Crossing Element for Orthopedic and Sports Aid Devices
Summary
The European Patent Office published patent application EP4633549A1 for Bauerfeind AG, covering a crossing element for orthopedic and sports aid devices. The invention, classified under IPC A61F 5/01 and A61F 5/02, is designed for orthopedic braces and supports. The patent designates 38 European states including Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and other EU/EEA countries.
What changed
European Patent Office published patent EP4633549A1 for Bauerfeind AG, covering a crossing element designed for orthopedic and sports aid devices. The patent application, filed by inventors Stier, Hebenstreit, and Bauerfeind-Johnson, relates to technical improvements in orthopedic support devices classified under A61F 5/01 (orthopedic braces) and A61F 5/02 (surgical supports). The publication took effect on March 25, 2026.
Manufacturers of orthopedic and sports medical devices should review this patent to understand existing intellectual property in the crossing element space. Companies developing similar orthopedic support technologies may need to design around this patent or evaluate potential licensing opportunities with Bauerfeind AG. The patent provides Bauerfeind AG with exclusive rights in the designated European states for the claimed invention.
What to do next
- Review patent EP4633549A1 claims for potential infringement if developing similar orthopedic crossing elements
- Evaluate need for design-around strategies or licensing if manufacturing orthopedic/sports aid devices in designated European states
- Monitor EPO register for any subsequent amendments or divisional applications
Source document (simplified)
CROSSING ELEMENT FOR ORTHOPEDIC AND SPORTS AID DEVICES
Publication EP4633549A1 Kind: A1 Mar 25, 2026
Applicants
Bauerfeind AG
Inventors
STIER, Gerald, HEBENSTREIT, Sandro, BAUERFEIND-JOHNSON, Beatrix
IPC Classifications
A61F 5/01 20060101AFI20240621BHEP A61F 5/02 20060101ALI20240621BHEP
Designated States
AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, ME, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR
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