Other

Hexcel Corporation

James D Mercer

Milton F Custer

Gordon V Aaserude

Richard G Kvalheim

An improved bi-axial hinged orthotic device for use in knee braces, stabilizers, modified cast and fracture braces that allows movement of the leg and knee, providing lateral support, protection and rotational stability of a knee-joint and ligaments consisting essentially of a three-segment double hinged single side brace employed in a paired configuration; said brace having a rigid support bar or rod positioned opposite the knee-joint; index blocks positioned on the support bar coact with one end of the upper flex bar and at the other end with a lower flex bar; the upper flex bar secured to a first attachment anchor and the lower flange secured to a second attachment anchor; each attachment anchor can be used for securely embedding in casting material one end over the thigh and one end over the lower leg or calf; said double hinged brace modified with index blocks for limiting flexion and extension of the knee joint and leg.

Bi-axial orthotic device

A honeycomb sandwich cast for supporting human or animal body portions. The cast has inner and outer cast layers which, in the finished cast, are rigid, and a central honeycomb core having honeycomb cells which are perpendicular to the skin of the underlying body portion. The honeycomb is securely attached, e.g., mechanically locked or bonded to the cast layers to form an integral, high strength, low weight honeycomb structure. An indentable, resiliently compressible fabric such as reticulated plastic foam may optionally be positioned between the faces of the honeycomb core and the cast layers. With use of such a foam, when the outer layer is applied normally by wrapping a bandage-like fabric about the body portion and the surrounding honeycomb core, a compressive force is generated which presses portions of the foam structure into the honeycomb cell openings to form a more secure interlock and prevent relative movement between the components of the cast. The foam structure can subsequently be rigidified to form a mechanical interlock between it and the honeycomb.

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette, CA, United States of America

James D Mercer