Abstract:
An ankle brace is configured with a lateral anterior talofibular (ATF) strap and an inversion control strap affixed to a non-rigid brace body coupled to a semi-rigid orthotic arch support. The brace may be quickly donned and doffed by a wearer, and provides prophylactic or post-injury support to the ATF ligament without unduly restricting the wearer&#39;s motion. As a result, the wearer may participate in physical activity without significant impairment in range of motion.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/386,225, filed on Sep. 24, 2010, entitled “Two-Strap Ankle Brace with Non-Rigid Brace Body and Semi-Rigid Orthotic Arch Support” to Eddy Robertson. This pending provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and the benefit of the filing date of this pending application is claimed to the fullest extent permitted. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many forms of activity may result in injury to ligaments within a human ankle. The inversion ankle sprain is the single most common sports injury. Within the ankle, an anterior talofibular (ATF) ligament is commonly sprained and most severely injured. Pain and swelling related to this injury limits function and delays return to activity. 
     Traditional remedies for an ankle sprain have included a variety of taping techniques for the ankle. However, such taping requires the skill and care of a trained individual for application, and even with such skill and care, taping techniques offer marginal support and may cause damage to other portions of the foot may occur. For example, taping may transfer undue loads onto the shaft of the 5 th  metatarsal, resulting in fractures. As an alternative to taping, braces with rigid sides or stiffeners have been offered. However, these braces suffer serious drawbacks including user discomfort, bulk, marginal support or prevention of re-injury, unduly limited range of motion, difficulty in donning, cost, and so forth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a medial view of a two-strap ankle brace with a non-rigid brace body as configured on a wearer&#39;s right foot. 
         FIG. 2  is an anterior view of the brace of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a lateral view of the brace of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a posterior view of the brace of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process of donning the brace. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process of manufacturing the brace. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described in this disclosure is a two-strap ankle brace (brace) with a non-rigid brace body and techniques for donning and producing such a brace. As described in more depth below, this brace comprises a non-rigid brace body coupled to a semi-rigid orthotic arch support which in one implementation extends from the heel proximate to one or more of the metatarsal heads of a wearer&#39;s foot. Two straps, a lateral anterior talofibular (ATF) strap and an inversion control strap work in conjunction with the arch support as described below to control motion of the wearer&#39;s ankle. This control prevents excessive stretching of the ATF ligament, while still permitting the wearer functional range of motion of the ankle. The brace may be worn prophylactically to avoid injury or used post-injury to allow the wearer to resume activity. The light weight, low profile, and minimal restriction of motion allows the wearer to use the brace while also wearing other footwear, including cleats or other athletic shoes. 
     Physical Arrangement of the Brace 
       FIGS. 1-4  depict a series of views of the two-strap ankle brace with a non-rigid brace body and orthotic arch support as configured on a wearer&#39;s right foot as rotated around a vertical axis. While these views depict a right foot, it is understood that the braces and techniques described herein may be applied to a left foot as well. Within this disclosure specific materials are mentioned with regards to the brace by way of illustration only, and not as a limitation. 
       FIG. 1  is a medial view  100  of the two-strap ankle brace. The ankle brace is depicted as worn on a human right foot  102 , but in other implementations may be mirrored for use on a human left foot. 
     Within a human ankle an anterior talofibular (ATF) ligament passes from an anterior margin of the fibular malleolus anteriorly and medially to a talus bone anterior of the lateral articular facet. The general location of the ATF ligament is indicated by a broken circle  104 . 
     A brace body  106  is shown. In one implementation, the brace body  106  is configured to maintain the wearer&#39;s foot and ankle a neutral configuration of about 90 degrees. The brace body  106  is non-rigid, and is thus substantially flexible. The brace body  106  may comprise canvas, polyester, nylon, cotton, or other flexible but non-rigid material. The non-rigid material may be woven, formed as a sheet, a composite, and so forth. The brace body  106  may be configured to cover the wearer&#39;s foot  102 , or may be configured to leave at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s toes and heal exposed. These openings may provide several benefits, including but not limited to improving wearer comfort by improving airflow, minimizing chafing, and so forth. The brace body  106  may be lined. Such lining may provide several benefits, including improving wearer comfort, managing perspiration, and so forth. The liner may be integral or in some implementations removable. For example, the removable liner may be used to provide for easier cleaning. 
     Coupled to the brace body  106  is a semi-rigid orthotic arch support (or “arch support”)  108 . In the implementation shown here, the arch support  108  is configured to extend from a heel of the wearer&#39;s foot  102  proximate to, but not under, the metatarsal heads of the wearer&#39;s foot  102 . For example, the arch support  108  may extend from the heel anteriorly beneath the shafts of the metatarsals. For the purposes of this application, “proximate” is used to designate that features are close by or in contact with one another, while “proximal” is used to indicate a direction relative to the anatomy of the wearer. 
