Patent Application
20160206467
The present disclosure relates to orthotic braces and more particularly to lumbar, thoracic, and sacral orthoses.
There are many forms of orthoses, or devices used externally to modify the structure and/or function of the skeletal and/or neuromuscular systems of the body. For example, there are orthoses that are applied to the neck, to the spine, to the upper limbs, and to the lower limbs. Additionally, there are many different purposes for using orthoses ranging from rehabilitative to prophylactic. Rehabilitative braces are typically used to limit the movement of a portion of the body following an injury or a surgery.
Orthoses can be used for many purposes. Orthoses can restrict movement in one or more directions, immobilize an area of the body, assist movement of a particular joint or region of the body, reduce the forces applied to an area of the body, aid rehabilitation by preventing reinjury, correct the motion of a portion of the body to reduce pain or improve function, and the like.
One aspect of the present disclosure is an adjustable lumber brace comprising, a center portion having a central portion, a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge; two belt loops, where one is affixed to the first end and the other is affixed to the second end of the center portion; four lacer guides affixed individually between the first and second ends and the central portion, wherein the lacer guides are located along the top and bottom edges and the lacer guides and further comprise a central anchor point for the attachment of laces; two side portions that are removably attached to the belt loops; and one or more panels which are associated with the center portion.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the center portion comprises phase change material.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the center portion comprises stays.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the central portion is quilted or pleated.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the one or more panels has one or more perforations.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the one or more panels has one or more cutout regions.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is an adjustable lumber brace comprising, a center portion having a central portion, a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge; two side portions, where one is affixed to the first end and the other is affixed to the second end of the center portion; four lacer guides affixed individually between the first and second ends and the central portion, wherein the lacer guides are located along the top and bottom edges and the lacer guides and further comprise a central anchor point for the attachment of laces; and one or more panels which are associated with the center portion.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the center portion comprises phase change material.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the center portion comprises stays.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the central portion is quilted or pleated.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the one or more panels has one or more perforations.
One embodiment of the adjustable lumbar brace is wherein the one or more panels has one or more cutout regions.
These aspects of the disclosure are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.
Certain lumbar and sacral orthoses are used to partially or fully immobilize the trunk (or torso) for a number of purposes including protection after surgery or injury as well as prophylactically to prevent injury or reinjury during activities that typically cause back injuries. Orthoses are also used to protect a wide variety of structures, not just the vertebrae, including intervertebral discs, nerves, the spinal cord, ligaments, muscles, and the like. When worn during the acute stage, post-surgical or post-injury, a brace is typically worn whenever the patient is upright and/or ambulatory (e.g., when out of bed) to protect and stabilize the surgical/injury site. When worn prophylactically, a brace is typically only worn during specific activities to prevent deterioration of the trunk musculature. Braces can vary in height, which can determine the amount of immobilization provided. In certain embodiments, this variation in height will control sagittal plane motion or flexion and extension of the spine. In certain embodiments, a shorter brace limits motion in the lumbar and upper sacral region, while a taller brace limits motion in the lower thoracic, lumbar, and upper sacral vertebrae. In certain embodiments, extensions can be added to orthoses of the present disclosure to control coronal plane motion or side-bending.
Another use of orthoses, as described herein, is in spinal unloading. This application is based on the premise that increasing intra-abdominal pressure results in decreased compressive forces. This is achieved using anterior and posterior panels along with a rigid belt to deliver a compressive force to the abdominal cavity. When the belt is tightened, compressive forces are applied to the trunk of the patient.
There are numerous indications for spinal bracing as described herein, including, but not limited to, acute and chronic strains or sprains in the torso area, postural correction, spinal unloading, degenerative disc disease, post-surgical fusion, laminectomy or discectomy, congenital or traumatic instability, herniated disc(s), spinal stenosis, fractures, spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, spondylosis, and facet syndrome.
It is understood, that in an effort to maximize the benefits of an orthopedic brace it must be properly fitted and adjusted to the patient. Adjustment variables include fitting patients of various sizes and body proportions, and accommodating a variety of possible surgical or injury sites. The adjustment of the brace will also be continual as the patient heals and can tolerate larger ranges of motion, as swelling is reduced, and the like. At times, there may also be readjustment of the braces to adapt to add-on accessories or product upgrades.
To adjust around the lumbar and sacral regions of a patient, some brace designs utilize lacer guides that are located along the edge of an opening, or gap, in the brace. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,968 the lacer guides are located alongside a gap in the brace, which may also contain wing portions made of “moderately rigid plastic material.” Additionally, the lacer guides in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,968 are detachable. This modularity can create errors in alignment and a lack of reproducibility of fit for the patient which can lead to prolonged healing times and/or patient non-compliance.
