| 主权项 |
1. An orthopedic device comprising:
first and second elongate struts each having a strap coupling member; at least one flexible strap securing to the first and second struts by the strap coupling members, the at least one strap adjustable in length relative to the strap coupling members, the at least one strap lacking rigidity such that it cannot maintain the first and second struts in a relative position without support; a semi-rigid and resiliently bendable expander connected to and spanning a predetermined length between the struts generally parallel over its length to the at least one strap, the expander providing two main configurations for the orthopedic device including maintaining the first and second struts in a generally flat configuration relative to one another and a curved configuration upon application of a load on the first and second struts, the expander reverting to a flat configuration upon removal of a load, wherein the expander is bistable such that the expander arranged to return to the flat configuration from the curved configuration upon release of the load. |
