Orthosis

• US 4,693,239 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 09/15/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orthomedics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Orthomedics Incorporated
• Inventors: Clover, William M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stouffer, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US06/820,037
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 128/80 R, 128/80 F, 128/87 R, 128/88, 128/89 R, 128/90, 128/DIG. 15, 128/83
• US Class Current: 602/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/15 Hook and loop type fastener

Abstract

An orthosis for supporting a limb of a patient having soft tissue damage includes a semi-rigid shell having lateral, medial and posterior portions, and a soft porous pad which surrounds the limb within the semi-rigid shell. The pad and shell are firmly secured around the limb by utilizing hook and pile straps. If the orthosis is utilized for a leg, a footplate is pivotally attached to medial and lateral uprights. The uprights are adjustably secured to the shell, thereby restricting the movement of the foot. An opening is provided in the shell across the anterior part of the limb to reduce the pressure on the damaged soft tissue. The shell supports a fractured limb and the pad provides comfort to the patient and enhances the healing of the damaged soft tissue.

Claims

1. A lower leg orthosis for supporting the lower leg comprising:

a semi-rigid shell provided with an anterior opening, such that said shell is open across that area of the shell where the anterior part of the leg is adapted to be positioned, and having posterior, medial and lateral portions, the medial and lateral portions each being coupled to the posterior portion;

a first soft flexible material, more flexible than the semi-rigid shell, being disposed within said shell and adapted to enclose the lateral, medial and posterior parts of the leg;

a second soft flexible material, said second material having substantially the same flexibility as the first flexible material, said second material also being more flexible than said semi-rigid shell, said second material being wider than the width of said anterior opening when the orthosis is positioned on a leg so as to be adapted to be disposed partially within said shell and to enclose the anterior part of the leg, the exposed portion of said second flexible material being free of any additional material which substantially decreases its flexibility; and

means for urging the lateral and medial shell parts toward each other to secure said shell and flexible materials around the leg.

2. The orthosis as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second materials are soft and porous.

3. The orthosis as defined in claim 2 wherein said first flexible material comprises a heat moldable perforated foam pad and said second flexible material comprises a heat moldable perforated foam pad.

4. The orthosis as defined in claim 3 further comprising:

a footplate;

lateral and medial uprights pivotally attached to said footplate; and

means for securing said lateral upright to said lateral portion of said shell, and said medial upright to said medial portion of said shell.

5. The orthosis as defined in claim 4 wherein said urging means includes a plurality of straps attached vertically along said shell and extending across said second flexible material.

6. The orthosis as defined in claim 5 wherein said securing means includes hook and pile fasteners.

7. The orthosis as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said lateral and medial portions are coupled to said posterior portion by a plurality of rivets; and

said urging means includes a plurality of straps fastened along one side of said shell, said straps extending across the anterior of the limb to attach to the other side of said shell.

8. The orthosis as defined in claim 1 wherein edge portions of said second flexible material are adapted to be placed inside said first flexible material.