Pneumatic ankle brace with bladder and pump arrangement
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pneumatic ankle brace, comprising:
- first and second substantially rigid side supports configured for fitting about the lower leg of a user and for supporting both sides of the user'"'"'s ankle;
securing means for securing said side supports relative to the user to firmly encase the ankle; and
a bladder-pump assembly including a first bladder, a second bladder, a resilient foot pump, first channel means for providing fluid communication back-and-forth between said first bladder and said foot pump, and second channel means for providing fluid communication back-and-forth between said second bladder and said foot pump, said first bladder being positioned to provide a cushion between one side of the ankle and said first side support, said second bladder being positioned to provide a cushion between the other side of the ankle and said second side support, said bladders at least in part supporting the user'"'"'s foot and ankle against inversion and eversion, said bladder-pump assembly having a preinflated constant fluid volume during operation of said ankle brace, said foot pump being positioned under the foot and thereby subject to foot pressure during the user'"'"'s foot impact activity;
wherein said foot pump when subjected to repeated foot pressure and release thereof causes a pulsing action of fluid in said bladder-pump assembly back-and-forth between said first bladder and said pump through said first channel means and back-and-forth between said second bladder and said pump through said second channel means, the fluid pulsing action providing a massaging compression effect to the foot and the ankle to reduce swelling thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic ankle brace having a pair of relatively rigid side supports with inflatable main bladders attached to their inside surfaces. The inflatable main bladders are coupled to an interconnected foot pump. Additional support and back-up bladders may be placed distally upon the main bladders to provide further cushioning and support. The foot pump is activated through normal use, such as walking or running, whereby entrapped fluid is displaced back and forth between the main bladders and the pump. This creates a pulsing action which provides a massaging compression effect which helps reduce swelling and increase venous and lymphatic return.
120 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A pneumatic ankle brace, comprising:
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first and second substantially rigid side supports configured for fitting about the lower leg of a user and for supporting both sides of the user'"'"'s ankle; securing means for securing said side supports relative to the user to firmly encase the ankle; and a bladder-pump assembly including a first bladder, a second bladder, a resilient foot pump, first channel means for providing fluid communication back-and-forth between said first bladder and said foot pump, and second channel means for providing fluid communication back-and-forth between said second bladder and said foot pump, said first bladder being positioned to provide a cushion between one side of the ankle and said first side support, said second bladder being positioned to provide a cushion between the other side of the ankle and said second side support, said bladders at least in part supporting the user'"'"'s foot and ankle against inversion and eversion, said bladder-pump assembly having a preinflated constant fluid volume during operation of said ankle brace, said foot pump being positioned under the foot and thereby subject to foot pressure during the user'"'"'s foot impact activity; wherein said foot pump when subjected to repeated foot pressure and release thereof causes a pulsing action of fluid in said bladder-pump assembly back-and-forth between said first bladder and said pump through said first channel means and back-and-forth between said second bladder and said pump through said second channel means, the fluid pulsing action providing a massaging compression effect to the foot and the ankle to reduce swelling thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for immobilizing an ankle of an individual against inversion and eversion and to reduce swelling in the individual'"'"'s lower leg extremity, said method comprising the steps of:
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securing a pair of substantially rigid side supports to encase the individual'"'"'s ankle with a first bladder disposed between one side support and one ankle side and a second bladder disposed between the other side support and the other ankle side; positioning a resilient foot pump, which is in fluid communication with both the first and second bladders, underneath the individual'"'"'s foot; and applying sequential pressure and at least partial release thereof to the resilient foot pump and through and by movement of the foot relative to a support surface; wherein said applying step moves fluid back-and-forth between the resilient foot pump and the first bladder and between the resilient foot pump and the second bladder, the fluid back-and-forth movements creating a pulsing action which has a massaging compression effect that reduces swelling of the individual'"'"'s lower leg extremity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification