MR. BRADLEY KENT GERIG, ATC
Athletic Trainer at Pennsylvania Pkwy, Indianapolis, IN

5897520, Apr 27, 1999

Dec 12, 1996

8/764292

Bradley Gerig - Indianapolis IN

Active Ankle Systems, Inc. - Louisville KY

A61F 500

602527

The Dorsal Night Splint orthosis for human wearers includes a substantially rigid upright member consisting of an upper portion and a lower portion. When placed upon the foot of the wearer, said upper portion proceeds downward from approximately beneath the knee to the lower portion which terminates at the top of the foot. The lower portion is further defined by two opposed ankle splints. Said opposed ankle splints extend downward on each side of the ankle and wrap around, overlap and terminate at the Plantar aspect of the foot. A flexible member is positioned between the wearer and the upright member to provide padding for extended wearing of the device. The device is fastened to the wearer by one or more Velcro straps. When correctly placed upon the foot, the heel and the attachment of the Achilles tendon, as well as the wearer's toes, remain exposed. This device is designed to be a supplemental form of treatment that, when worn at night or during extended periods of inactivity can, in conjunction with traditional treatment, significantly reduces the recovery time in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, acute ankle sprains, achilles tendon repair, foot drop, or any other condition or injury that would cause heel cord/Achilles tendon shortening in patients during periods of bed rest or when ankle immobilization is desired.