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).

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.

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.