Patents Examined by Kim M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11142811
    Abstract: A sensitivity enhancement wearable having at least one aperture possessing unique attributes so that a sensitivity enhanced region of a body extends through the aperture thereby creating increased sensitivity in the sensitivity enhanced region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Lanny L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11129740
    Abstract: An orthopedic device has a rigid or semi-rigid frame element defining opposed first and second sides, and is adapted to extend about at least a portion of a limb. The device includes straps formed from a variety of segments having stretchable and substantially inelastic segments. The straps adjustably secure to the frame element, and stretch relative thereto. The device also includes a central strap pad arranged to connect two straps together such that a first strap of the two straps is movable relative to a second strap, and the first and second straps are maintained diagonal relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: OSSUR HF
    Inventor: Arni Thor Ingimundarson
  • Patent number: 11123214
    Abstract: A back-brace assistive device is provided for supporting a proper lifting posture of a user, including a back-brace assembly featuring a series of interconnected and articulating vertebrae assemblies, as well as an upper back plate assembly and a lower back plate assembly, each in connection with the series of the vertebrae assemblies. Each vertebrae assembly fits into the adjacent assembly via a ball joint, and the series of the vertebrae assemblies couples with the upper and the lower back plate assemblies via additional ball joints. At least one support component extends from the upper back plate assembly, across the series of the articulating vertebrae assemblies, to the lower back plate assembly to provide rigidity and articulation support for the vertebrae assemblies. An anchoring mechanism such as a harness attaches to the back-brace assembly to secure the back-brace assembly to the user's back. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Wilson, Van Wagner, Benjamin Topper, Joshua Rands, Parker Steen
  • Patent number: 11116864
    Abstract: A method and device are shown for use in casting for Total Contact Casting for offloading pressure in neuropathic and diabetic wounds or fractures of the appendages such as the human leg or foot. The outer casting material used can be comprised of traditional casting materials. A total foot protection pad underlies the traditional casting materials. It is a one piece moldable system that encompasses the total foot from the Achilles along the lateral and medial foot, covering the plantar surface, the malleoli and folds and extends over the dorsum. The one piece system has adhesive backing on a contact side to facilitate its application and/or forms a total foot protection pad beneath the outer hardened casting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Woundkair Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny E. Anderson, Kimberly G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11116653
    Abstract: An attachment system for an orthopedic brace incorporates at least one cinching system assembly having a knob rotatable in a first direction and a second direction. At least one cinching plate is engaged by the knob for rotation in the first direction in a first orientation and transitions to a second orientation upon rotation in the second direction. A ratchet wheel is engaged by the cinching plate in the first orientation for rotation in the first direction. At least one ratchet arm engages the ratchet wheel for ratcheting operation and is engaged by the cinching plate in the second orientation for disengagement from the ratchet arm. A shaft is rotated in response to rotation of the ratchet wheel and a strap is extendible from and retractable on the shaft upon rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: United Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Mason, Russell S. Moir, Bryan K. Bowman
  • Patent number: 11109994
    Abstract: A calf brace for the treatment of MTSS (shin splints) and other conditions of the lower leg, including the foot, includes a strap arrangement that is used to locate pressure nodes that target specific areas of a wearer's calf muscle to facilitate release of the calf muscle. In one embodiment, the straps are anchored to a sleeve that can be pulled onto the wearer's calf muscle over the foot. Targeted zones may include the point on the calf where the soleus muscle attaches to the posterior head of the fibula, the point where the soleus muscle attaches to the middle third of the tibia; and the back of the calf at approximately the junction of the Achilles tendon and the triceps surae muscle. A compressive rod may also be aligned with approximately the distal one third of the medial border of the tibia where periosteal elevation and inflammation is thought to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: William John McNamara, Rosa Marguerite Miller, Benjamin James Richard Lindsay
  • Patent number: 11083628
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems disclosed within relate to a wound dressing, suitable for use in negative pressure wound therapy, which may include a body of porous material, the body of porous material including a plurality of cuts which provide regions of flexibility within the body. Methods of manufacturing and methods of use of such wound dressings may also be disclosed herein. In addition, the wound dressing can include a retaining mechanism removably coupled to the material and configured to retain the material in the expanded conformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Greener, Allan Freedline
  • Patent number: 11083459
    Abstract: Apical wound debridement methods for wound healing provides a geometry of the wound area that enhances healing, either when using these methods alone or in combination with other wound healing grafts and medical devices. Further, the wound healing is used at a variety of locations where wounds are found, such as but not limited to the foot, ankle, leg, back, neck, arms, hands and face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Katerina Grigoropoulos
  • Patent number: 11083614
    Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis for a lower leg, ankle, and foot of a patient, the ankle-foot orthosis including: a foot plate; a calf-cuff member; and a strut member extending between the foot plate and the calf-cuff member, the strut member coupling to an arch region of a medial side of the foot plate and a posterior side of the calf-cuff member, the strut member being formed from layers of carbon fiber and at least one layer of a thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SpringStep AFO, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Howard Hassel
  • Patent number: 11076974
