Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom wearable medical device, such as an orthosis (e.g., an ankle brace, etc.), includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be generated from data corresponding to a body part for which the customer wearable medical device is to be fabricated, and then applied to a digital device model to define a custom digital device model. The digital device model and, thus, the custom digital device model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital device model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom wearable medical device. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom wearable medical device.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an article of manufacture includes forming a plurality of layers of the article based on a digital model of the article. Each layer of the plurality of layers may be formed by depositing at least two materials that differ from one another. The at least two materials may be deposited separately or simultaneously. The at least two materials may define separate regions of the layer and, thus, define distinct features of the article, and/or the at least two materials may be mixed or one of the materials may be dispersed throughout the other to define a blended zone in the layer. Blended zones of adjacent layers may be superimposed to define three-dimensional blended zones. A blended zone may be graded to provide transition between separate regions of the article that are formed from two or more different materials. Articles fabricated by such processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom wearable medical device, such as an orthosis (e.g., an ankle brace, etc.), includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be generated from data corresponding to a body part for which the customer wearable medical device is to be fabricated, and then applied to a digital device model to define a custom digital device model. The digital device model and, thus, the custom digital device model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital device model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom wearable medical device. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom wearable medical device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom wearable medical device, such as an orthosis (e.g., an ankle brace, etc.), includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be generated from data corresponding to a body part for which the customer wearable medical device is to be fabricated, and then applied to a digital device model to define a custom digital device model. The digital device model and, thus, the custom digital device model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital device model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom wearable medical device. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom wearable medical device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom orthosis, such as an ankle brace, includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be applied to a digital orthosis model to define a custom digital orthosis model. The digital model and, thus, the custom digital orthosis model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital orthosis model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom orthosis. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom orthosis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom wearable and/or implantable medical device, such as an orthosis (e.g., an ankle brace, etc.), a prosthesis or the like, includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be applied to a digital device model to define a custom digital device model. The digital model and, thus, the custom digital device model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital device model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom wearable and/or implantable medical device. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom wearable and/or implantable medical device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom wearable and/or implantable medical device, such as an orthosis (e.g., an ankle brace, etc.), a prosthesis or the like, includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be applied to a digital device model to define a custom digital device model. The digital model and, thus, the custom digital device model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital device model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom wearable and/or implantable medical device. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom wearable and/or implantable medical device.

Abstract: An ankle brace includes upper and lower members with a hinge therebetween. The hinge is configured to be positioned at a location that corresponds to, or at least approximately corresponds to, a true axis of rotation of an individual's foot relative to the tibia bone in his or her lower leg. That axis of rotation is located below the tibialtalor junction, along which tibia and talus articulate as the foot is moved between dorsiflexion and plantarflexion orientations. A foot orthosis includes an arch support that is configured to support at least a portion of a longitudinal arch of an individual's foot regardless of whether or not a ground reaction force is applied to the arch support or to the foot. Such an arch support and an orthosis of which it is a part may be configured to exert an upward force on the longitudinal arch regardless of whether or not any weight is applied to the foot or to the arch support.

Abstract: An ankle brace includes a footplate with a lateral element, a medial element and an expandable element. The lateral element and the medial element of the footplate, which may be formed from a somewhat rigid material, are separate from one another and are spaced apart from one another. The expandable element is located between the lateral element and the medial element. It secures the lateral element and the medial element of the split footplate to one another. Braces and bracing systems that include the split footplate are disclosed, as are methods for supporting an individual's foot and/or ankle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom wearable and/or implantable medical device, such as an orthosis (e.g., an ankle brace, etc.), a prosthesis or the like, includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be applied to a digital device model to define a custom digital device model. The digital model and, thus, the custom digital device model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital device model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom wearable and/or implantable medical device. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom wearable and/or implantable medical device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a custom orthosis, such as an ankle brace, includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be applied to a digital orthosis model to define a custom digital orthosis model. The digital model and, thus, the custom digital orthosis model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital orthosis model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom orthosis. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom orthosis.

Abstract: An back orthosis includes a lumbar panel, a support and a pair of cinching systems between corresponding sides of the lumbar panel and the support. The lumbar panel is configured to be positioned over a portion of the back of an individual's torso (e.g., over a portion of the individual's spine, etc.) and to apply localized or focused pressure to a portion of the back. The support is configured to extend over at least a portion of the front side of the torso and to be anchored by the front side. In addition, the support may include a pair of anchors that are configured to be positioned over lateral locations on the back. Each cinching system includes one or more cords and a system of rollers, or pulleys, with a set of rollers being associated with each outer edge of the support and another set of rollers being associated with each lateral edge of the lumbar panel.

Abstract: An ankle brace includes upper and lower members with a hinge therebetween. The hinge is configured to be positioned at a location that corresponds to, or at least approximately corresponds to, a true axis of rotation of an individual's foot relative to the tibia bone in his or her lower leg. That axis of rotation is located below the tibialtalor junction, along which tibia and talus articulate as the foot is moved between dorsiflexion and plantarflexion orientations. A foot orthosis includes an arch support that is configured to support at least a portion of a longitudinal arch of an individual's foot regardless of whether or not a ground reaction force is applied to the arch support or to the foot. Such an arch support and an orthosis of which it is a part may be configured to exert an upward force on the longitudinal arch regardless of whether or not any weight is applied to the foot or to the arch support.

Abstract: Apparatus for engaging a mechanical component, such as a fastener. A handle portion (102, 174) is hingedly affixed to a ratchet mechanism (108, 180). A tool holder support structure (110, 140, 150, 160, 174) is aligned with and rigidly affixed to the ratchet mechanism opposite the handle portion. A tool holder (112, 142, 152, 162, 176) is supported by the tool holder support structure and comprises opposing first and second ends (114, 116) each configured to support at least one respective tool (118, 132, 178, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232). The tool holder preferably rotates with respect to the tool holder support structure about a pivot (129, 146, 210). Preferably, the handle portion and ratchet mechanism are removable to permit a separate driver (196) to impart torque to a selected extended tool. The handle portion is further preferably moveable from an open position to a folded, closed position.