Claims
- 1. An orthopedic brace, comprising:
a first support; a second support; and a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first and second supports, wherein at least one of the first and second supports comprises an outer portion defining a longitudinal channel and a telescoping upright movable in the channel to adjust a length of the support.
- 2. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, further comprising at least one flexible strap encircling a portion of the brace and a portion of a patient's leg to secure the brace to the leg.
- 3. The orthopedic brace of claim 2, further comprising at least one padded cuff disposed between the brace and the leg.
- 4. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein the upright is removable from the at least one of the first and second supports to shorten an overall length of the brace.
- 5. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein a plurality of engagement surfaces are provided along a length of the telescoping upright, and the outer portion includes an engagement member selectively engageable with at least one of the engagement surfaces to lock the telescoping portion in place in the channel.
- 6. The orthopedic brace of claim 5, wherein the engagement member is recessed within the upright when the engagement member engages the at least one of the engagement surfaces.
- 7. The orthopedic brace of claim 6, wherein the engagement member comprises a button disposed within a recess in the channel and biased toward a configuration wherein a portion of the button protrudes from a surface of the channel.
- 8. The orthopedic brace of claim 7, wherein the button has an oval shape in plan aspect.
- 9. The orthopedic brace of claim 5, wherein the engagement surfaces comprise holes.
- 10. The orthopedic brace of claim 9, wherein the holes have an oval shape in plan aspect.
- 11. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein the first and second supports are curved about an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the brace.
- 12. The orthopedic brace of claim 11, wherein a cross-section of the first and second supports includes a first region having a first radius of curvature and a second region having a second radius of curvature longer than the first radius of curvature.
- 13. The orthopedic brace of claim 12, wherein the first region is located between the second region and a third region having the second radius of curvature.
- 14. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein the first and second supports further comprise at least a first generally D-shaped ring on a first side and a second generally D-shaped ring on a second side opposite the first side.
- 15. The orthopedic brace of claim 14, wherein the first and second rings are adjacent the hinge assembly.
- 16. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein the upright comprises at least a first generally D-shaped ring on a first side and a second generally D-shaped ring on a second side opposite the first side.
- 17. The orthopedic brace of claim 16, wherein the first and second rings are located at an end of the upright opposite the hinge assembly.
- 18. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises flexion-limiting stops.
- 19. The orthopedic brace of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises extension-limiting stops.
- 20. An orthopedic brace, comprising.
a first support; a second support; and a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first and second supports, wherein at least one of the first and second supports comprises a first portion constructed of a thermoplastic composite and a second portion constructed of a metal.
- 21. The orthopedic brace of claim 20, wherein the first portion comprises an outer portion defining a longitudinal channel.
- 22. The orthopedic brace of claim 21, wherein the second portion comprises a telescoping upright movable in the channel to adjust a length of the support.
- 23. The orthopedic brace of claim 20, wherein the first portion is connected to a metal hinge plate.
- 24. The orthopedic brace of claim 23, wherein the hinge plate is insert molded within the first portion.
- 25. The orthopedic brace of claim 23, wherein a portion of the hinge plate is bendable.
- 26. An orthopedic brace, comprising:
a first length-adjustable support including a longitudinal channel and a sliding upright slidably engaging the channel; a second length-adjustable support including a longitudinal channel and a sliding upright slidably engaging the channel; and a hinge assembly rotatably connecting the first and second supports, wherein each sliding upright includes a plurality of through holes, and a floor of each channel includes a spring-biased button engageable with each hole such that the button positively locks a position of the upright with respect to the channel and the upright is slidable within the channel when the button is depressed.
- 27. The orthopedic brace of claim 26, wherein each support includes a curvature about a longitudinal axis thereof such that substantially all of a surface of each support that faces a patient's leg contacts the leg.
- 28. The orthopedic brace of claim 26, wherein each support further comprises a plurality of brackets that are adapted to receive flexible straps for securing the brace to a patient's leg.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/255,521, filed on Dec. 12, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60255521 |
Dec 2000 |
US |