# US 11,432,955 B2 · Systems and methods for orthopedic supports > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,955 B2 - Document ID: US11432955B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/287,703 - Filed: 2019-02-27 - Published: 2019-06-27 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-17 - Assignees: Therapeutic Envisions, Inc. - Applicants: Therapeutic Envisions, Inc. - Inventors: Charles Edward Hodges, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432955B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/0123: {for the knees (A61F5/0106 takes precedence)} - A61F 5/0104: {without articulation} - A61F 5/0106: {for the knees} - A61F 5/0109: {Sleeve-like structures} - A61F 5/0125: {the device articulating around a single pivot-point} - A61F 5/02: Orthopaedic corsets - A61F 5/03: Corsets or bandages for abdomen, teat or breast support, with or without pads - A61F 5/30: Pressure pads - A61F 2005/0137: {with two parallel pivots} - A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A garment for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body may include a tubular flexible element and a tension strap. The tubular flexible element may be disposed around at least some portion of a human body and include flexible and a touch fastener portions. The flexible portion may be at an exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a first portion of the body. The touch fastener portion may be at the exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a second portion of the body. The tension strap may include first and second ends, where the first end includes a first touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a first location, and the second end includes a second touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a second location, thereby applying tension between the first and second locations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body, wherein the method comprises: disposing a sleeve over a leg of a user such that: a first portion of the sleeve applies compressive pressure to the leg above a knee, wherein the first portion of the sleeve includes a first set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg above the knee; and a second portion of the sleeve applies compressive pressure to the leg below the knee, wherein the second portion of the sleeve includes a second set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg below the knee; disposing and tightening a mechanical joint brace over the sleeve, wherein: a first portion of the mechanical joint brace compresses the first set of one or more pads of the sleeve between the first portion of the mechanical joint brace and the leg above the knee; a second portion of the mechanical joint brace compresses the second set of one or more pads of the sleeve between the second portion of the mechanical joint brace and the leg below the knee; and the mechanical joint brace has only one hinge which rotates about an axis passing through the knee; coupling a first end of an elastic strap with some portion of the sleeve; and coupling a second end of the elastic strap with some portion of the mechanical joint brace. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the hinge of the mechanical joint brace is located on the inside of the knee, proximate to the other knee of the user. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the elastic strap is coupled with the sleeve proximate to a hip of the user; the second end of the elastic strap is coupled with the second portion of the mechanical joint brace; and the elastic strap wraps around a longitudinal axis of the leg at least once. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 3, wherein: the elastic strap wraps around a longitudinal axis of the leg at least twice. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 3, wherein: proximate to the hip of the user comprises a side of the hip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 3, wherein: proximate to the hip of the user comprises a thigh below the hip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 3, wherein: proximate to the hip of the user comprises a waist above the hip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the elastic strap is coupled with the sleeve proximate to a waist of the user; the second end of the elastic strap is coupled with the second portion of the mechanical joint brace; and the elastic strap wraps around a longitudinal axis of the leg at least once. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the elastic strap is coupled with the sleeve proximate to a hip of the user; and the second end of the elastic strap is coupled with the first portion of the mechanical joint brace at an inside of a thigh of the leg. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the sleeve comprises: a first padded portion at an inner portion of the leg; and a second padded portion at an outer portion of the leg extending upward to a hip; and at least one of the first padded portion of the second padded portion is compressed between the elastic strap and the leg. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the elastic strap is coupled with the sleeve above the knee; the second end of the elastic strap is coupled with the first portion of the mechanical joint brace; and the elastic strap wraps around a longitudinal axis of the leg at least once. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the elastic strap is coupled with the sleeve below the knee; the second end of the elastic strap is coupled with the second portion of the mechanical joint brace; and the elastic strap wraps around a longitudinal axis of the leg at least once. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the elastic strap comprises a first elastic strap; and the method further comprises: coupling a second elastic strap at a first end with at least some portion of the mechanical joint brace or the sleeve; and coupling the second elastic strap at a second end with at least some portion of the mechanical joint brace or the sleeve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 13, wherein: the second elastic strap is less elastic than the first elastic strap; and the second elastic strap wraps substantially horizontally around a portion of the user. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the sleeve comprises a pocket; and the method further comprises disposing a vibration device within the pocket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 15, wherein: the pocket is located at a buttock or thigh of the user proximate to the knee. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body of claim 1, wherein: the elastic strap comprises a specialized strap having four ends; and the method further comprises: coupling a third end of the elastic strap with some portion of the sleeve; and coupling a fourth end of the elastic strap with some portion of the mechanical joint brace. ### Claim 18 A method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body, wherein the method comprises: disposing a sleeve over a leg of a user such that: a first portion of the sleeve applies compressive pressure to the leg above a knee, wherein the first portion of the sleeve includes a first set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg above the knee; and a second portion of the sleeve applies compressive pressure to the leg below the knee, wherein the second portion of the sleeve includes a second set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg below the knee; disposing and tightening a mechanical joint brace over the sleeve, wherein: a first portion of the mechanical joint brace compresses the first set of one or more pads of the sleeve between the first portion of the mechanical joint brace and the leg above the knee; a second portion of the mechanical joint brace compresses the second set of one or more pads of the sleeve between the second portion of the mechanical joint brace and the leg below the knee; and the mechanical joint brace has only one hinge which rotates about an axis passing through the knee; and coupling a first end of an elastic strap with some portion of the mechanical joint brace, wherein a second end of the elastic strap is fixedly coupled with some portion of the sleeve. ### Claim 19 A method for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body, wherein the method comprises: disposing a sleeve over a leg of a user such that: a first portion of the sleeve applies compressive pressure to the leg above a knee, wherein the first portion of the sleeve includes a first set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg above the knee; and a second portion of the sleeve applies compressive pressure to the leg below the knee, wherein the second portion of the sleeve includes a second set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg below the knee; disposing and tightening a mechanical joint brace over the sleeve, wherein: a first portion of the mechanical joint brace compresses the first set of one or more pads of the sleeve between the first portion of the mechanical joint brace and the leg above the knee; a second portion of the mechanical joint brace compresses the second set of one or more pads of the sleeve between the second portion of the mechanical joint brace and the leg below the knee; and the mechanical joint brace has only one hinge which rotates about an axis passing through the knee; and coupling a first end of an elastic strap with some portion of the sleeve, wherein a second end of the elastic strap is fixedly coupled with some portion of the mechanical joint brace.