A reusable joint stabilizer for application to a joint of a patient, the stabilizer including a web having a pattern selected to provide a desired stability and restriction in the range of motion of the joint, the web being securable about the joint of the patient and formed of a plurality of flexible and non-stretchable strips interconnected in a desired pattern and a plurality of non-adhesive and reusable flexible tacky strips aligned with and connected to at least selected ones of the non-stretchable strips for positioning adjacent to skin of the patient proximate the joint. The tacky strips transfer forces between the exterior of the web and the skin of the patient contacted by the tacky strips to provide a desired stability of the joint and a desired restriction in the range of motion of the joint.

The invention refers to a body fitting element with negative pressure controlled stiffness comprised of a gas tight envelope (1), a plurality of layers fitted in the envelope (3) and a valve (2) adapted to evacuate the interior of the envelope, characterized in that the layers comprise a core (4a) made of a material with a high Young's modulus and flexibility and a first cover layer at both sides of the core made of a material with high friction coefficient (4b). Orthoses and protective equipments fabricated with the fitting element can be shaped and fitted to the body in an optimal manner.

A customizable fitted device for immobilizing injuries and a method for constructing the fitted device is provided. The fitted device can be used to stabilize an arm, wrist, hand, leg, knee, ankle, foot or other body parts through custom formation. The device can be formed by a sidewall having one or more sidewall sections that can be secured together using retaining clips positioned within retaining clip slots on the device. The device can further include one or more openings defined in the sidewall of each device section while maintaining rigidity in the sidewall. The device can be constructed by of creating a 3D image scan of the particular body part to which the device will be applied, creating a design of the device to precisely match the contours of the 3D image scan, and using a 3D printer to construct the device according to the design.

Wearable support structure for at least partly relieving a human body during leaning or bending over, said structure comprising a frame having a chest support, pivoting arrangements for pivoting the support structure in correspondence with the leaning or bending or the human body, an elongated stay connected to said chest support, a lumbar support, connected to said pivoting arrangements, and arranged for bearing upon a lumbar area of said human body, and a thigh support, connected to said pivoting arrangements, and arranged for bearing upon a front side of a thigh area of said human body. The wearable support structure comprises a connecting device for detachably connecting at least one of: said thigh support to said pivoting arrangements; said elongated stay to said chest support; and said elongated stay to said pivoting arrangements.

An improved pain management and post-operative hip orthosis includes a waist strap having first and second ends, a lower strap having first and second ends, and a pocket extending between the waist strap and lower strap. The pocket has inner and outer panels fastened to each other to define an upper opening and a lower opening. A cooling pack including a reservoir and inlet and outlet tubes extending from a bottom of the reservoir is applied to the pocket such that the inlet and outlet tubes pass through the lower opening of the pocket.

An orthopedic brace for preventing injury to a wearer including a body having a series of liquid filled regions, the body having a first more flexible state wherein the liquid filled regions contain a liquid material and a second more rigid state wherein the liquid within the regions is hardened to a second harder state, the body transformable from the first state to the second state upon receiving a force which exceeds a predetermined value. A chemical reaction or an isothermal process can cause the phase change.

The length of a strap has an inelastic component and a stretchable component. The stretchable component has a flat, nearly flat or degressive spring rate for the majority of its operating range of extension. The operating range accommodates the expansion and contraction of a body part to which the strap is to be attached, such that the tension applied to the body part by the strap varies minimally as the body part expands and contracts, increasing comfort for the wearer.

Cryosplint. In some embodiments, a cryosplint may include a vacuum splint and a cold pack. The vacuum splint may be configured to be wrapped around a body part of a patient and then have air evacuated therefrom in order to stabilize the body part. The cold pack may be configured to be attached to the vacuum splint in order to provide application of cold to the body part simultaneous to the vacuum splint stabilizing the body part.

According to an embodiment, a device for tightening an article includes a housing, a spool rotatably positioned within the housing, a knob operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within the housing, and a stop mechanism. The device is configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a first direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within the housing that incrementally tensions a tension member and thereby tightens the article. The device is also configured so that incremental rotation of the knob in a second direction causes a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool that incrementally loosens the tension member's tension. The stop mechanism is configured to prevent rotation of the spool in the second direction when the tension member's tension achieves or falls below a tension threshold.

A body joint support device capable of abutting against at least one body joint and accommodating in configuration both to the bending and non-bending states of the body joint includes a covering structure, a control device, and at least one electrode pad unit and/or inflatable airbag. The covering structure can be worn to the body joint, the electrode pad unit is provided on the inner surface of the covering structure, and the control device is provided on the outer surface of the covering structure. The control device can transmit current to the electrode pad unit so that the electrode pad unit outputs current to stimulate and/or heat muscles. When a body joint moves, the force produced by the covering structure can press the electrode pad unit tightly against the skin at the body joint, so that the electrode pad unit does not become loose due to frequent body joint movement.