Abstract: An orthopedic system includes a base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof and a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell. The base shell has a proximal member and a distal member connected to the proximal member, each has a semi-rigid shell configuration to protect and support a lower leg, an ankle, or a foot of a user when received in the orthopedic system. A flexible toe portion is attached to a distal terminal end area of the distal member and formed of a different material than the distal member. The flexible toe portion is arranged to terminate above an upper surface of the user's toes and to flex relative to the distal member and the toes so as to reduce the likelihood of pressure points on the toes from the distal member.

Abstract: A cervical collar has an anterior component including a lower support that is adjustable in angle relative to a main support. The lower support is hingedly connected to the main support at first and second end portions. An elongate element engages the first and second end portions. A lock mechanism is operatively connected to the elongate element, and is arranged for locking rotation of the lower support relative to the main support, by moving the elongate element between locked and unlocked conditions. An upper support is received by the main support at least at a front section of the main support, and is arranged to be fitted against a user's chin.

Abstract: An orthopedic precast comprises a knitted shell portion and a knitted flexible portion. The precast is positioned about a limb or other mold, and heat or other hardening agent is used to harden the shell portion, while retaining flexibility in the flexible portion. Contemplated hardening agents include light, heat, and chemical polymerizing agents. In some embodiments the shell portion includes threads or yarns comprising a thermoplastic, which is then hardened by heating the thermoplastic sufficiently to at least partially melt, and thereby fuse together some of the threads or yarns, and then cooling to ambient temperature. In other embodiments, the precast is contained in a bag or other airtight container, along with a self-heating composition that is triggered to release heat upon contact with oxygen. In still other embodiments, the precast includes a prepolymer of other polymerizable composition, which is polymerized by effective application of light, heat, and/or chemical agent(s).

Abstract: An orthopedic brace features a knee orthosis including a first de-tensioning assembly and a second de-tensioning assembly. The first de-tensioning assembly includes a first elastic strap situated on a first side of the knee orthosis and the second de-tensioning assembly includes a second elastic strap situated on a second side of the knee orthosis. The first and second elastic straps are communicatively coupled to a lumbar back support brace and a lower leg brace, both separate from the knee orthosis.

Abstract: A cervical collar has a height adjustment system between upper and lower parts forming an anterior component for increasing height of the anterior component inclusive of a tracheal opening. The anterior component is arranged to permit the use of known mandibular and occipital supports in the cervical collar to maintain their functionality, comfort and fit, including their anatomical contours and connection to the height adjusted anterior component.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an orthopedic spine brace is described. The brace features a back panel; a first and second lateral frame assembly; and a chest plate attachment. The first lateral frame assembly includes a first superior frame member and a first hinge coupled to both a first end of the first superior frame member to allow for angular adjustment of the first superior frame member. The second lateral frame assembly includes a second superior frame member and a second hinge coupled to both a first end of the second superior frame member to allow for angular adjustment of the second superior frame member. The chest plate attachment includes (i) a lock attachment member for coupling to a second end of the first superior frame member and (ii) a hinged attachment member for coupling to a second end of the second superior frame member.

Abstract: Ear-fitting headphone attachment apparatus, systems that utilize the aforementioned attachment apparatus, and methods of its manufacture and use. In one aspect, an attachment apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes a coiled wire having an interference dimension. The coiled wire includes an attachment point for the attachment of a decorative item. In another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes an extruded or injection molded tube of material. A pair of wires wraps around the tube of material in opposite direction, the pair of wires residing around an outside perimeter of the tube of material and entering into the tube of material where it exits at a bottom portion of the tube of material. In yet another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes a woven textile having a crosshatch pattern associated therewith. In yet another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes thin metal strips that collectively have a crosshatch pattern associated therewith.

Abstract: A body interface comprises a panel, and a lumbar support and may be configured to attach to an exoskeleton such as a leg/hip assist mechanism. The body interface has an adjustable tension provided by either a tensioning device or by the properties of materials in the panel and the lumbar support. Tension in the body interface allows the lumbar support to comfortably and dynamically contact a user's body while the panel cooperates with the leg/hip assist mechanism. First and second arms may extend from lateral portions of the panel to define with first and second belt members a circumference around the user.

Abstract: An orthosis includes a footplate having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a longitudinal axis extending between the heel and midfoot portions. A first deflection zone is defined along a length of the footplate anterior of the heel portion and through which the footplate is arranged to flex during gait to accommodate dorsiflexion of a foot of a user positioned on the footplate. At least one strut is connected to the heel portion of the footplate and extends upwardly therefrom and a connecting portion connects the at least one strut to the heel portion.

Abstract: A cervical collar has a height adjustment system between upper and lower parts forming an anterior component for increasing height of the anterior component inclusive of a tracheal opening. The anterior component is arranged to permit the use of known mandibular and occipital supports in the cervical collar to maintain their functionality, comfort and fit, including their anatomical contours and connection to the height adjusted anterior component.

