U.S. patent application number 11/035485 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Matthew J. Dunfee, Susan J. Dunfee.
Application Number | 20060161083 11/035485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37053727 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060161083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunfee; Matthew J. ; et
al. |
July 20, 2006 |
Ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus
Abstract
An ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus are
implemented by first defining a set of desired human
characteristics and/or parameters and then implementing an
ambulatory traction and cushioning apparatus structure based on the
set of human characteristics/parameters to achieve a desired
minimum level of residual cushioning, without restrictively binding
any portion of a user's thorasic region, upon deactivating the
biasing force applied to the associated apparatus tensioning and/or
compression mechanism(s).
Inventors: |
Dunfee; Matthew J.; (Belle
Plaine, MN) ; Dunfee; Susan J.; (Belle Plaine,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dwight N. Holmbo
611 1st Street N
Waterville
MN
56096
US
|
Family ID: |
37053727 |
Appl. No.: |
11/035485 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/19 ; 602/32;
602/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/026 20130101;
A61H 2001/0233 20130101; A61H 1/0292 20130101; A61F 5/024 20130101;
A61H 1/0218 20130101; A61H 2201/163 20130101; A61H 2201/1621
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/019 ;
602/032; 602/036 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/00 20060101
A61F005/00 |
Claims
1. A spinal unloading apparatus comprising: a biased spinal
unloading mechanism; and an unbiased spinal unloading mechanism,
wherein the unbiased spinal unloading mechanism is configured in
combination with the biased spinal unloading mechanism, to provide
a desired residual cushioning effect without restrictively binding
any portion of a user's thorasic region, in the absence of a bias
applied to the biased spinal unloading mechanism.
2. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
biased spinal unloading mechanism comprises at least one
pressurized chamber.
3. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
at least one pressurized chamber comprises a compressible solid,
fluid or gas filled chamber.
4. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
at least one pressurized chamber further comprises at least one
piston operational to bias the compressible solid, fluid or
gas.
5. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
at least one piston comprises at least one spring.
6. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
unbiased spinal unloading mechanism comprises at least one
spring.
7. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
at least one spring is constructed of material selected from the
group consisting of metal, and elastomeric material.
8. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
unbiased spinal unloading mechanism comprises elastomeric material
configured to provide a desired residual cushioning effect in the
absence of a biasing force applied to the biased spinal unloading
mechanism.
9. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
elastomeric material is configured in response to a user's selected
body characteristics.
10. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the selected body characteristics comprise at least one parameter
selected from the group consisting of height, weight, percent of
body fat, a plurality of desired circumferential measurements,
relative location of any human anomaly of interest, period of time
in traction, amount or percent of body weight to be subjected to
spinal cushioning apparatus, and desired traction levels.
11. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the unbiased spinal unloading mechanism is further configured
without trial and error testing to provide a desired residual
cushioning effect in the absence of a bias applied to the biased
spinal unloading mechanism.
12. A spinal unloading apparatus comprising: means for unloading a
user's spine in response to a biasing force; and means for
providing a desired level of residual spinal unloading, without
restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, in
the absence of a biasing force applied to the biased spinal
unloading mechanism.
13. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the means for unloading a user's spine in response to a biasing
force comprises at least one pressurized chamber.
14. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the at least one pressurized chamber comprises a compressible
solid, fluid or gas filled chamber.
15. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the at least one pressurized chamber further comprises means for
biasing the compressible solid, fluid or gas.
16. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
the means for biasing the compressible, solid, fluid comprises at
least one spring.
17. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the means for providing a desired level of residual spinal
unloading comprises at least one spring.
18. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the at least one spring is constructed of material selected from
the group consisting of metal, and elastomeric material.
19. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the means for providing a desired level of residual spinal
unloading comprises elastomeric material configured to provide a
desired residual cushioning effect in the absence of a biasing
force applied to the means for unloading a user's spine in response
to a biasing force.
20. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 19, wherein
the elastomeric material is configured in response to a user's
selected body characteristics.
21. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 20, wherein
the selected body characteristics comprise at least one parameter
selected from the group consisting of height, weight, percent of
body fat, a plurality of desired circumferential measurements,
relative location of any human anomaly of interest, period of time
in traction, amount or percent of body weight to be subjected to
spinal cushioning apparatus, and desired traction levels.
22. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the means for providing a desired level of residual spinal
unloading in the absence of a biasing force applied to the biased
spinal unloading mechanism, is further configured without trial and
error testing, for an end user.
23. A method of configuring a spinal unloading apparatus, the
method comprising the steps of: selecting at least one desired body
characteristic; configuring a biased spinal unloading mechanism to
accommodate the at least one selected desired body characteristics;
and configuring an unbiased spinal unloading mechanism to
accommodate the at least one selected desired body characteristic
such that the unbiased spinal unloading mechanism provides a
desired level of residual cushioning, without restrictively binding
any portion of a user's thorasic region, in the absence of a bias
applied to the biased spinal unloading mechanism.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the least one desired
body characteristic is selected from the group consisting of
height, weight, percent of body fat, a plurality of desired
circumferential measurements, relative location of any human
anomaly of interest, period of time in traction, amount or percent
of body weight to be subjected to spinal unloading apparatus, and
desired traction levels.
25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of
configuring an unbiased spinal unloading mechanism is implemented
without trial and error testing to accommodate the at least one
selected desired body characteristic such that the unbiased spinal
unloading mechanism provides a desired level of residual cushioning
in the absence of a bias applied to the biased spinal unloading
mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus
for alleviating pain due to abnormalities associated with, but not
limited to, body weight, internal organs, muscles and various
spinal infractions, and more particularly, to a method and
apparatus for implementing ambulatory spinal unloading.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Traction has long been the treatment of choice for
alleviating pain due to certain bodily abnormalities associated
with, but not necessarily limited to, internal organs, muscles,
body and various spinal infractions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,579 B1,
entitled Traction Garment, issued Jun. 15, 2004 to Schroder, for
example, discloses a non-stationary or ambulatory traction garment
that includes a plurality of tension spreaders to provide
injury-specific traction while restricting unwanted and potentially
injurious motions.
[0005] Other U.S. patents, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,904, issued
Jan. 6, 1998 to Dunfee; U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,993, issued Mar. 10,
1998; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,628, issued Sep. 14, 1999 to Dunfee,
the inventor of the present invention, each disclose use of an
ambulatory, wearable support for applying an extending force or
traction to a portion of the human anatomy while being worn. These
wearable supports employ a plurality of extender sets having at
least one selectively inflatable bladder.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,082 B2, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,767 B2,
issued Feb. 10, 2004 and Aug. 17, 2004 respectively to Reinecke et
al., disclose an ambulatory traction device that employs one or
more lifting mechanisms configured to apply a decompressive force
to a portion of a user's body when positioned around the user's
body.
[0007] A flexible fluidic force generator capable of applying both
an extending (traction) force and a compressive force to a portion
of the human anatomy while being worn is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,237,602 B1, entitled Flexible Fluidic Force Generator, issued May
29, 2001, to Nickels et al.
[0008] While all of the devices described herein above have
provided some advances in the field of ambulatory traction devices,
they remain deficient in providing an effective residual spinal
cushioning or spinal unloading condition, without restrictively
binding at least a portion of a user's thorasic region, in the
absence of a biased tensioning and/or compressive force.
