Orthosis apparatus and method of use

An 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 take a 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.

An 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;
• and
• an insole having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface and being selectively positionable within the apparatus between the first and second shell members such that the upper surface is facing toward the upper end of the apparatus, the insole comprising at least an upper layer, an intermediate layer adjacent to the upper layer, and a lower layer adjacent to the intermediate layer, wherein the upper layer is a closed cell cross-linked polyethylene foam, the intermediate layer is a microcellular polyurethane foam, and the lower layer is ethylene vinyl acetate, the insole further comprising a selectively repositionable rocker extending away from the lower surface;
• 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 the rocker forms a corresponding bottom rocker feature in the first and second shells of the apparatus when heat activated and formable;
• whereby cooling of the apparatus causes the first and second shell members to take a set conforming to the body part of the patient and as to the bottom rocker feature conforming to the insole rocker;
• whereby the bottom rocker feature contributes to plantar pressure offloading within the apparatus during use;
• 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.