Abstract: An orthopedic walker is disclosed that improves comfort and shock absorption during use by incorporating a flexure zone that deflects to ease the forces caused by the heel strike portion of a patient's gait. The flexure zone is created by cutting around the heel on the bottom of the sole to allow for the heel portion to flex. The exterior shell of the walker is may be made of a formable resilient material that when combined with an attached tongue structure reduces a volume of encapsulation of the lower limb. The shell encloses a padding on the inner side that may take the form of air/bladders and/or foam, and tabs on each side selectively engage receiving tabs on the inside lateral and medial side of the base upright portions. A separate tongue structure is used to enclose the foot and is made adjustable using various methods such as slits and novel connectors.

Abstract: A soft goods-type upper extremity orthotic is disclosed that utilizes a combination of heated 3D tooling, HF energy, and pressure to thermally bond strengthening and anchoring injection molded elements to the outer layer of a base material. The brace of the present invention may have multiple fused/welded/bonded/heat components that are strategically placed to offer support and restriction of movement of the wrist, hand, and/or thumb (WHT) for the treatment of injuries to the distal upper extremity. The components are secured to a base fabric without stitching and, in a preferred embodiment, without traditional adhesives, to provide a sturdy and robust wrist brace or upper extremity orthosis that can be manufactured far more efficiently than prior art wrist braces.

Abstract: A welded orthopedic back brace is disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one belt member is coupled to a spinal support element. The materials of the belt member are thermally fused to form a unitary segment. In another embodiment, an anterior portion of a posterior pad of the spinal support element includes thermally fused materials to provide a user with an added degree of comfort.

Abstract: A welded orthopedic back brace is disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one belt member is coupled to a spinal support element. The materials of the belt member are thermally fused to form a unitary segment. In another embodiment, an anterior portion of a posterior pad of the spinal support element includes thermally fused materials to provide a user with an added degree of comfort.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot for a user includes an outer sole having a substantially continuously curved lateral profile bottom walking surface, wherein a radius of curvature of the lateral walking surface varies between 10 mm and infinity, and an upper portion arranged with the outer sole to support a lower portion of the user's leg.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot for a user includes an outer sole having a substantially continuously curved lateral profile bottom walking surface, wherein a radius of curvature of the lateral walking surface varies between 10 mm and infinity, and an upper portion arranged with the outer sole to support a lower portion of the user's leg.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure describe an orthopedic brace for a portion of a user's upper extremity distal to the elbow. The orthopedic brace includes a body configured to surround said portion of the user's upper extremity. The body includes a first region configured to stabilize said portion of the user's upper extremity. The orthopedic brace includes a second region coupled to the first region. The second region has sufficient elasticity to enable the body to adjust circumferentially to fit said portion of the user's upper extremity.

Abstract: A flexible support including a body configured to provide anatomical support to a user's appendage, and an insert extending along at least a portion of an edge of the flexible support to reduce irritation and fitment discomfort to the user's appendage from the edge.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot, including a base to support a user's foot; a support assembly extending from the base to support the user's lower leg; an outer sole; and a shock absorber insert arranged with the base and the outer sole to provide shock absorption to the user's foot.

Abstract: An orthopedic walking boot for a user includes an outer sole having a substantially continuously curved lateral profile bottom walking surface, wherein a radius of curvature of the lateral walking surface varies between 10 mm and infinity, and an upper portion arranged with the outer sole to support a lower portion of the user's leg.

Abstract: A walking apparatus is provided that includes a sole having an adjustable length, the sole comprising a heel portion, a forefoot portion operatively coupled to the heel portion, the forefoot portion configured for adjustment from a first position to at least one other position relative to the heel portion, wherein a length of the sole is configured to adjust from a first length to a second length when the forefoot portion is adjusted from the first position to the at least one other position.

Abstract: A base for an orthopedic walking boot having a foot bed configured to support a plantar portion of a user's foot, a section extending from the foot bed configured to surround a portion of user's foot, and a connector assembly matable with each of a plurality of different types of support structures such that any one of the plurality of different types of support structures is selectively and permanently connectable to the base through the at least one connector assembly.

Abstract: An orthopedic ankle support is disclosed which provides an ultra-thin profile and selective restriction of movement of the user's ankle. In an embodiment, sections of a thin, tense material are welded onto a non-rigid body. The sections may include a tense anchor segment which may be proximate the heel opening and/or sole, and one or more tension segments that may extend from the anchor segment to upper portions of the support. In an embodiment, certain of the tension segments may be connected to an attachment portion affixed on the body, such as a thick lace-up area for tightening the support. Welding of the tension segments onto the body using thermal fusion obviates the need for uncomfortable stitching and material lumps.

Abstract: A welded orthopedic back brace is disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one belt member is coupled to a spinal support element. The materials of the belt member are thermally fused to form a unitary segment. In another embodiment, an anterior portion of a posterior pad of the spinal support element includes thermally fused materials to provide a user with an added degree of comfort.

Abstract: A welded orthopedic back brace is disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one belt member is coupled to a spinal support element. The materials of the belt member are thermally fused to form a unitary segment. In another embodiment, an anterior portion of a posterior pad of the spinal support element includes thermally fused materials to provide a user with an added degree of comfort.

Abstract: A welded orthopedic back brace is disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one belt member is coupled to a spinal support element. The materials of the belt member are thermally fused to form a unitary segment. In another embodiment, an anterior portion of a posterior pad of the spinal support element includes thermally fused materials to provide a user with an added degree of comfort.