[01.] Adjustable and Customizable Knee Brace

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[02 ] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[03 ] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

[04 ] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[05.] The present invention relates to a novel adjustable and customizable knee brace. The knee is a complex joint with many components, including bones, cartilage (e.g., meniscus), ligaments, and tendons. The knee serves several functions including supporting the body, helping to lower and raise the body, providing support, acting as a shock absorber, allowing the twisting of the leg, making walking more efficient, and helping propel the body forward. Additionally, the knee is susceptible and vulnerable to a variety of injuries, including fractures, dislocations, sprains, and ligament tears. The knee is one of the most common joints to be affected by osteoarthritis (OA), which is a joint disease that results from the movement (dislocation) of the tibia. OA may lead to the breakdown of cartilage.

[06 ] Current knee braces may be uncomfortable to wear, may not be customizable to reduce the pain of a particular patient, and are not effective to reduce pain. The areas and types of pain may be different for each patient that is diagnosed with OA. The present invention solves these and other problems as the present invention is adjustable and customizable to suit a particular patient’s needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[07 ] An object of the present invention is an adjustable and customizable knee brace comprising an upper band, a plurality of upper band bladders, an upper band enclosing means for enclosing the upper band around an upper leg of a user, a lower band, a plurality of lower band bladders, a lower band enclosing means for enclosing the lower band around a lower leg of the user, a left connector, and a right connector. The left connector comprises a left upper member, a left joint, and, a left lower member. The upper band is coupled to the left upper member. The lower band is coupled to the left lower member. The left joint pivotally couples the left upper member to the left lower member. The left connector is substantially rigid. The right connector comprises a right upper member, a right joint, and, a right lower member. The upper band is coupled to the right upper member. The lower band is coupled to the right lower member. The right joint pivotally couples the right upper member to the right lower member. The right connector is substantially rigid.

[08.] In another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace comprises two upper band bladders, and, four lower band bladders. The upper band enclosing means is a first clip. The lower band enclosing means is a second clip.

[09.] In yet another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace further comprises an upper support band, and, an upper support band enclosing means for enclosing the upper support band around the upper leg of the user. The upper support band is coupled to the left upper member. The upper support band is coupled to the right upper member.

[10.] In another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace comprises two upper band bladders, and, four lower band bladders. The upper band enclosing means is a first clip. The lower band enclosing means is a second clip. The upper support band enclosing means is a first hook and loop fastener.

[11.] In yet another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace further comprises a plurality of upper support band bladders.

[12.] In another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace comprises two upper support band bladders.

[13.] In yet another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace further comprises a lower support band, and, a lower support band enclosing means for enclosing the lower support band around the lower leg of the user. The lower support band is coupled to the left lower member. The lower support band is coupled to the right lower member.

[14.] In another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace comprises two upper band bladders and four lower band bladders. The upper band enclosing means is a first clip. The lower band enclosing means is a second clip. The upper support band enclosing means is a first hook and loop fastener. The lower support band enclosing means is a second hook and loop fastener. [15 ] In yet another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace further comprises a plurality of upper support band bladders, and, a plurality of lower support band bladders.

[16.] In another object of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace comprises two upper support band bladders, and, four lower support band bladders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[17.] The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[18.] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[19.] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[20 ] FIG. 3A is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[21.] FIG. 4A is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[22.] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[23.] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[24 ] FIGs. 7A-D are front views of embodiments of the present invention.

[25.] For clarity purposes, ail reference numerals may not be included in every figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[26 ] As illustrated in the figures, embodiments of an adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 comprises an upper band 110, a plurality of upper band bladders 112, an upper band enclosing means 114 for enclosing the upper band 110 around an upper leg 210 of a user, a lower band 120, a plurality of lower band bladders 122, a lower band enclosing means 124 for enclosing the lower band 120 around a lower leg 220 of the user, a left connector 130, and, a right connector 140. The left connector 130 comprises a left upper member 132, a left joint 134, and, a left lower member 136. The upper band 110 is coupled to the left upper member 132. The lower band 120 is coupled to the left lower member 136. The left joint 134 pivotally couples the left upper member 132 to the left lower member 134. The left connector 130 is substantially rigid. The right connector 140 comprises a right upper member 142, a right joint 144, and, a right lower member 146. The upper band 110 is coupled to the right upper member 142. The lower band 120 is coupled to the right lower member 146 The right joint 144 pivotally couples the right upper member 142 to the right lower member 146. The right connector 140 is substantially rigid.

[27 ] The left connector 130 allows the left upper member 132 to pivot in relation to the left lower member 134 The right connector 140 allows the right upper member 142 to pivot in relation to the right lower member 144. As a result, when the user bends her knee, the left connector 130 and the right connector 140 pivots, allowing the upper band 110 to remain in place with the upper leg 210 while the lower band 120 remains in place with the lower leg 220.

[28 ] In some embodiments of the present invention, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 comprises two upper band bladders 112, and, four lower band bladders 122. FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments of bands 110, 120, 150 160 that have four bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate embodiments of bands 110,

120, 150. 160 that have two bladders 112, 122, 152, 162. The upper band enclosing means 114 is a first clip, and, the lower band enclosing means 124 is a second clip. Embodiments of the enclosing means 114, 124, 154, 164 are illustrated in FIGs. 2, 3D, 3B, 4A, 4B and 5.

[29.] In other embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 may further comprise an upper support band 150, and, an upper support band enclosing means 154 for enclosing the upper support band 150 around the upper leg 210 of the user. The upper support band 150 is coupled to the left upper member 132. The upper support band 150 is coupled to the right upper member 142.

