Formed resilient orthopaedic device
US5695452A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/753
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An orthopaedic support includes a sheet of foam material that has been compression molded in specific areas. These areas have a thickness and density that is different from other areas of the support and serve to better fit the support to the body. The support may include compression molded grooves or cavities to accommodate straps, struts, gel-filled pads, inflatable bladders, pumps, and other accessories. The support may also include compression molded grooves that reduce bunching when the support is bent, and may include molded edges to minimize skin irritation during activity. The brace may also be a back brace or an ankle brace having compression molded components. A method of compression molding an orthopaedic support includes compression molding at least one sheet of resilient foam material in selected areas to reduce the thickness and increase the density of the material in those areas. Various embodiments of the present invention may include compression-molded bladders having walls which are compression-molded about the bladder perimeter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.