Orthopedic devices, systems, and methods of use

Abstract

Orthopedic devices, systems, and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, an orthopedic device intended for use with at least one moveable body part of a user may comprise a tubular body forming an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tubular body may include at least one opening and one or more shrinkable materials. The tubular body may be moveable between a first position, wherein the tubular body is configured to at least partially receive and at least partially surround the at least one moveable body part of the user, and a second position, wherein one or more portions of the tubular body are configured to generally conform to and at least partially restrict movement of the at least one moveable body part in one or more directions. The tubular body may be configured to move from the first position to the second position in response to a treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An orthopedic device intended for use with at least one moveable body part of a user, the orthopedic device comprising:
 a tubular body forming an interior surface and an exterior surface and including at least one opening, a thickness extending between said interior surface and said interior surface, and one or more shrinkable materials, said tubular body being moveable between a first position, wherein said tubular body is configured to at least partially receive and at least partially surround the at least one moveable body part of the user, and a second position, wherein one or more portions of said tubular body are configured to generally conform to and at least partially restrict movement of the at least one moveable body part in one or more directions, and wherein said tubular body is configured to move from said first position to said second position in response to a treatment.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner positionable proximate said interior surface of said tubular body, said liner being configured to substantially protect the at least one moveable body part of the user from the treatment. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner and an intermediate layer interposed between said liner and said interior surface of said tubular body, said intermediate layer being configured to substantially insulate the at least one moveable body part of the user from the treatment, wherein the treatment comprises a heat treatment. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more shrinkable materials comprise at least one of a polyolefin, nylon, neoprene, silicone rubber, or woven fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular body includes a leg portion, a foot portion, and a second opening in a back portion of said foot portion configured to receive a heel of the user, and wherein the at least one moveable body part comprises at least a portion of an ankle. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said tubular body includes one or more pockets configured to generally receive one or more support bars, wherein the one or more support bars are configured to help provide lateral support to the at least one moveable body part. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein moving said tubular body from said first position to said second position comprises shrinking said tubular body in at least a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of said tubular body. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein moving said tubular body from said first position to said second position comprises shrinking said tubular body in at least a first direction along a longitudinal axis of said tubular body. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment comprises a heat treatment, and wherein at least one of said one or more shrinkable materials has a shrink temperature of about 140° F. to 500° F. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment comprises at least one of a chemical treatment or an ultraviolet light treatment. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more shrinkable materials comprises:
 a first shrinkable material in side portions of said tubular body, said first shrinkable material being configured to be substantially stiff in said supporting position; and   a second shrinkable material in at least a front portion of said tubular body, said shrinkable material being configured to be substantially flexible in said supporting position.   
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said thickness of said tubular body comprises a first thickness in side portions of said tubular body, said first thickness being configured to provide lateral support to the at least one moveable body part; and
 a second thickness in a front portion of said tubular body, wherein said first thickness is greater than said second thickness.   
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said tubular body includes a second opening configured to allow a leg to pass through said tubular body and a third opening configured to position a patella, and wherein the at least one moveable body comprises at least a portion of a knee. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said one or more shrinkable materials has a shrink ratio of about 1.1:1 to 3:1. 
     
     
         15 . An orthopedic system intended for use with at least one moveable body part of a user, the orthopedic system comprising:
 a tubular body forming an interior surface and an exterior surface and including at least one opening and one or more shrinkable materials, said tubular body being moveable between a first position, wherein said tubular body is configured to at least partially receive and surround the at least one moveable body part of the user, and a second position, wherein said tubular body is configured to generally conform to and at least partially support the at least one moveable body part in one or more directions, and wherein said tubular body is configured to move from said first position to said second position in response to a treatment;   a liner; and   an intermediate layer interposed between said liner and said interior surface of said tubular body, said intermediate layer being configured to substantially protect the at least one moveable body part of the user from the treatment.   
     
     
         16 . The orthopedic system of  claim 15 , wherein moving of said tubular body from said first position to said second position comprises shrinking said tubular body in at least a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of said tubular body. 
     
     
         17 . The orthopedic system of  claim 15 , wherein said intermediate layer comprises one or more insulation materials. 
     
     
         18 . The orthopedic system of  claim 15 , wherein said one or more shrinkable materials have a shrink temperature of about 200° F. to 400° F. 
     
     
         19 . A method of bracing a moveable body part of a user, comprising:
 receiving a tubular body, said tubular body forming an interior surface and an exterior surface and including at least one opening and one or more shrinkable materials, said tubular body being moveable between a first position, wherein said tubular body is configured to generally receive and generally surround the moveable body part, and a second position, wherein said tubular body is configured to substantially conform to and at least partially restrict movement of the moveable body part in one or more directions;   positioning the moveable body part substantially within said tubular body with said tubular body in said first position; and   applying a treatment to said one or more shrinkable materials of said tubular body to move said tubular body from said first position to said second position.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein applying the treatment to said tubular body to move said tubular body from said first position to said second position comprises applying a heat treatment to said tubular body to shrink said tubular body in at least a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of said tubular body. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said tubular body includes a foot portion, a leg portion, and a second opening in said foot portion configured to receive a heel of the user, and wherein the moveable body part comprises at least a portion of an ankle.