Pneumatic liner with pressure relief valve and method of supporting an extremity with a pneumatic liner with pressure relief valve
First Claim
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1. A liner for an orthopedic bracing device, comprising:
- a sleeve portion constructed of a relatively soft and flexible fabric;
at least one bladder secured to the sleeve portion;
a pump secured to the sleeve portion and adapted to inflate the at least one bladder; and
a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the bladder;
wherein the pressure relief valve is adapted to vent excess air from the at least one bladder once a threshold pressure is reached inside the at least one bladder.
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Abstract
The present pneumatic liner includes a pressure relief valve. The valve limits the maximum pressure that can be reached within at least one bladder in the liner. When the threshold pressure is reached, the valve opens to vent excess air. The liner is thus adapted to prevent overinflation, which could restrict circulation in the wearer'"'"'s limb. Also disclosed is a method of supporting an extremity using the liner.
76 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A liner for an orthopedic bracing device, comprising:
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a sleeve portion constructed of a relatively soft and flexible fabric;
at least one bladder secured to the sleeve portion;
a pump secured to the sleeve portion and adapted to inflate the at least one bladder; and
a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the bladder;
wherein the pressure relief valve is adapted to vent excess air from the at least one bladder once a threshold pressure is reached inside the at least one bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of supporting a wearer'"'"'s extremity, comprising the steps of:
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placing the extremity within a flexible sleeve, the sleeve including at least one inflatable bladder;
securing the sleeve about the extremity; and
inflating the bladder until a pressure relief valve operably connected to the bladder opens to vent excess air within the bladder. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification