US Patent 6994682 Knee-joint orthesis

The invention relates to a knee brace with straps engageable with the upper and lower leg and disposed above and below the knee, said straps being connected by a hinged rail extending over the knee at the side, said hinged rail comprising a fluid-inflatable padding and a hinged connection in the region of the knee. The padding comprises two optionally inflatable hollow pads connected by a channel, said hollow pads each being so disposed between the knee-distal straps and the hinged connection that, when the hollow pads are inflated, the knee is forced in relation to the straps into a position away from the hinged connection.