Abstract: A knee brace with a connection mechanism that enables quick and easy secure attachment and detachment of a plastic cuff shell to struts of the brace without the need for separate fasteners and the tools required for them via the use of a novel snap connector which will connect by a simple plug in motion, and which is configured to firmly hold the connected strut and prevent it from rotating relative to the cuff shell once connected while also enabling a quick and easy tool-free disconnection of the strut for exchanging of one cuff for another. The thigh and tibia shells can be interchange without removing any screws, rivets or traditional connectors providing a modular construction with the ability to mix and match different size thigh and calf shells, making it possible for a customer to order the product in kit form, or as separate components thereby enabling easy customization.

Abstract: A hinge joint for orthopedic knee braces that enable a wearer or medical professional to quickly and efficiently adjust the lateral corrective force placed on the knee joint so as to apply the force at heel strike (full extension) when it is most needed, but will relax the loading during flexion. The hinge joint, for use in a three point pressure system of a knee brace, has a first part that is connectable to a femoral arm of a knee brace and a second part that is mounted to be able to telescope out of the first part as the leg is extended and to telescope back into the first part as the leg flexes.

Abstract: An image alignment guide for producing images for producing a knee brace has an arm carrying a focal angle tube, a mechanism for positioning the arm against the lateral side of the leg of a patient, and a mechanism for setting the level of the brace. The guide is used in method of preparing such images involving taking images with the image alignment guide against the lateral side of a patient's leg at an anterior-posterior mid-line thereof with the focal angle tube at the side of the knee and at a distance therefrom, respectively, measuring the length of the patient's leg from the patella center to a position on the leg at which a shell of a brace to be produced is to be located, measuring the crest of the tibia using a tibial contour guide and sending all images, readings and measurements obtained to a knee brace manufacturer.

Abstract: A knee brace which allows the same bolster pad to be used for either the right or left leg, is adjustable to compensate for the differing angle between men and women and allows individual adjustment for each patient's comfort and brace rotation for proper fit and joint alignment. These characteristics are obtained by a contoured bolster that is selectively mountable at various positions on either side of the shin cross piece depending on whether the brace is for the left or right leg, the bolster always being on the medial side of the shin to contact the flat section on the front of the shin thereby minimizing unwanted rotation of the brace. The bolster pad has a front face with a curvature matched to a curvature of an inner side of the cross piece and a flat on a rear side to contact the front of the shin.

Abstract: A knee brace which allows the same bolster pad to be used for either the right or left leg, is adjustable to compensate for the differing angle between men and women and allows individual adjustment for each patient's comfort and brace rotation for proper fit and joint alignment. These characteristics are obtained by a contoured bolster that is selectively mountable at various positions on either side of the shin cross piece depending on whether the brace is for the left or right leg, the bolster always being on the medial side of the shin to contact the flat section on the front of the shin thereby minimizing unwanted rotation of the brace. The bolster pad has a front face with a curvature matched to a curvature of an inner side of the cross piece and a flat on a rear side to contact the front of the shin.