According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an orthopedic spine brace is described. The brace features a back panel; a first and second lateral frame assembly; and a chest plate attachment. The first lateral frame assembly includes a first superior frame member and a first hinge coupled to both a first end of the first superior frame member to allow for angular adjustment of the first superior frame member. The second lateral frame assembly includes a second superior frame member and a second hinge coupled to both a first end of the second superior frame member to allow for angular adjustment of the second superior frame member. The chest plate attachment includes (i) a lock attachment member for coupling to a second end of the first superior frame member and (ii) a hinged attachment member for coupling to a second end of the second superior frame member.

An adjustable over corrective therapeutic scoliosis brace configured to facilitate the correction of spinal curvature during a treatment period of a patient is provided. In some embodiments, the scoliosis brace comprises an external shell and one or more periodically adjustable modular internal pads systems. The one or more internal pad systems can be selectively moved and fixedly positioned in a plurality of positions along at least one of the lateral direction or the vertical direction within the external shell, wherein the plurality of positions are designed for periodic adjustment of the corrective force on the spinal curvature during the treatment period.

An orthopedic device has at least one flexible or rigid frame member contoured to generally correspond to an anatomical limb. The device also includes a tightening system having a dial tensioning device and at least one cable and/or strap connected to the dial tensioning device. The dial tensioning device has a rotary ratchet permitting incremental adjustment of the cable and/or strap. Adjustment of the dial tensioner in a first direction secures the frame member to the limb.

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 spinal support, in particular a cervical or lumbar support, with adjustable curvature, has a hard shell with a convex curvature in a longitudinal direction generally conforming to a concavely curved region of a human spine. A stiff resilient conformal tongue on an inner surface of the hard outer shell and one end hinged to the hard shell and an opposite end free to move in a longitudinal guide permitting forcible deformation of the tongue to create an arch with varying degrees of curvature. A retaining mechanism permits locking of the opposite end so as to retain the tongue in a deformed arch configuration with a selected degree of curvature.

Devices, systems, and methods for maintain a preselected tension between a first portion and a second portion of an orthotic brace include a controlled tension unit comprising a housing coupled to a first portion of the orthotic brace, the housing having a cavity formed therein, one or more constant-force spring mounted at or near a first end of the cavity, and a connector cable having a first end connected to an end of the one or more constant-force spring and a second end extending out of the housing through a second end of the cavity. The second end of the connector cable is configured to connect with a coupling element coupled to a second portion of the orthotic brace. In this arrangement, the controlled tension unit is configured to maintain a preselected tension between the first portion and the second portion of the orthotic brace.

According to embodiments of the invention, a novel scoliosis brace includes inflatable pressure bladders which are cyclically controlled and monitored to increase and decrease pressure over a given treatment period. A treatment protocol monitors and tracks the quality and quantity of brace wear time to provide better data for modifying and/or increasing bladder pressures and cycle times over a long-term bracing period.

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.

Provided is a system for reducing forces which, in particular, act on a spine of a human, comprising 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 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.