Abstract: A customizable knee brace for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided. The customizable knee brace includes a lateral upright. The lateral upright includes at least a first semi-rigid support, a second semi-rigid support, and a hinge physically coupling the first semi-rigid support and the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a thigh cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the first semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a shin cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes an elastomeric web framework coupled to the lateral upright and configured to secure an area of a knee of a patient when wearing the customizable knee brace. The customizable knee brace further includes at least one tensioning element configured to adjust a tension of the elastomeric web framework.

Abstract: Support braces and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A support brace includes a flexible fabric substrate and an elastomeric member disposed on the surface of the flexible fabric substrate. The elastomeric member is disposed so as to apply pressure non-uniformly about a limb or joint of the wearer, in a pattern selected to divert pain and/or reduce loads on the joint. The flexible fabric substrate can include regions having different levels of elasticity, to provide different levels of compression to different parts of the joint or limb in addition to the compression provided by the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can be deposited, screen printed, injection molded, or otherwise applied to the fabric substrate, optionally without adhesive.

Abstract: A customizable knee brace for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided. The customizable knee brace includes a lateral upright. The lateral upright includes at least a first semi-rigid support, a second semi-rigid support, and a hinge physically coupling the first semi-rigid support and the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a thigh cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the first semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a shin cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes an elastomeric web framework coupled to the lateral upright and configured to secure an area of a knee of a patient when wearing the customizable knee brace. The customizable knee brace further includes at least one tensioning element configured to adjust a tension of the elastomeric web framework.

Abstract: Support braces and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A support brace includes a flexible fabric substrate and an elastomeric member disposed on the surface of the flexible fabric substrate. The elastomeric member is disposed so as to apply pressure non-uniformly about a limb or joint of the wearer, in a pattern selected to divert pain and/or reduce loads on the joint. The flexible fabric substrate can include regions having different levels of elasticity, to provide different levels of compression to different parts of the joint or limb in addition to the compression provided by the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can be deposited, screen printed, injection molded, or otherwise applied to the fabric substrate, optionally without adhesive.

Abstract: An ankle brace for treating or preventing a high ankle sprain is disclosed. The ankle brace includes a body configured to be worn over an ankle. A tightening mechanism is attached to the body and configured to tighten the body around a wearer's lower leg to prevent distal ends of the tibia and fibula from separating. A torsion strap is attached to the body and configured to wrap from a fifth metatarsal to a medial malleolus to limit external rotation of the foot. The ankle brace can include lateral and medial straps for limiting eversion and inversion of the foot. The ankle brace can include heat moldable lateral and medial support plates.

Abstract: A customizable knee brace for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided. The customizable knee brace includes a lateral upright. The lateral upright includes at least a first semi-rigid support, a second semi-rigid support, and a hinge physically coupling the first semi-rigid support and the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a thigh cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the first semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a shin cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes an elastomeric web framework coupled to the lateral upright and configured to secure an area of a knee of a patient when wearing the customizable knee brace. The customizable knee brace further includes at least one tensioning element configured to adjust a tension of the elastomeric web framework.

Abstract: An ankle brace for treating or preventing a high ankle sprain is disclosed. The ankle brace includes a body configured to be worn over an ankle. A tightening mechanism is attached to the body and configured to tighten the body around a wearer's lower leg to prevent distal ends of the tibia and fibula from separating. A torsion strap is attached to the body and configured to wrap from a fifth metatarsal to a medial malleolus to limit external rotation of the foot. The ankle brace can include lateral and medial straps for limiting eversion and inversion of the foot. The ankle brace can include heat moldable lateral and medial support plates.

Abstract: A support for an area of a body that includes a hinge joint includes a flexible, elastically stretchable framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected, elastomeric segments defining a plurality of permanent openings; a structural hinge mechanism affixed to a first side of the framework, and a secondary hinge mechanism affixed to a second side of the framework. The structural hinge mechanism is larger than the secondary hinge mechanism so as to bias the application of pressure towards one side of the hinge joint when the support is secured to the area of the body. The elastomeric segments of the framework are designed in such a way as to asymmetrically assert pressure on the hinge joint when the support is secured to the area of the body. The structural hinge mechanism and the framework work together to bias application of pressure generally in the same direction.

Abstract: A customizable knee brace for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided. The customizable knee brace includes a lateral upright. The lateral upright includes at least a first semi-rigid support, a second semi-rigid support, and a hinge physically coupling the first semi-rigid support and the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a thigh cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the first semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a shin cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes an elastomeric web framework coupled to the lateral upright and configured to secure an area of a knee of a patient when wearing the customizable knee brace. The customizable knee brace further includes at least one tensioning element configured to adjust a tension of the elastomeric web framework.

