Knee brace and method for securing the same

1. An orthotic device divided into anterior and posterior sides by a frontal plane, and having first and second sides divided by a median plane, comprising:

a resilient proximal shell having an outwardly facing surface;

a resilient distal shell connected to the proximal shell and having an outwardly facing surface;

a first force strap adjustable in length and having a first end directly attached to the first side of the proximal shell and a second end attached to the first side of the distal shell, the first force strap spiraling from the first side of the proximal shell to the first side of the distal shell about the posterior and anterior sides of the orthotic device the first force strap extending over a portion of the outwardly facing surface of the distal shell; and

a second force strap adjustable in length and having a first end directly attached to the first side of the proximal shell and a second end attached to the first side of the distal shell, the second force strap spiraling from the first side of the distal shell to the first side of the proximal shell about the posterior and anterior sides of the orthotic device the second force strap extending over a portion of the outwardly facing surface of the proximal shell;

wherein the first and second force straps intersect at an intersection point located on the posterior side of the orthotic device between the proximal and distal shells.

2. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , wherein the intersection point is defined at a location posterior of the frontal plane of the brace device at a location greater than 0° and at or less than 45° posterior of the frontal plane of the device.

3. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal shells are connected to one another with a hinge located on one of the first and second sides opposite the location of the intersection point.

4. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second force straps are substantially inelastic.

5. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second force straps each include a substantially compressible core and a textile-based outer layer surrounding the compressible core.

6. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , wherein a clearance separates the proximal and distal shells on both the first and second sides of the device.

7. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , wherein the first force strap is adjustably secured to the proximal shell and releasably secured to the distal shell.

8. The orthotic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a hinge having rigid proximal and distal arms connecting to the proximal and distal shells, respectively.

9. The orthotic device according to claim 8 wherein the first and second force straps are attached to the proximal shell above the proximal arm of the hinge.

10. An orthotic device divided into anterior and posterior halves by a frontal plane, divided into proximal and distal halves by a transverse plane, divided into first and second sides by a median plane, comprising:

a proximal shell having an outwardly facing surface;

a distal shell connected to the proximal shell and having an outwardly facing surface; and

at least one force strap adjustable in length and directly connected to the proximal and distal shells, the at least one force strap having first and second portions intersecting at an intersection point located between the proximal and distal shells;

wherein the intersection point is defined at a location posterior of the frontal plane of the brace;

wherein at least one force strap is connected to the first side of the proximal and distal shells so as to extend without intersecting along the transverse plane on the second side of the device and to extend over a portion of the outwardly facing surfaces of the proximal and distal shells;

wherein the at least one force strap has first and second ends, the first and second ends being connected separately to the proximal and distal shells.

11. The orthotic device according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one force strap is substantially inelastic.

12. The orthotic device according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one force strap includes a substantially compressible core and a textile-based outer layer surrounding the compressible core.

13. The orthotic device according to claim 10 , wherein the proximal shell extends between the first and second sides along the anterior side of the device.

14. A method for securing a knee brace on a knee of a leg, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a brace having at least one resilient shell around and against the knee such that first proximal and distal principal points of force are generated by at least one force strap of the brace on a first side of a median plane dividing the leg both above and below a transverse plane dividing the knee, respectively, as the knee moves to extension, and second proximal and distal principal points of force are generated by the brace on a second side of the median plane dividing the leg at locations above and below, respectively, the first proximal and distal principal points of force;

wherein an intersection point is defined at a location posterior of the frontal plane of the brace;

wherein the at least one force strap urges the at least one shell to generally conform to anatomy of the leg;

wherein the at least one force strap extends over a portion of the at least one shell.

15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:

coupling the at least one force strap to a proximal shell located above the knee;

spirally wrapping the at least one force strap around the knee so as to extend in a first orientation towards a distal shell located below the knee;

extending the at least one force strap about the distal shell;

spirally wrapping the at least one force strap around the knee from the distal shell in a second direction towards the first rigid limb; and

coupling the at least one force strap to the proximal shell.

16. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:

coupling a first end of a first force strap to a proximal shell located above the knee;

spirally wrapping the first force strap around the knee so as to extend in a first orientation towards a distal shell located below the knee;

coupling a second end of the first force strap to the distal shell;

coupling a first end of a second force strap to the proximal shell;

spirally wrapping the second force strap around the knee so as to extend in a second orientation towards the distal shell; and

coupling a second end of the second force strap to the distal shell.

17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the brace is applied such that the point at which the at least two principal forces are applied and the normal axis of rotation of the knee define at least two planes that are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the femur of a leg when the leg is extended.

18. An orthotic device divided into anterior and posterior sides by a frontal plane, divided into proximal and distal sides by a transverse plane, divided into first and second sides by a median plane, comprising:

a proximal shell;

a distal shell connected to the proximal shell;

a hinge having proximal and distal antis connecting to the proximal and distal shells, respectively;

a first tensioning device adjustable in length and having a first portion received by and releasably attached to the first side of the proximal shell generally on the anterior side thereof and a second portion directly connected to the first side of the distal shell generally near the frontal plane of the brace, the first tensioning member spiraling from the proximal shell about the second side to the distal shell; and

a second tensioning device having a first portion directly connected to the first side of the proximal shell generally near the frontal plane of the brace, and a second portion received by and releasably attached to the first side of the distal shell generally on the anterior side thereof, the second tensioning spiraling from the proximal shell about the second side to the distal shell;

wherein the first tensioning device and the second tensioning device do not directly intersect at the intersection of the frontal and transverse planes on the second side of the device.

19. The orthotic device according to claim 18 , wherein the first tensioning device is freely adjustable relative to the second tensioning device.

20. The orthotic device according to claim 18 , wherein the first portion of the first tensioning device is received by the proximal shell at the location between the median plane of the brace and a position where the second tensioning shell is secured to the proximal shell.