Systems and Methods for Increasing the Effectiveness of a Mechanical Joint Brace

Abstract

According to the invention, a system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user is disclosed. A sleeve may fit around, and to either side, of a user's joint. The sleeve may include a first portion which applies compressive pressure on a proximate side of the joint, a second portion disposed around the joint, and a third portion which applies compressive pressure on a distal side of the joint. A first set of pads may be disposed and compressed between at least a first portion of a mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the proximate side of the joint. A second set of pads may be disposed and compressed between at least a second portion of the mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the distal side of the joint.

1 . A system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user, wherein the system comprises:
 a sleeve configured to fit around, and to either side, of a joint of a user, wherein the sleeve comprises:
 a first portion which applies compressive pressure on a proximate side of the joint; 
 a second portion disposed around the joint; and 
 a third portion which applies compressive pressure on a distal side of the joint; 
   a first set of one or more pads coupled with the first portion of the sleeve, wherein:
 the first set of one or more pads is configured to be disposed and compressed between at least a first portion of a mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the proximate side of the joint; and 
 at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads is configured to completely encircle a first circumference of a limb of the user's body on the proximate side of the joint; and 
   a second set of one or more pads coupled with the third portion of the sleeve, wherein:
 the second set of one or more pads is configured to be disposed and compressed between at least a second portion of the mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the distal side of the joint; and 
 at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads is configured to completely encircle a second circumference of the limb of the user's body on the distal side of the joint. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second portion applies compressive pressure on the joint.   
     
     
         3 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a first fastening system disposed on an exterior of the sleeve over at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads, wherein the first fastening system is configured to couple with a third fastening system disposed on an interior of the mechanical joint brace; and   a second fastening system disposed on the exterior of the sleeve over at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads, wherein the second fastening system is configured to couple with the third fastening system disposed on the interior of the mechanical joint brace.   
     
     
         4 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the first fastening system comprises a first hook and loop fastening system;   the second fastening system comprises a second hook and loop fastening system; and   the third fastening system comprises a third hook and loop fastening system.   
     
     
         5 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a fastening system on an interior of a distal end of the sleeve, wherein a portion of the sleeve is configured to be turned inside out at the distal end of the sleeve and be disposed over at least a portion of the second portion of the mechanical joint brace, and the fastening system is configured to tighten the portion of the sleeve turned inside out around the mechanical joint brace.   
     
     
         6 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 5 , wherein the fastening mechanism comprises:
 a first hook and loop fastening system disposed on the interior of the distal end of the sleeve; and   a strap coupled with the interior of the distal end of the sleeve and having a corresponding second hook and loop fastening system configured to wrap around at least a portion of the distal end of the sleeve and couple with the first hook and loop fastening system.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads has a thickness between 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches when uncompressed; and   at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads has a thickness between 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches when uncompressed.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises:
 a pair of pants.   
     
     
         11 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
 additional padding coupled with the sleeve and not configured to be disposed and compressed between the mechanical joint brace and a portion of the user.   
     
     
         12 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises:
 at least one pocket coupled with the sleeve.   
     
     
         13 . A system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user, wherein the system comprises:
 a sleeve configured to fit around, and to either side, of a joint of a user, wherein the sleeve comprises:
 a first portion which applies compressive pressure on a proximate side of the joint; and 
 a second portion which applies compressive pressure on a distal side of the joint; 
   a first set of one or more pads coupled with the first portion of the sleeve, wherein:
 the first set of one or more pads is configured to be disposed and compressed between at least a first portion of a mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the proximate side of the joint; and 
 at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads is configured to completely encircle a first circumference of a limb of the user's body on the proximate side of the joint; and 
   a second set of one or more pads coupled with the second portion of the sleeve, wherein:
 the second set of one or more pads is configured to be disposed and compressed between at least a second portion of the mechanical joint brace worn over the sleeve and the distal side of the joint; and 
 at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads is configured to completely encircle a second circumference of the limb of the user's body on the distal side of the joint. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 13 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a first fastening system disposed on an exterior of the sleeve over at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads, wherein the first fastening system is configured to couple with a third fastening system disposed on an interior of the mechanical joint brace; and   a second fastening system disposed on the exterior of the sleeve over at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads, wherein the second fastening system is configured to couple with the third fastening system disposed on the interior of the mechanical joint brace.   
     
     
         15 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 13 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a fastening system on an interior of a distal end of the sleeve, wherein a portion of the sleeve is configured to be turned inside out at the distal end of the sleeve and be disposed over at least a portion of the second portion of the mechanical joint brace, and the fastening system is configured to tighten the portion of the sleeve turned inside out around the mechanical joint brace.   
     
     
         16 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 15 , wherein the fastening system comprises:
 a first hook and loop fastening system disposed on the interior of the distal end of the sleeve; and   a strap coupled with the interior of the distal end of the sleeve and having a corresponding second hook and loop fastening system configured to wrap around at least a portion of the distal end of the sleeve and couple with the first hook and loop fastening system.   
     
     
         17 . A system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user, wherein the system comprises:
 a sleeve configured to fit around, and to either side, of a joint of a user, the sleeve comprising:
 a first portion which applies compressive pressure on a proximate side of the joint; and 
 a second portion which applies compressive pressure on a distal side of the joint; 
   a first set of one or more pads coupled with the first portion of the sleeve, wherein:
 the first set of one or more pads is configured to be disposed and compressed between at least a first portion of a mechanical joint brace worn over the first portion of the sleeve and the proximate side of the joint; and 
 at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads is configured to completely encircle a first circumference of a limb of the user's body on the proximate side of the joint; and 
   a second set of one or more pads coupled with the second sleeve, wherein:
 the second set of one or more pads is configured to be disposed and compressed between at least a second portion of the mechanical joint brace worn over the second portion of the sleeve and the distal side of the joint; and 
 at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads is configured to completely encircle a second circumference of the limb of the user's body on the distal side of the joint. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 17 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a first fastening system disposed on an exterior of the first portion of the sleeve over at least a portion of the first set of one or more pads, wherein the first fastening system is configured to couple with a third fastening system disposed on an interior of the mechanical joint brace; and   a second fastening system disposed on the exterior of the second portion of the sleeve over at least a portion of the second set of one or more pads, wherein the second fastening system is configured to couple with the third fastening system disposed on the interior of the mechanical joint brace.   
     
     
         19 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 17 , wherein the system further comprises:
 a fastening system on an interior of a distal end of the second portion of the sleeve, wherein a length of the second portion of the sleeve is configured to be turned inside out at the distal end of the second portion of the sleeve and be disposed over at least a part of the second portion of the mechanical joint brace, and the fastening system is configured to tighten the length of the sleeve turned inside out around the mechanical joint brace.   
     
     
         20 . The system for increasing the effectiveness of a mechanical joint brace worn by a user of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening system comprises:
 a first hook and loop fastening system disposed on the interior of the distal end of the second portion of the sleeve; and   a strap coupled with the interior of the distal end of the second portion of the sleeve and having a corresponding second hook and loop fastening system configured to wrap around at least a portion of the distal end of the second portion of the sleeve and couple with the first hook and loop fastening system.