Patent ID: 6336909
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: A61F,B41M

Abstract:
A method for loading a joint of a limb, the method comprising the steps of:a. providing a joint brace, comprising: (1) a sleeve adapted to circumscribe a proximal part of the limb, a distal part of the limb, and portions of the joint connection the proximal and distal parts of the limb; (2) an adjustable stiffener removably attached to one side of the brace, the stiffener comprising: i. a proximal portion; ii. a distal portion; iii. a connector allowing the proximal portion and distal portions to rotate relative to each other when the brace is installed on the wearer; iv. the proximal and distal portions made of material which may be substantially permanently deformed in order to configure the stiffener to a shape adapted to allow the brace to load the joint as desired, but of sufficient stifffiess to avoid substantial permanent deformation when the brace is loading the joint; (3) a proximal tensioning structure adapted to apply tension to at least part of the proximal part of the limb and at least part of the proximal portion of the stiffener; and (4) a distal tensioning structure adapted to apply tension to at least part of the distal part of the limb and at least part of the distal portion of the stiffener, (5) the proximal tensioning structure, the distal tensioning structure and the stiffener adapted to cooperate to apply loading on the joint, b. providing a device for configuring the joint brace, the device comprising: (1) a body relative to which part of the stiffener may be placed, the body including a fulcrum about which a portion of the stiffener may be bent; and (2) a goniometer attached to the body in the vicinity of the fulcrum for measuring the angle at which parts of the stiffener are bent relative to each other; c. placing the stiffener relative to the body in a manner that allows the stiffener to be controllably bent; d. bending the stiffener to a desired configuration using the goniometer to bend the stiffener for proper loading of the joint; e. attaching the stiffener to the brace; f. placing the brace on the limb of a wearer; and g. ensuring the tensioning structures and the stiffener cause the brace to load the joint in a predetermined manner.