[0009] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable and
advantageous in the art to provide a method and apparatus for
implementing ambulatory spinal unloading, without restrictively
binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, even in the
absence of a biased tensile or traction force to those areas to
relieve a portion of the compressive load on the spine to alleviate
pain, and to optionally allow proper healing of bodily
injuries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to an ambulatory spinal
unloading method and apparatus that are implemented by defining a
set of desired human characteristics and/or parameters and then
implementing an ambulatory traction and cushioning apparatus
structure based on the set of human characteristics/parameters to
achieve a desired minimum level of residual cushioning, without
restrictively or tightly binding any portion of a user's thorasic
region, upon deactivating the bias applied to the associated
apparatus tensioning and/or compression mechanism(s). The method
and apparatus eliminate the absolute necessity for trial and error
testing by an end user, and further allow the ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus to be optimized to the desired human
characteristic(s) and/or parameter(s). A substantial benefit
provided by this optimized apparatus is the avoidance of further
inadvertent injuries experienced by an end user due to undesirable
trial and error techniques such as those generally associated with
apparatus that are already known in the related art. Further, the
optimized apparatus will allow an end user in many instances, to
wear the apparatus for much longer periods of time than that
achievable using known apparatus, without experiencing fatigue.
This feature is particularly desirable since it will decrease the
level of discomfort generally associated with bodily injuries and
thereby benefit a user who is wearing the optimized spinal
unloading apparatus. This method and apparatus therefore
importantly allows a doctor to prescribe both a tension time period
and a compression (non-biased) time period, to yield long term
spinal relief. The desired human characteristics and/or parameters
may include, but are not limited to, height, weight, percent of
body fat, a plurality of desired circumferential measurements,
relative location of human anomaly(s), period of time in traction,
amount or percent of body weight, desired traction level(s), and
length of time and percent of body weight to be subjected to spinal
cushioning apparatus, and so on.
[0011] In one aspect of the invention, an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus absorbs undesirable pressure caused by
degenerative disc or nerve faucets, using both compression and
expansion features provided via a lifter assembly or mechanism.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus eliminates the necessity to develop time tables
and data necessary to formulate correct orthotic belts.
[0013] In yet another aspect of the invention, an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus provides flexible stabilizing effects to yield
a desired level of user comfort, without restrictively binding any
portion of a user's thorasic region, even in the absence of
activation or biasing of any lifter mechanism(s).
[0014] One embodiment of the invention provides a spinal unloading
apparatus comprising:
[0015] a biased spinal unloading mechanism; and
[0016] an unbiased spinal unloading mechanism, wherein the unbiased
spinal unloading mechanism is configured in combination with the
biased spinal unloading mechanism, to provide a desired residual
cushioning effect, without restrictively binding any portion of a
user's thorasic region, in the absence of a bias applied to the
biased spinal unloading mechanism.
[0017] Another embodiment of the invention provides a spinal
unloading apparatus comprising:
[0018] means for unloading a user's spine in response to a biasing
force; and
[0019] means for providing a desired level of residual spinal
unloading, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's
thorasic region, in the absence of a biasing force applied to the
biased spinal unloading mechanism.
[0020] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a method of
configuring a spinal unloading apparatus, the method comprising the
steps of:
[0021] selecting at least one desired body characteristic;
[0022] configuring a biased spinal unloading mechanism to
accommodate the at least one selected desired body characteristics;
and
[0023] configuring an unbiased spinal unloading mechanism to
accommodate the at least one selected desired body characteristic
such that the unbiased spinal unloading mechanism provides a
desired level of residual cushioning, without restrictively binding
any portion of a user's thorasic region, in the absence of a bias
applied to the biased spinal unloading mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Other aspects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated as the invention becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawing figures wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus
comprising a thorasic belt and a lumbar belt joined via a lifter
spring mechanism;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus
comprising an upper thorasic belt and a lower lumbar belt joined
via a uni-body lifter mechanism;
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates details of a uni-body lifter mechanism
suitable for use as the uni-body lifter shown in FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an orthotic traction vest comprising an
upper belt and a lower belt joined via a traction lifter spring
between a set of spring stabilizers;
[0029] FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate a side view comparison of three
lifter mechanisms suitable for implementing an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates another detailed view of a spring
uni-body lifter mechanism suitable for implementing an ambulatory
spinal unloading apparatus in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a lifter mechanism that employs a
turn-buckle spring flexor;
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a posterior flexor lifter mechanism
joining an upper and lower belt to form an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus;
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates an anterior flexor lifter mechanism
joining an upper and lower belt to form an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus;
[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates a lifter mechanism having mechanical
indexers to adjust a residual cushioning force;
[0035] FIG. 11a illustrates a lifter mechanism that employs a
spring piston suitable to form an ambulatory spinal unloading
apparatus;
[0036] FIG. 11b illustrates a spring piston suitable for use to
implement the lifter mechanism shown in FIG. 11a;
[0037] FIG. 11c illustrates another lifter mechanism that can
employ the spring piston depicted in FIG. 11b;
[0038] FIG. 12 illustrates a single bellows lifter mechanism having
a size variance distributed to allow for selective coverage over a
desired body area;
[0039] FIG. 13 illustrates a three-way spring uni-valve lifter
mechanism suitable to form an ambulatory spinal unloading
apparatus;
[0040] FIG. 14 illustrates a lifter mechanism that employs a
stabilizer spring and a set of mechanical adjusters suitable to
form an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus;
[0041] FIG. 15 illustrates a stabilizer spring similar to that
shown in FIG. 14;
[0042] FIG. 16 illustrates a pair of funnel shaped orthotic
traction belts suitable for implementing an ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus; and
[0043] FIG. 17 illustrates the funnel shaped orthotic tractions
belts depicted in FIG. 16 inverted to accommodate pregnant and/or
pear shaped bodies.
[0044] While the above-identified drawing figures set forth
particular embodiments, other embodiments of the present invention
are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases,
this disclosure presents illustrated embodiments of the present
invention by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous
other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled
in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles
of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] An ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus are
implemented, as stated herein before, by defining a set of desired
human characteristics and/or parameters and then implementing an
ambulatory traction and cushioning apparatus structure based on the
set of human characteristics/parameters to achieve a desire minimum
level of residual cushioning, without restrictively or tightly
binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, upon deactivating
the associated apparatus biasing mechanism(s). These desired human
characteristics/parameters may include, but are not limited to,
height, weight, percent of body fat, a plurality of desired
circumferential measurements, relative location of human
anomaly/anomalies, period of time in traction, amount or percent of
body weight to be subjected to spinal cushioning apparatus, desired
traction levels, and so on. The ambulatory spinal unloading
apparatus is configured to absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected
shock and/or vibration using compression and expansion features
provided via a lifter assembly such as described herein below with
reference to FIGS. 1-17.
[0046] Looking first at FIG. 1, a simple ambulatory spinal
unloading apparatus 100 can be seen to include two orthotic belts
102, 104 joined via a single lifter 106 formulated as described in
further detail herein below. The present invention is not so
limited however, and it shall be understood that a plurality of
lifter mechanisms/assemblies 106 could just as easily be
implemented to provide the desired compression and expansion
features and to sustain traction in accordance with the principles
of the present invention. Advantages and features of the present
invention will become more readily apparent in view of the known
art that generally employs a plurality of lifters/lifter assemblies
which result in undesirable rigid traction in the absence of lifter
mechanism biasing/activation. With continued reference now to FIG.
1, the upper thorasic belt 102 importantly remains loosely fitting
around a user's thorasic region, while the lower lumbar belt 104
below a user's thorasic region, may be tightened securely to
provide a substantially fixed operating point for the apparatus
100. When the lift mechanism 106 is activated or biased, the
apparatus 100 will provide a traction effect. When the lift
mechanism 106 is deactivated or unbiased, the apparatus 100 will
provide the desired compression and expansion features, without
restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region.
[0047] The embodiments described herein below with reference to the
figures were found by the present inventors to eliminate the
necessity to develop time tables and data necessary to formulate
acceptable known orthotic belts. Modern ambulatory traction
apparatus and devices, for example, are most often designed and
manufactured using rigid and narrow semi-circular belts which
results in too much pressure on any one point of a person's body,
and also do not allow enough material area to dissipate large
amounts of a person's body weight. FIG. 16 illustrates one
embodiment of an orthotic belt structure 1600 that includes an
upper funnel shaped belt portion 1602 and a lower funnel shaped
belt portion 1604 that are suitable to implement various
embodiments of an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus in
accordance with the principles of the present invention described
herein. Orthotic belt structure 1600 can be seen to distribute
large amounts of a person's body weight over a much greater belt
surface area than that provided using known orthotic belt
configurations. FIG. 17 depicts one use of orthotic belt structure
1600 to accommodate a pregnant or pear shaped human body, such that
even when an associated lift mechanism is unbiased or inactivated,
a residual cushioning effect and/or spinal support can be tailored
or customized to a particular individual's needs.
