Abstract: A cervical thoracic orthosis includes a chest plate and a back plate for overlying a patient's chest and back, fastening means for securing in a fixed position around the patient's upper torso, an occipital support shaped to conform to the occipital region of the patient's head, an occipital support bar secured to the occipital support and fastened to the back plate a chin support shaped to conform to the chin and lower jaw region of the patient, and a chin support bar secured to the chin support and fastened to the chest plate. In one embodiment, the chin support is hinged to the chin support bar so the chin support can rotate to a desired angle at which the patient's head is held. Adjustable fasteners extending between the occipital support and the chin support are secured to hold the patient's head in the desired angular position. The occipital support bar extends vertically and is shaped to provide a rigid means of support conforming to the shape of the patient's upper cervical spine.

Abstract: Several knee stabilizing braces include an articulated knee joint support having upper and lower support arms, a first hinge bar pivoting on the upper and lower support arms and extending diagonally between them, and a second hinge bar pivoting on the upper and lower support arms and extending diagonally in an opposite direction for intersecting the first hinge bar. The two hinge bars allow relative rotation of the support arms while resisting relative forward or rearward sliding motion of each arm. Adjacent ends of the arms rotate into contact when they rotate to an upright position to stop further rotation beyond the upright position. One preventive knee brace has the upper and lower arms releasably affixed to flexible cuffs wrapped around the patient's upper and lower leg to hold the brace adjacent the knee joint.