Abstract:
A brace for use in supporting a joint of a body of a subject is configured to provide the joint with a normal range of motion or a substantially normal range of motion while preventing abnormal and/or pathologic motion that might damage the joint or a connective band (e.g., a ligament, tendon, fascia, etc.) associated with the joint. The brace may include one or more engagement elements that engage a body part or body parts adjacent to the joint and one or more straps that are attached to the engagement element(s) at a location or locations that approximate the location(s) of one or more connective bands associated with the joint. The present invention also includes articles of clothing into which a brace is incorporated, as well as methods for supporting a joint.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/232,337 filed Aug. 7, 2009 entitled PROTECTIVE BRACES FOR JOINTS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, the entire application of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus for bracing joints of the body, or “braces,” and, more specifically, to braces for stabilizing joints to prevent injury thereto while allowing for a full range of motion or a substantially full range of motion of at least one appendage associated with the joint. The present invention also relates to methods for preventing injury to joints of a subject&#39;s body. 
       RELATED ART 
       [0003]    When an individual engages in athletic activities, it is sometimes desirable or even necessary for the individual to support one or more joints. A few techniques and mechanisms have been developed to at least temporarily provide joint support, including the use of athletic tape and braces. 
         [0004]    Taping, if properly conducted, provides joint support without undesirably limiting the desired range of motion for the supported joint, but typically only remains effective for a few minutes at a time. Thus, if continued support is desired, the joint must be periodically retaped. 
         [0005]    Generally, existing braces fit into two categories: (1) soft braces and (2) rigid braces. Soft braces, including neoprene supports, compression sleeves, and the like, are typically comfortable to wear. However, their comfort comes from their construction, which is usually not robust enough to provide much support. 
         [0006]    When existing soft braces are configured in a manner that provides sufficient support to a joint, their construction often makes them uncomfortable. As an example, lace-up ankle braces typically fasten over the top of the foot. When worn for a prolonged period of time, the laces may (directly or from pressure applied by a shoe worn over the brace) numb the nerve that extends into the foot and restrict blood flow into and out of the foot. These affects often slow athletes down, causing many athletes to remove the brace when they should be wearing them. 
         [0007]    Rigid braces usually work well, but are typically quite bulky and often uncomfortable. Conventionally, rigid braces have been used to support damaged and/or healing joints. Because of their intended use, many rigid braces limit the range of motion of the supported joint, often preventing desired movement—particularly during athletic activity. In addition, many rigid braces don&#39;t fit beneath clothing or, in the case of ankle braces, within shoes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In one aspect, the present invention includes braces for use with various joints of the body. A brace of the present invention may be configured to support and/or protect a joint from abnormal and/or pathologic motion while allowing the joint to move in a normal or substantially normal manner; i.e., in such a way that the joint has a full range of motion or a substantially full range of motion (e.g., 85%, 90%, 95%, or more) while it is supported and/or protected by the brace. 
         [0009]    A brace of the present invention may be used in conjunction with any suitable joint of any suitable subject. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, one embodiment of a brace of the present invention may be configured for use with a human ankle. In other embodiments, a brace of the present invention may support a human knee. Of course, other embodiments of braces of the present invention may be designed and/or configured to support other joints of the human body (e.g., neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, back, hip, etc.), as well as joints of the bodies of various animals. 
         [0010]    In various embodiments, a brace according to the present invention includes one or more support straps that mimic the function of one or more bands of fibrous connective tissue (e.g., ligaments, tendons, fascia), which are referred to herein as “connective bands” for the sake of simplicity, of the joint with which the brace is to be used, which is referred to herein as a “corresponding joint” and as a “supported joint.” Each support strap of a brace of the present invention may be configured, along with a remainder of the brace, to support a corresponding joint and to prevent injury to the corresponding joint. In some embodiments, the location of each support strap may approximate the location of its corresponding connective band in the body of a subject on which the brace is to be used. The tensile strength of a support strap may match or even exceed the tensile strength of its corresponding connective band. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, opposite ends of the one or more support straps of a brace of the present invention are secured to and extend between a pair of engagement members that are positioned and configured to engage (e.g., wrap around) body parts on opposite sides of the joint that is to be supported and protected. Thus, the one or more support straps may at least partially secure the engagement members to one another. In a specific embodiment of ankle brace that incorporates teachings of the present invention, the pair of engagement members is secured directly to one another at a first, central location. At second, lateral locations on opposite sides of the first, central location, the engagement members are spaced apart from one another, but secured to one another by support straps. In some embodiments, the configuration and relative association of the engagement members may shape the brace in such a way that it will receive and even conform or substantially conform to the shape of a body part adjacent to the supported joint, such as a heel adjacent to a supported ankle. 
