CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALKER

• US 20120078148A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Ossur hf
• Inventors: HU, Irving, LEE, Jane
• Granted Patent: US 9,333,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/012 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0195 Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations

Abstract

An orthopedic device in the form of a circumferential walker includes a first member (posterior shell) and a second member (dorsal shell) corresponding to the first member. An outsole or plantar shell portion is attached to, or formed on or with the posterior shell. A hinge mechanism is provided between the posterior and dorsal shells to allow the dorsal shell to be swung away from the posterior shell in order to accommodate an anatomical limb therein. Inflatable bladders having perspiration wicking channels and/or openings are provided within a liner for insertion between the posterior and dorsal shells. Quick-connecting buckle and retaining assemblies can be provided to allow a user to quickly don and doff the orthopedic device.

Claims

1. An orthopedic leg walker, comprising:

a semi-rigid or substantially rigid posterior shell having lower leg and ankle portions, and a plantar portion having toe and heel ends and generally extending along a plantar surface of a foot of a wearer;

an outsole having a sole section secured to an outer surface of the posterior shell along the planar portion, the outsole having a toe protector section located at the toe end of the plantar portion and generally extending upright relative to the sole section and above the toe end of the posterior shell.

2. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, wherein the toe protector section is flexible.

3. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, wherein the toe protector and the sole sections are integrally formed as a monolithic piece.

4. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, wherein the outsole further comprises a heel section extending over at least a portion of the heel end of the plantar portion of the posterior shell.

5. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the outsole defines a rocker bottom configuration.

6. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cushioning structures are formed by the outsole and extend from a bottom portion of the outsole and are located below the plantar portion of the posterior shell.

7. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 6, wherein the cushioning structures generally have a cylindrical configuration.

8. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, further comprising a dorsal shell having proximal and distal shell portions, the posterior shell having wings defining a clearance along with the toe protector section, the dorsal shell fitting within the clearance.

9. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 8, wherein the dorsal shell includes a connecting portion formed as a flexible or resilient material positioned between the proximal and distal shell portions.

10. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 1, wherein the toe protector section is trimmable in height relative to the posterior shell.

11. An orthopedic leg walker, comprising:

a semi-rigid or substantially rigid posterior shell having lower leg and ankle portions, and a plantar portion having toe and heel ends and generally extending along a plantar surface of a foot of a wearer, the posterior shell forming a cavity and having lateral and medial wings defining a clearance therebetween;

a dorsal shell having a proximal and distal shell portions, the dorsal shell removably fitting within the clearance, the dorsal shell forming an opening at the proximal shell portion;

a liner arranged for insertion into the cavity of the posterior shell and dorsal shell covering the liner across the clearance, the liner having a bladder associated therewith and a pump assembly secured to the bladder, the pump assembly extending through an opening of the dorsal shell for permitting selective inflation of the bladder.

12. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 11, wherein the dorsal shell includes a connecting portion formed as a flexible or resilient material positioned between the proximal and distal shell portions.

13. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 11, wherein the pump assembly includes a pump and a release valve.

14. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 13, wherein the pump assembly includes an assembly cover extending over the pump and the release valve.

15. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 14, wherein the pump assembly includes at least one vent opening arranged to allow vented air from deflating the bladders to pass through the assembly cover to the atmosphere.

16. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 13, wherein the release valve is activated by a push button, the push button connected to a valve stem and biased toward an unactuated position via a biasing element.

18. An orthopedic leg walker, comprising:

a semi-rigid or substantially rigid posterior shell having lower leg and ankle portions, and a plantar portion having toe and heel ends and generally extending along a plantar surface of a foot of a wearer, the posterior shell forming a cavity and having lateral and medial wings defining a clearance therebetween;

a dorsal shell having proximal and distal shell portions, the dorsal shell removably fitting within the clearance, the dorsal shell forming an opening at the proximal shell portion, the dorsal shell having a connecting portion formed as a flexible or resilient material positioned between the proximal and distal shell portions.

19. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 18, wherein a strap is secured to the lateral and medial wings, and is positioned to extend over the connecting portion.

20. The orthopedic leg walker according to claim 18, wherein the proximal and distal shell portions narrow toward the connecting portion.