Abstract: A shoulder-immoblizing apparatus includes a forearm sling. The forearm sling is configured to receive an elbow, forearm and wrist of a first arm of a user and includes a first fastener configured for fastening a posterior strap to a proximal portion adjacent to the elbow, a second fastener configured for fastening an anterior strap to a distal portion adjacent to the wrist, and a contralateral strap holder. The contralateral strap holder includes a circumferential shoulder strap configured to wrap around a shoulder of a second arm of the user to form a substantially ellipsoid opening that seats against a pectoral region, a scapular region and one of an underarm region or a lateral outside portion of the shoulder of the user's second arm. The posterior and anterior straps each have swivel fasteners rotatably coupled to respective posterior and anterior portions of the circumferential shoulder strap. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A smart brace is configured to be worn on a limb over the joint and includes a sensor that gathers data related to motion. The sensor can be included in a hinge assembly of the smart brace. The hinge assembly can include a first gear and a first bar and a second gear and a second bar. The first gear can be meshingly engaged with the second gear such that rotation of one causes corresponding rotation of the other. The first bar and the second bar are configured in size and shape to be flexible in a frontal plane and rigid in a sagittal plane. An end of the first bar and an end of the second bar can be received within corresponding recesses of the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A support for an area of a body that includes a hinge joint includes a flexible, elastically stretchable framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected, elastomeric segments defining a plurality of permanent openings; a structural hinge mechanism affixed to a first side of the framework, and a secondary hinge mechanism affixed to a second side of the framework. The structural hinge mechanism is larger than the secondary hinge mechanism so as to bias the application of pressure towards one side of the hinge joint when the support is secured to the area of the body. The elastomeric segments of the framework are designed in such a way as to asymmetrically assert pressure on the hinge joint when the support is secured to the area of the body. The structural hinge mechanism and the framework work together to bias application of pressure generally in the same direction.

Abstract: An ankle brace for treating or preventing a high ankle sprain is disclosed. The ankle brace includes a body configured to be worn over an ankle. A tightening mechanism is attached to the body and configured to tighten the body around a wearer's lower leg to prevent distal ends of the tibia and fibula from separating. A torsion strap is attached to the body and configured to wrap from a fifth metatarsal to a medial malleolus to limit external rotation of the foot. The ankle brace can include lateral and medial straps for limiting eversion and inversion of the foot. The ankle brace can include heat moldable lateral and medial support plates.

Abstract: An ankle support includes a flexible, elastically stretchable framework configured to generally surround a wearer's ankle when the support is worn, and an anchor band configured to be secured about a lower portion of a wearer's leg. The framework comprises an integrally molded network of interconnected, elastomeric segments defining a plurality of permanent openings. The framework includes an upper securement portion configured to be adjustably secured to the anchor band via the fastening mechanism of the anchor band. The ankle support is configured to allow a wearer of the ankle support to adjustably tension the ankle support by adjusting an extent of the securement portion of the framework passing through a fastening mechanism of the anchor band.

Abstract: A support for an area of a body that includes a hinge joint includes a flexible, elastically stretchable framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected, elastomeric segments defining a plurality of permanent openings; a structural hinge mechanism affixed to a first side of the framework, and a secondary hinge mechanism affixed to a second side of the framework. The structural hinge mechanism is larger than the secondary hinge mechanism so as to bias the application of pressure towards one side of the hinge joint when the support is secured to the area of the body. The elastomeric segments of the framework are designed in such a way as to asymmetrically assert pressure on the hinge joint when the support is secured to the area of the body. The structural hinge mechanism and the framework work together to bias application of pressure generally in the same direction.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for an orthopedic knee brace. The knee brace includes upper and lower support arms. The hinge assembly includes a hinge plate and first and second gear members pivotally connected to the hinge plate. The first gear member is coupled for rotation with the upper support arm and has an articulation surface adjacent a surface of the upper support arm. The second gear member is coupled for rotation with the lower support arm and has an articulation surface adjacent a surface of the lower support arm. The hinge assembly allows medial/lateral articulation of the upper and lower support arms in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the first and second gear members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a knee brace that incorporates hinges that allow the brace to pivot simultaneously about a flexion-extension axis and a longitudinal rotation axis as the brace flexes and/or extends. The hinges include a medial hinge and a lateral hinge. The medial hinge defines a medial pivot axis and the lateral hinge defines a lateral pivot axis. The medial pivot axis does not coincide with the lateral pivot axis, and neither axis coincides with the flexion-extension axis. Calf portions of each hinge are pivotable with respect to their respective uprights about an axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal rotation axis. The pivotability of the calf portions with respect to the calf frame eliminates stresses that would otherwise develop in the hinges as the brace flexes and/or extends.

Abstract: Embodiments of the knee brace disclosed herein provide a combination of external ligament support and/or relief from pain caused by osteoarthritis with patellofemoral support. The brace includes a rigid frame and a flexible strap configured to extend across the wearer's patella to provide anterior loading thereto. The strap is operatively secured at either end to components of the rigid frame, thereby providing maximum leverage for applying force to the wearer's patella. In some embodiments, the strap includes a removable and adjustable buttress for directly contacting the wearer's patella. The patellar strap provides dynamic loading to the patella through the wearer's range of motion for relief of patellofemoral dysfunction, such as patellar shift, subluxation and dislocation, and malalignments such as patella alta, patella baja, tilt and glide.

Abstract: A lockable hinge for use in orthopedic braces is provided. When used in a knee brace, the present hinge provides a knee-immobilizing brace that assists persons with standing and/or walking. The hinge is easily converted from a locked mode to a free range of motion mode and vice versa. When the hinge is in the locked mode, patients are better able to stand and walk. With the push of a button, the patient can bend his or her knee to sit or lie down more comfortably. When the hinge is in the free range of motion mode, patients are better able to participate in physical therapy activities without the hinge locking.

Abstract: Embodiments of the knee brace disclosed herein provide a combination of external ligament support and/or relief from pain caused by osteoarthritis with patellofemoral support. The brace includes a rigid frame and a flexible strap configured to extend across the wearer's patella to provide anterior loading thereto. The strap is operatively secured at either end to components of the rigid frame, thereby providing maximum leverage for applying force to the wearer's patella. In some embodiments, the strap includes a removable and adjustable buttress for directly contacting the wearer's patella. The patellar strap provides dynamic loading to the patella through the wearer's range of motion for relief of patellofemoral dysfunction, such as patellar shift, subluxation and dislocation, and malalignments such as patella alta, patella baja, tilt and glide.