         [0012]    In a method of the present invention, a brace is positioned around a joint with at least one support strap aligned approximately over a connective band or group of connective bands to which the at least one support strap corresponds. One or more engagement members of the brace may be secured to a part (or parts) of the body located adjacent to the joint that is to be supported. In some embodiments, a first engagement member may be secured to a first body part on a first side of the joint that is to be supported (e.g., around a foot, etc.), while a second engagement member is secured to a second body part on a second side of the joint (e.g., around the tibia and fibula, or shin, of the subject, etc.). 
         [0013]    With an embodiment of a brace that incorporates teachings of the present invention in place, the subject wearing the brace may participate in an activity in which movement around the joint is required. The brace may allow for, or enable, such movement without limiting or substantially limiting the joint from enabling a normal range of movement, or full range of motion. During normal motion, the brace is not in tension. When the range of motion is extended to or beyond a desired limit (e.g., abnormal motion, pathologic motion, etc., such as when an ankle begins to twist), one or more of the elements of the brace becomes tense, redistributing the potentially injurious load on the protected joint across the brace. When undesired motion occurs, the support straps and each engagement element may work together to prevent the joint from moving beyond its normal range. In this manner, the brace may prevent the straining or spraining of one or more connective bands associated with the supported joint. 
         [0014]    Other aspects of the present invention, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the present invention, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In the drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of brace of the present invention that is configured to support and/or protect an ankle of a human; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts the two engagement members of the embodiment of brace shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3 through 5  show the embodiment of brace illustrated by  FIG. 1  around a human ankle; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6 through 10  depict various alternative embodiments of ankle braces of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrated embodiments of socks that incorporate teachings of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  depicts a shoe that includes an integrated embodiment of a brace of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of a brace  10  of the present invention is illustrated. Brace  10  includes a pair of engagement members  20  and  30  and a number of support straps  40 ,  42 ,  44 . Engagement members  20  and  30  and support straps  40 ,  42 , and  44  are configured and arranged to form a brace that supports and/or protects a human ankle. 
         [0023]    A first engagement member  20  is configured to be secured around a subject&#39;s foot by wrapping around the subject&#39;s foot. In the illustrated embodiment, first engagement member  20  includes a central region  21  and a pair of elongate elements  24  and  26  that extend laterally, in opposite directions, from a first edge  22  of central region  21 , imparting first engagement member  20  with a general “V” shape. 
         [0024]    A second edge  23  of central region  21 , which is opposite from first edge  22 , may have a concave shape, and may be configured to accommodate at least a portion of the bottom of the heel of a subject&#39;s foot. The concave shape of second edge  23  may be configured to reduce or prevent the application of pressure to the heel of the subject&#39;s foot as first engagement member  20  is placed around and secured to the subject&#39;s foot. 
         [0025]    Two protruding features  28  and  29  located at opposite ends of second edge  23  may facilitate the fastening of first engagement member  20  to corresponding features of second engagement member  30  (e.g., by sewing, etc.). 
         [0026]    Second engagement member  30  is configured to wrap around the shin of a subject&#39;s leg. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , second engagement member  30  includes a central region  31  from which two elongate elements  34  and  36  extend, in opposite directions. As shown, elongate members  34  and  36  may be aligned or substantially aligned along a first edge  32  of central region  31 . Central region  31  may, in some embodiments, be wider than each elongate element, with a second edge  33  of central region  31 , which is opposite from first edge  32 , having a concave shape. The concave shape of second edge  33  may be configured to accommodate a rear portion of the heel of the subject&#39;s foot. 
         [0027]    Protruding features  38  and  39  located at opposite ends of second edge  33  (e.g., where corresponding edges of elongate members  34  and  36  taper toward and joint second edge  33 ) may facilitate the fastening (e.g., by sewing, etc.) of second engagement member  30  to first engagement member. More specifically, when first and second engagement members  20  and  30  are properly assembled, protruding features  28  and  29  may be superimposed with respect to protruding features  38  and  39 , respectively, and the corresponding pairs of protruding features  28  and  38  and  29  and  39  fastened to one another. 
         [0028]    First and second engagement members  20  and  30  may be configured and arranged relative to each other in such a way that they form a pocket for receiving a body part, such as the heel of the subject&#39;s foot. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, elongate elements  24  and  26  of first engagement member  20  may include complementary fasteners  25  and  27  that will engage one another to enable elongate elements  24  and  26  to secure first engagement member  20  around the subject&#39;s foot (e.g., around the midtarsal joint of the foot). Various embodiments of fasteners  25  and  27  include, but are not limited to, corresponding hook and loop fastener elements, complementary clips, a strap and buckle, or the like. 
