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. A customizable orthopedic brace configured for customizable compression by a user, comprising:
a shell component comprising a footbed portion, a heel portion and an upright support portion configured to support an upper calf of the user;
a plurality of inflatable cells positioned within said shell component, wherein each of said plurality of inflatable cells is positioned at a different location within said shell component and configured to provide individualized compression to said different location;
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;
an on-board inflation component in fluid communication with the inlet port of the control; and
a support portion configured to house said control and on-board inflation component;
wherein positioning of the control to a first orientation creates a fluid path between the inflation component and a first inflatable cell of the plurality of inflatable cells, and positioning of the control to a second orientation creates a fluid path between the inflation component and a second inflatable cell of the plurality of inflatable cells; and wherein said inflatable cells are configured to inflate or deflate when said control is activated to modify compression.
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 2 , 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 9 , wherein the inner cylinder comprises a plurality of fluid channels.
11. The brace of claim 10 , wherein the fluid paths between the inflation component and the first and second inflatable cells comprise fluid channels of the cylinder aligned with corresponding outlet ports of the outer bore.
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. The brace of claim 12 , wherein a wall of the control is positioned adjacent to and blocks the outlet ports of the control when the dial is in the third orientation.
14. The brace of claim 12 , wherein a wall of the control is positioned adjacent to and blocks the inlet port of the control when the dial is in the third orientation.
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 shell component and positioned in fluid communication with both the inflation component and the control.
17. The brace of claim 1 , wherein the control includes an indicator that identifies an inflatable cell that is in fluid communication with the inflation component in each orientation.
18. The brace of claim 1 , further comprising a tab configured to receive a fastener, thereby coupling the control to a support portion of the brace.
19. The brace of claim 18 , wherein the control comprises a manifold body, and the tab extends laterally outward from a lower edge of the manifold body.
20. The brace of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fluid flow tubes, wherein each of the plurality of fluid flow tubes is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of inflatable cells; and
wherein each of the plurality of fluid flow tubes has a first end in fluid communication with the control and a second end in fluid communication with one of the plurality of inflatable cell.