[0048] It is noteworthy that, unlike known ambulatory spinal
traction/support devices, structures implemented in accordance with
the principles described herein make use of mathematical
computations associated with human characteristics and/or
parameters that may include, for example, but are not limited to,
percent of body fat to determine structural related data such as
strength, size and length of lift required. This technique then
allows for a "one size fits all" lifter structure that may, for
example, utilize a pneumatic biasing mechanism.
[0049] Unlike common modern ambulatory traction devices that use
various rigid lifter(s) such as assemblies that employ pneumatic
pistons, which when unbiased, maintain a rigid device around a
person's thorasic region which makes the device difficult to wear
when not biased, the embodiments described herein deliver a desired
residual amount of cushioning, without restrictively binding any
portion of a user's thorasic region, upon deactivation of the
lifter(s)/lifter assemblies.
[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus
200 comprising an upper thorasic belt 202 and a lower lumbar belt
204 joined via a uni-body lifter mechanism 206. FIG. 3 illustrates
a detailed side view of a uni-body lifter mechanism 300 that is
suitable to implement uni-body lifter mechanism 204, and that can
be seen to have an internal spring mechanism 302. Uni-body lifter
mechanism 300 can be seen to also include at least one biased
lifter mechanism 304 that, when biased, provides the user with a
flexible fluidic force generator capable of applying both an
extending (traction) force and a compressive force to a portion of
the human anatomy while being worn. A perspective view of spring
uni-body lifter mechanism 300 is depicted in FIG. 6. Internal
spring mechanism 302 therefore operates differently than known
ambulatory traction and orthotic structures, such that, when used
in association with a loosely fitting, customized or flexible upper
thorasic belt 202, provides a desired amount of residual cushioning
or spinal unloading, without restrictively binding any portion of a
user's thorasic region, even when the uni-body lifter mechanism 304
is unbiased or inactivated.
[0051] The cushioned lifter mechanism(s), assemblies and devices
described herein with reference to the figures can employ numerous
structural materials, such as, but not limited to, metals, plastics
and rubbers, to provide a lifter embodiment having both compressive
and expansion characteristics such that the inventive ambulatory
spinal unloading method and apparatus will provide a flexible
stabilizing effect that yields a desired level of user comfort,
without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic
region, even when the cushioned lifter mechanism(s) is not
activated or biased. Although particular embodiments are described
herein using springs, the present invention is not so limited, and
it shall be understood that the desired residual cushioning could
just as easily be implemented using particular materials that are
commonly employed by those skilled in the mechanical engineering
arts and versed in the structural, shock and vibration arts to
implement elastomeric damping structures. Such materials may
include, but are not limited to, natural rubbers, synthetic resins
such as polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, polyamides,
polystyrenes, copolymerized polyvinyl chlorides, polyolefin
synthetic rubbers, as well as urethanes, EPDM, styrene-butadiene
rubbers, nitrites, isoprene, chloroprenes, polypropylene, and
silicones.
[0052] FIG. 14 illustrates a lifter mechanism 1400 that employs a
stabilizer spring 1402 and a set of mechanical adjusters 1404, 1406
suitable to form an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus such as
that shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Biasing of the lifter mechanism
is implemented via rotation of one or more of the mechanical
adjusters 1404, 1406. Proper design of the mechanical adjusters
1404, 1406 will allow for either a biased or unbiased feature. When
unbiased, only the stabilizer spring 1402 will provide the desired
residual cushioning effect, without restrictively binding any
portion of a user's thorasic region when used in association with a
loosely fitting, customized, or flexible thorasic upper portion.
The stabilizer spring 1402 can be a more conventional steel spring
structure, or may be formulated using any of the elastomeric
damping materials referenced herein before.
[0053] Moving now to FIG. 4, an orthotic traction vest 400 is
depicted comprising an upper belt 402 and a lower belt 404 joined
via a traction lifter 406 disposed between a set of spring
stabilizers 408, 410. Traction lifter 406 can be any type of biased
lifter mechanism that provides a desired level of user comfort
determined via the human body characteristics and/or parameters as
discussed herein before. The spring stabilizers 408, 410 in this
instance provide for the desired residual cushioning, without
restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, even
when lifter mechanism 406 is not activated or biased. This is
accomplished via a loosely fitting, customized or flexible upper
belt 402 that operates to assist traction during biasing, but that
also operates to assist cushioning or spinal unloading without
restrictively binding any portion of the user's thorasic region
during deactivation of the biased lifter mechanism. Although a
particular spring geometry is shown, the present invention is not
so limited, and it shall be understood that other spring geometries
can be easily substituted for the one shown so long as the
elastomeric damping characteristics are achieved according to the
principles of the invention discussed herein.
[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view comparison of three lifter
mechanisms 500, 502, 504 suitable for implementing an ambulatory
spinal unloading apparatus in accordance with the present
invention. FIG. 5a depicts a single lifter embodiment 500, while
FIGS. 5b and 5c depict uni-body and double lifter embodiments 502,
504 respectively. The uni-body lifter 502 shown in FIG. 5b can, for
example, be configured using the techniques described herein
before.
[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates yet another type of lifter
mechanism/assembly 700 that is suitable for implementing an
ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus according to the principles
of the invention described herein. Lifter assembly 700 can be seen
to include a plurality of turnbuckle spring flexors 702, 704. These
spring flexors 702, 704 can be applied to one or both sides of an
orthotic belt 710 to implement the lifter mechanism 700. Each
turnbuckle spring flexor 702, 704 can be seen to include an upper
spring 706 and a lower spring 708 that can be adjusted via the
respective turnbuckle to provide tensioning or compression as
necessary to implement the desired unloading features as determined
via the user's body characteristics and/or parameters.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a posterior flexor lifter mechanism 800,
while FIG. 9 illustrates an anterior flexor lifter mechanism 900.
Posterior flexor lifter mechanism 800 is implemented as shown with
an upper belt 802 and a lower belt 804 joined via a posterior
flexor 806 that is configured to flex solely into a posterior
geometry as shown. Anterior flexor lifter mechanism 900 is
implemented as shown with an upper belt 902 and a lower belt 904
joined via an anterior flexor 906 that is configured to flex solely
into an anterior geometry as shown. Posterior flexor 806 and
anterior flexor 906 can be implemented using any suitable
elastomeric damping material capable of providing the desired
unloading features, without restrictively binding any portion of a
user's thorasic region, as determined via the user's body
characteristics and/or parameters.
[0057] FIG. 10 illustrates another lifter embodiment 1000 that
employs a set of mechanical indexers 1002, 1004 to establish
biasing of the lifter mechanism 1000. Biasing is implemented via
rotation of one or more of the mechanical indexers 1002, 1004.
Proper design of the mechanical indexers 1002, 1004 will allow for
either a biased or unbiased feature. When unbiased, only the lifter
spring/cushion 1006 will provide the desired residual cushioning
effect, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's
thorasic region. The lifter spring/cushion 1006 can be a more
conventional steel spring structure, or may be configured using any
suitable geometry and formulated using, for example, any of the
elastomeric damping materials referenced herein before.
[0058] Looking now at FIG. 11, two different lifter mechanisms
1100, 1120 are illustrated that each employ a spring piston
suitable to form an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus. FIG. 11a
depicts a lifter mechanism 1100 that employs a single spring piston
1102 configured to pressurize or de-pressurize a fluidic and/or
pneumatic chamber 1104 that has been filled with a predetermined
compressible fluid and/or gas. FIG. 11b depicts a spring piston
1106 that can be easily modified to implement either a single
piston mechanism 1100 or a uni-body mechanism 1120 such as that
shown in FIG. 11c. Using a spring piston 1106 such as seen in FIG.
