An orthopedic system includes a base shell forming an opening over a dorsal aspect thereof and a dorsal shell contoured to generally correspond to the opening of the base shell. The base shell has a proximal member and a distal member connected to the proximal member, each has a semi-rigid shell configuration to protect and support a lower leg, an ankle, or a foot of a user when received in the orthopedic system. A flexible toe portion is attached to a distal terminal end area of the distal member and formed of a different material than the distal member. The flexible toe portion is arranged to terminate above an upper surface of the user's toes and to flex relative to the distal member and the toes so as to reduce the likelihood of pressure points on the toes from the distal member.

An apparatus and method for distraction (stretching and/or straightening) of injured or repaired knee joints. The apparatus comprises pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders designed to be disposed on either side of a leg with a knee to be treated to stretch the leg joint when the cylinders are activated.

A device for treating carpal tunnel syndrome of a person's hand, which has a palmar aspect, with thenar and hypothenar regions, and a dorsal aspect opposite the palmar aspect. The cuff has a C-shaped profile in cross section, wherein two ends of the C-shaped profile of the cuff form the cuff opening. The cuff is formed from two or more cuff parts, wherein these cuff parts have a C-shaped profile in cross section and are connected to each other by means of a connection element to form the cuff. The cuff parts are preferably connected to each other, by means of the connection element, in a movable and/or pivotable and also releasable manner, such that the width of the cuff opening can be individually adapted for each patient. This results in simple, efficient and safe treatment and handling of the cuff according to the invention or of the device.

An orthotic device for haptic terrain feedback and control includes a plate having a mechatronic unit, a bladder structure secured to the plate, the bladder structure having one or more bladder cells, and a passageway extending between the bladder cell and an environment outside the orthotic device. The orthotic device is configured to provide haptic feedback to a user by way of selective inflation and deflation of the one or more bladder cells.

Medical devices and methods are presented for protecting a limb, e.g., an arm, of a patient during a medical procedure. The medical devices and methods utilize a plurality of longitudinal sealed fluid pockets to thermally insulate and cushion an extremity of a limb. The plurality of longitudinal sealed fluid pockets is incorporated in a protective body that is shaped to wrap around the extremity when the medical device is deployed. The protective body has at least one access opening to provide access through the protective body to one or more corresponding portions of the extremity. Access panels may be formed into the protective body to allow portions of the extremity to be covered or uncovered and used with left or right limbs. Other devices and methods are presented.

A buoyancy-based cervical traction system has a floatation and a head rest supported by the flotation system. The head rest is adapted to support a person's head above the neck and apply traction to the neck when the person is in a body of liquid. The system has a position adjustment system adapted to allow selective adjustment of the position at which the person's head rest will be relative to an upper surface of the liquid when the person and the cervical traction system are in the liquid, the person's head is supported by the head rest, and the cervical traction system and person are floating in the liquid at equilibrium.

A knee brace with an inflatable air bladder. In a post-surgical embodiment the brace includes a rigid shell that fits behind the knee. The rigid shell includes an inflatable air bladder on its posterior surface. A wrap is placed around the knee and the air bladder. When the air bladder is inflated, the knee is urged in the posterior directionthereby decreasing flexion. In a rehabilitative embodiment, a rigid shell is placed over the anterior portion of the knee. An air bladder is positioned between the rigid shell and the knee. The rigid shell is held in place using the securing straps of the rehabilitative brace. When the air bladder is inflated the knee is again urged in the posterior direction.

A knee brace with an inflatable air bladder. In a post-surgical embodiment the brace includes a rigid shell that fits behind the knee. The rigid shell includes an inflatable air bladder on its posterior surface. A wrap is placed around the knee and the air bladder. When the air bladder is inflated, the knee is urged in the posterior directionthereby decreasing flexion. In a rehabilitative embodiment, a rigid shell is placed over the anterior portion of the knee. An air bladder is positioned between the rigid shell and the knee. The rigid shell is held in place using the securing straps of the rehabilitative brace. When the air bladder is inflated the knee is again urged in the posterior direction.

A walking brace is provided. The walking brace includes a U-shaped malleable stay configured to hold a manually-bent shape. The walking brace includes an integral portion. The integral portion includes a footbed, a first upright disposed at a first side of the footbed and a second upright disposed on a second side of the footbed. The integral portion is overmolded onto the U-shaped malleable stay such that the U-shaped malleable stay extends through each of the footbed, the first upright and the second upright. Other walking braces are provided wherein the integral portion includes a pocket configured to receive the U-shaped malleable stay at an underside of the integral portion such that the U-shaped malleable stay extends through each of the footbed, the first upright and the second upright. A method of manufacturing a walking brace is also provided.

A dynamic support system includes a control system for controlling inflation and deflation of at least one actuator having an inlet connectable to the a control unit of the dynamic support system. The control unit may be in communication with a sensor and may control inflation and deflation of the at least one actuator in response to information provided by the sensor.