Joint alignment and compression assembly and method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen

Abstract

A joint alignment and compression assembly including a plurality of alignment members structured to be removably secured to a patient in an operative configuration, the plurality of alignment members being interconnected via a plurality of adjustable uniform compression members. At least one of the alignment members comprises a pelvic alignment member having at least one pair of interconnection members arranged in a horizontal arrangement and structured to facilitate stabilization of the patient's hips when interconnected by adjustable uniform compression members. The assembly also provides for a foot alignment member having a foot securing element, a foot supporting element, and a toe securing element. In addition, a head alignment member is provided to permit alignment and compression of the joints in the patient's head and neck region. A method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen utilizing a joint alignment and compression assembly is presented.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001] The present application is based on and a claim to priority is made under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to provisional patent application currently pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office having Ser. No. 60 / 608,215, and having a filing date of Sep. 9, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] An assembly comprising a plurality of alignment members structured to be worn by a patient in an operative configuration. Each alignment member is operatively interconnected to at least one other alignment member by one or more adjustable uniform compression members in such a manner so as to properly align the patient's joints, to the extent possible, as well as to provide a uniform compressive force to the patient's joints to facilitate a therapeutic effect of a rehabilitative treatment regimen while the assembly is worn by the patient. A method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen utilizing a joint alignment and compressi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] A plurality of adjustable uniform compression members are provided in the present invention, each of the adjustable uniform compression members may be removably interconnected between different ones of the plurality of interconnection members. Each adjustable uniform compression member includes a plurality of adjustment nodes being generally equally spaced along a length of the member. Each adjustment node comprises an aperture sized such the adjustable uniform compression members may be removably interconnected to a portion of at least one of the alignment members by way of the corresponding interconnection members. In addition, the adjustment nodes allow the compressive force applied along any particular portion of the patient's body to be adjusted based upon the adjustment nodes selected to removably interconnect the adjustable uniform compression member to one or more alignment members.

[0014] At least one of the plurality of alignment members comprises a pelvic alignment member structured to substantially encircle the patient's waist and pelvic area when disposed in an operative configuration. The pelvic alignment member includes at least one corresponding pair of interconnection members disposed in a horizontal arrangement along each side of the pelvic alignment member to facilitate stabilization of the patient's hips when the adjustable uniform compression members are removably interconnected between the interconnection members disposed in the horizontal arrangement. In at least one embodiment, the pelvic alignment member comprises an expandable attachment portion disposed along either side each being structured to provide a form-fitting relationship about the patient's pelvic region while the pelvic alignment member is disposed in an operative configuration. In one further embodiment, the pelvic alignment member may comprise one or more expansion notches to further provide for a form-fitting relationship with the patient's body.

[0019] The present invention further comprises a method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen utilizing a joint alignment and compression assembly. Specifically, the method includes removably securing a plurality of alignment members to a patient in an operative configuration, and removably interconnecting corresponding ones of the plurality of alignment members to one another via a plurality of adjustable uniform compression members. In addition, the method provides for positioning each of the plurality of adjustable uniform compression members to align the joints of the patient in an operative orientation, and adjusting the tension of each of the plurality of adjustable uniform compression members to provide a preselected compressive force to the joints of the patient. In addition, the method of the present invention includes executing a predetermined exercise schedule structured to produce a desired therapeutic effect while the plurality of alignment members are disposed in the operative configuration and the plurality of adjustable uniform compression members are adjusted to provide the preselected compressive force to the joints of the patient.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, due to the potentially diverse elastic properties of the tie members and the adjusters, an uneven force is likely to be applied along the joint and / or muscle.

This device does not provide for any support or resistive force about the head and neck of the user.

As a result, the supports are often uncomfortable for the patient, who may be required to wear the device for extended periods of time during treatment, as a result of restricting airflow to the body.

Additional discomfort may result from the pressure of the hooks against the patient's body through the thin layer of material as the elastic bands are secured in place.

In addition, this device employs a number of hooks and clips to attach the elastic bands, the hooks and clips being made of a polypropylene material which is prone to drying and breakage.

Also, the openings of the hooks and clips for this device are small relative to the elastic bands thus making it difficult to properly secure the plurality of elastic bands as required for proper treatment.

Neither of aforementioned devices provide for hip stabilization, which may be a critical aspect as a person's bones are often compromised and weakened either as a direct result of a medical ailment, or as a result of prolonged inactivity.

In addition, these devices do not provide adequate means for proper alignment of joints of a person's foot or about the head and neck regions.

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