BRACE HAVING AN INFLATION CONTROL
Systems, methods, and devices are described for providing a brace having an inflation control. The control directs fluid flow from an inflation component to one or more inflatable cells of the brace. The inflatable cells are independently inflated and deflated by the inflation component through the control. The control allows a user to create a fluid path between the inflation component and one of the inflatable cells by positioning the control in an orientation corresponding to the desired inflatable cells. Each inflatable cell is independently inflated and deflated in various orientations of the control.
1 . An orthopedic brace comprising:
a plurality of inflatable cells;
a control having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, the control being positionable in two or more orientations, and each outlet port being in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of inflatable cells; and
an inflation component in fluid communication with the inlet port of the control;
wherein positioning of the control to a first orientation creates a fluid path between the inflation component and a first inflatable cell, and positioning of the control to a second orientation creates a fluid path between the inflation component and a second inflatable cell.
2 . The brace of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid paths pass through the center of the control.
3 . The brace of claim 1 , wherein the control comprises a diverter that rotates within a manifold body.
4 . The brace of claim 3 , wherein the diverter comprises an interior channel that directs air from the inlet port to a first outlet port when the control is in the first orientation.
5 . The brace of claim 4 , wherein the interior channel comprises a funnel inlet.
6 . The brace of claim 5 , wherein the interior channel comprises an outlet that is narrower than the funnel inlet.
7 . The brace of claim 5 , wherein the funnel inlet is in fluid communication with the inlet port in each of the first and second orientations of the control.
8 . The brace of claim 1 , wherein the control comprises an inner cylinder that rotates within an outer bore.
9 . The brace of claim 8 , wherein the inlet port and the plurality of outlet ports pass through a wall of the outer bore.
10 . The brace of claim 8 , wherein the inner cylinder comprises a plurality of fluid channels.
11 . (canceled)
12 . The brace of claim 1 , wherein the control is positionable in a third orientation in which no fluid path is created between the inflation component and the inflatable cells.
13 . (canceled)
14 . (canceled)
15 . The brace of claim 1 , wherein the inflation component is a compressible bladder.
16 . The brace of claim 1 , further comprising a release valve housed by the support portion and positioned in fluid communication with both the inflation component and the control.
17 . (canceled)
18 . The brace of claim 16 , further comprising a fluid flow tube having a first end in fluid communication with the release valve and a second end in fluid communication with the control.
19 .- 36 . (canceled)
37 . A method for adjusting an orthopedic brace, comprising:
positioning a control in a first orientation that creates a fluid path between an inflation component and a first inflatable cell;
actuating the inflation component to inflate the first inflatable cell to a first desired pressure;
positioning the control in a second orientation that creates a fluid path between the inflation component and a second inflatable cell; and
actuating the inflation component to inflate the second inflatable cell to a second desired pressure.
38 . The method of claim 37 , further comprising passing fluid from the inflation component through an interior channel of the control and into the first inflatable cell.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein passing the fluid through the interior channel comprises passing the fluid from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel, the second end being narrower than the first end.
40 .- 42 . (canceled)
43 . An orthopedic brace comprising:
a plurality of inflatable means for providing support;
control means for regulating delivery of fluid to each of the inflatable means, said control means including an inlet means and a plurality of outlet means, each outlet means being in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of inflatable means; and
an inflation means in fluid communication with the inlet means;
wherein a fluid path between the inflation means and a first inflatable means is created when the control means is in a first orientation, and a fluid path between the inflation means and a second inflatable means is created when the control means is in a second orientation.
44 . The brace of claim 43 , wherein the first and second fluid paths pass through the center of the control means.
45 . The brace of claim 43 , wherein the control means comprises a diverter means that rotates within a manifold means.
46 .- 64 . (canceled)