Abstract: An orthosis includes a footplate having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a longitudinal axis extending between the heel and midfoot portions. A first deflection zone is defined along a length of the footplate anterior of the heel portion and through which the footplate is arranged to flex during gait to accommodate dorsiflexion of a foot of a user positioned on the footplate. At least one strut is connected to the heel portion of the footplate and extends upwardly therefrom and a connecting portion connects the at least one strut to the heel portion.

Abstract: An orthopedic device includes a textile panel having interior and exterior surfaces, and a first stabilizer assembly including a first tubular welt sewn or knitted within and extending from an exterior surface of the textile panel. A first cable is slidably extending through the tubular welt and a strap is connected to a first end of the cable extending from a first opening of the welt, and the strap is adjustably securable over the textile panel. The orthopedic device may include various portions of stretchability and features for receiving components for the orthopedic device.

Abstract: A thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis attachment for configuring an orthopedic device as a thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis by connecting the attachment to the orthopedic device. The attachment has an anterior aspect including an anterior panel arranged to connect to an orthopedic device. An anterior thoracic extension (ATE) is securable to the anterior panel, and a support bar extends from the ATE. A strap system includes an axillary strap system and/or a shoulder strap system removably securing onto a surface of the orthopedic device, and/or the ATE.

Abstract: An orthosis includes a footplate having a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a longitudinal axis extending between the heel and midfoot portions. A first deflection zone is defined along a length of the footplate anterior of the heel portion and through which the footplate is arranged to flex during gait to accommodate dorsiflexion of a foot of a user positioned on the footplate. At least one strut is connected to the heel portion of the footplate and extends upwardly therefrom and a connecting portion connects the at least one strut to the heel portion.

Abstract: A thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis attachment for configuring an orthopedic device as a thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis by connecting the attachment to the orthopedic device. The attachment has an anterior aspect including an anterior panel arranged to connect to an orthopedic device. An anterior thoracic extension (ATE) is securable to the anterior panel, and a support bar extends from the ATE. A strap system includes an axillary strap system and/or a shoulder strap system removably securing onto a surface of the orthopedic device, and/or the ATE.

Abstract: An interface system in an exoskeleton includes a base support, a strap assembly, and posterior strut. The posterior strut has a vertical member defining a lower end connecting to the base support, and an upper end connecting to first and second transverse members extending in opposed directions from the vertical member. The first and second transverse members connect to the strap assembly. The interface system is adapted to receive and support an assistive device adapted to augment a user’s performance and mitigate repetitive strain injuries.

Abstract: An orthopedic brace features a belt brace and an adjustable spinal support extension. The belt brace includes a structural member. The adjustable spinal support extension is configured for insertion into the structural member. The adjustable spinal support extension includes a sleeve, a first strut member, and a second strut member adjustably coupled to the first strut member to alter a length of the spinal support extension. The first strut member and the second strut member are partially enclosed within the sleeve and a fastener of the structural member is attachable to a fastener on the sleeve when the adjustable spinal support extension is placed within the sleeve.

Abstract: Travel pillow apparatus, storage apparatus for the travel pillow apparatus, and methods of manufacture and use. In one embodiment, the travel pillow apparatus, includes an external covering, the external covering including upper and lower support structures; an air bladder apparatus that includes an expandable open-cell foam within an interior of the air bladder apparatus. The air bladder apparatus is further shorter in length than the external covering, such that the air bladder apparatus is not intended to be positioned towards the back of a neck of a user that is utilizing the travel pillow apparatus. A storage apparatus with a one-way expulsion valve for storage of, for example, the aforementioned travel pillow apparatus. Methods of manufacturing and using the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ear-fitting headphone attachment apparatus, systems that utilize the aforementioned attachment apparatus, and methods of its manufacture and use. In one aspect, an attachment apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes a coiled wire having an interference dimension. The coiled wire includes an attachment point for the attachment of a decorative item. In another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes an extruded or injection molded tube of material. A pair of wires wraps around the tube of material in opposite direction, the pair of wires residing around an outside perimeter of the tube of material and entering into the tube of material where it exits at a bottom portion of the tube of material. In yet another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes a woven textile having a crosshatch pattern associated therewith. In yet another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes thin metal strips that collectively have a crosshatch pattern associated therewith.

Abstract: An orthopedic device has first and second struts connected to one another by a hinge system, and includes a dynamic control system and a counterforce system. The dynamic control system includes first and second dynamic components arranged on a first side of the orthopedic device to exert first and second dynamic forces according to a flexion angle of the hinge system. A counterforce system is located on a second side of the orthopedic device to counteract the first and second dynamic forces with at least one counterforce.