Walking brace
First Claim
1. A walking brace for the lower leg of a patient, said walking brace comprising:
- a leg portion adapted to fit substantially around the lower leg of a patient, a rigid sole portion adapted to fit beneath the foot of a patient, said rigid sole portion having an opening therethrough in the area of the patient'"'"'s heel, said opening extending through said upper surface and said lower surface of said rigid sole portion, such that no portion of said rigid sole portion is disposed below the patient'"'"'s heel; and
a dual layer of resilient shock-absorbing material disposed along said bottom surface of said rigid sole portion, said dual layer of resilient shock-absorbing material having a heel portion extending upwardly through said opening in said sole portion to a height no greater than slightly above said upper surface of said rigid sole portion, said dual layer comprising an upper layer of a relatively softer material and a lower layer of a relatively more durable material, said upper layer being in contact with the patient'"'"'s heel, said lower layer being in contact with the ground when the patient walks.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A walking brace for immobilizing and/or protecting the lower leg of a patient comprises a leg portion adapted to fit substantially around the lower leg of a patient and a sole portion that fits beneath the patient'"'"'s foot. The sole portion is provided with a dual layer of resilient shock absorbing material disposed along its bottom surface. The dual layer comprises an upper layer of a relatively softer material and a lower layer of a relatively more durable material. The dual layer can provide good shock absorbency but can be made thinner to provide a lower profile. In another aspect of the invention, the walking brace is provided with one or more inflatable air cells to provide adjustable therapeutic pressure to the leg and the leg portion of the brace is in the form of a rigid shell provided with a protruding region for receiving the air cell outlet associated with each air cell such that the air cell outlet is directed toward the front of the walking brace for easy access by the user. In yet another aspect of the invention, the rigid shell member of the leg portion is provided with one or more longitudinal slits that allow expansion of the leg portion to accommodate an enlarged lower leg portion of a patient. The expanded leg portion can accommodate users with enlarged lower limbs, such as those suffering from severe edema.
119 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A walking brace for the lower leg of a patient, said walking brace comprising:
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a leg portion adapted to fit substantially around the lower leg of a patient, a rigid sole portion adapted to fit beneath the foot of a patient, said rigid sole portion having an opening therethrough in the area of the patient'"'"'s heel, said opening extending through said upper surface and said lower surface of said rigid sole portion, such that no portion of said rigid sole portion is disposed below the patient'"'"'s heel; and
a dual layer of resilient shock-absorbing material disposed along said bottom surface of said rigid sole portion, said dual layer of resilient shock-absorbing material having a heel portion extending upwardly through said opening in said sole portion to a height no greater than slightly above said upper surface of said rigid sole portion, said dual layer comprising an upper layer of a relatively softer material and a lower layer of a relatively more durable material, said upper layer being in contact with the patient'"'"'s heel, said lower layer being in contact with the ground when the patient walks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A walking brace for the lower leg of a patient, said walking brace comprising:
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a leg portion adapted to fit substantially around the lower leg of a patient, and a rigid sole portion adapted to fit beneath the foot of a patient, said leg portion comprising a rigid shell integral with said sole portion, said rigid shell comprising a rear shell member and a front shell member, said rear shell member comprising means for expanding the width thereof. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A walking brace for the lower leg of a patient, said walking brace comprising:
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a leg portion adapted to fit substantially around the lower leg of a patient, and a rigid sole portion adapted to fit beneath the foot of a patient, said leg portion comprising a rigid shell integral with said sole portion, and at least one adjustable air cell having a means for communication between the interior of said air cell and the atmosphere, wherein said rigid shell comprises at least one protruding region for receiving said air cell communication means, said region constructed such that said communication means is directed toward the front side of said walking brace.
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30. A walking brace for the lower leg of a patient, said walking brace comprising:
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a leg portion adapted to fit substantially around the lower leg of a patient, a rigid sole portion adapted to fit beneath the foot of a patient, and a strap for securing the leg portion about the lower leg of the patient, said strap being removably secured to said leg portion. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification