U.S. patent application number 11/994894 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for lower back orthosis.
This patent application is currently assigned to Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Anke Lehmann, Andreas Muhlenberend, Matthias Vollbrecht.
Application Number | 20080208091 11/994894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36698770 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080208091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vollbrecht; Matthias ; et
al. |
August 28, 2008 |
Lower Back Orthosis
Abstract
A lower back orthosis includes a bandage designed to surround
the lower back of a patient and a support device connected to the
bandage. The support device is formed by a plurality of
finger-shaped rods connected directly to one another. The
finger-shaped rods are oriented in a longitudinal direction of a
spinal column when positioned on a patient.
Inventors: |
Vollbrecht; Matthias;
(Herzberg, DE) ; Muhlenberend; Andreas; (Leipzig,
DE) ; Lehmann; Anke; (Norrkoping, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAEGRE & BENSON LLP;PATENT DOCKETING
2200 WELLS FARGO CENTER, 90 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-3901
US
|
Assignee: |
Otto Bock Healthcare IP GmbH &
Co. KG
Duderstadt
DE
|
Family ID: |
36698770 |
Appl. No.: |
11/994894 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE2006/001128 |
371 Date: |
January 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/19 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/00 20060101
A61F005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 5, 2005 |
DE |
102005031867.3 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A lower back orthosis comprising: a bandage sized and shaped to
be positioned on a lower back of a patient and including a first
end, a second end and a center; and a support device connected to
the bandage, which includes a plurality of interconnected
finger-shaped rods oriented in a direction substantially
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bandage.
24. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein the plurality of
finger-shaped rods decrease in length from the center of the
bandage toward the first and second ends of the bandage.
25. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein at least one of
the plurality of finger-shaped rods is removably
interconnected.
26. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein a plurality of the
finger-shaped rods positioned at the first and second ends are of
substantially equal length.
27. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein the plurality of
equal length finger-shaped rods positioned at the first and second
ends are releasably connected to at least one finger-shaped rod
positioned at the center of the bandage.
28. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein the center of the
bandage includes at least one finger-shaped rod having a securing
device for removably securing a finger-shaped stiffening rod
thereto.
29. The lower back orthosis of claim 28, wherein a plurality of
finger-shaped stiffening rods are secured to a corresponding
plurality of finger-shaped rods, and wherein the finger-shaped rods
are interconnected to form an stiffening part.
30. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein the finger-shaped
rods are releasably secured on the bandage.
31. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein at least two
finger-shaped rods are interconnected by a web spanning
therebetween.
32. The lower back orthosis of claim 23, wherein the at least two
finger-shaped rods are interconnected by a spring element spanning
therebetween.
33. The lower back orthosis of claim 32 wherein the distance
between the finger-shaped rods are variable.
34. A lower back orthosis comprising: a bandage sized and shaped to
be positioned on a lower back of a patient and including a first
end, a second end and a center; a support device connected to the
bandage, which includes a plurality of interconnected finger-shaped
rods oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the patient's spine; and an tightening strap
positioned to apply a force to the support device in the direction
of the patient's spine.
35. The lower back orthosis of claim 34 wherein the tightening
strap is secured to the finger-shaped rods by at least one
guide.
36. The lower back orthosis of claim 35 wherein a plurality of
guides are intregrally secured to the finger-shaped rods.
37. The lower back orthosis of claim 35 wherein the at least one
guide includes at least two parallel wires upon which the
tightening strap is positioned.
38. The lower back orthosis of claim 34 wherein the tightening
strap is releasably secured to the bandage.
39. An orthosis adapted to be positioned around a lower back of a
patient, the orthosis comprising: a bandage having a first portion,
a second portion and a center portion, wherein the center portion
is positioned between the first and second portions and is wider
than the first and second portions; a plurality of elongate rods
releasably secured to the bandage, each having a first portion, a
second portion and a center portion, and wherein the center portion
is wider than the first and second portions.
40. The orthosis of claim 39, wherein the plurality of elongate
rods are interconnected by one or more web elements spanning
therebetween.
41. The orthosis of claim 40, wherein the web elements include
spring elements.
42. The orthosis of claim 41, wherein the spring elements are
secured to the elongate rods such that the distance between the
rods is variable along the spring elements.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a trunk orthosis with a bandage
designed to surround the trunk of a patient, and with a support
device connected to the bandage.
[0002] It is known to use trunk orthoses to support and relieve the
lumbar spine. It is also known that the orthosis may need to fulfil
very different functions here. For instance, it may be necessary to
relieve the lordosis area of the spine in its entirety, by bridging
said area with the support device. This provides a substantial
immobilization of the spine.
[0003] It is also known to support the lumbar area or lumbosacral
area of the spine during limited mobility. In a subsequent
rehabilitation phase, it may only be necessary to provide a certain
degree of support by means of a bandage or a slightly strengthened
bandage.
[0004] DE 202 04 747 U1 discloses a trunk orthosis of the
aforementioned type, which is designed for versatile use in
different applications and for adjustment to different patients. In
addition to the bandage being formed by two overlapping constituent
bandages, which is intended to allow the bandage height to be
adapted to the patient in question, various support devices are
provided for the bandage. In addition to support rods that can be
inserted into specially provided pockets, various support devices
in the form of a back-support frame to bridge the lordosis area
(lordosis correction) or a vertebral link pad to stabilize the
movable lordosis area can be secured to the bandage arrangement. If
necessary, this spinal column orthosis can be supplemented with a
dish-shaped abdominal pad. The various support devices can be
attached to the bandage by means of velcro tape fasteners and can
thus be easily changed.
[0005] A disadvantage of the known trunk orthosis system is that,
for a single orthosis, very different support devices have to be
made available and used in order to ensure the different
application purposes.
[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to design a
trunk orthosis of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way
that it can be used as flexibly as possible.
[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved, in a
trunk orthosis of the type mentioned at the outset, by the fact
that the support device is formed by a plurality of finger-shaped
rods which are arranged next to one another, are oriented in the
longitudinal direction of the spinal column, are directly connected
to one another and are made of a flexible plastic.
[0008] Thus, in the trunk orthosis according to the invention, the
support device is formed by a link system, which is constructed by
way of the finger rods and which permits a high degree of
flexibility in several ways. The finger-shaped rods are preferably
designed such that their length decreases from the center toward
the ends of the bandage. At least three final finger-shaped rods at
the end of the bandage are of equal length. This allows the trunk
orthosis to be adjusted to different girths by separating a
suitable number of the finger-shaped rods of equal length from the
ends of the support device, in order to adapt the orthosis for
smaller girths. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the
connection of the at least three final finger-shaped rods can be
easily separated.
[0009] The finger-shaped rods are connected to one another via
their central pieces and have free ends on both sides of the
central piece.
[0010] The connection of the finger-shaped rods to one another is
preferably formed by narrow webs that permit a certain mobility of
the finger-shaped rods with respect to one another, while at the
same time still ensuring a sufficient strength of the support
device in the circumferential direction of the trunk.
[0011] The support device is chosen, in terms of the length of the
finger-shaped rods, for a predetermined size of patient body.
Lordosis support can be achieved by the flexible finger-shaped rods
themselves, while maintaining a certain mobility of the
lordosis.
[0012] The trunk orthosis according to the invention can be easily
reconfigured for bridging the lordosis area (lordosis correction)
if at least the finger-shaped rods in the center of the bandage
have securing devices for correspondingly finger-shaped stiffening
rods. The stiffening rods are preferably made of a suitable stiff
plastic, and the finger rods made of plastic can be snapped on or
screwed on.
[0013] For therapy following prolapse of an intervertebral lumbar
disc, it may thus be expedient to first provide substantial
immobilization by bridging the lordosis area. If the clinical
picture improves, the stiffening rods can be easily removed, such
that the trunk orthosis according to the invention with the same
structure of the finger-shaped rods can then serve to support the
lordosis area in which there is now limited mobility.
[0014] After substantial relief of pain has been achieved, it can
then be advantageous for the support device formed by the
finger-shaped rods to be completely removed from the bandage and
for a precautionary residual stabilization then to be provided only
by the bandage itself, in which case it is possible to exert a
slightly increased stabilizing effect by introduction of
strengthening means.
[0015] To ensure that the support device formed by the
finger-shaped rods can be easily removed from the bandage, it is
expedient if the finger-shaped rods are secured releasably on the
bandage, preferably by means of velcro connections.
[0016] Since the support device formed by the finger-shaped rods is
preferably mounted on the outside of the bandage, a tightening
strap for the bandage can be guided preferably on the finger-shaped
rods themselves, if they are provided with guide devices for the
tightening strap. The guide devices can be integrally connected to
the finger-shaped rods, that is to say they are provided during the
injection molding operation for the finger-shaped rods.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the finger-shaped rods have,
along their length, a shape in which, starting from the center,
they taper toward the outside, then have a widened free end for
comfortable bearing of the ends on the body. The tapering serves to
increase the elasticity and adaptability to the lordosis curvature
if the stiffening rods are not used. If stiffening rods are used,
there is no adaptation to the lordosis curvature, since the
lordosis area in this case is bridged.
[0018] In the area outside the central finger-shaped rods, the
adaptability of the support device can be improved by the
finger-shaped rods being interconnected by spring elements, which
permit a variation in the distances between the finger-shaped rods,
in the side areas of the support device. If two spring elements are
provided for connecting the finger-shaped rods, a deliberate
inclination of the finger-shaped rods with respect to one another
can be achieved. By contrast, the central finger-shaped rods can be
connected rigidly to one another by the central pieces and thus
form a single central piece that does not permit any variation of
the distance between the finger-shaped rods. Analogously, the
finger-shaped stiffening rods can be interconnected to form a
one-piece stiffening part.
[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the bandage has a
multi-part design, with a central piece carrying the support
device, and with two end pieces that can be connected to each other
to close the bandage. Intermediate pieces of different length can
be inserted between the central piece and the end pieces in order
to adapt the length of the bandage to the trunk of the particular
patient. The necessarily strong connection between the parts of the
bandage is preferably achieved by means of velcro fasteners, where
the ends to be connected to each other can be formed as a flat end
provided with velcro fastener elements on both faces, and as a
mouth-like end which engages over both faces of the flat end and
has matching velcro fastener elements.
[0020] The invention will be explained in greater detail below on
the basis of illustrative embodiments shown in the drawing, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a trunk orthosis laid out flat
with strengthening elements for bridging the lordosis area,
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the use of the
trunk orthosis according to FIG. 1,
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a view of the trunk orthosis according to FIG.
1, laid out flat, and without strengthening rods,
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the use of the
trunk orthosis according to FIG. 3,
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a view of the bandage, laid out flat, of the
trunk orthosis according to FIGS. 1 and 3, after removal of the
support device formed by the finger-shaped rods,
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the use of the
bandage according to FIG. 5,
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a multi-part bandage,
laid out flat (and not joined up), of a trunk orthosis according to
a second illustrative embodiment of the invention,
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a view, according to FIG. 7, of a bandage
joined together for a suitable length,
[0029] FIG. 9 shows the view according to FIG. 8, with an attached
support device and a tightening strap guided through the support
device,
[0030] FIG. 10 shows the view according to FIG. 9, for the support
device stiffened centrally by a stiffening part.
[0031] The trunk orthosis shown in FIG. 1 comprises a bandage 1,
having a central area 2 of greater height merging into narrower end
areas 3, 4 which are intended to surround the trunk and, upon
overlapping in the ventral area of the trunk, can be connected to
each other, particularly by velcro connections.
[0032] A support device 5, secured releasably on the bandage 1, is
formed by finger-shaped rods 6 of different length which are
arranged next to one another, parallel to the spinal column and
parallel to one another, and are connected to one another via web
connections (not shown). In the center of the bandage 1, there is
at least one finger-shaped rod 6, preferably two finger-shaped rods
6, of greatest length, which are adjoined by finger-shaped rods 6
of decreasing lengths in the direction toward the ends 3, 4. In the
illustrative embodiment shown, the final three finger-shaped rods
6' are of equal length and can be easily separated from one another
via the connecting webs, such that the length of the support device
5 can be adapted to the respective girth of the patient's
trunk.
[0033] It will be seen from FIG. 1 that the six central
finger-shaped rods 6'' of greatest length are strengthened by
stiffening rods 7 secured on the finger-shaped rods, the stiffening
rods 7 having a (shorter) length adapted to the length of the
associated finger-shaped rod 6''. Moreover, the shape of the
stiffening rods 7 is adapted to the shape of the finger-shaped rods
6''.
[0034] The finger-shaped rods 6, in particular the finger-shaped
rods of greatest length 6'', have a shape which, with respect to
their length, forms a wide central piece 61 at which the connection
to adjacent finger-shaped rods 6 is made and which merges into a
tapering portion 62, which is in turn adjoined by a once again
widened free end piece 63. Accordingly, the stiffening rods too
have a wide central piece 71 and, adjoining the latter, a tapered
free end piece 72.
[0035] The arrangement of the bandage 1 on the trunk can be
supported by a tightening strap 8 which, by means of guide hooks 9
injection-molded onto the finger-shaped rods 6, is guided along the
length of the bandage 1 in the area of the support device 5. The
guide hooks 9 are expediently produced in one piece with the
finger-shaped rods 6 upon injection molding of the latter.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows that the trunk orthosis shown in FIG. 1, formed
with the finger-shaped rods 6 strengthened in the central area by
stiffening rods 7, is used to bridge the lordosis area of a patient
10 in a first embodiment of the invention, with application forces
being exerted, in accordance with the indicated arrows, above and
below the lordosis area and in the abdominal area.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows the trunk orthosis according to FIG. 1 without
stiffening rods 7. The absence of the stiffening rods 7 means there
is no bridging function for the lordosis area, such that the
finger-shaped rods 6, which are flexible in their longitudinal
direction toward the free ends, can adapt to the curvature of the
spinal column in the lordosis area, and this is aided by the
tightening strap 8. A supporting force is thus introduced into the
spinal column directly in the lordosis area and the abdominal area,
as is indicated in FIG. 4.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows the bandage 1 after removal of the support
device 5 formed by the finger-shaped rods 6, for example by
releasing a velcro connection. The bandage 1 in its original form,
or if appropriate with inserted or integrated strengthening
elements, can then be used for general stabilization of the patient
10 in the lumbar area, for example in order to reduce the risk of
renewed intervertebral disc prolapse (FIG. 6).
[0039] The illustrated trunk orthosis is therefore adaptable to a
certain extent to the patient and, in addition, can be used in
different functions, without different support devices having to be
used for this purpose.
[0040] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a second illustrative embodiment of a
trunk orthosis in which, according to FIG. 7, the bandage 1 has a
multi-part design, with a central piece 12 forming the wider
central area 2, and end pieces 13, 14 forming the end areas 3, 4.
An intermediate piece 15, 15' can be inserted between the central
piece 12 and the end pieces 13, 14, it being possible for
intermediate pieces 15, 15' of different length to be made
available in order to permit different lengths of bandages 1. FIG.
7 shows an intermediate piece 15 fitted to the right-hand end piece
13 and connected to the central piece 12 and to said end piece 13,
whereas, on the left-hand side, the intermediate pieces 15, 15' of
different length that can be connected are shown individually.
[0041] When the intermediate piece 15, 15' of the right length to
suit the abdominal girth of the patient 10 has been selected, it is
strongly connected to the associated end piece 13, 14 and the
central piece 2.
[0042] In the illustrative embodiment shown, the strong connection
between the intermediate piece 15, 15' and the end piece 14 is
achieved by the intermediate piece 15, 15' having a flat end 16
which is directed toward the end piece 13, 14 and which is provided
on both faces with velcro fastener elements. The end pieces 13, 14
have mouth-like ends 17 which are directed toward the intermediate
pieces 15, 15' and which engage over both faces of the flat end 16
of the intermediate piece 15, 15' and are correspondingly provided
with matching velcro fastener elements, such that a velcro fastener
connection with the end pieces 13, 14 is produced on both faces of
the flat end 16.
[0043] In a corresponding manner, the central piece 2 is designed
with flat ends 16 which interact with the mouth-like ends 17 of the
intermediate piece 15, 15' that are directed toward the middle
piece 12, to produce a strong velcro connection 16, 17.
[0044] FIG. 7 further shows that, on their outer face (the upper
face in the drawing), the end pieces 13, 14 have an attached pocket
18 into which the patient 10 can insert his hands in order to
secure the bandage 1 around his trunk with a certain
tensioning.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows the assembled, ready-to-use bandage 1 after
selection of the appropriate intermediate piece 15, 15'.
[0046] For small girths, the bandage 1 can of course also be
assembled without an intermediate piece 15, 15', by securing the
end pieces 13, 14 directly to the central piece 12.
[0047] The bandage 1 shown in FIG. 8 performs the function
illustrated according to FIG. 6.
[0048] To perform the function according to FIG. 4, a support
device 5' is applied to the bandage 1, said support device 5'
consisting of finger-shaped rods 26 which are arranged next to one
another and which, in their central areas, are connected to one
another by means of spring elements 27 formed in one piece with the
finger-shaped rods. The spring elements 27 are U-shaped, the free
ends of the U being designed as spring legs connected to the
respectively adjacent finger-shaped rod 26, such that a variation
in the distance between adjacent finger-shaped rods 26 is made
possible by a greater or lesser spreading apart of the legs of the
U-shaped spring element 27. Four central finger-shaped rods 26' are
not connected by spring elements 27, but are instead rigidly
connected to one another in their central areas, so that they form
a unit that is rigid in its longitudinal orientation.
[0049] To press the support device 5' onto the lordosis area of the
patient 10, a tightening strap 18 is used which consists of end
elements 19 at its two ends and of plastic wires 20 which connect
the two end elements 19 and which terminate in a clip piece 21. The
end elements 19 can be connected to the end pieces 13, 14 of the
bandage 1 by velcro fasteners. A tightening function is achieved by
the strip-shaped end elements 19 being guided through a slit-shaped
opening of the associated clip end piece 21 and turned through
180.degree.. In the tightened state, the turned end of the end
element 19 can likewise be secured with the aid of a velcro
fastener, such that the tightening strap 18 is held in a desired
tension with the end element 19.
[0050] The parallel plastic wires 20 extend through openings in
projecting ribs of the finger-shaped rods 26, the central
finger-shaped rods 26' forming a common central piece through which
the plastic wires 20 extend. The two plastic wires 20 extending
parallel to each other can also be formed by a single plastic wire
20, which is threaded through the openings of the finger-shaped
rods 26, 26' and turned through 180.degree. in the clip end pieces
21, and the two ends of the plastic wire 20 can then be connected
to each other, preferably with a connector piece (not shown).
[0051] The trunk orthosis shown in FIG. 9 permits effective
strengthening of the lordosis area, with good adaptability of the
support device 5' to the shape of the lordosis area. For this
purpose, the finger-shaped rods 26, 26' are also designed with a
longer upper free end and a shorter lower free end. Otherwise, the
shape of the finger-shaped rods 26, 26' corresponds in principle to
the shape explained with reference to FIG. 1, where the widened end
pieces 63 serve to permit the greatest possible surface area of
contact on the trunk of the patient 10.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows the second embodiment of the invention with a
stiffening part 22 which, by means of connecting screws 23, is
mounted securely onto the central piece of the support device 5'
formed with the central finger-shaped rods 26'. The stiffening part
22 has stiffening rods 7' which are adapted to the shape of the
central finger-shaped rods 26' and of which, in the illustrative
embodiment shown, four stiffening rods 7' are provided.
[0053] An elastic adaptation of the support device 5' to the
lordosis curvature, by virtue of the elasticity of the
finger-shaped rods 26 in their longitudinal direction toward the
free ends, is suppressed by the stiffening part 22, such that the
trunk orthosis formed as in FIG. 10 permits the support function
according to FIG. 2, in which the lordosis curvature is bridged by
the trunk orthosis.
[0054] The second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 to
10 thus permits the application purposes illustrated according to
FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, where the multi-part design of the bandage 1
permits convenient adaptation of the length of the trunk orthosis
to the trunk of the patient, and where the subsequently secured
tightening strap allows the support device 5' to be pressed onto
the lordosis area independently of the length of the bandage 1. In
addition, the spring elements 27 permit a good adaptation of the
support device 5' to the trunk of the patient 10 and, if necessary,
also a certain inclination of the finger-shaped rods 26 outside of
the central area formed by the finger-shaped rods 26'.
* * * * *