Abstract: An orthopedic knee brace which includes a pump, the orthopedic knee brace also including a thigh cuff and a pair of inflatable air pillows interposed between the thigh cuff and the thigh of the wearer to prevent slippage. The pillows are mounted on the thigh cuff in positions located on the opposite side of the femur of the wearer within the medial femoral hollows in position to engage the femoral condyles. The pump is mounted on the thigh cuff, and it serves to inflate and deflate the air pillows. The pump includes a hollow housing, together with a release valve mounted at an accessible position on the housing to permit the air pillows to be conveniently deflated when desired.

Abstract: A polycentric variable axis hinge for use in an orthopedic knee brace to provide a mechanical joint between the femoral and tibial cuffs of the brace. The hinge includes a femoral stem which is attached to the femoral cuff and which extends downwardly from the femoral cuff, and it also includes a tibial stem attached to the tibial cuff which extends upwardly from the tibial cuff. The ends of the two stems overlap one another to provide a joint. The action is such that angular movement of the stems relative to one another causes them to slide and rotate relative to one another to replicate the actual movement of the knee joint of the user as the leg is bent and straightened. The femoral and tibial stems have a 30 degree angulated shape so as to displace the joint of the hinge two-thirds of the distance from the patella to the rear of the knee to cause the hinge precisely to simulate the anatomical femoral arc in the human knee.