Djo, LLC

Dj Orthopedics, LLC

Townsend Industries, Inc.

John Patrick Martin

Richard Earle Gildersleeve

Andy Kazmierczak

John P Fulkerson

Ian Kovacevich

David Orr

Nicholas Gomez

Colin Seth Gregersen

Richard Royle Simmons

Scott P Seligman

Carl Erich Hoffmeier

Jennifer E Sullivan

Christopher M Powers

Kurt Jacobson

Marie Camille DuPont

Richard Gildersleeve

Marie Dupont

Richard R Simmons

Support braces and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A support brace includes a flexible fabric substrate and an elastomeric member disposed on the surface of the flexible fabric substrate. The elastomeric member is disposed so as to apply pressure non-uniformly about a limb or joint of the wearer, in a pattern selected to divert pain and/or reduce loads on the joint. The flexible fabric substrate can include regions having different levels of elasticity, to provide different levels of compression to different parts of the joint or limb in addition to the compression provided by the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member can be deposited, screen printed, injection molded, or otherwise applied to the fabric substrate, optionally without adhesive.

Support brace

A cross-strap tensioning apparatus is disclosed for use with a brace having a proximal portion engageable above a joint of a user and an opposing distal portion engageable below the joint. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides first and second cross-straps each extending between and interconnecting the proximal and distal portions of the brace. A terminal end of each of a first anterior strap portion and a spaced apart first posterior strap portion of the first cross-strap, along with a second anterior strap portion and a spaced apart second posterior strap portion of the second cross-strap, provides a cord channel configured for allowing a cord from a tensioning mechanism to extend therethrough in series. During use, as the tensioning mechanism is selectively tightened, the cord urges each of the first anterior strap portion, first posterior strap portion, second anterior strap portion and second posterior strap portion closer together.

Cross-strap tensioning apparatus for osteoarthritis braces

An elongate flexible strap is adapted to be wrapped about a wearer's leg and pelvic region. The strap applies a torque to the leg, rotating the leg into a desired degree of external rotation. In a leg having an improperly aligned patella, it is believed that the external rotation improves lower extremity mechanics by aligning the patella within the trochlear groove.

Device and method for externally rotating the femur

Embodiments of the knee brace disclosed herein provide a combination of external ligament support and/or relief from pain caused by osteoarthritis with patellofemoral support. The brace includes a rigid frame and a flexible strap configured to extend across the wearer's patella to provide anterior loading thereto. The strap is operatively secured at either end to components of the rigid frame, thereby providing maximum leverage for applying force to the wearer's patella. In some embodiments, the strap includes a removable and adjustable buttress for directly contacting the wearer's patella. The patellar strap provides dynamic loading to the patella through the wearer's range of motion for relief of patellofemoral dysfunction, such as patellar shift, subluxation and dislocation, and malalignments such as patella alta, patella baja, tilt and glide. In some embodiments, a conversion kit is provided for converting a rigid brace frame into a knee brace capable of providing patellofemoral support to a wearer's knee. The kit includes at least a patellar strap and at least one tab for securing the strap to the rigid frame.

Knee brace having a rigid frame and patellofemoral support

A patellofemoral brace including a buttress for supporting a wearer's patella is provided. The patellofemoral brace includes an elastic sleeve that is easy to apply to the wearer's leg and easy to remove from the wearer's leg. The sleeve includes distinct bands of material so that end bands are substantially rotationally independent of a central band. The end bands resist translation along and rotation about the wearer's leg. The brace further includes a tensioning strap that lies across the buttress to further support the buttress and the wearer's patella. A portion of the tensioning strap is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer, so that the strap provides firmer support to the buttress than a fabric strap, but is more comfortable and more evenly supports the buttress than a hard, inelastic strap.

Patellofemoral brace

An osteoarthritis brace having relatively large semi-rigid cuffs for abutting the wearer's thigh and calf. In one embodiment, the semi-rigid cuffs are secured to rigid cuffs of the brace only on one side and in substantially a center of the rigid cuffs. The semi-rigid cuffs bear reaction forces created by a medial/lateral force applied to the wearer's knee by a hinge of the brace. The semi-rigid cuffs provide flesh containment, distribute loads over a large portion of the wearer's flesh, eliminate pinch points and provide enhanced fitting capabilities.

Osteoarthritis brace

Growing community of inventors

Oceanside, CA, United States of America

John Patrick Martin