Method, apparatus, and system for bracing a knee

A knee brace, the knee brace for extensionally centering and enhancing patellar function, the knee brace comprising:

• an upper bracket assembly, the upper bracket assembly comprising a proximal-anterior-leg-receiving bracket portion, a medial proximal support arm, and a lateral proximal support arm;
• a lower bracket assembly, the lower bracket assembly comprising a distal-posterior-leg-receiving bracket portion, a medial distal support arm, and a lateral distal support arm;
• and
• first and second spring assemblies, the spring assemblies each comprising a torsional spring element, a core element, and assembly-fastening means, the torsional spring elements each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being variably angled from the distal end intermediate a relaxed spring angle and a fully actuated spring angle, the assembly-fastening means fastening the proximal and distal ends to the proximal and distal support arms such that the proximal support arms are variably angled relative to the distal support arms intermediate a relaxed arm angle and a fully actuated arm angle, the torsional spring elements receiving the core elements, the proximal-anterior-leg-receiving portion for receiving an upper leg, the distal-posterior-leg-receiving portion for receiving a lower leg, the torsional spring elements being actuable for imparting restorative resistance forces, the restorative resistance forces for enhancing quadriceps muscle contraction during knee extension, the enhanced quadriceps muscle contraction for centering the patella during knee extension, the knee brace thus for extensionally centering and enhancing patellar function.

A knee brace, the knee brace for extensionally centering and enhancing patellar function, the knee brace comprising:

• an upper bracket assembly, the upper bracket assembly comprising a leg-receiving proximal bracket portion and proximal axial support structure, the proximal axial support structure extending distally from the proximal bracket portion;
• a lower bracket assembly, the lower bracket assembly comprising a leg-receiving distal bracket portion and distal axial support structure, the distal axial support structure extending proximally from the distal bracket portion;
• and
• a spring assembly, the spring assembly comprising a torsional spring element and an elastically compressible core element, the torsional spring element compressibly receiving the core element and comprising proximal and distal ends, the proximal and distal ends being attached to the proximal and distal axial support structures, the proximal and distal bracket portions for receiving an upper and lower leg, the torsional spring element being actuable for imparting restorative resistance forces, the core element for damping the restorative resistance forces, the damped restorative resistance forces for enhancing quadriceps muscle contraction during knee extension, the enhanced quadriceps muscle contraction for centering the patella during knee extension, the knee brace thus for extensionally centering and enhancing patellar function.

A method for extensionally centering a patella and thus enhancing patellar function, the method comprising the steps of:

• damping a coil-shaped torsional spring element assembly via a centrally and coaxially received disc-shaped elastomeric member;
• bracing an upper and lower leg against proximal and distal ends of the coil-shaped torsional spring element assembly;
• and
• actuating the damped coil-shaped torsional spring element assembly via knee extension, the actuated and damped coil-shaped torsional spring element assembly providing damped resistance for enhancing quadriceps muscle contraction and reducing patellar joint stress during knee extension.