Orthopedic device

• US 20080294082A1
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ossur hf
• Original Assignee: Kaupthing Bank HF
• Inventors: Arnold, William, Chang, Julia
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles

Abstract

An orthopedic device as in a dorsal splint for treating plantar fasciitis includes a substantially rigid splint member having an overmolded flexible edge and living hinges, or substantially rigid component pieces received in a flexible member, to provide improved and more comfortable fitting to a user and reduced storage requirements. The substantially rigid splint member is shaped and configured to engage the dorsal aspects of a user'"'"'s lower leg, ankle, and foot. Straps are provided to maintain the dorsal splint in position.

Claims

1. A dorsal splint comprising:

(a) a substantially rigid splint member having anterior and posterior surfaces, and forming

(i) an upper portion shaped and configured to engage the dorsal aspect of the leg,

(ii) an intermediate portion shaped and configured to engage the dorsal surface of the ankle,

(iii) a lower portion shaped and configured to engage the dorsal surface of the foot,

(iv) at least one living hinge having anterior and posterior surfaces, the living hinge continuously extending from a side of the upper portion, and

(v) a wing extending from the living hinge, wherein the wing is bendable along the hinge relative to the upper portion.

2. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, wherein the living hinge includes an elongate channel formed along the posterior surface thereof and extending across the entirety of the living hinge.

3. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, wherein the living hinge defines at least one recess bridging the wing and the upper portion, the recess facilitating bending of the wing relative to the upper portion.

4. The dorsal splint according to claim 2, wherein the living hinge defines first and second recesses bridging the wing and the upper portion, the elongate channel located between the first and second recesses, thereby facilitating bending of the wing relative to the upper portion.

5. The dorsal splint according to claim 2, wherein the wing defines an elongate slot generally parallel to the elongate channel of the living hinge.

6. The dorsal splint according to claim 4, further comprising a strap secured to and extending between the first and second slots.

7. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion, the wing and the living hinge each have a material thickness, the living hinge having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the upper portion and the wing.

8. The dorsal splint according to claim 7, further comprising a flexible edge portion extending about the upper portion over the anterior surface thereof, the flexible edge portion extending over the living hinge and around the wing, the flexible edge portion having greater flexibility than the splint member.

9. The dorsal splint according to claim 8, wherein the wing defines an elongate slot generally parallel to the living hinge, the wing having a greater thickness around the slot.

10. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible edge portion extending at least along the posterior surfaces of the upper, intermediate and lower portions, the flexible edge portion having greater flexibility than the splint member.

11. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion has a greater width than the upper and intermediate portions.

12. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion defines a plurality of through-extending slots generally oriented perpendicular to the length of the splint member.

13. The dorsal splint according to claim 1, further comprising a bendable aluminum stay embedded into the stay member between the anterior and posterior surfaces of the stay member.

14. The dorsal splint according to claim 13, wherein the aluminum stay continuously extends along the length and through the upper, intermediate and lower portions.

15. A dorsal splint comprising:

(a) a substantially rigid splint member having anterior and posterior surfaces, and forming

(i) an upper portion shaped and configured to engage the dorsal aspect of the leg,

(ii) an intermediate portion shaped and configured to engage the dorsal surface of the ankle, and

(iii) a lower portion shaped and configured to engage the dorsal surface of the foot;

(b) a flexible overmold integrally formed with and secured along a periphery of the splint member, the overmold extending outwardly from the splint member periphery and having greater flexibility than the splint member.

16. The dorsal splint according to claim 15, wherein the overmold extends over thinned portions of the anterior surface of the splint member.

17. The dorsal splint according to claim 15, wherein the overmold variably extends in distance from the splint member.

18. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a substantially rigid splint member having anterior and posterior surfaces;

a flexible overmold integrally formed with and secured along a periphery of the splint member, the overmold extending outwardly from the splint member periphery and having greater flexibility than the splint member;

at least one living hinge having anterior and posterior surfaces, the living hinge continuously extending from a side of the upper portion; and

a wing extending from the living hinge, wherein the wing is bendable along the hinge relative to the splint member.

19. The orthopedic device according to claim 18, further comprising a bendable aluminum stay embedded into the stay member between the anterior and posterior surfaces thereof.

20. The orthopedic device according to claim 18, wherein the overmold extends over the entirety of the periphery of the splint member.