11b ensures a desired minimum level of residual cushioning, without
restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, upon
deactivating the bias applied to the associated apparatus hydraulic
chambers depicted in FIGS. 11a and 11c.
[0059] FIG. 12 illustrates a single exemplary bellows lifter
mechanism 1200 having a size variance distributed to allow for
selective coverage over a desired body area. The single bellows
shown can be seen to have a portion that selectively deviates
between 1/2-inch and 1-inch to achieve a desired power factor
distribution. Those skilled in the mechanical engineering art and
versed in structural techniques will readily appreciate that
bellows lifter mechanism 1200 is suitable for implementing the
biased portion of an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus in
accordance with the principles of the invention described
herein.
[0060] FIG. 13 illustrates a three-way spring uni-valve lifter
mechanism 1300 suitable to form an ambulatory spinal unloading
apparatus according to yet another embodiment. A first spring 1302
is disposed within a lifter assembly 1304 that most preferably
includes a biased lifter mechanism 1306. The lifter assembly 1304
is then disposed between an upper spring 1308 and a lower spring
1310. Together, first spring 1302, upper spring 1308 and lower
spring 1310 operate to provide desired residual cushioning effect,
without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic
region, in the absence of a biased lifter mechanism 1306.
[0061] FIG. 15 illustrates a stabilizer spring 1500 similar to that
shown in FIG. 14. The spring 1500 geometry shown in FIG. 15 is
exemplary of only one of many spring geometries that can be
implemented to formulate the unbiased portion of an ambulatory
spinal unloading apparatus in accordance with the inventive
principles described herein before with reference to the
figures.
[0062] In summary explanation, an ambulatory spinal unloading
method and apparatus are implemented by defining a set of desired
human characteristics and/or parameters and then implementing an
ambulatory traction and cushioning apparatus structure based on the
set of human characteristics/parameters to achieve a desired
minimum level of residual cushioning, without restrictively binding
any portion of a user's thorasic region, upon deactivating the bias
applied to the associated apparatus tensioning and/or compression
mechanism(s). This technique eliminates the need for trial and
error testing by an end user, and further allows the ambulatory
spinal unloading apparatus to be optimized to the desired human
characteristic(s) and/or parameter(s). A substantial benefit
provided by this optimized apparatus is the avoidance of further
inadvertent injuries experienced by an end user due to undesirable
trial and error methods associated with apparatus that is already
known in the related art. Further, the optimized apparatus will
allow an end user in many instances, to wear the apparatus for much
longer periods of time than that achievable using known apparatus,
without experiencing fatigue. This feature is particularly
desirable since it will enhance the healing time associated with
bodily injuries that will benefit from wearing the optimized spinal
unloading apparatus. The desired human characteristics and/or
parameters may include, but are not limited to, height, weight,
percent of body fat, a plurality of desired circumferential
measurements, relative location of human anomaly(s), period of time
in traction, amount or percent of body weight, desired traction
level(s), and length of time and percent of body weight to be
subjected to spinal cushioning apparatus, and so on.
[0063] In view of the above, it can be seen the present invention
presents a significant advancement in the art of spinal unloading.
Further, this invention has been described in considerable detail
in order to provide those skilled in the mechanical engineering and
orthotic arts with the information needed to apply the novel
principles and to construct and use such specialized components as
are required. In view of the foregoing descriptions, it should be
apparent that the present invention represents a significant
departure from the prior art in construction and operation.
However, while particular embodiments of the present invention have
been described herein in detail, it is to be understood that
various alterations, modifications and substitutions can be made
therein without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of
the present invention, as defined in the claims which follow. The
complete disclosure of all patents, patent documents, and
publications are incorporated herein by reference as if
individually incorporated.
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