         [0030]    Likewise, some embodiments of second engagement member  30  may include elongate elements with complementary fasteners  35  and  37  that will engage one another to enable elongate elements  34  and  36  to secure second engagement member  30  around the subject&#39;s shin. Various embodiments of fasteners  35  and  37  include, but are not limited to, corresponding hook and loop fastener elements, complementary clips, a strap and buckle, or the like. 
         [0031]    First and second engagement elements  20  and  30  may be formed from any suitable, flexible material that will enable them, and brace  10 , to be securely arranged and secured in place over a joint, such as an ankle. The material from which first and second engagement elements  20  and  30  is formed may resist stretching and may have sufficient strength to withstand normal (and above-normal) and repeated forces applied thereto by the joint and/or body parts to which or over which brace  10  is to be secured. A variety of fabrics may be suitable for these purposes, including nylon, which is formed from polyamide fibers, as well as fabrics formed from other synthetic materials and from and natural fibers, and flexible non-fibrous sheets (e.g., polymeric films, etc.). 
         [0032]    Support strap  40  is arranged in such a way that it spans a gap between spaced apart elongate elements  24  and  34 , with its ends being secured (e.g., sewn, etc.) to elongate elements  24  and  34 , while support straps  42  and  44  span a gap between spaced apart elongate elements  26  and  36 , with their ends being secured (e.g., sewn, etc.) to elongate elements  26  and  36 . The positions of support straps  40 ,  42 , and  44  are configured to approximate the positions of corresponding connective bands spanning a joint in the body of a subject y whom brace  10  is to be worn. The length of each support strap  40 ,  42 ,  44 , as well as its position relative to first and second engagement elements  20  and  30 , may be tailored to prevent undesired movement (i.e., movement beyond the normal range of motion) of the supported joint or of one or more body parts located adjacent to the joint, the movement of which may be enabled by the joint. 
         [0033]    In the depicted example, where the joint that is to be supported is an ankle, support strap  40  is positioned to support connective bands (e.g., the posterior talotibial ligament, the deltoid ligament, etc.) on the medial side (i.e., inside) of the ankle and foot, while support straps  42  and  44  are positioned to support connective bands (e.g., the calcaneofibular ligament, etc.) on the lateral side (i.e., outside) of the foot and ankle. Thus, the depicted brace  10  is configured for use with a subject&#39;s right foot, while a brace that is configured for use with the subject&#39;s left foot would be a mirror image of that depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0034]    Each support strap  40 ,  42 ,  44  may be made of a material with adequate flexibility to enable the support joint to move about a normal or substantially normal range of motion, but sufficient tensile strength to withstand the potentially damaging forces that may be applied to the connective bands that are associated with the supported joint. In some embodiments, each support strap  40 ,  42 ,  44  may withstand several times (e.g., about seven times to about twelve times) a subject&#39;s body weight through the cross-sectional area of one or more connective bands in the supported joint. This may amount to several hundred pounds per square inch (psi) tensile force in some embodiments, or even to thousands of psi (e.g., about 5,000 psi to about 7,000 psi, etc.). Various embodiments of materials that may impart support straps  40 ,  42 ,  44  with these and potentially other desired properties include fabrics made from ballistic nylon fibers, from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers, such as those marketed by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Carneys Point, N.J., as KEVLAR®, or from fibers of other suitable materials. 
         [0035]    With added reference to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , in an embodiment of use, brace  10  is positioned beneath the appropriate foot of a subject (the right foot of a subject in the depicted embodiment), with first engagement element  20  positioned beneath the subject&#39;s foot and second engagement element positioned behind the subject&#39;s foot. The heel of the subject&#39;s foot may be positioned over or within a pocket  12  formed by the concave second edges  23  and  33  of central elements  21  and  31  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of first and second engagement elements  20  and  30 , respectively, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Elongate elements  24  and  26  of first engagement element  20  may be brought up around opposite sides of the foot and snugly, but comfortably, secured to one another over the foot, as illustrated by  FIGS. 3 and 5 . Elongate elements  34  and  36  of second engagement element  30  may be brought forward around opposite sides of the subject&#39;s shin and secured to one another so as to snugly, but comfortably engage an anterior (i.e., front) surface of the subject&#39;s shin, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0036]    As the subject engages in activity that results in the movement of the supported joint, brace  10  enables the subject to enjoy a full or substantially full range of motion at the supported joint, while preventing movement of the joint beyond or substantially beyond (e.g., far enough to strain any connective bands associated with the supported joint, etc.) its normal or desired range of motion. In some embodiments, brace  10  will absorb and distribute forces that are applied to the joint to the more robust body parts located on opposite sides of the joint. This redistribution may prevent undesired movement even when high loads (e.g., thousands of psi, etc.) are applied to the joint. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 6 through 10  depict various alternative embodiments of braces that are configured to support and/or protect a human ankle. 