     The arch support  108  generally conforms to a plantar surface of the foot  102 , providing some support to the wearer&#39;s longitudinal arch. In another implementation, the arch support  108  may be configured to extend from a heel of the wearer&#39;s foot  102  proximate to, or past, the metatarsal heads of the wearer&#39;s foot  102 . 
     The brace body  106  may be coupled to the arch support  108  either permanently or removably. For example, the arch support  108  may be permanently coupled via sewing, gluing, laminating, and so forth. In other implementations, the arch support  108  may be removably coupled to the brace body with snaps, hook and loop fasteners, clips, and so forth. In some implementations, a lower portion of the brace body  106  may be modified to form the semi-rigid orthotic arch support  108 . For example, the lower portion of the brace body may be impregnated with a resin which is solidified to form the arch support  108 . 
     In some implementations, the arch support  108  may be configured to act as an orthotic to support contours of the foot  102 . This may be a generalized orthotic suitable for a typical human foot, or a specialized custom orthotic designed for a particular wearer. The arch support  108  may be configured to provide a neutral base contour to the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     The arch support  108  may comprise a semi-rigid material, such as a polymer, metal, carbon fiber, fiberglass, composite material, or combination thereof. The composition, and in some implementations thickness, of the arch support  108  may be tailored to provide a pre-determined amount of flexure in the arch support  108 . This amount of flexure may be selected to account for the wearer&#39;s weight, gait, or other physical factors. 
     A lateral ATF strap  110  is coupled to an anterior portion of the arch support  108 , the brace body, or both, proximate to a lateral-distal margin of the brace body  106 . The lateral ATF strap  110  serves, at least in part, to limit the motion of the forefoot in plantarflexion, inversion, and adduction. This coupling may be permanent or removable. The lateral ATF strap  110  is configured such that, when worn, the strap passes over a surface of the brace body  106  proximate to the ATF ligament  104 . In some implementations, the lateral ATF strap  110  may be coupled to a position proximate to a lateral malleolus of the wearer. For example, a hook and loop fastener may be used to join the lateral strap  110  to the brace body  106  in this area proximate to the lateral malleolus. 
     A first end of the ATF strap  110  is coupled to the arch support  108  or the brace body  106  at a lateral-distal margin of the brace body  106 . The lateral ATF strap  110  passes over a surface of the brace body  106  proximate to at least a portion of the ATF ligament  104  when worn by a wearer, and wraps around a posterior portion of the ankle, proximal to the calcaneous bone. Once wrapped around, a second end of the ATF strap  110  is coupled to a proximal-medial portion of the brace body  106 , another member of the brace such as the inversion control strap  112  described below, or a combination thereof. 
     An inversion control strap  112  is also present on the brace. The inversion control strap  112 , among other functions, controls inversion of the foot, limiting movement of a plantar surface of the foot  102  medially. A first end of the inversion control strap  112  couples to the lateral ATF strap  110  proximate to a mid-tarsal joint of the wearer. This coupling may be permanent or removable. In some implementations, the inversion control strap  112  may couple to the brace body  206 , as well as, or in addition to, the lateral ATF strap  110 . 
     The inversion control strap  112  is configured to pass over the surface of the brace body  106  medially anterior to the ankle joint when worn by the wearer. A second end of the inversion control strap  112  couples proximate to the second end of the ATF strap  110 , and is shown in more detail below with regards to  FIG. 3 . The second end of the inversion control strap  112  may couple to the second end of the ATF strap  110 , to the brace body, or both. 
     The straps, such as the lateral ATF strap  110  and the inversion control strap  112  may be substantially non-elastic under the usage described herein. For example, in one implementation the straps may comprise nylon webbing. In other implementations, the straps may be elastic. By using the straps in conjunction with the arch support  108 , force on the straps during movement of the foot  102  is distributed across the entire foot  102 , reducing or eliminating the possibility of metatarsal breaks, such as may occur with conventional taping. 
     For reference in positioning, and not by way of limitation, some of the bones of the foot  102  are depicted. In particular, a distal phalanx of a fifth metatarsal  114  is shown, as well as a portion of a calcaneous  116 , and a head of the fifth metatarsal  118 . 
       FIG. 2  is an anterior view  200  of the brace. In this view, the wearer&#39;s medial malleolus  202  and lateral malleolus  204  are shown. As seen here, the lateral ATF strap  110  passes around the posterior portion of the wearer&#39;s ankle, generally proximal (or superior) to a line “L” extending from the medial malleolus  202  through the lateral malleolus  204 . 
       FIG. 3  is a lateral view  300  of the brace. In this view, the second end of the lateral ATF strap  110  is depicted terminating at a proximal medial portion of the brace body  106 . As described above, the lateral ATF strap  110  may couple removably to the brace body  106  such as with a hook and loop fastener as shown at  302 . Also shown in this view is the second end of the inversion control strap  112 , which also terminates at the proximal medial portion of the brace body  106  coincident with the second end of the lateral ATF strap  110 . As above, the inversion control strap  112  may couple to the brace body  106  via a removable fasteners, such as shown at  302 . 
