| 摘要 |
This invention is an ankle brace product (12) including an ankle brace for being custom formed to the shape of an ankle while flexible and upon hardening providing a rigid, supporting custom fit. The ankle brace product includes an outer container (11) formed of a moisture impervious material and a flexible ankle brace positioned in the container in substantially moisture free conditions and sealed therein against entry of moisture until use. The ankle brace includes an elongate substrate (12) with a reactive system impregnated into or coated onto the substrate. The system remains stable when maintained in substantially moisture free conditions and hardens upon exposure to moisture to form a rigid, self-supporting structure. An elongate, flexible protective pad (19) is positioned on one side of the substrate along its length to provide a cushioning barrier between the substrate and the skin of the patient when the ankle brace is in use. An outer wrapping encloses the substrate and the protective pad. The substrate, protective pad, and outer wrapping define a first brace segment (13) for being molded while flexible to the lateral aspect of the foot, ankle, and lower leg; a second brace segment (14) for being molded to the medial aspect of the foot, ankle, and lower leg; and a heel support (15) of reduced width in comparison whith the first and second brace segments for supporting the heel and the molded first and second segments.
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