         [0038]    The brace  10 ′ of  FIG. 6  includes four thin support straps  42 ′,  44 ′,  46 ′, and  48 ′ in place of support straps  42  and  44  of brace  10  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 ). Support straps  42 ′,  44 ′,  46 ′, and  48 ′ may be held in place relative to one another by way of one or more retention elements  50 , which extend in a direction that is transverse to the directions in which support straps  42 ′,  44 ′,  46 ′, and  48 ′ extend. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  depicts a brace  10 ″ that includes a plurality of support straps  42 ″,  44 ″,  46 ″, and  48 ″ in place of support strap  40  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). One or more retention elements  50 ″ may extend across support straps  42 ″,  44 ″,  46 ″, and  48 ″ to hold the same in place relative to one another. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of brace  10 ′″ is shown that includes a single support strap  42 ′″ in place of support straps  42  and  44  of brace  10  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 ). 
         [0041]    In the embodiment of brace  10 ″″ illustrated by  FIG. 9 , support straps  42  and  44  of brace  10  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 ) are replaced by a pair of intersecting, or crossed support straps  42 ″″ and  44 ″″. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of brace  10 ′″″ with two pairs of crossed support straps  42 ′″″ and  44 ′″″ and  46 ′″″ and  48 ′″″, with one pair on each side of brace  10 ′″″. 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , an embodiment of a sock  200  into which a brace  110  of the present invention has been incorporated is shown. In the depicted embodiment, brace  110  is carried by an exterior surface  202  of sock  200 . In other embodiments, such as those represented by  FIG. 12 , a brace  110  may be partially carried within an interior surface  204  of a sock  200 ′ or between layers of sock  200 ′. 
         [0044]    While brace  110  may be configured as the above-described brace  10  (in reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 ), another embodiment of brace  110  is shown in  FIG. 11 . In the depicted embodiment, brace  110  differs from brace  10  in that first engagement element  120  includes a loop  125  formed by central region  121  and a single elongate element  124  through which a subject&#39;s foot may be introduced and removed. In some embodiments, loop  125  may have a size that enables it to be secured in place around a foot of a particular size to provide brace with a desired amount of stability without causing discomfort to the subject&#39;s foot. Loop  125  may, in some embodiments, be formed from a stretchable, resilient (e.g., elastic) material. 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a sock  200 ′ in which a portion of a brace  110  is internally integrated. In the depicted embodiment, a first engagement element  120  of brace is located within an interior of sock  200 ′, as are its support straps  140  and the central region  131  of its second engagement element  130 . Elongate elements  134  and  136 , or at least portions thereof, extend through apertures  208  that are located above the heel  206  of sock  200 ′, enabling their use in tightening and securing brace  110  over a subject&#39;s ankle once sock  200 ′ is in place on the subject&#39;s foot. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an embodiment of a shoe  300  (an athletic shoe in the depicted embodiment) into which an embodiment of a brace  110 ′ of the present invention is incorporated is illustrated. Brace  110 ′ is configured much like brace  10  ( FIGS. 1 through 5 ), and includes first and second engagement elements  120 ′ and  130 ′ and straps  140 ′ in substantially the same arrangement as their corresponding features of brace  10 . 
         [0047]    Straps  140 ′ may be located within the interior of shoe  300 , or they may be incorporated within the interior of an upper  310  of shoe  300 . 
         [0048]    Instead of being secured directly to one another, first and second engagement elements  120 ′ and  130 ′ of brace  110 ′ may be secured to some other element of shoe  300 , but in place relative to one another. 
         [0049]    Elongated elements  124 ′ and  126 ′ (not shown) of first engagement element  120 ′ may be truncated, with their ends  124 E and  126 E (not shown) lacking fasteners and instead being secured (e.g., sewn, etc.) into opposite sides  314  and  316  of upper  310  of shoe  300 . With this arrangement, when shoe  300  is secured to a subject&#39;s foot (e.g., by tying, etc.), first engagement element  120 ′ is secured snugly to the subject&#39;s foot. 
         [0050]    Engagement elements  134 ′ and  136 ′ may likewise be associated with a heel collar  320  of shoe  300  and accessible from an exterior  302  of shoe  300  so that when shoe  300  has been secured to a subject&#39;s foot, engagement elements  134 ′ and  136 ′ may be fastened around the subject&#39;s shin. 
         [0051]    Of course, other embodiments of braces according to the present invention may be incorporated into other pieces of athletic gear, or multiple embodiments of braces may be incorporated into a single piece of athletic gear (e.g., a compression shirt, compression shorts or pants, body armor, etc.). 
         [0052]    Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not exceed the scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.