A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.

The present invention describes a multi-positional, modular bodily limb splinting system consisting of at least one pair of rigid, shared geometry interlocking male and female splint members which allow for expedient placement and treatment of a limb injury. The male splint member includes a locking post and an adjustable locking post at one end, and the female splint member includes a locking aperture operable to receive and interlock with the locking post and a plurality of adjustable apertures operable to receive and interlock with the adjustable locking post. The male and female splint members of various lengths may be positioned into one or more of several incremental angled configurations of up to 360° to conform to the extremity injury.

An electromagnetic locking element for locking a joint orthosis or joint prosthesis such as a knee orthosis or knee prosthesis. The electromagnetic locking element includes a bistable solenoid with at least one coil and at least one permanent magnet, a pin, which can be retracted and extended with the aid of the solenoid for locking the joint, one or several electrical energy stores such as capacitors, and an electrical control system, which, with the aid of semiconductor switches, discharges the energy store or stores via the at least one coil of the solenoid in such a way that the pin is extended.

A customizable knee brace for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided. The customizable knee brace includes a lateral upright. The lateral upright includes at least a first semi-rigid support, a second semi-rigid support, and a hinge physically coupling the first semi-rigid support and the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a thigh cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the first semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes a shin cuff constructed of formable material and coupled to the second semi-rigid support. The customizable knee brace further includes an elastomeric web framework coupled to the lateral upright and configured to secure an area of a knee of a patient when wearing the customizable knee brace. The customizable knee brace further includes at least one tensioning element configured to adjust a tension of the elastomeric web framework.

A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.

An orthopedic support and/or treatment system including a brace, sleeve, and/or insert, comprising a power subsystem; a sensor subsystem; an adjustment mechanism; a software subsystem; a communication subsystem; and a telemedicine subsystem. The orthopedic treatment system includes and communicates over a network to a remote controlling device. The remote control device can be a computer, a mobile device, or any other controller. The sensor subsystem communicates to the remote control device, which in turn can be used to control the adjustment mechanism to adjust a tension or compression of the brace or sleeve.

A dynamic tension system connects to an orthopedic device having a frame and a hinge connected to the frame. The dynamic tension system includes a cable, an adjustment mechanism connected to the cable and arranged to incrementally wind or release the cable, and a tension control device connected to the adjustment mechanism and arranged to limit the adjustment mechanism from winding of the cable past a predetermined tension level.

Disclosed are wearable devices and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In particular, these technologies enable treatment and prevention of injuries to the knee joint of the wearer by stabilizing the knee joint of the wearer, in particular providing mediolateral support to the wearer, or by providing compression support to the leg of the wearer.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a prosthesis or orthosis of the lower extremity, which prosthesis or orthosis has an upper part (10) and a lower part (20), which lower part is connected to the upper part (10) by means of a knee joint (1) and is mounted for pivoting relative to the upper part (10) about a joint shaft (15); wherein an adjustable resistance device (40) is disposed between the upper part (10) and the lower part (20), by means of which resistance device a flexion resistance (Rf) is changed on the basis of sensor data; wherein an axial force (FA) acting on the lower part is sensed by at least one sensor (54) and is used as the basis for a change of the flexion resistance (Rf); wherein, in the case of decreasing axial force (FA) and/or an approximately vertical position of a leg tendon (70) and/or of an extended knee joint (1), the flexion resistance (Rf) is reduced; and wherein the flexion resistance (Rf) is increased again if, within a temporally defined interval, no knee flexion is detected and/or the knee joint (1) and/or the leg tendon (70) and/or the axial force (FA) fall below or exceed specific limit values.

The invention disclosed herein is a protective support for joints and extremities comprising a structure for securing the support to the body in the vicinity of the joint, one or more elongated resilient hinges that are attached to the support. Each resilient hinge spans a parasagittal plane of the joint and has a superior end, an opposite inferior end, and an intermediate section there between, the hinge also defining a cross-sectional thickness that is at its minimum near the superior end and inferior end, but gradually increases along a length of the hinge such that the intermediate section defines the hinge's maximum cross-sectional thickness. Each hinge may define a plurality of longitudinal ribs and optional transverse ribs that aid in structural integrity of the hinge and may have a generally hourglass shape, and with the superior and inferior ends adapted to conform to the various superficial contours of the joint or extremity.