US 10,092,439 B2 · Rigid ankle support system

Abstract

A moldable rigid ankle brace is disclosed. The rigid stabilizing ankle brace includes a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an opening for receiving a user's ankle, a footplate attached to the housing, and a closure mechanism. The multi-layer housing includes a middle layer, which is substantially stiff at a temperature below about 130° F. and moldable at temperatures between about 130° F. and 275° F. A method of stabilizing an ankle is also disclosed. The method may include providing a rigid stabilizing ankle brace, having a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having an opening for receiving a user's ankle, and a footplate removably attached to said housing, heating the ankle brace to between about 130° F. to about 275° F., and applying said heated ankle brace to the ankle of a patient in need thereof.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A rigid stabilizing ankle brace, comprising:

a heat-moldable multi-layer housing having a selectively openable opening disposed posteriorly on the housing for receiving a user's foot wherein each layer of the multi-layer housing is configured to extend from a medial side of the foot around the user's ankle and across the user's shin to a distal side of the foot;
a closure mechanism disposed on the housing,
wherein the closure mechanism is configured to transition the selectively openable opening between an open position and a closed position, the open position configured to allow posterior entry of the foot into the ankle brace and the closed position configured to secure the ankle brace to the user's foot;
and
a rigid footplate attached to the housing, wherein the footplate is a distinct component from the housing and is configured to support at least the user's heel.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rigid ankle support system

Life of this patent

Rigid ankle support system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17