An orthopaedic brace includes two rigid valves hinge-coupled to one another and each having a respective pelvic section and a respective supporting shell. The pelvic sections are rigidly coupled to the supporting shells of the respective valves and are made of a thermoformable polymeric material having a softening point between 45° C. and 80° C.

A system for reducing forces which, in particular, act on a spine of a human, includes a plurality of joinable exoskeleton elements, wherein at least two of the joinable exoskeleton elements are configured to be fastened to the human body during use of the system and wherein a first exoskeleton element of the joinable exoskeleton elements includes a guide which is configured to guide a second exoskeleton element of the joinable exoskeleton elements along a curved trajectory relative to the first exoskeleton element and to enforce a superimposed translational and rotational relative movement between the first exoskeleton element and the second exoskeleton element when guiding the second exoskeleton element along the curved trajectory relative to the first exoskeleton element.

An improved thermoformable orthosis apparatus for being selectively formed and applied and removed having offset zipper closures on two shell members for improved hinging and opening and access for initial application and forming when malleable and for removing and reinstalling when hardened.

A formable cast (100), brace (180) or splint is provided herein which comprises a padding (101), an outer shell (103) spaced apart from the padding, and a ridge (109) disposed along the perimeter of the shell. The ridge, shell and padding define an interior space (115), with a curable polymeric material disposed in the interior space. The curable polymeric material undergoes a phase transition, upon curing, from a liquid or gel phase to a substantially rigid solid phase. The cast (100), brace (180) or splint may be readily customized to the patient by fitting the cast to the patient's body, positioning the cast in the desired orientation, and curing the curable polymeric material through exposure to actinic radiation or by other suitable means.

A conformable body interface is fabricated using a data set representing a three-dimensional, soft tissue body surface. The conformable body interface includes a body scaffold that is divided into two or more longitudinal segments separated by axial joints. Optionally, the body scaffold is further divided into two or more circumferentially split segments separated by circumferential joints. The axial joints are circumferentially constrained by elastic bands, tabs, or similar structures and the circumferential joints are longitudinally constrained by elastic axial tethers or similar structures. In this way, the body interfaces can accommodate swelling and bending of the body surface.

An orthopedic brace featuring a posterior bracing system. The posterior bracing system comprises (i) a posterior panel including a plurality of locking slots and (ii) a first extension panel removably coupled to the posterior panel. The first extension panel includes a plurality of locking protrusions corresponding to and removably coupled to the plurality of locking slots.

An anterior bracing system deployed as part of an orthopedic brace is described. The anterior bracing system features an anterior panel and a plurality of telescopic lateral panels. The anterior panel includes a plurality of rotatable locking members, each disposed on an opposing side of the anterior panel. The telescopic lateral panels are configured to extend in a lateral direction or retract in a medial direction. The plurality of rotatable locking members are configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. When the locking members are placed in the open position, the telescopic lateral panels are configured to extend or retract. When the locking members are placed the closed position, the telescopic lateral panels are locked in a current position.

A soft robotic spinal orthosis includes a control system having at least one processor, a plurality of adjustable pressure fluid bladders to provide at least one variable supporting force to a torso of a user, a plurality of supports to secure the fluid bladders to the torso, at least one sensor to detect a position of the torso, and at least one pressure device to increase and decrease a fluid pressure of the fluid bladders.

A method of donning a potentiating support for a hinge joint of a body includes positioning a garment proximate an area of a body; positioning an expandable and recoverable framework in abutment with the area of the body such that the framework spans a hinge joint of the body, the framework defining a plurality of permanent openings extending therethrough regardless of whether the support is donned; applying tension at points of the framework such that the framework is expanded and the framework is tensioned in its abutment with the area of the body, said step of applying tension being performed by pulling on one or more fastening components that are attached at one or more points to said framework; and affixing each of the fastening components to the garment while applying tension to the framework to secure the expanded framework in its forced abutment with the area of the body.

An orthopedic brace features a belt brace and an adjustable spinal support extension. The belt brace includes a structural member. The adjustable spinal support extension is configured for insertion into the structural member. The adjustable spinal support extension includes a sleeve, a first strut member, and a second strut member adjustably coupled to the first strut member to alter a length of the spinal support extension. The first strut member and the second strut member are partially enclosed within the sleeve and a fastener of the structural member is attachable to a fastener on the sleeve when the adjustable spinal support extension is placed within the sleeve.