Heater for fitting orthoses to individual body joint

A heating apparatus for heating the interior surface of an orthosis, said orthosis comprising proximal and distal cuffs joined to and spaced from one another by a pivot structure, said cuffs each being of generally cylindrical configuration defining first and second ends and with an open side to allow the cuffs of the orthosis to be disposed over a body joint, and each cuff comprising an outer shell and an inner layer of thermoformable foam,

• said heating apparatus comprising a source of a stream of hot air, a central plenum and first and second platens,
• said first and second platens being spaced axially from said plenum, such that said orthosis can be assembled within said heating apparatus, with the plenum disposed between said proximal and distal cuffs, and said proximal and distal cuffs fitting between said plenum and said first and second platens,
• whereby said first and second ends of said proximal and distal cuffs are juxtaposed to surfaces of said plenum and said platens so as to be in generally sealing relationship therewith, and
• said plenum being connected to said source of a stream of hot air, and defining a plurality of ducts in communication with interior volumes defined by the interior surfaces of said proximal and distal cuffs and said surfaces of said plenum and said platens juxtaposed thereto.