The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 1996
Filed:
May. 19, 1994
Richard E Gildersleeve, Escondido, CA (US);
Keith L Cassford, San Diego, CA (US);
Theodore V Tillinghast, III, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Smith & Nephew Donjoy Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US);
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. Accordingly, the distal portion of the pad avoids excessive pressure, and the pain associated therewith, on the peroneal nerve and fibular head proximal to the knee condyle, while effectively gripping the knee condyle and simultaneously cushioning the knee condyle from the frame.