Orthopedic pressure device

Abstract

An orthopedic pressure device comprises (a) a semi-rigid or rigid main body configured to contour the curvature of a portion of a wearer's anatomy, (b) an adjustable strap for securing the main body to the wearer, and (c) a displacing mechanism disposed in the main body for applying perpendicular force to the soft tissues of the wearer. The displacing mechanism comprises a lace and tensioning system for adjusting the perpendicular force to the soft tissues.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An orthopedic pressure device comprising:
 (a) a main body configured to contour to the curvature of a portion of a wearer's anatomy;   (b) an adjustable strap for securing the main body to the wearer; and   (c) a displacing mechanism disposed at least partially in the main body and including a force transfer body for applying perpendicular force to exterior tissues of the wearer, the displacing mechanism further including a lace and a tension control for adjusting the position of the force transfer body relative to the main body to modify the perpendicular force applied to the exterior tissues.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein applying tension to the lace via the tension control increases the perpendicular force applied to the exterior tissues by the force transfer body. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force transfer body comprises a convexly curved flexible finger, and wherein the lace runs over the outer surface of the finger and the finger deflects under the tension when tension is applied to the lace using the tension control. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force transfer body includes a pressure foot rotatably connected to at least one rigid leg; wherein the at least one rigid leg is positioned at an angle of less than 90° when the lace is not tensioned and the at least one rigid leg rotates toward a 90° angle and applies downward force when the lace is tightened using the tension control. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force transfer body includes a convexly curved flexible finger and a rigid wedge that slides along a track; wherein the rigid wedge is spring-loaded to return it to a neutral position and the lace pulls the wedge in the opposite direction along the track when tension is applied to the lace using the tension control such that the finger deflects applying a downward force. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , the orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is a semicircle or truncated semicircle. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force transfer body further comprises padding where it is adapted to contact and apply perpendicular pressure to the wearer's anatomy. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body and displacing mechanism do not apply circumferential pressure to the wearer's anatomy. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is configured to contour the curvature of a portion of a wearer's appendage. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 9  wherein the main body is configured to contour a wearer's forearm. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the tightness of the adjustable strap does not involve applying tension to the lace using the tension control. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the tension control includes a rotary tensioning mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the force transfer body includes a tissue facing surface that is concavely curved, and wherein the lace runs over a portion of an opposite, outer surface of the force transfer body. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the force transfer body is displaced toward the soft tissues and away from the main body when tension is applied to the lace using the tension control. 
     
     
         15 . The orthopedic pressure device of  claim 1 , wherein the displacing mechanism is configured to apply perpendicular force to exterior tissues that are located underneath the main body when the device is worn. 
     
     
         16 . A method for adjusting the position of a force transfer body relative to soft tissue, the method comprising:
 providing an orthopedic pressure device including a main body configured to contour to the curvature of a portion of a wearer's anatomy; an adjustable strap for securing the main body to the wearer; and a displacing mechanism disposed at least partially in the main body and including a force transfer body for applying perpendicular force to the soft tissues of the wearer, the displacing mechanism further comprising a lace and a tension control for adjusting the position of the force transfer body relative to the main body to modify the perpendicular force applied to the soft tissues;   securing the main body to an appendage including soft tissue using the adjustable strap; and   applying tension to the lace via the tension control to increase the perpendicular force applied to the soft tissue underneath the main body by the force transfer body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the force transfer body is displaced toward the soft tissue and away from the main body when tension is applied to the lace using the tension control. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the force transfer body includes a skin facing surface that is concavely curved, and wherein the lace runs over a portion of an opposite, outer surface of the force transfer body. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tension control includes a housing and a rotatable knob, and wherein applying tension to the lace via the tension control comprises rotating the knob to wind an end of the lace into the housing.