Other

Orthopedic Technology, Inc.

Jean-Paul Nielsen

Alexis G Daneman

Richard V Cronk

An activity knee brace is disclosed in which the hinge axis of the brace articulates to overlie during knee flexure the moving center of pivot of the condylar of the femur with respect to the plateau of the fibula tibia. The brace consists of a thigh portion, a lower leg portion, and a hinge axis therebetween. The thigh portion supports the brace in the thigh. The lower leg portion supports the brace to the lower leg. The hinge axis is designed to overlie the point of pivot of the knee. Articulating of the activity brace hinge axis occurs from the thigh portion. The thigh portion is braced at the upper end to the thigh. The thigh portion is braced at the lower end at the medial supracondylar area by pad and adjustable strap system contacting and locating on the supracondylar hollow on the inside of the upper leg. The pads at the lower thigh portion of the brace are mounted at a pivotal axis. This pivotal axis is offset with respect to the hinge axis at a distance approximately 11/8 th inches. During movement of the brace knee between extension and flexion, the pivotal movement of the supracondylar pads causes the hinge axis of the brace to articulate. The disclosed articulation imparted to the hinge axis of the brace tracks in large the moving point of pivot of the knee. Consequently, an activity brace is disclosed having improved reinforcement of the knee at a simple hinge axis.

Knee brace with articulating brace hinge axis

A preventive single-sided knee brace for athletes includes independently pivotable and laterally rigid upper and lower leg bars interconnected at laterally rigid polycentric clevis joints of a shield plate assembly. Straps affixed to a knee plate of the shield plate assembly encircle the leg adjacent the knee joint and buckle to the knee plate to hold the assembly adjacent the lateral side of the knee joint in any position of leg flexion. The upper leg bar extends from the shield plate assembly along the outside of the upper leg and is secured to the leg at the bar's upper end. Similarly, the lower leg bar extends from the polycentric joint along the outside of the lower leg and is secured to the leg at the bar's lower end. The upper and lower leg bars are shaped to follow the contour of the leg and bridge the knee joint to hold the shield plate assembly laterally spaced from the side of the knee joint.

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Corvallis, OR, United States of America

Jean-Paul Nielsen