Rigid ankle support system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10092439-B2
Application number	US-201514612136-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 2, 2015
Priority date	Feb 4, 2014
Publication date	Oct 9, 2018
Grant date	Oct 9, 2018

Abstract

A moldable rigid ankle brace is disclosed. The rigid stabilizing ankle brace includes a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an opening for receiving a user's ankle, a footplate attached to the housing, and a closure mechanism. The multi-layer housing includes a middle layer, which is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures between about 130° F. and 275° F. A method of stabilizing an ankle is also disclosed. The method may include providing a rigid stabilizing ankle brace, having a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an opening for receiving a user's ankle, and a footplate removably attached to said housing, heating the ankle brace to between about 130° F. to about 275° F., and applying said heated ankle brace to the ankle of a patient in need thereof.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rigid stabilizing ankle brace, comprising:
a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having a selectively openable opening disposed posteriorly on the housing for receiving a user's foot wherein each layer of the multi-layer housing is configured to extend from a medial side of the foot around the user's ankle and across the user's shin to a distal side of the foot;
a closure mechanism disposed on the housing,
wherein the closure mechanism is configured to transition the selectively openable opening between an open position and a closed position, the open position configured to allow posterior entry of the foot into the ankle brace and the closed position configured to secure the ankle brace to the user's foot; and
a rigid footplate attached to the housing, wherein the footplate is a distinct component from the housing and is configured to support at least the user's heel.

2. The brace of claim 1 , wherein said multi-layer housing comprises a middle layer, wherein said middle layer is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures between about 130° F. and 220° F.

3. The brace of claim 2 , wherein said multi-layer housing comprises an outer layer, said outer layer comprising a fabric selected from the group consisting of knit nylon spandex blend, knit polyester spandex blend, fabrics of nylon, polyester, lycra, and rubberized materials.

4. The brace of claim 3 , wherein said multi-layer housing comprises an inner layer selected from the group consisting of a closed cell foam layer, an open cell foam layer, a gel layer, a soft polymer layer, an insulating fabric, a multilayer or lofted insulating fabric, and combinations thereof.

5. The brace of claim 4 , wherein said inner layer further comprises a chemical additive selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial, skin lotion, and topical therapeutic agent.

6. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the footplate is removably attached to the housing.

7. The brace of claim 6 , wherein the footplate comprises a University of California Biomechanics Lab (UCBL) style foot orthotic.

8. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises at least one tightening strap or lace that is anchorable to the housing and actuatable to tighten the brace about the ankle from a loose state to a tightened state.

9. The brace of claim 1 , wherein said closure mechanism is positioned medially.

10. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the brace further comprises a sole disposed on the brace below the footplate and configured to provide traction on a bottom surface of the brace.

11. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a first closure mechanism configured to tighten a dorsal portion of the brace and a second closure mechanism configured to tighten a leg portion of the brace.

12. A method of stabilizing an ankle, comprising:
providing a rigid stabilizing ankle brace comprising a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an openable opening for receiving a user's ankle and a rigid footplate configured to be attached to the housing, wherein each layer of the multi-layer housing is configured to extend from a medial side of the foot around the user's ankle and across the user's shin to a distal side of the foot, and wherein the footplate is a distinct component from the housing and is configured to support at least the user's heel;
heating said housing to between about 130° F. to about 275° F.; and
donning said heated housing to the ankle of a patient in need thereof.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said multi-layer housing comprises a middle layer, wherein said middle layer is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures between about 130° F. and 275° F.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising applying pressure to the heated housing to mold the housing to conform to a specific shape of a leg of the user.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising allowing the heated ankle brace to cool, and wherein the ankle brace is configured to retain its molded shape upon cooling.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
reheating the ankle brace to between about 130° F. to about 275° F. after it has cooled, thereby allowing it to become moldable;
reapplying the reheated ankle brace to the user's ankle; and
reapplying pressure to the reheated housing to mold the housing to conform to a specific shape of a leg of the patient.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising manipulating the orientation of said brace to align the brace relative to said ankle.

Assignees

• Exos Llc
• Djo Llc

Inventors

• Madden David
• Cozad Matthew
• Bowen Brian
• Ledezema Frank

Classifications

• A61F2210/0071

  thermoplastic · CPC title

• A61F5/0127 Primary

  for the feet (A61F5/0111 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61F2210/0076

  multilayered, e.g. laminated structures · CPC title