Circumferential walker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9492301-B2
Application number	US-201313951933-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 26, 2013
Priority date	May 15, 2008
Publication date	Nov 15, 2016
Grant date	Nov 15, 2016

Abstract

An orthopedic device in the form of a circumferential walker includes a first member (posterior shell) and a second member (dorsal shell) corresponding to the first member. An outsole or plantar shell portion is attached to, or formed on or with the posterior shell. A hinge mechanism is provided between the posterior and dorsal shells to allow the dorsal shell to be swung away from the posterior shell in order to accommodate an anatomical limb therein. Inflatable bladders having perspiration wicking channels and/or openings are provided within a liner for insertion between the posterior and dorsal shells. Quick-connecting buckle and retaining assemblies can be provided to allow a user to quickly don and doff the orthopedic device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An orthopedic walker, comprising:
a semi-rigid or rigid posterior shell arranged to extend from a posterior side of a lower leg and ankle, along a distal surface of a foot, and terminating in a plantar shell portion arranged to extend along the plantar surface of the foot, the posterior shell including first and second wing portions arranged to extend partially around the lower leg and ankle to at least partially enclose, protect, and support the lower leg;
a plurality of clearance holes formed along and oriented toward an anterior edge portion of the first and second wing portions, at least some of the clearance holes having a slotted configuration providing some resiliency to the first and second wing portions to accommodate swelling of a limb or limbs of different sizes;
a dorsal shell selectively engageable with the posterior shell, the dorsal shell having a semi-rigid or substantially rigid proximal shell portion and a semi-rigid or substantially rigid distal shell portion connected to the proximal shell portion via a connecting portion to permit movement of the proximal and distal shell portions relative to one another; and
a raised reinforcing portion protruding from and running longitudinally along a length of the proximal shell portion defined between proximal and distal ends of the proximal shell portion, the raised reinforcing portion formed in a single piece with the proximal shell portion, and arranged to strengthen the proximal shell portion and provide support and stabilization to a lower leg of a user when the raised reinforcing portion is engaged with at least one tightening member extending over the proximal shell portion.

2. The orthopedic walker of claim 1 , wherein the posterior shell defines at least one eyelet formed through a thickness of the posterior shell, the at least one eyelet having a width or diameter greater than at least one of the clearance holes.

3. The orthopedic walker of claim 2 , wherein the at least one eyelet is formed at a lower portion corresponding to an ankle portion of the posterior shell.

4. The orthopedic walker of claim 2 , wherein the at least one eyelet comprises first and second eyelets formed on opposed sides of a lower portion of the posterior shell.

5. The orthopedic walker of claim 2 , wherein an elongate seat opening depends from a side of the eyelet.

6. The orthopedic walker of claim 1 , wherein the posterior shell defining a pair of elongate slots extending longitudinally along a length of the posterior shell, the pair of slots are formed along a first side of the posterior shell, a section of the semi-rigid or rigid material segment forming the posterior shell defined between the pair of slots.

7. The orthopedic walker of claim 6 , further comprising a strap extending through the pair of slots and retained from longitudinal movement relative to the length of the posterior shell by the semi-rigid or rigid material segment.

8. The orthopedic walker of claim 1 , wherein the dorsal shell defines a pump receiving opening arranged to receive a pump.

9. An orthopedic walker, comprising:
a semi-rigid or rigid posterior shell arranged to extend from a posterior side of a lower leg and ankle, along a distal surface of a foot, and terminating in a plantar shell portion arranged to extend along the plantar surface of the foot, the posterior shell including first and second wing portions arranged to extend partially around the lower leg and ankle to at least partially enclose, protect, and support the lower leg;
a plurality of clearance holes formed along and oriented toward an anterior edge portion of the first and second wing portions, at least some of the clearance holes having a slotted configuration providing some resiliency to the first and second wing portions to accommodate swelling of a limb or limbs of different sizes;
a plurality of tightening members secured to the posterior shell; and
a dorsal shell selectively engageable with the posterior shell, the dorsal shell having a semi-rigid or substantially rigid proximal shell portion and a semi-rigid or substantially rigid distal shell portion connected to the proximal shell portion via a connecting portion to permit movement of the proximal and distal shell portions relative to one another, the dorsal shell defining a pump receiving opening arranged to receive a pump and a raised reinforcing portion protruding from and running longitudinally along a length the proximal shell portion defined between proximal and distal ends of the proximal shell portion, the raised reinforcing portion formed in a single piece with the proximal shell portion, and arranged to strengthen the proximal shell portion and provide support and stabilization to a lower leg of a user when the raised reinforcing portion is engaged with at least one of the tightening members extending from the posterior shell and over the proximal shell portion.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Hu Irving
• Lee Jane

Classifications

• A61F5/0195

  Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations · CPC title

• A61F5/012 Primary

  inflatable · CPC title

• A61F5/01

  Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces · CPC title

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title

• A61F5/0127

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