An orthotic device including a frame assembly and a support structure. The frame assembly includes at least one frame having a first frame opening and a second frame opening. The support structure assembly includes at least one support structure supported by the at least one frame. The at least one support structure includes a mounting portion; a slide engagement member supported by the mounting portion configured to engage the first frame opening; and, at least one snap engagement member supported by the mounting portion configured to engage the second frame opening. The slide engagement member and the at least one snap engagement member are integrally formed with the mounting portion. In another embodiment the orthotic device includes a latch mechanism including a lever assembly, a draw bar, a chafe, a catch, and a first snap fit ledge.

Disclosed is a knee joint guide apparatus which can be driven even at any point on a plane in which an instantaneous rotation center of a knee joint can be positioned by a self-alignment function, and can also implement output performance required for a walking operation through a mechanical advantage change depending on a flexion angle. The knee joint guide apparatus includes: a proximal body link provided above a knee joint; a distal body link provided at a location corresponding to the proximal body link below the knee joint; and a planar rigid body 6-bar linkage mechanism including a plurality of revolute joints and a plurality of prismatic joints, and a plurality of links between the proximal body link and the distal body link to output a mechanical advantage depending on a flexion angle of the knee joint in movement of the knee joint with a self-alignment function.

Medical devices are provided, comprising a medical device and a sensor.

A spring mechanism having at least two wave washers and at least one spring washer between the wave washers. The wave washers are mounted so as to be twistable relative to one another.

A garment for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body may include a tubular flexible element and a tension strap. The tubular flexible element may be disposed around at least some portion of a human body and include flexible and a touch fastener portions. The flexible portion may be at an exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a first portion of the body. The touch fastener portion may be at the exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a second portion of the body. The tension strap may include first and second ends, where the first end includes a first touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a first location, and the second end includes a second touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a second location, thereby applying tension between the first and second locations.

An orthopedic device has first and second struts connected to one another by a hinge system, and includes a dynamic control system and a counterforce system. The dynamic control system includes first and second dynamic components arranged on a first side of the orthopedic device to exert first and second dynamic forces according to a flexion angle of the hinge system. A counterforce system is located on a second side of the orthopedic device to counteract the first and second dynamic forces with at least one counterforce.

A smart knee brace including a knee brace, multiple thigh bands, multiple shin bands, and multiple brace straps removably attached to one another and multiple motion actuators and sensors. Each motion actuator is connected to one brace strap and each sensor is connected to one motion actuator to measure an orientation of corresponding brace strap and generate a motion signal. A computing device receives the motion signals from the sensors; measures a current range of motion of the thigh, the shin, and the knee, and, based on the received motion signals, and generates drive signals based on the measured current range of motion. A native smart knee brace computer application on a smart phone of the user is operatively connected to the computing device and a cloud application server provide higher level analysis of the motions of the smart knee brace.

An orthopedic device and method for using the same are provided for applying a dynamic load on a leg of a user. The orthopedic device has a rigid or semi-rigid frame including lower and upper frames, and a hinge assembly connecting the lower and upper frames. A dynamic loading component is used to urge the load on the user's leg on the basis of flexion of the hinge assembly on the basis of tension in an elongate element connecting the dynamic loading component and at least one of the lower and upper frames. A peak load is generated at a flexion angle between extension and flexion of the hinge assembly.

A hinge for a brace comprises a tensioning element such as an inelastic cord for applying a restorative force to the hinge. A tensioning mechanism, preferably a hydraulic spring, tensions the cord as the hinge is moved from a rest position to a loaded condition. A tensioning member having a peripheral cam surface applies a tensioning force to the cord as the hinge is moved out of the rest position. The tensioning block and the anchoring block may be operatively geared together along an arc of motion so as to provide a generally symmetrical motion of the tensioning and anchoring portions relative to the gusset. When an external force is applied to move the hinge from the rest position the tension on the cord loads the spring, and when the external force is removed the spring applies a restorative force to move the hinge back to the rest position. Optionally the tensioning member may be configured to be disengaged and reengaged by an external actuator.

The present invention relates to an orthopedic brace including therein a thermal treatment system useful for treating joint injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis.