Abstract: Disclosed is an improved hernia device which includes an undergarment brief having front, side, rear and crotch portions defining spaced leg openings wherein the front portion has one or two truss pads supported from its inner surface to protrude inwardly of the brief to engage and support abdominal hernia areas of the body of a wearer; with the truss pads independently held in position and urged toward the body of the wearer by a pair of straps having inner ends secured to the center of the front portion and extending in opposite directions with distal ends independently and adjustably secured to side portions forward of opposite lateral side centers of the hips of the wearer. Also disclosed is the use of a two piece seat or rear panel having a heavier upper portion of heavier material which assists in providing back support while carrying and distributing tension which may be transferred by the tension straps.

Abstract: A hernia belt which is provided in two parts, comprising an abdominal belt portion, having a pair of leg straps which extend downwardly for passing between the legs of a wearer, and a separate back belt portion, which extends around the back of the wearer. Virtually the entire face of the exterior of the abdominal belt portion is formed of hook or loop material, which engages with mating loop/hook surfaces on the ends of the back belt portion. The combination of the abdominal belt portion having virtually its entire surface covered with hook/loop material, and a back belt portion with hook/loop material at its ends, makes it possible to provide virtually universal or “fits all” hernia support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ankle support which includes a low temperature, formable plastic, closed-cell foam sewn to a soft orthopedic appliance to provide the desired rigidity and conformability, and a method of making the same. The closed-cell foam is in a skeletal configuration comprising a relatively wide collar for encircling the leg of a wearer and supporting a plurality of relatively narrow elongated stiffeners depending therefrom substantially normal thereto. At least one of the stiffeners terminates in a J-shape. In producing the new brace, a polyolefin foam is laminated with nylon fabric on both of its surfaces. The laminated foam is then cut to desired blank shape. This blank is then sewn to the fabric of the soft brace, also in flat blank shape. The soft brace is then sewn into its sock configuration. The combined foam sheet and attached soft brace blanks in a sock configuration are then mounted upon a male die and subjected to low temperature heat and pressure forming.