# US 2014/0197565 A1 · Circumferential walker > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197565 A1 - Document ID: US20140197565A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/212,936 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-15 - Assignees: Ossur Hf - Applicants: OSSUR hf - Inventors: Irving HU; Jane LEE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197565A1 ## CPC - A61F 5/012: {inflatable} - A61F 5/01: Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces - A61F 5/0111: {for the feet or ankles} - A61F 5/0127: {for the feet (A61F5/0111 takes precedence)} - A61F 5/0195: {Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations} - 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 An orthopedic device in the form of a circumferential walker includes a first member (posterior shell) and a second member (dorsal shell) corresponding to the first member. An outsole or plantar shell portion is attached to, or formed on or with the posterior shell. A hinge mechanism is provided between the posterior and dorsal shells to allow the dorsal shell to be swung away from the posterior shell in order to accommodate an anatomical limb therein. Inflatable bladders having perspiration wicking channels and/or openings are provided within a liner for insertion between the posterior and dorsal shells. Quick-connecting buckle and retaining assemblies can be provided to allow a user to quickly don and doff the orthopedic device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for manufacturing an orthopedic leg walker, the method comprising the steps of: providing a rigid posterior shell having lower leg and ankle portions, and a plantar portion including toe and heel ends and generally extending along a plantar surface of a foot of a wearer, the posterior shell defining at least one ridge arranged along an outer surface of the plantar portion; molding and securing an outsole having a sole section from a resilient material over an outer surface of the plantar portion of the posterior shell; wherein the step of molding includes forming the outsole over the at least one guide ridge such that the outsole is integral with the posterior shell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the posterior shell includes a rear recess at the plantar portion, the method further comprising the step of forming a heel protector from the outsole over the rear recess of the posterior shell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a toe protector from the resilient material over a front portion of the plantar portion of the posterior shell, the toe protector extending generally perpendicularly relative to the sole section of the outsole and the plantar portion of the posterior shell. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of trimming the height of the toe protector relative to the plantar portion of the posterior shell. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the toe protector is flexible relative to the plantar portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a plurality of cushioning structures from the resilient material along an interior side of the outsole as the outsole is molded, the plurality of cushioning structures oriented toward the outer surface of the plantar portion of the posterior shell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the cushioning structures are formed along the length of the interior side of the outsole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein each of the cushioning structures generally has a cylindrical configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a tread over an exterior surface of the outsole from the resilient material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a rocker bottom profile at the exterior surface of the outsole along the entire length thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the resilient material is a flexible plastic or elastomer. ### Claim 12 A method for manufacturing an orthopedic walker, the method comprising the steps of: providing a rigid posterior shell having lower leg and ankle portions, and a plantar portion having toe and heel ends and generally extending along a plantar surface of a foot of a wearer; molding and securing an outsole having a sole section from a resilient material over an outer surface of the plantar portion of the posterior shell; wherein the step of molding and securing the outsole includes forming a heel protector from the outsole over a rear recess defined by the posterior shell; forming a toe protector from the resilient material over a front portion at the plantar portion of the posterior shell; forming a plurality of cushioning structures from the resilient material along an interior side of the outsole as the outsole is molded, the plurality of cushioning structures oriented toward the outer surface of the plantar portion of the posterior shell; and forming a rocker bottom profile with a tread at the exterior surface of the outsole along the entire length thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the posterior shell defines at least one ridge arranged along an outer surface of the plantar portion, wherein the step of molding the outsole includes forming the outsole over the at least one guide ridge such that the outsole is integral with the posterior shell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the cushioning structures are formed along the length of the interior side of the outsole. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein each of the cushioning structures generally has a cylindrical configuration. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the toe protector extends generally perpendicularly relative to the sole section of the outsole and the plantar portion of the posterior shell. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of trimming the height of the toe protector relative to the plantar portion of the posterior shell. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the toe protector portion and the outsole are integrally formed as a monolithic piece. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the resilient material is a flexible plastic or elastomer. ### Claim 19 A method for manufacturing an orthopedic walker, the method comprising the steps of: providing a rigid shell having a plantar portion defining toe and heel ends and generally extending along a plantar surface of a foot of a wearer, the rigid shell defining at least one ridge arranged along an outer surface of the plantar portion; molding and securing an outsole having a sole section from a resilient material over an outer surface of the plantar portion of the posterior shell; wherein the step of molding includes forming the outsole over the at least one guide ridge such that the outsole is integral with the rigid shell. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the step of molding and securing the outsole includes forming a plurality of cushioning structures from the resilient material along an interior side of the outsole as the outsole is molded, the plurality of cushioning structures oriented toward the outer surface of the plantar portion of the posterior shell; and forming rocker bottom profile with a tread to the exterior surface of the outsole along the entire thereof.