Abstract: A hip orthosis includes a hip engaging unit that can be secured to the contours of a human hip. An appendant orthotic member is formed to extend diagonally about and to be fixed to a human appendage. A connector assembly, with a support plate with a curved configuration at an anchor location to permit adjustment, interconnects the hip engaging member and the appendant member and includes an articulated joint member to control flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. The joint members can include an adjustable linkage system extending across and connected to both sides of the articulated joint. A first link member can be adjusted in length to control the movement of the articulated joint. An adjustable hinge member having a rotational axis which is offset by approximately 90° from a rotational axis of the articulate joint can be set to limit a range of flexion, while movement of the articulated joint provides either a controlled abduction or adduction movement.

Abstract: A cranial orthosis includes a helmet member that can be expanded for mounting on a patient's head and subsequently contracted to be operatively positioned to permit the interior surface to reconfigure the patient's head to the desired shape is provided. The helmet member can have a split with a safety stop unit positioned on the helmet member to provide a safety limit to the adjustment against the patient's head. A safety stop unit can include a bellows member, a stop unit mounted on a flange extending from the helmet and a stop unit including a plurality of nestling components that can relatively move to permit the expansion step while nestling to a fixed position in a stacked configuration to provide a stop position against further closure of the cranial orthosis to protect the patient.

Abstract: An orthosis can comprise a first body member that can conform to a portion of a patient's body and a second body member that can conform to another portion of a patient's body. A closure unit having a first connector member with a first plurality of support posts can be operatively connected to the first body member, while a second connector member with a second plurality of support posts can be operatively connected to the second body member. An elongated flexible pull member can operatively extend between the respective first and second support posts so that when tightened by a patient, a pull member slides across the support posts to provide a mechanical force advantage to draw the first body member and the second body member against the patient's torso A closure unit can be of a modular configuration for subjective mounting on various components of an orthosis to provide a highly adaptable closure unit.

Abstract: An orthopedic leg abductor for resisting muscular contraction of a user comprises a pair of adjustable sleeves which secure about a patient's thighs. The adjustable sleeves are each connected to a separate rigid member, which in turn is connected to a belt which is fastened about the patient's waist. The rigid members preferably comprise a pair of pivoting bars which are lockable in a predetermined angular relationship according to the needs and requirements of the individual patient. The rigid bars give the abductor structure and also serve to prevent the patient from retracting into a fetal position. The sleeves are also separated by mechanical means such as a collapsible hinge which is adjustable to keep the patient's legs apart, thereby reducing the patient's disposition to contract into an undesirable position and provide extension of the muscles in the hip region. The mechanical means fixes the distance between the two sleeves and can be easily locked into position.

Abstract: An orthopaedic shoulder brace that is adapted to evenly distribute weight onto a patient's waist and hip is disclosed. The shoulder brace includes a first anatomically-conforming shell having an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a right side of the waist of a user, and having a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting onto the right hip of the user. A second anatomically-conforming shell is also included which has an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a left side of the waist of the user, and which has a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting onto the left hip of the user. A strap connects the front portions of the first anatomically-conforming shell and the second anatomically-conforming shell, and a joining shell connects the back portions of the two shells. The joining shell is rotatably connected to the first anatomically-conforming shell at a first joint and rotatably connected to the second anatomically-conforming shell at a second joint.

Abstract: An orthopaedic shoulder brace that is adapted to evenly distribute weight onto a patient's waist and hip is disclosed. The shoulder brace includes a first anatomically-conforming shell having an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a right side of the waist of a user, and having a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting onto the right hip of the user. A second anatomically-conforming shell is also included which has an upper curved portion for comfortably fitting around a left side of the waist of the user, and which has a lower curved portion for comfortably fitting onto the left hip of the user. A strap connects the front portions of the first anatomically-conforming shell and the second anatomically-conforming shell, and a joining shell connects the back portions of the two shells. The joining shell is rotatably connected to the first anatomically-conforming shell at a first joint and rotatably connected to the second anatomically-conforming shell at a second joint.