Similarly, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2014/0135672 comprises lacer guides adjacent to an opening of the brace and provides add-on “posterior pads” that can include rigid supports, but that are designed to more independently of the brace as the brace is tightened. In U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2014/0135672, the brace requires fitting by a medical professional or with complicated user instructions. In contrast, the brace of the present disclosure comprises a single unit that provides for a more accurate fit while providing for an ease of use not seen in prior art systems.
Another existing adjustment method utilizes lacer guides that are rigidly attached to each other and to a lateral support as disclosed in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2011/0213284. There, the tightening of the laces creates a curvature in the rigid material that the lacer guides are attached to. This curvature is fixed based on the properties of the rigid material used to create the supports to which the lacer guides are affixed. Thus, this curvature provides for some adjustability but only within a narrow range. In contrast, the brace of the present disclosure provides for a more accurate fit by providing lacer guides that can move independently of each other. Additionally, the brace of the present disclosure provides for a hinged portion located proximal to the lacer guides, but not connected to the guides, to provide for additional range of motion and conformability of the brace to each individual patient, regardless of body shape and size.
One aspect of the present disclosure is an adjustable lumbar sacral orthopedic brace where the lacer guides act as independent anchors. Referring to
In certain embodiments, individual lacer guides are provided as part of a modular design. The modularity allows for better conformance to the patient's body. In certain embodiments, the lacer guides are configured to move not only along the horizontal axis during tightening as the main function of the brace, but also to move in the vertical direction to fit a patient's anatomy, as needed. In certain embodiments, better conformity around the pulleys further compensates for any asymmetrical and/or added bandaging or hot/cold therapy packs that may be needed by the patient to provide for better fit and greater comfort.
In certain embodiments, the lacer guides rotate slightly as well. Depending on the type of textile used, one can design in a desired amount of rotation. Textile variation can include open weaves, meshes, Lycra, elastic materials, and the like. Textile weave directions can also be specified to help facilitate this attribute. It is also within the scope of this disclosure that the fabric used in the manufacture of the brace is computer (CAD) woven to create desired amounts of control in any direction depending on the desired characteristics.
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the orthotic brace has a central portion 10 upon which the lacer guides 16 are affixed in an orientation around a quilted, or pleated, portion 34. In certain embodiments, belt loops 32 are affixed 36 to provide a hinge motion independent of the lacer guides 16. In certain embodiments, there is additional fabric or material adjacent to the belt loops to provide a comfortable boundary between the patient and the attachment portion 36 of the belt loop 32. See, for example,
Still referring to
In certain embodiments, the brace is tightened using a slide through angled strap 18. The strap is angled and positioned so that the hand can enter into the component at an ergonomic and natural entry angle. This is particularly important for wounded, elderly or arthritic patients. In certain embodiments, the strap is open on both sides and is stitched in the middle to keep it close to the brace, thus reducing catch points and keeping the user's hand tighter, which provides for better ease of use, particularly for users needing to use a variety of hand postures. This configuration provides more variation to people with injuries or arthritis of the hand and thumb.
Referring to
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Referring to
In certain embodiments of the brace of the present disclosure, modular stays can be inserted in the back portion (stays not shown). In certain embodiments, stays are installed in a closeable pocket, or the like. In certain embodiments, the stays are removable and/or customizable by heat forming. In certain embodiments of the brace of the present disclosure, removable stays allow the separate molded belt loops to act as a secondary support system. As the patient heals and needs less support this creates another level of customization for the user. The brace of the present disclosure differs from other systems that incorporate stays and pulleys into a single molded component. The level of component customization of the present disclosure is significant since the brace may be worn by the patient many years after surgery or injury.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the panels 40 are interchangeable to allow for ease of assembly and adaptability for different applications. In certain embodiments, there is a split fabric panel, or pocket, allowing for ease of panel removal. In certain embodiments, the pocket is removable. In certain embodiments, the panels have varied geometry, such that the panel is still flexible where needed, but the stacked portion adds rigidity for much needed support in the upper portion of the back panel that is less controlled by the lacer guide system, thus reducing movement in the direction associated with a patient leaning back. In certain embodiments, finger-like protrusions 42 help add a combination of flexibility and rigidity to minimize patient discomfort. In certain embodiments, center cutouts 44 on the panel can reduce pressure along the middle of the spine, which typically is co-localized with the surgical site, which can also improve comfort and patient compliance.
While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/104,269, filed Jan. 16, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62104269 | Jan 2015 | US |
