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 motion controlling hinge for an orthopedic brace is provided. The hinge includes an actuator secured to one arm, and at least one spring member. As the arm with the actuator pivots in a first direction, at a predetermined flexion angle the actuator applies a force to the spring member, causing the spring member to flex. The spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the actuator away from the spring member, and tending to bias the arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, the spring member comprises a plurality of flat bar leaf springs. A movable fulcrum enables adjustment of a force exerted by the spring member on the actuator. A variety of differently sized adapters are securable to the actuator. The size of the adapter determines the flexion angle at which the spring member first exerts force on the actuator.

Abstract: A motion controlling hinge for an orthopedic brace is provided. The hinge includes an actuator secured to one arm, and at least one spring member. As the arm with the actuator pivots in a first direction, at a predetermined flexion angle the actuator applies a force to the spring member, causing the spring member to flex. The spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the actuator away from the spring member, and tending to bias the arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, the spring member comprises a plurality of flat bar leaf springs. A movable fulcrum enables adjustment of a force exerted by the spring member on the actuator. A variety of differently sized adapters are securable to the actuator. The size of the adapter determines the flexion angle at which the spring member first exerts force on the actuator.

Abstract: A motion controlling hinge for an orthopedic brace is provided. The hinge includes an actuator secured to one arm, and at least one spring member. As the arm with the actuator pivots in a first direction, at a predetermined flexion angle the actuator applies a force to the spring member, causing the spring member to flex. The spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the actuator away from the spring member, and tending to bias the arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. In one embodiment, the spring member comprises a plurality of flat bar leaf springs. A movable fulcrum enables adjustment of a force exerted by the spring member on the actuator. A variety of differently sized adapters are securable to the actuator. The size of the adapter determines the flexion angle at which the spring member first exerts force on the actuator. In some embodiments, the hinge includes an “ON”/“OFF” switch that enables a user to disengage biasing force provided by the spring member.

Abstract: A knee brace hinge deflector is provided for preventing interference and/or locking of the medial hinges of bilateral knee braces. The hinge deflector includes a shell having rounded surfaces for encasing a first medial hinge assembly and deflecting a second medial hinge assembly of bilaterally worn knee braces.

Abstract: A motion controlling hinge for an orthopedic brace is provided. The hinge includes an actuator secured to one arm, and at least one spring member. As the arm with the actuator pivots in a first direction, at a predetermined flexion angle the actuator applies a force to the spring member, causing the spring member to flex. The spring member exerts a force on the actuator tending to bias the actuator away from the spring member, and tending to bias the arm in a second direction opposite the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, the spring member comprises a plurality of flat bar leaf springs. A movable fulcrum enables adjustment of a force exerted by the spring member on the actuator. A variety of differently sized adapters are securable to the actuator. The size of the adapter determines the flexion angle at which the spring member first exerts force on the actuator.

Abstract: A brace hinge is provided having an adjustable pressure-applying assembly mounted to an inside of the hinge. A brace including the hinge can apply pressure to a joint in a medial or lateral direction. The hinge includes anterior and posterior apertures containing anterior and posterior adjustment members that control a position and orientation of the pressure-applying assembly relative to the hinge. Through selective adjustment of the adjustment members, the hinge can apply greater pressure to an anterior portion of the joint than to a posterior portion of the joint, and vice versa. A method of treating a joint using a brace including such a hinge is also provided.

Abstract: A brace hinge is provided having an adjustable pressure-applying assembly mounted to an inside of the hinge. A brace including the hinge can apply pressure to a joint in a medial or lateral direction. The hinge includes anterior and posterior apertures containing anterior and posterior adjustment members that control a position and orientation of the pressure-applying assembly relative to the hinge. Through selective adjustment of the adjustment members, the hinge can apply greater pressure to an anterior portion of the joint than to a posterior portion of the joint, and vice versa. A method of treating a joint using a brace including such a hinge is also provided.

Abstract: A knee brace hinge deflector is provided for preventing interference and/or locking of the medial hinges of bilateral knee braces. The hinge deflector includes a shell having rounded surfaces for encasing a first medial hinge assembly and deflecting a second medial hinge assembly of bilaterally worn knee braces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strap tab cap for connecting a strap tab to a knee brace wherein the strap tab cap has a very low profile and can rotate within a limited range. The low profile of the strap tab cap reduces the possibility that the knee brace will catch on a foreign object during physical activity. The rotation of the strap tab cap allows the strap to conform more easily to the shape of the user's leg. The strap tab cap is attached to the knee brace with a rivet that extends through a center hole in the strap tab cap. Two posts extend downward from the strap tab cap into slots in the knee brace for limiting the rotation of the strap tab cap and for containing the strap tab in the channels.

Abstract: A combination spider and buoyancy compensator having an insertable weight system. The spider includes an insertable weight system disposed preferably within at least one side opening pocket attached to a waistband portion. The side opening pocket can be formed of a piece of material attached to a waistband portion to define a channel in the space between the waistband portion and the piece of material. At least one weight disposed within an envelope, preferably having stiffening material, is removably inserted within the pocket. The envelope containing the weight includes means, preferably including areas of brushed material and hooks, and a handle for inserting, securing, and removably releasing the envelope containing the weight within the pocket. Stiffening within the spider provides an open, formed, shape retaining unit to distribute the weight of the tank and for convenience in putting the spider on.

Abstract: A combination spider and buoyancy compensator having an insertable weight system. The spider includes an insertable weight system disposed preferably within at least one side opening pocket attached to a waistband portion. The side opening pocket can be formed of a piece of material attached to a waistband portion to define a channel in the space between the waistband portion and the piece of material. At least one weight disposed within an envelope, preferably having stiffening material, is removably inserted within the pocket. The envelope containing the weight includes means, preferably including areas of brushed material and hooks, and a handle for inserting, securing, and removably releasing the envelope containing the weight within the pocket. Stiffening within the spider provides an open, formed, shape retaining unit to distribute the weight of the tank and for convenience in putting the spider on.