Orthopedic brace having a vacuum chamber and associated methods
US7011640B2 · kind B2 · utility
41Cited by
18References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F5/0123
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The vacuum orthopedic brace and method include the use of an inner sleeve or liner, first and second cuffs, and a hinge connecting the cuffs. The cuffs includes a fabric liner or other porous material to act as a wick, and a gasket surrounding the wick material. A valve is preferably provided in the cuff for drawing air from between the cuff and the liner, i.e. to create a vacuum. Furthermore, an external, internal or integrated chamber or rigid reservoir is preferably included, and in communication with the wick filled area between the cuff and liner, to hold a vacuum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.