Patents by Inventor Gary R. Bledsoe

Gary R. Bledsoe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9402763
    Abstract: A cold therapy system includes (i) a cooling bath structured to chill and hold chilled water; (ii) a pump positioned and arranged to pump the chilled water; (iii) a to-pad line positioned and arranged to hold chilled water pumped by the pump from the cooling bath; (iv) a from-pad line positioned and arranged to hold water returning to the cooling bath; and (v) a therapy pad in fluid communication with the to- and from-pad lines, the therapy pad including a patient-contacting chamber that is in heat exchange communication with a chilled-water chamber residing outside of the patient-contacting chamber when the therapy pad is donned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Breg, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 9132026
    Abstract: An orthopedic apparatus includes an orthopedic knee brace including at least one hinge, an adjustable pad removably attachable to the hinge, the adjustable pad including a top plate, a base plate, an adjuster located between the top plate and the base plate, at least one ramp including a plurality of ramp angles, the ramp inclined so that at least two of the ramp angles are spaced differently from a foot of the ramp, and at least one spoke positioned and arranged to selectively engage one of the ramp angles of the at least one ramp to set an overall height of the pad, and wherein the adjustable pad is installable on the brace hinge for adjusting the side force applied to the user's knee to help relieve the pain of medial or lateral unicompartmental osteoarthritis while providing additional stability for ligament or cartilage insufficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Breg, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, James Leo Dillion
  • Publication number: 20140074198
    Abstract: A cold therapy system includes (i) a cooling bath structured to chill and hold chilled water; (ii) a pump positioned and arranged to pump the chilled water; (iii) a to-pad line positioned and arranged to hold chilled water pumped by the pump from the cooling bath; (iv) a from-pad line positioned and arranged to hold water returning to the cooling bath; and (v) a therapy pad in fluid communication with the to- and from-pad lines, the therapy pad including a patient-contacting chamber that is in heat exchange communication with a chilled-water chamber residing outside of the patient-contacting chamber when the therapy pad is donned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 8613762
    Abstract: A cold therapy system includes a cooling bath; a therapy pad; a heat exchanger; a first pathway fluidly connecting the cooling bath to the heat exchanger; a second pathway fluidly connecting the heat exchanger to an inlet of the therapy pad; a third pathway fluidly connecting an outlet of the therapy pad to the heat exchanger; and a fourth pathway fluidly connecting an outlet of the heat exchanger to the cooling bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Medical Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 8328742
    Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic back brace includes: a first side panel having a distal end and a proximal end; a second side panel having a distal end and a proximal end; a rotating gear in geared communication with a first rack gear, the first rack gear connected to the proximal end of the first side panel, the rotating gear in geared communication with a second rack gear, the second rack gear connected to the proximal end of the second side panel; a mechanical advantage member rotatable with and providing mechanical advantage for the rotating gear; and an actuator connected operably to the mechanical advantage member for turning the member and the rotating gear to cause a translational movement of (i) the first rack gear and the first side panel and (ii) the second rack gear and the second side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Medical Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20120158103
    Abstract: A cold therapy system includes a cooling bath; a therapy pad; a heat exchanger; a first pathway fluidly connecting the cooling bath to the heat exchanger; a second pathway fluidly connecting the heat exchanger to an inlet of the therapy pad; a third pathway fluidly connecting an outlet of the therapy pad to the heat exchanger; and a fourth pathway fluidly connecting an outlet of the heat exchanger to the cooling bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20120143111
    Abstract: An orthopedic apparatus includes an orthopedic knee brace including at least one hinge, an adjustable pad removably attachable to the hinge, the adjustable pad including a top plate, a base plate, an adjuster located between the top plate and the base plate, at least one ramp including a plurality of ramp angles, the ramp inclined so that at least two of the ramp angles are spaced differently from a foot of the ramp, and at least one spoke positioned and arranged to selectively engage one of the ramp angles of the at least one ramp to set an overall height of the pad, and wherein the adjustable pad is installable on the brace hinge for adjusting the side force applied to the user's knee to help relieve the pain of medial or lateral unicompartmental osteoarthritis while providing additional stability for ligament or cartilage insufficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, James Leo Dillion
  • Publication number: 20110077567
    Abstract: An adjustable orthopedic back brace includes: a first side panel having a distal end and a proximal end; a second side panel having a distal end and a proximal end; a rotating gear in geared communication with a first rack gear, the first rack gear connected to the proximal end of the first side panel, the rotating gear in geared communication with a second rack gear, the second rack gear connected to the proximal end of the second side panel; a mechanical advantage member rotatable with and providing mechanical advantage for the rotating gear; and an actuator connected operably to the mechanical advantage member for turning the member and the rotating gear to cause a translational movement of (i) the first rack gear and the first side panel and (ii) the second rack gear and the second side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 7743532
    Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcerations by lowering the maximum peak pressure imposed upon the foot. The walker has a hard unyielding shell which is designed for walking. The shell closely and rigidly supports a mid-sole in a foot-shaped bed. The mid-sole has a foot-shaped cavity with rounded sides adapted to form resilient support for the heel, arch and sides of a foot in addition to the bottom of a foot. A conformable inner-sole is adapted to fit over the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole and be compressed in response to foot pressure between the sides and bottom of the foot and the sides and bottom of the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole thereby compensating for small differences between the shape of the foot and the shape of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 7500957
    Abstract: A dynamic knee brace that can be used to apply a bending force across the knee. Two brace arms are connected together by a central joint that allows the knee to pivot. A joint in each brace arm allows the brace arm to be inclined toward the leg. A cam assembly is present to actively incline each brace arms toward the leg as the knee moves to full extension. An adjustment mechanism for the cam assemblies provides control over the maximum amount of inclination each brace arm achieves. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the cams equally so that both brace arms are inclined by the same amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20090043234
    Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcerations by lowering the maximum peak pressure imposed upon the foot. The walker has a hard unyielding shell which is designed for walking. The shell closely and rigidly supports a mid-sole in a foot-shaped bed. The mid-sole has a foot-shaped cavity with rounded sides adapted to form resilient support for the heel, arch and sides of a foot in addition to the bottom of a foot. A conformable inner-sole is adapted to fit over the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole and be compressed in response to foot pressure between the sides and bottom of the foot and the sides and bottom of the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole thereby compensating for small differences between the shape of the foot and the shape of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 7418755
    Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcerations by lowering the maximum peak pressure imposed upon the foot. The walker has a hard unyielding shell which is designed for walking. The shell closely and rigidly supports a mid-sole in a foot-shaped bed. The mid-sole has a foot-shaped cavity with rounded sides adapted to form resilient support for the heel, arch and sides of a foot in addition to the bottom of a foot. A conformable inner-sole is adapted to fit over the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole and be compressed in response to foot pressure between the sides and bottom of the foot and the sides and bottom of the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole thereby compensating for small differences between the shape of the foot and the shape of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 7166083
    Abstract: A positioning system used to limit movement of the leg, such as when required after hip surgery. In at least one embodiment, a boot, which extends around the foot and lower leg, is secured around each foot. As such, the boots can be used to cushion the feet while applying traction to the leg during surgery. After surgery, the boots are secured together in a side-by-side relationship. In addition, a leg strap is preferably used in conjunction with the boots to help hold the legs together. The leg strap preferably has a cushion that is positioned between the knees with a strap that is secured around each leg. Consequently, the positioning kit restricts certain motion of the affected hip while not restricting movement of the hips and knee and ankle joints unnecessarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 7117569
    Abstract: An adjustable fastener such as one suitable for use in securing straps in a variety of orthotic and other types of devices. The fastener has a male portion and a female portion that are each attached to a strap or other desired location on the device with which the fastener is used. The male portion has an elongated tab and the female portion has a housing and a passage through the housing. The passage allows the elongated tab to slide through the housing in the female portion. An engagement finger in the housing is resiliently biased to engage one or more teeth along an edge of the elongated tab to prevent the elongated tab from sliding further out of the passage. The finger can be selectively disengaged from the teeth to allow the elongated tab to slide further or completely out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20030196352
    Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot promotes rapid healing of diabetic foot ulcerations by lowering the maximum peak pressure imposed upon the foot. The walker has a hard unyielding shell which is designed for walking. The shell closely and rigidly supports a mid-sole in a foot-shaped bed. The mid-sole has a foot-shaped cavity with rounded sides adapted to form resilient support for the heel, arch and sides of a foot in addition to the bottom of a foot. A conformable inner-sole is adapted to fit over the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole and be compressed in response to foot pressure between the sides and bottom of the foot and the sides and bottom of the foot-shaped cavity in the mid-sole thereby compensating for small differences between the shape of the foot and the shape of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 4955369
    Abstract: A dynamically shiftable knee brace is used to counteract anterior tibial displacement caused during leg extension by the quadriceps muscle when the anterior cruciate ligament is missing or damaged. The brace includes pairs of rigid thigh and calf support members which extend along and are strapped to thigh and calf portions of the leg, the support member pairs being pivotally connected at their inner ends to one another by a pair of specially designed hinges positioned on opposited sides of the knee. As the leg is extended from a flexed position toward its fully straightened position the hinges cause a relative anterior-posterior shift between the support member pairs in a manner creating a shear force across the knee which is opposite that generated by the quadriceps muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 4834073
    Abstract: A passive motion exerciser for simultaneously flexing the hip and knee joints of a human leg has a base portion with an inclined guide member positionable parallel to a line extending through the ankle and hip joints of the leg, a reversible motor-driven drive member movable upwardly and downwardly along the inclined guide member, and an elongated leg support frame structure securable to the leg and longitudinally adjustable to fit legs of varying lengths. The support frame structure has a first end portion positionable adjacent the ankle joint, a second end portion positionable between the knee and hip joint, and a pivoted intermediate portion positionable adjacent the knee joint. A connecting member is attached to the guide member for movement therealong parallel to the drive member and is connected to the first outer end portion of the support frame structure. The second outer end portion of the support frame structure is pivotally interconnected to the drive member by a cam-driven linkage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Bledsoe, Gregory A. Bledsoe, Eric N. Bledsoe, Barry P. Bledsoe, Clifford H. Carlson, Clarence E. Bledsoe, Brett O. Bledsoe, Blake H. Bledsoe, John C. Cade
  • Patent number: 4817588
    Abstract: A motion restraining knee brace has a pair of articulated side portions each defined by elongated thigh and calf support members pivotally interconnected by an adjustable hinge mechanism. Each hinge mechanism has a single adjustment dial that cooperates with a pair of stop members to selectively limit the relative pivotal movement between the thigh and calf support members associated with the hinge. Outer ends of the thigh and calf support members are securable to the leg by connecting straps which encircle the leg and have independently adjustable anterior and posterior portions. Each of the thigh and calf support members is formed from two adjustably interlockable longitudinal sections releasably held together by a pivotable clip member to thereby provide for rapid support member length adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 4463751
    Abstract: A stabilizing knee hinge which can be utilized in conjunction with a brace for bracing or casting the human knee. The hinge simulates the movement of the human knee and can be utilized to restrict the range of motion of the knee to any desired range or to completely immobilize the knee joint. The hinge includes a femoral joint element which has two plates secured in a fixed parallel relationship. Two arcuate cam slots are formed through both plates. A pair of generally circular stop limit plates are rotatably mounted within the two femoral joint element plates and may be independently rotated to intersect the arcuate cam slots. A first stop limit plate rotates in one direction to set the stop limit for knee extension and the second stop limit plate rotates in the other direction to set the stop limit for knee flexion. A set screw is provided to fix the position of the stop limit plates as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 4407276
    Abstract: A light-weight brace adapted to be affixed externally of a patient's leg so that it lies partly above and partly below the person's knee. The apparatus includes first and second flexible sheets of cushioned material which are adapted to be snugly wrapped around the thigh and calf. The width of each of the flexible sheets is sufficient to circumferentially envelope at least most, and preferably all, of its associated leg member; and the length of each sheet is sufficient to encompass at least half of the length of the respective leg member. A preferred cushioning material is a sheet of polyurethane foam (about 9 mm thick) bonded to a sheet of pile-type material having sufficient "nap" to serve as an anchor for resilient hooks of the Velcro type. Also provided are first and second pairs of elongated braces, which braces are relatively stiff so as to resist both torsion and bending loads. The pairs of elongated braces are adapted to lie on opposite sides of the wearer's thigh and calf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Medical Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Bledsoe