Splints for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes are disclosed. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a splint system for diagnostic and/or therapeutic functions for a patient with a vascular impairment. In one embodiment, the splint system includes a splint having: a leg supporting portion and a foot supporting portion, that are configured to support and secure the leg and foot of the patient; a locally and/or remotely controllable portion for setting a dorsiflexion angle of the foot of the patient, including electrical and/or mechanical controls and one or more actuators for setting of the dorsiflexion angle, for providing treatment to improve vascular function; and a plurality of physiological parameter sensors for measuring physiological parameters of the leg and/or foot of the patient, wherein the physiological parameters are associated with vascular function in the leg and/or foot of the patient.

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.

An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

The invention relates to an orthopedic device with a joint with a first joint element with a first joint arm and a first positive-locking element, and a second joint element that can be swivelled relative to the first joint element, said second joint element comprising a second joint arm and a force application lever with a second positive-locking element, and a mechanical energy store, which is arranged between the force application lever and the second joint arm, wherein the mechanical energy store can be charged and discharged by swivelling the first joint arm relative to the second joint arm when the positive-locking element engages with the second positive-locking element, wherein the device has a safety device which ensures that, irrespective of the position of the first positive-locking element and the second positive-locking element relative to one another, the two positive-locking elements can be engaged with one another in such a way that a force exerted by the charged mechanical energy store is transmitted from the second positive-locking element to the first positive-locking element.

A joint device of an orthosis with an upper part and with a lower part that is arranged on the upper part in an articulated manner, with a first fastening device for securing the upper part to a patient and a second fastening device for securing the lower part to a limb, wherein the joint device connects the upper part to the lower part in an articulated manner and has an upper part binding and a lower part binding via which the upper part and the lower part can be secured to the fastening devices, wherein the joint device has at least four degrees of freedom.

A motion assistance apparatus includes a proximal support configured to support a proximal part of a user, a first drive link and a second drive link configured to perform translational motions with respect to the proximal support at different velocities, a support joint rotatably connected to the second drive link, a support body connecting the first drive link and the support joint, the support body configured to simultaneously perform a translational motion and a rotational motion with respect to the proximal support, a distal support connected to the support body, the distal support configured to support a distal part of the user, and a torque providing device configured to provide a torque to rotate the support joint.

A motion assistance apparatus including a support link to be attached to a waist of a user, a thigh link connected to a first end of the support link, a knee link connected to a first end of the thigh link, a connecting link connected to a first end of the knee link, and selectively connected to a second end of the support link, and an actuator configured to rotate the knee link with respect to the thigh link is provided.

An orthosis is fitted to a body joint, in a preferred embodiment the equine fetlock, by locating the center of rotation (COR) of the joint; measuring the bones comprising the joint at points located with respect to the COR; selecting the appropriate orthosis from a selection of models thereof; and custom-fitting the orthosis to the individual by heating it to soften a layer of thermoformable foam on the interior of the orthosis, and clamping the orthosis in place over the body joint. A kit of tools for performing the measurements is disclosed, as are a method for location of the COR of the body joint by palpation and a preferred heater.

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.

A motorized tensioning mechanism for orthotic devices, such as a knee brace, wherein the controls for the motorized tensioning mechanism may be manual, automatic, or a hybrid of both. Sensors associated with the orthotic device may inform the user regarding tension or other aspects of the device, and, in cases, may automatically adjust tension in the motorized tensioning mechanism.