ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE FOR DYNAMICALLY TREATING OSTEOARTHRITIS
First Claim
1. An orthopedic device, comprising:
- upper and lower frames hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges located on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension, each of the upper and lower frames including opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion;
a force strap connected to the upper and lower frames and spiraling therebetween, wherein at a first location the force strap generally extends proximate to the first primary hinge and is generally urged in a first direction at said first location to the second primary hinge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An orthopedic device has upper and lower frames hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension. Each of the upper and lower frames includes opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion. A force strap is connected to the upper and lower frames and spiraling therebetween, and the force strap generally extends at a first location proximate to the first primary hinge and is generally urged in a first direction at the first location to the second primary hinge. The upper frame is rigid or semi-rigid, and includes means for permitting movement in proximal-distal directions and means for permitting movement in lateral-medial directions.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An orthopedic device, comprising:
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upper and lower frames hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges located on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension, each of the upper and lower frames including opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion; a force strap connected to the upper and lower frames and spiraling therebetween, wherein at a first location the force strap generally extends proximate to the first primary hinge and is generally urged in a first direction at said first location to the second primary hinge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An orthopedic device, comprising:
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upper and lower frames hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges located on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension, each of the upper and lower frames including opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion, the second portion of the upper frame including first and second segments movable relative to one another in generally proximal-distal directions of the orthopedic device, whereas the first portion of the upper frame is a continuous segment without interruption; and a force strap connected to the upper and lower frames and spiraling therebetween, the first and second segments movable upon tensioning of the force strap. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for using a knee brace having upper and lower frames hingedly connected to each other by first and second primary hinges located on opposed sides of the device and providing movement between flexion and extension, each of the upper and lower frames including opposed first and second medial-lateral portions connected by a central portion, the second portion of the upper frame comprising first and second segments movable relative to one another in a generally proximal-distal direction of the orthopedic device, the method comprising the steps of:
tightening a force strap connected to the upper and lower frames by spiraling the strap between the upper and lower frames, the first and second segments movable upon tensioning of the force strap such that at a first location the force strap generally extends proximate to the first primary hinge and is generally urged in a first direction at said first location to the second primary hinge. - View Dependent Claims (20)
Specification