A leg brace isolates a lower extremity of a leg to which the brace is secured. The leg brace includes an upper leg cuff and a lower leg cuff. Two upper struts are attached to opposite sides of the upper leg cuff and extend along the upper leg cuff. Two lower struts are attached to opposite sides of the lower leg cuff and extend along the lower leg cuff. One hinge pivotally connects one upper strut and one lower strut and a second hinge pivotally connects the other upper strut and the other lower strut. The hinges can be configured to have a limited and/or selectable degree of rotation (e.g., flexion and/or extension). Bottom ends of the lower struts extend beyond a user's foot of the leg to which the leg brace is attached. A foot is attached to each bottom end of the lower struts.

A hinge which can be included on a brace is disclosed. The hinge can include a first arm, a second arm, and a hinge plate. The first and second arms can be connected to the hinge plate for rotation about first and second axes, respectively. The hinge plate can include an internally threaded aperture. The hinge can also include a force application assembly and an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly can include an externally threaded lead screw engaged with the internally threaded aperture, and having a medial end connected to the force application assembly and a keyed bore. The adjustment assembly can include a drive key having a keyed shaft slidingly engaged with the keyed bore and a knob connected to the drive key such that rotation of the knob causes displacement of the force application assembly.

A positioning splint for safely and securely positioning a pediatric patient into a lithotomy position. The splint comprises a toroid, wedge-shaped splint having an anterior and posterior jaw which is attached to shoulder straps or a jacket/vest that holds the splint in place during use. The wedge splint and shoulder attachments are padded. The wedge splint may have a disposable covering. Methods of using the splint to position a patient for urinary catheterization as well as for other procedures, exams and surgeries requiring unobstructed access to the perineal and anorectal areas. Additional wrist/hand and ankle/leg straps are used for conscious patients who are uncooperative or incompetent patients or in the case of a patient with involuntary movement disorders.

A dynamically dependent blocking system for orthoses or protectors for limiting relative movements of at least two body segments consisting of at least one blocking unit having a blocking element, an extending element and the body attachment structures, and worn on the body. The central element of the blocking unit is the blocking element.

An orthopedic device includes a frame, a strap system including first and second straps connecting to the frame, and an adjustment mechanism couples to the first and second straps and simultaneously regulates tension in the first and second straps by moving the first and second straps relative to the frame. The strap system includes a length adjustment system for modifying the length of the strap.

A brace to protect an elbow during healing, particularly for pediatric applications, is constructed from multiple thermoformable parts. The thermoformable parts harden like a cast, fitting partially around the humerus and the forearm as well as covering the posterior aspect of the elbow. The thermoformable parts are held in place by straps that extend between the parts, cupping the humerus and forearm therebetween. The brace may be customizable to any shape and size to the wearer. The brace may be easily removed for comfort or for washing and then replaced to provide continued support.

A hinge which can be included on a brace is disclosed. The hinge can include a first arm, a second arm, and a hinge plate. The first and second arms can be connected to the hinge plate for rotation about first and second axes, respectively. The hinge plate can include an internally threaded aperture. The hinge can also include a force application assembly and an adjustment assembly. The adjustment assembly can include an externally threaded lead screw engaged with the internally threaded aperture, and having a medial end connected to the force application assembly and a keyed bore. The adjustment assembly can include a drive key having a keyed shaft slidingly engaged with the keyed bore and a knob connected to the drive key such that rotation of the knob causes displacement of the force application assembly.

An angle limitation system for an orthopedic brace employs a hinge assembly rotatably receiving an upper strut and a lower strut and having a hinge plate and a hinge assembly cap. An extension angle limit element is removably insertable in an anterior port between the hinge plate and hinge assembly cap. The extension angle limit element has a body with limiting surfaces adapted to engage mating faces indented in the anterior edges of the upper and lower strut. A flexion angle limit element is removably insertable in a posterior port between the hinge plate and hinge assembly cap. The flexion angle limit element has a body with limiting surfaces adapted to engage mating faces indented in the posterior edges of the upper and lower strut. Engagement mechanisms are adapted to releasably secure the flexion angle limit element in the posterior port and the engagement angle limit element in the anterior port.

A brace for a part of a body includes a first conductive fiber associated with a first polarity, and a second conductive fiber associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity. The second fiber is woven together with the first fiber and insulated from the first fiber. The brace also includes a selectively electrically activated cross-linking agent between the first and second fibers. The agent is constructed to cross-link in a first active mode when the first and second fibers are electrified and is constructed to not cross-link in a second inactive mode when the first and second fibers are not electrified. The brace surrounds a body part, such as a knee or neck. The agent can include an ER fluid and/or EAP. A brace system includes a selectively electrically activated brace for the part of the body.

An assistive ankle foot orthosis is described. The AFO has a tubular vertical member arranged laterally to a user's limb. The member carries a rotational bearing and a rotational element such as a pulley. The pulley is connected to a footplate. The footplate provides joint movement assistance or resistance to the user upon rotation of the pulley. The pulley is coupled to one or more springs that provide counter-rotational resistance to pulley movement, thereby storing, and then returning, rotational force during certain foot movements. The spring can include a leaf spring arranged inside the member, the stiffness of which can be manually, automatically or dynamically adjusted by movement of the device.