Orthopaedic devices with plastic injection molded onto fabric
US6024712A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F5/0111
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention pertains to an orthopedic support having a flexible inner member and an exo-skeleton that is molded directly onto the flexible inner member. In one particular embodiment, a versatile, multi-medium orthopedic ankle support assembly has an inner fabric support for extending at least partially around an injured part of the anatomy and for providing basic support for the injury. A plastic exo-support is injection molded into said fabric support and supplies supplemental support for resisting motion of the injured part in undesired directions. The fabric support has a main body portion for extending at least part way around the injured part of the anatomy and has edges to be secured together after the fabric support is fitted to the injured part. The invention is not limited to ankle braces, of course, as the general principle of molding an exo-skeleton onto a flexible inner member may be used in conjunction with numerous different supports. An efficient method for constructing an orthopedic support includes the steps of first placing a sheet of flexible material across a mold, cutting the sheet, injection molding the exo-structure onto the sheet material in the mo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.