Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-11
2004-11-23
Dahbour, Fadi H. (Department: 3743)
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
C602S016000, C602S023000, C602S026000, C128S882000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06821261
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to orthopedic braces and, more particularly, to orthopedic braces having length adjustment capability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Orthopedic braces are commonly employed after surgery or for treatment of injury to a joint. Such braces generally serve to stabilize the joint. In certain cases orthopedic braces limit joint flexion and/or extension in a controllable and adjustable manner to prevent re-injury of the joint and to promote rehabilitation.
Some prior art orthopedic braces include length-adjustable support members. However, these braces typically comprise sidebar components that are merely sandwiched together. This configuration makes them susceptible to prying forces that tend to separate the components.
In addition, some prior art braces use threaded fasteners to connect the sidebar components. Adjusting these braces requires a screwdriver or turning a manual thumbscrew, both of which are inconvenient and time consuming. Such braces are also typically prone to failure due to stripped fastener threads. Other braces rely upon friction, as from tightening a lead screw, to hold the components of the brace in the desired position. These braces, however, do not provide a positive lock, and are thus prone to disadvantageous slippage.
Some prior art braces use an all-aluminum construction. Machining and forming aluminum, however, is relatively expensive and has certain physical limitations. Aluminum thus limits the range of features and style that may be incorporated into the brace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the orthopedic brace have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this orthopedic brace as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. However, not all of the following features are necessary to achieve the advantages of the orthopedic brace. Therefore, none of the following features should be viewed as limiting. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,” one will understand how the features of the preferred embodiments provide advantages over prior braces. One such advantage is length adjustability so that the amount of restraint offered by the brace may be altered during a course of treatment and so that one brace may fit differently sized patients. Another advantage is that the brace includes a low profile that prevents the brace from snagging objects as the wearer moves about. The brace may be manufactured from a combination of thermoplastic composite and metal that enables the brace to harness the advantages of both materials. Further, the brace may have a length adjustment mechanism that is recessed to prevent accidental activation.
One preferred embodiment of the orthopedic brace comprises a first support, a second support, and a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first and second supports. At least one of the first and second supports comprises an outer portion defining a longitudinal channel and a telescoping upright movable in the channel to adjust a length of the support.
In another preferred embodiment, at least one strap is provided to wrap around the brace and a patient's leg to secure the brace to the leg.
In another preferred embodiment, at least one padded cuff is disposed between the patient's leg and the brace to increase patient comfort.
In another preferred embodiment, the upright is removable from the at least one of the first and second supports to shorten the overall length of the brace.
In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of engagement surfaces are provided along a length of the telescoping upright, and the outer portion includes an engagement member selectively engageable with the engagement surfaces to lock the telescoping portion in place in the channel.
In another preferred embodiment, the engagement member is recessed within the upright when the engagement member engages one of the engagement surfaces.
In another preferred embodiment, the engagement member comprises a button disposed within a recess in the channel and biased toward a configuration wherein a portion of the button protrudes from a surface of the channel.
In another preferred embodiment, the button has an oval shape in plan aspect.
In another preferred embodiment, the engagement surfaces comprise holes.
In another preferred embodiment, the holes have an oval shape in plan aspect.
In another preferred embodiment, the first and second supports are curved about an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the brace.
In another preferred embodiment, a cross-section of the first and second supports includes a first region having a first radius of curvature and a second region having a second radius of curvature longer than the first radius of curvature.
In another preferred embodiment, the first region is located between the second region and a third region having the second radius of curvature.
In another preferred embodiment, the first and second supports further comprise at least a first generally D-shaped ring on a first side and a second generally D-shaped ring on a second side opposite the first side.
In another preferred embodiment, the first and second rings are adjacent the hinge assembly.
In another preferred embodiment, the upright comprises at least a first generally D-shaped ring on a first side and a second generally D-shaped ring on a second side opposite the first side.
In another preferred embodiment, the first and second rings are located at an end of the upright opposite the hinge assembly.
In another preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly comprises flexion-limiting stops.
In another preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly comprises extension-limiting stops.
In another preferred embodiment, the orthopedic brace comprises a first support, a second support, and a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first and second supports. At least one of the first and second supports comprises a first portion constructed of a thermoplastic composite and a second portion constructed of a metal.
In another preferred embodiment, the first portion comprises an outer portion defining a longitudinal channel.
In another preferred embodiment, the second portion comprises a telescoping upright movable in the channel to adjust the length of the support.
In another preferred embodiment, the first portion is connected to a metal hinge plate.
In another preferred embodiment, the hinge plate is insert molded within the first portion.
In another preferred embodiment, a portion of the hinge plate is bendable about an axis that is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the hinge assembly.
In another preferred embodiment, the orthopedic brace comprises a first length-adjustable support and a second length-adjustable support. Each support includes a longitudinal channel and a sliding upright within the channel. A hinge assembly rotatably connects the first and second supports. Each sliding upright includes a plurality of through holes, and a floor of each channel includes a spring-biased button. The button is engageable with each hole such that the button positively locks a position of the upright with respect to the channel. The upright is slidable within the channel when the button is depressed.
In another preferred embodiment, each support includes a curvature about a longitudinal axis thereof such that substantially all of a surface of each support that faces a patient's leg contacts the leg.
In another preferred embodiment, each support further comprises a plurality of brackets that are adapted to receive flexible straps for securing the brace to a patient's leg.
REFERENCES:
patent: 649237 (1900-05-01), Dyson
patent: 1018452 (1912-02-01), Slaughler
patent: 1780959 (1930-11-01), Wilkes
patent: 2958325 (1960-11-01), Claydon
patent: 3913570 (1975-10-01), Madden et al.
patent: D265248 (1982-06-01), Gri
Doty Del Ray
Erwin Alexis Laurand
Dahbour Fadi H.
DJ Orthopedics, LLC
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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