Cable brace system

Abstract

It is the object of the invention to provide a bracing system that bolsters the body's natural ligaments to reduce the proneness to injury or re-injury. The invention is a cable system that acts much like the body's natural ligaments, and that resists the forces that cause excessive joint movement and injury. As the ligament travels through the range of motion the control loops formed by cables provide external hyperextension, bending, and rotation support.

1 . A ligament support brace comprising
 A first shell   A second shell hingidly coupled to the first shell   A third shell;   A first control loop comprising a first cable portion extending from a first side of a cross over point on the third shell to a first side of the first shell, across a second side of the first shell, returning to a second side of the cross over point;   A second control loop comprising a second cable portion extending from the first side of the cross over point on the third shell to a first side of the second shell, across the second shell and down a second side of the second shell and back to the second side of the cross over point, and wherein the first and second control loops are connected, and further wherein extension of the second control loop causes contraction of the first control loop.   
     
     
         2 . The brace according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cable portion and the second cable portion comprise a single piece cable. 
     
     
         3 . The brace according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cable portion and the second cable portion comprise two or more cable segments. 
     
     
         4 . The brace according to  claim 1 , wherein an adjustment mechanism is located on the second shell, and wherein the adjustment mechanism is coupled to the cable. 
     
     
         5 . A ligament support brace comprising
 A first shell selected from the group of metacarpal shell, radius plate, tibial plate, or calcaneus shell;   A second shell selected from the group of a ulna shell, humorus plate, femoral plate, or tibial shell, hingidly coupled to the first shell;   A third shell selected from the group of a tendon back plate, bicep plate, femoral back plate, or fibula shell;   A first control loop comprising a first cable portion extending from a first side of a cross over point on the third shell to a first side of the first shell, across a second side of the first shell, returning to a second side of the cross over point;   A second control loop comprising a second cable portion extending from the first side of the cross over point on the third shell to a first side of the second shell, across the second shell and down a second side of the second shell and back to the second side of the cross over point, and wherein the first and second control loops are connected, and further wherein extension of the second control loop causes contraction of the first control loop.