[30.] In some embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 comprises two upper band bladders 122, and, four lower band bladders 122. The upper band enclosing means 114 is a first clip. The lower band enclosing means 124 is a second clip. The upper support band enclosing means 154 is a first hook and loop fastener.

[31.] In other embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 may further comprise a plurality of upper support band bladders 152.

[32.] In some embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 comprises two upper support band bladders 152.

[33.] In other embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 may further comprise a lower support band 160, and, a lower support band enclosing means 164 for enclosing the lower support band 160 around the lower leg 220 of the user. The lower support band 160 is coupled to the left lower member 136. The lower support band 160 is coupled to the right lower member 146.

[34.] In some embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 comprises two upper band bladders 112 and four lower band bladders 122. The upper band enclosing means 114 is a first clip. The lower band enclosing means 124 is a second clip. The upper support band enclosing means 154 is a first hook and loop fastener. The lower support band enclosing means 164 is a second hook and loop fastener.

[35.] In other embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 may further comprise a plurality of upper support band bladders 152, and, a plurality of lower support band bladders 162.

[36.] In some embodiments, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 comprises two upper support band bladders 112, and, four lower support band bladders 122

[37.] The bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 may be inflated with any known inflation means known to one skilled in the art. The bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 may be inflated with any known fluid known to one skilled in the art, such as air, liquids, or gels. Preferably, the fluid is air. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the bladder 112, 122, 152, 162 may be inflated with a bulb inflator 235. The bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 may be deflated with an fluid-releasing mechanism or any other known deflation means known to one skilled in the art.

[38.] FIGs. 7 A - 7D, illustrate various uses of the present invention to alleviate the knee pain of the user. For clarity and illustrative purposes, only the upper band 110, the upper band bladders 112, the lower band 120, and the lower band bladders 122 are shown. Furthermore, the figures illustrates the use of the present invention on the left leg of the user, but the present invention may be used on either or both the left and right legs of the user. In FIG. 7 A, the femur 215 is misaligned with the tibia 225 and fibula 230, as the tibia 225 is shifted to the left (i.e., medially). This results in pain for the user. To correct the user’s knee alignment, and in turn to relieve the user’s pain, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 is used where the upper band bladder 112 to the right of the femur 215 is inflated and the lower band bladder 122 to the left of the tibia 225 is inflated. This assists in realigning the knee by moving the femur 215 to the left (i e , medially) and the tibia 225 to the right (i.e. , laterally). As illustrated in FIG 7B, the femur 215 is misaligned with the tibia 225 and fibula 230, as the tibia 225 is shifted to the left (i.e , medially) and away from the knee (i.e , dorsally). This results in pain for the user. To correct the user’s knee alignment, and in turn to relieve the user’s pain, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 is used where the upper band bladder 112 to the right of the femur 215 is inflated and two lower band bladders 122 to the left of and behind the tibia 225 are inflated. This assists in realigning the knee by moving the femur 215 to the left (i.e., medially) and the tibia 225 to the right (i.e., laterally) and toward the knee (i.e., ventrai!y).

[39.] Similarly, in FIGs. 7C and 7D, the femur 215 is misaligned with the tibia 225 and fibula 230. In FIG. 7C, the tibia 225 is shifted to the right (i.e., laterally) and away from the knee (i.e., dorsally). This results in pain for the user. To correct the user’s knee alignment, and in turn to relieve the user’s pain, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 is used where the upper band bladder 112 to the left of the femur 215 is inflated and two lower band bladders 122 to the right of and behind the tibia 225 are inflated. This assists in realigning the knee by moving the femur 215 to the right (i.e., laterally) and the tibia 225 to the left (i.e., medially) and toward the knee (i.e., ventraliy). As illustrated in FIG. 7D, the tibia 225 is shifted to the right (i.e., laterally). This results in pain for the user. To correct the user’s knee alignment, and in turn to relieve the user’s pain, the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 is used where the upper band bladder 112 to the left of the femur 215 is inflated and the lower band bladder 122 to the right of the tibia 225 is inflated. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that although FIGs. 7A - 7D illustrate the use of one or two bladders per band, the present invention may be practiced by utilizing more than two bladders per band, depending upon the type of misalignment between the femur and tibia

[40.] Although the embodiments described and shown refer to two or four bladders 112, 122, 152, 162, one skilled in the art understands that the present invention encompasses and may be practiced with a varied number of bladders 112, 122, 152,

162 for each band 110, 120, 150, 160. The bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 are configured medially and laterally to the femur 215, tibia 225 and fibula 230, to allow the correction of the alignment of the knee medially or laterally.

[41.] The left connector 130 and the right connector 140 are both substantially rigid, whereby when the bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 are inflated, the movement of bands 110, 120, 150, 160 in relation to the other bands 110, 120, 150, 160 are restricted.

Therefore, the inflation of the bladders 112, 122, 152, 162 aid in the realignment of the user ^’ s knee by moving the knee and not the bands 110, 120, 150, 160.

[42.] Although the embodiments described and shown refer to enclosing means 114, 124, 154, 164 as clips and hook and loop fasteners, one skilled in the art understands that the present invention encompasses and may be practiced with any other enclosing means known to one skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, buckles, cords, clasps, laces, zippers, and other known enclosing means.

[43.] The upper and lower support bands 150, 160 may aid in the realignment of the user’s knee. The upper and lower support bands 150, 160 may also aid in securing the adjustable and customizable knee brace 100 to the user’s leg. Although the

embodiments described and shown refer to one upper support band 150 and one lower support band 160, one skilled in the art understands that the present invention

encompasses and may be practiced with more than one upper support band 150 and more than one lower support band 160.

[44.] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary

embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include ail embodiments failing within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.