    Abstract: An orthotic ankle garment is integrally knit of a body yarn, and comprises at least one compression zone incorporating elastic yarns integrated with the body yarn. A lateral fabric brace strap is integrally formed with the body yarn within the compression zone, and is adapted to extend vertically on an outside of the lower leg between the open leg end of the garment and a termination point proximate a lateral malleolus of the ankle. A medial fabric brace strap is integrally formed with the body yarn within the compression zone, and is adapted to extend vertically on an inside of the lower leg between the open leg end of the garment and a termination point proximate a medial malleolus of the ankle. The lateral and medial brace straps define vertically-disposed areas of reduced fabric stretch relative to directly adjacent areas of the compression zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ING Source, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Higgins, Pamela Pearl Haig, Joe Haig
  • Patent number: 11065162
    Abstract: An amputated leg medical wrap apparatus for securing and maintaining bandages on an amputated leg stump includes a bottom pad. A pair of straps comprises a top strap and a bottom strap each coupled to a bottom outer surface of the bottom pad. A pair of top pads comprises a right top pad and a left top pad coupled to the top strap and the bottom strap. The right top pad has a first hook-and-loop fastener coupled to a top inner surface and the left top pad has a second hook-and-loop fastener coupled to a top outer surface to secure the apparatus to a user's amputated leg stump. A belt strap is coupled to the bottom outer surface of the bottom pad and has a right belt strap extension and a left belt strap extension each having a looped top end configured to receive a waist belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventors: Joe Washington, Sr., Ruie Harris
  • Patent number: 11058807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound. The apparatus can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Scott Weston
  • Patent number: 11039948
    Abstract: An ankle brace includes a semi-rigid ankle cuff and a semi-rigid foot bed coupled to the semi-rigid ankle cuff. The semi-rigid ankle cuff includes a calf-supporting portion configured to extend around a lower calf of a wearer, and medial and lateral uprights extending generally downward from respective medial and lateral sides of the calf-supporting portion. The semi-rigid foot bed includes a foot plate including a posterior medial edge, a posterior lateral edge and is contoured to underlie at least a portion of a foot of the wearer. The semi-rigid foot bed includes medial and lateral wings extending generally upward from respective posterior medial and lateral edges of the foot plate, medial and lateral bend regions respectively joining the medial and lateral wings to the foot plate. Each of the medial bend region and the lateral bend region are more flexible than the foot plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: DJO, LLC
    Inventors: Drew R. Verkade, Jeremy Nathanson, David Rodwell Walters, III
  • Patent number: 11039949
    Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and devices for reducing shoulder impingement for a person in a lying position. The device may comprise a generally tubular cuff having an inner radius defining an open passage through the cuff and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an outer radius defining a sidewall thickness between the inner radius and the outer radius, and a length from the proximal end to the distal end. The outer diameter may be selected to provide a sidewall thickness that restricts movement of the arm such that shoulder flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, lateral rotation, and medial rotation are each limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Peter T. Simonian
  • Patent number: 11033436
    Abstract: Trimmable conformable wound dressings, kits containing the same and methods of using the same. The wound dressings may protect a treatment site from microbial contamination or other disturbances while a wound heals or to enable the application and maintenance of vacuum over the treatment site. The wound dressings may include first and second sections of support layer material on opposite sides of one or more intermediate sections of support layer material. The first and second sections of support layer material meet the intermediate sections of support layer material along peel tab junctions that provide peel tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Holm, Richard L. Jacobson, James M. Sieracki, Phong V. Ha, Steven B. Heinecke
  • Patent number: 11026847
    Abstract: Systems and methods can promote wound healing, including a wound dressing having a wound-facing surface and a second surface. The wound-facing surface can be configured to contact a wound of a patient. There can also be at least one conduit having an interior lumen operably connectable to the second surface of the wound dressing, a central window configured to allow air flow from the interior lumen of the conduit to the wound-facing surface of the wound dressing, and a flexible wrap operably connectable to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Zdzislaw Harry Piotrowski, Adam E. Piotrowski, Anna A. Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 11013638
    Abstract: Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for treatment to skin, including but not limited to wound healing, the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of scars or keloids. A book-like packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device may be used to apply a dressing to a subject. The packaging, applicator and/or tensioning device may apply and/or maintain a strain in an elastic dressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Neodyne Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Jasper Jackson, John A. Zepeda, Adam C. French, Darren G. Doud, Geoffrey C. Gurtner, Brett A. Follmer, William R. Beasley, Paul Yock, Keiichiro Ichiryu, Manuel A. Cardona Pamplona, Tor C. Krog, Kemal Levi
  • Patent number: 11000419
    Abstract: A re-closable wound dressing is provided. A base layer is operable to be attached to a skin of a patient. The base layer forms a pre-fabricated aperture through which a wound of the patient is accessible. A cover layer is coupled with the base layer. The cover layer is operable to cover the pre-fabricated aperture, and is permanently adhered to the base layer along at least a portion of the cover layer. The base layer and the cover layer are made of like materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Geof Clippert
  • Patent number: 10966871
    Abstract: A vacuum bandage is provided for use with a wound having a wound surface. The bandage is connectable to a vacuum source and includes a wound dressing member having a wound contacting surface, a top surface, and a port configured for communication with the vacuum source. The wound dressing member further includes holes in the wound contacting surface configured for communication with the wound surface of the wound and a passageway between the port and each hole. The vacuum bandage further includes a pack adjacent to the top surface of the member. The pack may include an aperture positioned about the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lockwood, Robert Petrosenko
  • Patent number: 10966857
    Abstract: The present wrist brace includes an advantageous lacing configuration that provides a cast-like compression on a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand. Pulling the lacing mechanism equilibrates lace tension along the length of the wrist brace in a way that applies consistent compression to the patient's forearm and wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Medical Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Lee Gaylord