     For reference in positioning, and not by way of limitation some anatomy of the wearer&#39;s foot  102  is depicted. As seen here, the medial malleolus  202  is indicated, as well as the first metatarsal  304  of the wearer&#39;s foot  102 , and a head of the first metatarsal  306 . As described above and as shown here in one implementation, the arch support  108  extends from the heel proximate to, but not under, the head of the metatarsals, including the head of the first metatarsal  306 . 
       FIG. 4  is a posterior view  400  of the brace. In this view, the coupling of the lateral ATF strap  110  and the inversion control strap  112  is visible. Also shown is an opening  402  which may be present in some implementations. The opening  402  is configured to permit a wearer to don and doff the brace. For example, when the brace body  106  comprises a non-elastic material such as canvas, the opening  402  allows the user to insert or remove a foot. As shown here, the opening  402  is configured along the anterior surface of the brace body  106 . In other implementations the opening  402  may be configured along one or more other surfaces of the brace body  106 . 
     A tongue  404  behind the opening  402  may also be present. The opening  402  may be secured closed while the brace is in use to maintain the brace&#39;s position on the wearer&#39;s foot. For example, a zipper  406  may close the opening as shown here. In other implementations, laces, hook and loop fasteners, clasps, and so forth may be used. In yet another implementation, elastomeric material may be interposed between the edges of the opening  402  such that pull from the elastomeric material maintains the opening  402  in a substantially closed condition while in use, yet configured to expand to allow easy donning and doffing of the brace. 
     Processes of Donning and Manufacturing the Brace 
     The following processes are illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow graph, which represent a sequence of operations that can be implemented manually, by automated machinery, or a combination thereof. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the process. For discussion purposes, the following processes are described with reference to the brace of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process  500  of donning the brace. At  502 , the foot  102  is positioned within the brace body  106  such that a plantar surface of the wearer&#39;s foot is proximate to and coincident with the semi-rigid orthotic arch support  108 . 
     At  504 , the lateral ATF strap  110  is secured. When secured, a first end of the ATF strap  110  is coupled to an anterior portion of the arch support  108 , the brace body  106 , or both at a lateral-distal margin of the brace body  106 . The lateral ATF strap  110  is configured such that a body of the strap passes over a surface of the brace body  106  proximate to at least a portion of an ATF ligament  104  when worn by a wearer, and wraps around a posterior portion of the ankle, proximal to the calcaneous bone. Once wrapped around, a second end of the ATF strap  110  is coupled to a proximal-medial portion of the brace body  106 . 
     At  506 , the inversion control strap  112  is secured. A first end of the inversion control strap  112  is coupled to the lateral ATF strap  110  proximate to a mid-tarsal joint. A body of the inversion control strap  112  is configured to pass medially anterior to the ankle joint, wrapping over an anterior portion of the foot. A second end of the inversion control strap  112  couples to a position proximate to the second end of the ATF strap  110  on the proximal-medial portion of the brace body. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process  600  of manufacturing the brace. At  602 , the semi-rigid orthotic arch support  108  is coupled to a non-rigid brace body  106 . This coupling may comprise sewing, adhering, or laminating, and so forth. In another implementation, the coupling may comprise altering or impregnating at least a portion of a bottom portion of the brace body  106  such that it becomes semi-rigid, forming an integral arch support  108 . 
     At  604 , a first end of the lateral ATF strap  110  is coupled to an anterior portion of the arch support  108  or the brace body  106  at a lateral-distal margin of the brace body  106 . This coupling may be permanent such as with an adhesive, sewing, and so forth, or removable such as with snaps, hook and loop fasteners, and so forth. In another implementation, a pocket within the brace body  106  may hold the arch support  108 . 
     As described above, the lateral ATF strap  110  is configured to, when worn by the wearer, pass over a surface of the brace body  106  proximate to at least a portion of an ATF ligament  104  of an ankle joint and couple at a second end of the ATF strap  110  to a proximal-medial portion of the brace body  106 . In some implementations, the lateral ATF strap  110  is further configured to couple to the brace body  106  at a position proximate to the lateral malleolus  204  when worn. 
     At  606 , a first end of the inversion control strap  112  is coupled to the portion of the lateral ATF strap  110  proximate to a location of a mid-tarsal joint of the wearer. This coupling may be permanent such as with an adhesive or sewing, and so forth or removable such as with snaps, hook and loop fasteners, and so forth. 
     As described above, the inversion control strap  112  is configured to, when worn by the wearer, pass over a surface of the brace body  106  medially anterior to the ankle joint and couple at a second end of the inversion control strap  112  to the ATF strap  110 . 
     In other implementations the brace may be incorporated into a shoe or sandal. This would provide protection to the wearer&#39;s foot while also preventing damage to the ATF ligament. 
     Although specific details of illustrative processes are described with regard to the figures and other flow diagrams presented herein, it should be understood that certain acts shown in the figures need not be performed in the order described, and may be modified, and/or may be omitted entirely, depending on the circumstances.