Brace having inflatable support

• US 20060189907A1
• Filed: 01/23/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DJO LLC (Enovis Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aircast, Inc. (Enovis Corp.)
• Inventors: Pinzur, Michael, Pick, Erez, McCarthy, Fabian Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,226,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/13
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/20 Ankle-joint supports or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0118 for the arms, hands or fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/012 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0195 Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations

Abstract

The systems and methods described herein provide a soft, light-weight brace for a patient'"'"'s limb that, among other things, provides prophylactic support to a patient while allowing the patient mobility. The brace may be adjustable and configured to be fitted to patients having limbs of differing sizes, to allow the patient to obtain a more closely fitted brace.

Claims

1. A brace for supporting an injured lower leg, comprising:

a non-inflatable, rigid, lower housing for supporting the sole of a patient'"'"'s foot, and

an inflatable load-bearing upper housing that is affixed to the lower housing and, when combined with the lower housing, is adapted to substantially envelop a patient'"'"'s lower leg.

2. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing is a fluid bladder.

3. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing is a fluid bladder that extends along a top surface of the user'"'"'s foot.

4. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing includes one or more fluid bladders that substantially circumferentiate the user'"'"'s ankle and at least a portion of the user'"'"'s shin and mid-calf.

5. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing has a plurality of bladders for receiving fluid.

6. The brace of claim 5, wherein the plurality of bladders includes a first fluid bladder and a removable second fluid bladder that is positionable between the first fluid bladder and the user'"'"'s lower limb.

7. The brace of claim 6, wherein the first and second bladders are independently adjustable.

8. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing provides primary support for the patient'"'"'s leg.

9. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing is adapted to be inflated to a pressure sufficient to support the patient'"'"'s leg when the patient walks on the brace.

10. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing extends down the patient'"'"'s tibia, around the patient'"'"'s heel and along the top of the patient'"'"'s foot.

11. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing envelops the patient'"'"'s entire leg below the mid-calf region.

12. The brace of claim 1, comprising a pump for inflating the upper housing.

13. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing is adapted to be inflated to a pressure determined by the patient.

14. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing includes a first end, a second end, and a fastener adapted to connect the first and second ends along the distal side of the patient'"'"'s leg.

15. The brace of claim 14, wherein the fastener is a zipper.

16. The brace of claim 1, wherein the upper housing is a sleeve adapted to be pulled onto a patient'"'"'s foot.

17. The brace of claim 1, comprising a support plate positionable between the lower housing and the patient'"'"'s foot.

18. The brace of claim 1, wherein the lower housing and upper housing are affixed along the entire perimeter of the lower housing.

19. The brace of claim 1, wherein the brace is a walking brace.

20. The brace of claim 1, wherein the lower housing is a rocker sole.

21. The brace of claim 1, wherein the lower housing includes a substantially flat top portion.

22. The brace of claim 1, wherein the lower housing includes a bottom portion that has a toe section, an arch section and a heal section.

23. The brace of claim 22, wherein the arch section is thicker than the heal portion, and the heal portion is thicker than the toe section.

24. The brace of claim 1, further comprising a flexible pad that is positionable between the lower housing and the sole of the patient'"'"'s foot.

25. A method for supporting a patient'"'"'s injured leg, comprising:

providing an inflatable brace comprising a non-inflatable lower housing affixed to an inflatable upper housing,

applying the inflatable brace to the patient'"'"'s leg so as to envelop the leg at the site of the injury, and

inflating the inflatable upper housing to a level of pressure that will support the patient'"'"'s injured leg when walking on the brace.