the gel. The plastic film controls the configuration of the front face of the gel, and the gel may be recessed, or indented, and may protrude forwardly out from the apertured pad. Stiff orthopaedic supports may be provided to back up the gel pad unit.