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US 11,253,402 B2Granted
Orthosis apparatus and method of use
AssigneeFastForm Research Ltd.
InventorDavid Sheehan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved orthosis apparatus for being selectively formed and applied and removed having offset zipper closures on two shell members for improved hinging and opening and access for initial application and forming when malleable and for removing and reinstalling when hardened.
Claims16
A thermoformable orthosis apparatus comprising:
- a thermoformable first shell member and an opposed thermoformable second shell member, the first shell member having a first front edge and an opposite first back edge, and the second shell member having a second front edge and an opposite second back edge;
- a front zipper assembly joined to and selectively closing the respective first and second front edges as by a front first zipper strip affixed at the first front edge and a front second zipper strip affixed at the second front edge;
- and
- a back zipper assembly joined to and selectively closing the respective first and second back edges as by a back first zipper strip affixed at the first back edge and a back second zipper strip affixed at the second back edge;
- whereby heat activation of the apparatus allows for conformable placement of the first and second shell members about a body part of a patient that is to be immobilized;
- whereby selective closure of the front and back zipper assemblies joins the first and second shell members along the respective first and second front and back edges to install the apparatus about the body part of the patient;
- whereby cooling of the apparatus causes the first and second shell members to set conforming to the body part of the patient;
- and
- whereby selective opening of one or both of the front and back zipper assemblies separates the first and second shell members along one or both of the respective first and second front and back edges to uninstall and allow removal of the apparatus from the body part of the patient, at least a portion of one of the front and back zipper assemblies allowing for selective hinging of the set first and second shell members for ease of removal and replacement of the apparatus in use;
- and further wherein:
- the back first and second zipper strips at a distal end of the back zipper assembly extend distally beyond the respective first and second shell members at a lower end of the apparatus;
- the back zipper assembly comprises at least one zipper strip fastener member on an inner surface thereof for selective engagement with a corresponding at least one shell fastener member;
- and
- a toe box is incorporated into the distal end of the back zipper assembly, the selective engagement of the at least one zipper strip fastener member with the corresponding at least one shell fastener member serving to selectively secure the toe box in a curved and closed position over the lower end of the apparatus, and the selective disengagement of the at least one zipper strip fastener member from the corresponding at least one shell fastener member serving to selectively shift the toe box to an open position pivoted away from the lower end of the apparatus, whereby during heat activation and forming the adjustability of the toe box enables a single apparatus to accommodate a range of foot sizes.
11 more elements
A thermoformable orthosis apparatus comprising:
- a thermoformable first shell member and an opposed thermoformable second shell member, the first shell member having a first front edge and an opposite first back edge, and the second shell member having a second front edge and an opposite second back edge;
- a front zipper assembly joined to and selectively closing the respective first and second front edges as by a front first zipper strip affixed at the first front edge and a front second zipper strip affixed at the second front edge;
- a back zipper assembly joined to and selectively closing the respective first and second back edges as by a back first zipper strip affixed at the first back edge and a back second zipper strip affixed at the second back edge, a distal end of the back zipper assembly extending distally beyond the first and second shell members at a lower end of the apparatus;
- and
- a thermoformable toe box formed integrally with the distal end of the back zipper assembly, the toe box comprising opposed first and second toe box members affixed to and extending laterally from the respective back first and second zipper strips of the back zipper assembly and terminating laterally in spaced-apart protrusions;
- whereby heat activation of the apparatus allows for conformable placement of the first and second shell members and the toe box about a body part of a patient that is to be immobilized;
- whereby selective closure of the front and back zipper assemblies joins the first and second shell members along the respective first and second front and back edges to install the apparatus about the body part of the patient and selective pivoting of the toe box about the lower end of the apparatus positions the toe box in a curved configuration over the lower end, during heat activation and forming the adjustability of the toe box enabling a single apparatus to accommodate a range of foot sizes;
- whereby cooling of the apparatus causes the first and second shell members and the toe box to set conforming to the body part of the patient;
- whereby selective pivoting of the toe box opens the lower end of the apparatus;
- and
- whereby selective opening of one or both of the front and back zipper assemblies separates the first and second shell members along one or both of the respective first and second front and back edges to uninstall and allow removal of the apparatus from the body part of the patient, at least a portion of one of the front and back zipper assemblies allowing for selective hinging of the set first and second shell members for ease of removal and replacement of the apparatus in use.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.