Patent ID: 7465284

Claim:
A support for a patient's ankle consisting of: a generally “bone-shaped” support configured to include at least a first layer and a second layer, said support having an overall length terminating in enlarged, “bone-shaped” end sections, wherein the entire support is lightweight; said at least first layer having an overall length, a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral edge, enlarged end portions each having a width e and a lenght e , and a center portion having a width c and extending between said enlarged end portions, wherein said end portions width e is wider than said center width c , and wherein the bottom surface of said at least first layer has an adhesive thereon and said adhesive has an adhesive strength of from about 3.0 N/cm to about 5.0 N/cm, and wherein said at least first layer comprises a material having a Young's modulus of from about 2.2 N/cm2 to about 3.0 N/cm2 to provide structural support to said ankle; said second layer having an overall length that is greater than the first layer, a top surface, a bottom surface, a peripheral edge, enlarged end portions each having a width e2 and a lenght e2 , and a center portion extending between the end sections having a width c2 and extending between said enlarged end portions, wherein said end portions width e2 is wider than said center width c2 ; said second layer being affixed to said first layer using an adhesive interlayer, such that the entire bottom surface of said first layer abuts said top surface of said second layer such that a border is defined around the perimeter of said first layer between each of said peripheral edges of said first layer and each of said corresponding peripheral edges of said second layer; the bottom surface of said second layer further having an adhesive for securing said second layer to the patient's ankle, the adhesive being hypo-allergenic and non-inflammatory; and wherein said “bone-shaped” support is configured such that, during use, the total length of said first layer and said second layer is selected according to the height of the patient to provide optimal lateral support such that a terminal top edge of the second layer terminates at a desired location above the center of a medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle, thereby decreasing the likelihood of tearing and thereby facilitating accessory ranges of motion.