Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-04-03
Lewis, Kim M. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C602S023000, C602S060000, C602S061000, C602S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210353
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to braces and supports that are attached to the human body for medical reasons, such as to alleviate pain or discomfort.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the average life expectancy for humans continues to climb, degeneration of the hip has been and will continue to be a major medical problem. Hip degeneration is characterized by a loosening of the ball-and-socket joint between the femur and the pelvis. When the ball on the femur separates from the socket on the pelvis, significant pain can occur.
Today, hip replacement has become a standard treatment for this medical problem. However, some individuals are not good candidates for hip replacement and/or choose to forego this operation. In these situations, it would be beneficial if there were other treatments available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hip brace that dramatically reduces the pain and discomfort associate with hip degeneration. The hip brace is designed to apply a lateral inward pressure on the side of the user's upper thigh so as to hold the femur in engagement with the pelvis to thereby reduce the likelihood or amount of separation. In addition, the hip brace is designed to apply an upward force on the user's buttocks so as to pull upward on the femur and further reducing the likelihood or amount of separation.
In one embodiment, the hip brace includes a girdle adapted to be stretched and wrapper around the user's waist, and a support member including an upper portion connected to the girdle and a lower portion adapted to provide lateral and upward support to the user's buttock. The lower portion is thicker (e.g., at least three times thicker) than said upper portion to facilitate support of the user's buttock. In order to provide additional support, the hip brace can further include a formed spring support connected to the support member. Preferably, the hip brace further includes at least two support straps connecting the lower portion with the girdle.
In a preferred embodiment, the support member includes an inflatable member and an inflater connected to the inflatable member. For example, the inflatable member can include an inflatable bladder, and the inflater can include a hand pump, a conduit connecting the hand pump to the inflatable member, and a one-way valve.
The above-described hip braces can be used to perform a novel method of supporting a user's hip joint. The method includes the steps wrapping a girdle around the user's torso, and pressing the lower portion of the support member into the user's buttock. The pressing step can include connecting two support straps between the lower portion and the girdle. When using the hip brace having the inflatable member, the pressing step comprises inflating the inflatable member. In this embodiment, the method can further include the step of reducing the pressing force created by the pressing step while the girdle is still attached to the user. For example, the reducing step can comprise deflating the inflatable member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5383893 (1995-01-01), Daneshvar
patent: 5425702 (1995-06-01), Carn et al.
patent: 5572737 (1996-11-01), Valice
patent: 5779658 (1998-07-01), Saca
patent: 5830168 (1998-11-01), Finnell et al.
patent: 5840050 (1998-11-01), Lerman
Barnes James O.
Lewis Kim M.
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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