An orthopedic device has first and second elongate struts each having a strap coupling member, and a flexible strap securing to the first and second struts by the strap coupling members. The orthopedic device includes various embodiments of hinge assemblies including flexion and extension stops and locks for maintaining the hinge assembly in a fixed configuration. The orthopedic device has various embodiments of strap assemblies for securing components to cuff assemblies.

An adjustable tension knee brace for unloading weight from a knee joint afflicted with osteoarthritis, thus reducing pain and improving mobility, comprising: an upper and lower rigid posterior portion, anterior straps, and a tension adjustable geared hinge assembly. Four embodiments are disclosed of hinge assemblies useable with the knee brace, or other types of braces. The hinge assemblies comprise: two subunits housing intermeshed gears, and at least one elastic band extending between the hinge subunits over a cam surface above the gears. In three embodiments, U-shaped connectors secure the subunits and gears together, and the subunits may comprise a user mechanism that adjusts the elastic band's tension and thus the amount of weight unloaded, then releases it. Another embodiment comprises a core bracket to protect the band(s) and a mechanism to compress the elastic band at various points to increase the amount of tension, and with a quick release mechanism.

An optical scanning microscope includes an illumination system having a light source portion emanating from a light source, first and second polarizing beam splitters, and first and second optical channels disposed between the beam splitters. The light source portion is configured to emit a first illumination light beam comprising light of a first and of a second main polarization direction. The first beam splitter is configured to guide the light of the first and second main polarization direction primarily into the first and channels, respectively. The second beam splitter is configured to form a second illumination light beam from light of the first and second main polarization directions from the first channel and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels are configured to emit the light of the first and second main polarization directions from the first and second channels, respectively, so as to have different convergence angles.

Example embodiments of the brace assembly utilize an elastic cross strap attached to mounting facilities about a joint to provide progressive resistance to the extension, flexion or other movement of body parts about the joint. In some embodiments for a knee joint, the brace assembly provides a progressive resisting force to resist hyperextension of the knee. Some embodiments of the assembly may be able to accommodate different joints, different size wearer's of the assembly and different tension settings such as for athletes during competition. Some embodiments of the brace assembly may be used bilaterally and can be made without metal bracing to comply with the requirements of some sports. Some embodiments of the mounting facilities may have through holes.

An apparatus and methods for making for shoulder orthoses, which can control the position of the humeral head/arm relative to the shoulder joint by adjusting tension across the joint. The orthoses allows the user to modify the direction and magnitude of force applied while wearing the orthosis. The orthosis may contain cams or extensions to direct and amplify the force around the joint towards a specific range of motion. The orthoses can be made from digitally imaging joints and then partially or fully automating the design of orthosis.

Methods of manufacturing a low-profile brace for treating a ligament injury are provided. Among other features, a method of manufacturing includes providing a liner and permanently attaching provided first and second metal components configured to be formed to the shape of a thigh and a calf of the patient; and providing upper and lower lateral rigid members, each having a three-dimensional structure comprising a recessed portion extending along a length of the respective lateral rigid member. The recessed portion includes a substantially y-shaped portion that is: disposed at a proximal end of the lower lateral rigid member or at a distal end of the upper lateral rigid member, and further raised outwardly away from the patient's leg from adjacent portions of the recessed channel that separate the substantially y-shaped portion from a perimeter of the lower or upper lateral rigid member. Related methods of use are also provided.

A method for manufacturing a customized apparatus with a shape adapted to a specific user's morphology, or a mold for such an apparatus, includes obtaining a description of a generic apparatus, or of the mold for such an apparatus, the generic apparatus being adapted to a generic morphology. A description of the generic morphology and a description of the specific user's morphology is obtained. The descriptions of the generic morphology and of the specific user's morphology are processed to identify a geometric transformation mapping together the generic morphology and the specific user's morphology. The geometric transformation is applied to the description of the generic apparatus, or the description of the mold for such apparatus, in order to define the description of the customized apparatus or the mold therefor. The customized apparatus is then manufactured.

An artificial joint for lower extremities, comprising an upper part, which has mechanisms for attaching to a user, and a lower part mounted thereon in a pivotal manner about a joint axis. The lower part can be bent in from an extended position into a flexed position. A force accumulator is associated with the joint and is loaded via a force transmission mechanism through a flexing movement of the upper part relative to the lower part and supports an extension movement of the lower part relative to the upper part at least over a part of the extension movement. The force transmission device exerts a maximum moment of extension at a bending angle between 45 to 80.

A method for controlling a change of resistance in an artificial joint of an orthosis, an exoskeleton or prosthesis of a lower extremity. The artificial joint has an upper part and a lower part which are secured on each other so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, a damper unit is secured between the upper part and the lower part in order to provide a resistance to flexion or extension of the artificial joint, and the damper unit is assigned an adjusting mechanism via which the resistance is changed when a sensor signal of a control unit assigned to the adjusting mechanism activates the adjusting mechanism. The resistance is changed as a function of the position and/or length of the measured or calculated leg tendon and/or the time derivatives thereof.

An orthopedic device comprises a main body defining an outer surface and a cuff extending from an end portion of the main body with frictional material disposed on an inner surface of the first cuff. A hinge is connected to the main body and terminates along the main body short of the cuff. The cuff is arranged to fold over the outer surface of the main body in a disengaged configuration, such that the outer surface of the first cuff is adjacently against the outer surface of the main body.