Custom fitted orthotic device

Abstract

An orthotic device is provided, including an orthosis body adapted to be wrapped around the torso of a wearer of the device, the orthosis body having at least two segments in juxtaposed relationship. Means are provided at free end portions of the at least two segments to releasably secure the free end portions to one another. At least two cables are provided, each cable operatively connected to the at least two segments. At least two sets of pulleys are mounted on the at least two segments with each cable operatively connected to the at least two segments running through a pulley on each of the at least two segments in alteration, shortening of each cable pulling the at least two segments together and tightening the orthotic device with the aid of a mechanical advantage dependent upon the number of pulleys mounted on each of the at least two segments.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to body braces and other orthotic devices used in the treatment of spinal disorders and / or used subsequent to surgery where flexing of the torso is to be minimized. More particularly, the invention relates to back brace apparatus and orthotic devices for partial or substantial immobilization of portions of the torso, the devices having multiple modes of adjustment facilitating both rapid donning and doffing and individualized adjustment to fit the user of the device.[0002] A common method of alleviating pain in people suffering from back injuries and promoting healing in post-operative back surgery patients is to stabilize the spine by means of an orthosis, such as a brace. Such braces include a multitude of materials and designs which can be snugly fitted around the patient's trunk. The back portion of such orthosis may also be provided with pockets into which are inserted lordotic pads for treating spinal lordosis.[0003] Such braces are effective in ac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention is directed to braces and orthotic devices which result in significantly increased patient compliance. This is attributable to orthoses that are both easily donned and doffed as well as being easily and rapidly adjustable to accommodate changes in the position of a wearer of the device. The orthotic devices of the invention include multiple modes of adjustment which are independently adjustable to accommodate and conform to varying physical profiles of a user of the device as well as to accommodate a change in the position of the torso about which the devices are secured. The devices of the invention provide greater patient comfort and adjustability and result, therefore, in greater patient compliance. Preferably, component parts of the devices may be easily dissembled and assembled for cleaning.

[0016] To facilitate disassembly and cleaning of the devices of the invention, many of the component parts are preferably constructed to be easily detached and separated from other component parts. This includes each pulley set and its connecting cable. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, each set of pulleys comprises two modular banks of pulleys which are detachably secured to adjacent brace segments. A cable is provided to connect pulleys in the opposing banks of pulleys in a set in series and in alteration. The ends of each cable preferably may be joined to form an endless cable or are attached to a handle which also achieves the effect of an endless cable. Preferably, the handle may be removed from the body of the device when the modular banks of a pulley set are removed.

[0017] Although useful for custom fitting the orthotic device to the physical profile of an individual wearing the device, in most situations, the individualized control of adjustment and fitting of orthotic devices according to the invention is also quite effective when the device is intended to cover a large portion of the torso of the wearer or the wearer is tall. Thus, it has been found that attempting to provide both the necessary support with the appropriate tension as well as providing sufficient comfort to the wearer of a brace or other orthotic device frequently falls short when a single means of control is provided to adjust the tension of the device to suitably support and comfortably fit the affected portion of the torso, particularly when the extent of support extends over a large region of the torso in the longitudinal direction of the body of the user wearing the device or when the orthosis is constructed of rigid materials. Providing a plurality of separate adjustment devices, as in the invention, preferably at least two separate means of adjustment, allows for individualized fitting for appropriate support and comfort over the surface area covered by the device.

[0018] To improve appropriate support when used as a back brace, such as in a body jacket, an embodiment of the present invention includes a modular lordotic pad system. The system includes one or more flexible and compressible pads having a size and contour appropriate to the dimensions of the wearer of the device, preferably located in the portion of the brace corresponding to the lumbar region of the back.

Problems solved by technology

Such braces are effective in achieving spinal stability if worn properly and consistently; however, most patients have difficulty in manually adjusting the brace to fit tightly enough to provide adequate support.

This is especially true in the case of post-operative patients who are generally in pain and frequently lack sufficient strength to make the necessary adjustments.

For many patients suffering spinal ailments, these braces are also difficult to don, appropriately position and fasten and subsequently remove.

This is also particularly true when the devices are large or cumbersome or when they are constructed from rigid materials.

In addition, because of the structures of many of these devices and / or the choice of materials used in their construction, the orthoses are quite uncomfortable, in many instances inducing extensive perspiring and / or chafing.

Without being consistently worn and properly adjusted, such patient non-compliance obviously reduces the effectiveness of the brace.

Another frequently encountered problem with these types of braces is their inability to conform to the torso as the patient moves from a standing to a sitting position or vice versa.

In addition, it is often difficult to adjust the brace to have exactly the same amount of tension that a patient previously found acceptable or even to set a particular tension for a particular patient.

While such a device facilitates rapid and repeatable adjustment of such a brace, the inclusion of an electromechanical mechanism and a microprocessor increases the cost of such a device to a patient or to their medical insurance program.

In such situations, a single means for tensioning the device over a large area proves somewhat ineffective since the dimensions of the portion of the torso being supported or in which there is contact with the device vary significantly.

That is, a single means of adjustment may not provide the necessary conformity to the physical profile of the patient or may provide too little tension or support to achieve the orthotic objectives with respect to a specific portion of the torso while imparting excessive tension or pressure to other parts of the torso.

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