Abstract: An adjustable gripping assembly having a first or holding end with a trigger assembly rotatably held therein and connected to a wind assembly having a flexible, non-resilient link held by one end therein for operating a pair of gripping elements, movably mounted on a distal end of an adjustable, multipart hollow body. The trigger assembly including a trigger lock thereon and the multipart body including telescoping locking element mounted on the telescoping joints to control adjustment of the length of the assembly when the portions of the multipart body are moved with respect to each other. And, a pivot joint formed on an outer end of the multipart body, adjacent the pair of gripping elements to allow the gripping elements to be pivoted to different angles on the outer end upon release of a locking element held in the pivot joint.

Abstract: An adjustable gripping assembly having a first or holding end with a trigger assembly rotatably held therein and connected to a wind assembly having a flexible, non-resilient link held by one end therein for operating a pair of gripping elements, movably mounted on a distal end of an adjustable, multipart hollow body. The trigger assembly including a trigger lock thereon and the multipart body including telescoping locking element mounted on the telescoping joints to control adjustment of the length of the assembly when the portions of the multipart body are moved with respect to each other. And, a pivot joint formed on an outer end of the multipart body, adjacent the pair of gripping elements to allow the gripping elements to be pivoted to different angles on the outer end upon release of a locking element held in the pivot joint.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Braces for loading and/or unloading knees, elbows and other joints. Such braces feature a stiffener which may be substantially permanently configured in shape to cooperate with the brace in applying tension to locations on the limb proximal and distal to the joint being loaded and/or unloaded, which counteract forces applied by the stiffener to the joint. A bending tool which may be accompanied by use of a goniometer may be employed for proper configuration of the stiffener using the wearer's limb geometry as a reference. Such braces are particularly effective for treating conditions such as compartmental osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Braces for loading and/or unloading knees, elbows and other joints. Such braces feature a stiffener which may be substantially permanently configured in shape to cooperate with the brace in applying tension to locations on the limb proximal and distal to the joint being loaded and/or unloaded, which counteract forces applied by the stiffener to the joint. A bending tool which may be accompanied by use of a goniometer may be employed for proper configuration of the stiffener using the wearer's limb geometry as a reference. Such braces are particularly effective for treating conditions such as compartmental osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Braces for loading and/or unloading knees, elbows and other joints. Such braces feature a stiffener which may be substantially permanently configured in shape to cooperate with the brace in applying tension to locations on the limb proximal and distal to the joint being loaded and/or unloaded, which counteract forces applied by the stiffener to the joint. A bending tool which may be accompanied by use of a goniometer may be employed for proper configuration of the stiffener using the wearer's limb geometry as a reference. Such braces are particularly effective for treating conditions such as compartmental osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Braces for loading and/or unloading knees, elbows and other joints. Such braces feature a stiffener which may be substantially permanently configured in shape to cooperate with the brace in applying tension to locations on the limb proximal and distal to the joint being loaded and/or unloaded, which counteract forces applied by the stiffener to the joint. A bending tool which may be accompanied by use of a goniometer may be employed for proper configuration of the stiffener using the wearer's limb geometry as a reference. Such braces are particularly effective for treating conditions such as compartmental osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Hinges for orthopedic and rehabilitation braces allow intuitive, convenient and positive control and adjustment of the limits to which the braces may extend or flex. Such hinges also allow convenient locking of such braces. A flexion switch and an extension switch allow convenient repositioning of stops or limits which limit flexion and extension of the brace. Such switches may be repositioned, however, only with repositioning pressure for moving the switch to a new position combined with safety pressure for unlocking the switch. A brace locking switch may also be included. Such hinges promote more effective post-operative and rehabilitation results because they among other things allow users easily to change the flexion, extension and fixation limitations of their braces conveniently and in real time such as during post-operative and physical therapy sessions and workouts.

Abstract: An angular compensation hinge for a human joint brace, as well as the brace into which the hinge is incorporated, are described. The hinge's hinge pin and leaves cooperate with an arch bar through guide pins and a bi-threaded screw to provide angular compensation adjustment of the brace. The hinge can be easily operated by the user without assistance and by rotation of a single screw, either with a simple tool or through a knob, and provides for infinite angular adjustment over the entire adjustment range. Adjustments can be easily made while the user is wearing the brace. There is positive locking of the hinge at any angle within the range of adjustment. A few standard sizes of the brace will be sufficient to provide essentially customized fitting braces for virtually any person because of the "fine tuning" capability provided. The hinge may be used with many different types of braces, including those intended for knee, wrist, elbow, ankle, hip and shoulder joints.

Abstract: A hinged orthopedic knee brace has a structural frame and at least one knee condyle pad attachable thereto. The frame has a plurality of rigid or stiffened support components dynamically connected by one or more hinges. The knee condyle pad is attachable to the frame proximal to the hinge and is configured to conform to the surface of the body overlying the lateral or medial knee condyle. The knee condyle pad has a fluid-containing primary bladder with a loop configuration encircling a depressed interior opening of the pad. The primary bladder is sized to circumscribe the periphery of the knee condyle and the interior opening is sized to receive the apex of the knee condyle. The distal portion of the primary bladder has a reduced volume and reduced surface area relative to the proximal portion thereof.

Abstract: A hinged orthopedic knee brace has a structural frame made up of a plurality of rigid or stiffened support components dynamically connected by one or more hinges. A plurality of pneumatic pads are attached to the inside faces of the frame to effectively grip the body of the user and simultaneously cushion the body from the frame. Each pad is connected in selective fluid communication with a pump and a fluid release valve enabling the user to instantaneously inflate or deflate the pads whenever desired to enhance the fit of the brace on the body of the user.

Abstract: An osteoarthritic knee brace is provided having flexible upper and lower arm members rotatably connected to each other by a rotary hinge assembly. A selectively inflatable or deflatable fluid-containing pad is positionable between the hinge assembly and a side of the knee joint. In operation, the brace is mounted on the leg with the pad engaging both the hinge assembly and the side of the knee joint, the hinge assembly aligned with the knee joint, and the upper and lower arm members aligned with the upper and lower legs, respectively. The upper and lower arm members are stressed away from the knee joint, thereby applying a restoring force to the knee joint across the hinge assembly and the pad that effectively treats the osteoarthritic knee joint. The restoring force is adjustable by selective inflation or deflation of the pad.

Abstract: An adjustable shoulder brace is provided for stabilizing and immobilizing the shoulder following an injury or surgical trauma to the soft tissue thereof. The shoulder brace is mountable on the arm and torso to isolate the shoulder and is fully adjustable across the abduction, flexion and rotation ranges of motion of the shoulder to enable fixation of the shoulder in virtually any rehabilitative position. The brace is made up of a series of rigid support members secured to the body of the patient, and a plurality of selectively rotatable and lockable joints adjustably interconnecting the support members. The combined effect of the joints simulates the entire range of motion of the shoulder.