Shell-like orthopedic brace
First Claim
1. A shell-like orthopedic brace for application to a specific limb of a patient, said orthopedic brace comprising in combination:
- a first rigid half-shell form having front and rear edges, said first half-shell form being dimensioned to conform to the lateral side of said specific limb of the patient;
a second rigid half-shell form having front and rear edges, said second half-shell form being dimensioned to conform to the medial side of the specific limb of the patient for cooperative functional relationship with said first half-shell form, said second half-shell form being substantially a mirror-image of said first half-shell form and engageable therewith, said front edges of said first and second half-shell forms being engaged in abutting contact to each other at the front of the leg and said rear edges of said first and second half-shell forms being engaged in abutting contact to each other at the rear of the leg;
each said half-shell form comprising, in turn;
one or more channel portions extending longitudinally along the shell form;
air holes positioned along said channel portions in the shell and opening therethrough;
support means of a soft material for attachment to each said half-shell form and for filling the interstice between said shell forms and said patient;
each said support means secured by said channel portions of the half-shell forms; and
means to maintain said two half-shell forms together in abutment around the specific limb of the patient,whereby, upon securing said orthopedic brace to said limb of the patient, the limb is securely supported by a lightweight, stable and well-ventilated brace.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shell-like orthopedic brace is described which is divided into two halves and is prefabricated in various shapes and sizes. The measurement and applications of this device is used as required on any member of the patient'"'"'s body. Two molded parts or shells are formed to the shape and size of the specific member or limb of the body where a brace is needed. The inside of each molded part or shell is fabricated to include cushionlike supports or suchioned areas of a soft material that are joined to the shell. These cushioned areas are placed between grooves in the shell. To provide air circulation, holes are positioned equally along the grooves and are opened through the shell.
Construction for the utmost safety, the left and right parts come together precisely. This construction makes the device very stable.
58 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A shell-like orthopedic brace for application to a specific limb of a patient, said orthopedic brace comprising in combination:
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a first rigid half-shell form having front and rear edges, said first half-shell form being dimensioned to conform to the lateral side of said specific limb of the patient; a second rigid half-shell form having front and rear edges, said second half-shell form being dimensioned to conform to the medial side of the specific limb of the patient for cooperative functional relationship with said first half-shell form, said second half-shell form being substantially a mirror-image of said first half-shell form and engageable therewith, said front edges of said first and second half-shell forms being engaged in abutting contact to each other at the front of the leg and said rear edges of said first and second half-shell forms being engaged in abutting contact to each other at the rear of the leg; each said half-shell form comprising, in turn; one or more channel portions extending longitudinally along the shell form; air holes positioned along said channel portions in the shell and opening therethrough; support means of a soft material for attachment to each said half-shell form and for filling the interstice between said shell forms and said patient; each said support means secured by said channel portions of the half-shell forms; and means to maintain said two half-shell forms together in abutment around the specific limb of the patient, whereby, upon securing said orthopedic brace to said limb of the patient, the limb is securely supported by a lightweight, stable and well-ventilated brace. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A shell-like orthopedic brace for application to a specific limb of a patient, said orthopedic brace comprising in combination:
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a first rigid half-shell form having front and rear edges, said first half-shell form being dimensioned to conform to the lateral side of said specific limb of the patient; a second rigid half-shell form having front and rear edges, said second half-shell form being dimensioned to conform to the medial side of the specific limb of the patient for cooperative functional relationship with said first half-shell form, said second half-shell form being substantially a mirror-image of said first half-shell form and engageable therewith, said front edges of said first and second half-shell forms being engaged in abutting contact to each other at the front of the leg and said rear edges of said first and second half-shell forms being engaged in abutting contact to each other at the rear of the leg; each said half-shell form comprising, in turn; one or more channel portions extending longitudinally along the shell form; air holes positioned along said channel portions in the half-shell forms and opening therethrough; support means of a soft material for attachment to each said half-shell form and for filling the interstice between said shell forms and said patient; and
,each said support means secured between said channel portions of the shell forms without impeding the flow of air to the limb; and means to maintain said two half-shell forms together in abutment around the specific limb of the patient, whereby, upon securing said orthopedic brace to said limb of the patient, the limb is securely supported by a lightweight, stable and well-ventilated brace. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification