Spinal Brace

Abstract

An orthopedic spinal brace comprising a single or double pelvic band, back uprights and straps or anterior chest plate for affixing the brace to the patient's body, a thoracic band or cross piece members attached to the upper portion of the back uprights, all detachably secured together by a fastener enabling the interchangeability of said brace elements. The fastener comprises a one piece strip having a plurality of internally threaded protrusions mounted thereon and arranged to engage threaded connectors in locking relationship thereto. In addition a cervical attachment and lateral side uprights may be added to the basic brace.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Ser. No. 723,357 filed Apr. 23, 1968, for a brace.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an orthopedic brace and more particularly to a brace for the spine and trunk of humans comprising a plurality of interchangeable elements for ease of assembly and disassembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art

To meet the individual requirements of the great variety of spinal injuries or defects, a number of different braces have been developed. The extent of diverseness is shown in "Orthopaedic Appliances Atlas," Volume 1, J. W. Edwards, Ann Arbor Mich. (1952). Generally this type of brace is designed to restrict the flexing of the spine or trunk, or a particular poriton thereof, to provide support for the torso and/or apply corrective pressure wherever beneficial.

Since the particular brace configuration is dictated by the corrective action required, obviously there is a need for a large inventory of braces. This is compounded further by the individual requirements of proper size and shape. The expense of amassing such an inventory in combination with the storage requirements due to the sheer bulk has generally prohibited large inventories. The particularized need of matching configuration, shape and size has inhibited the use of mass production techniques thereby increasing production and assembly costs.

As a result, it has become customary to build such braces individually by highly skilled orthopedist as each case arises. This naturally increases the cost and frequently involves a delay of several days while waiting for the brace. Such delay during the interim unnecessarily increases the patient's suffering or may even cause further injury.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,367, an orthopedic spinal brace is taught which can be altered to include shoulder support and wherein the members are easily detachable to facilitate shipping, storage, handling and washing. While such a structure has helped to reduce bulk, thereby easing inventory problems, there still remains the need to individually build and fit each brace to a patient's torso. The problem of a large inventory of various braces in a variety of sizes also still persists.

Further, the need for additional support of the pelvic area often exists. Another common shortcoming is the lack of support of the cervial spine area. The requirement for these embellishments in a relatively simple structure still exists. Thus there is a need for a brace which can be easily assembled from stock items to provide a particular brace configuration with the great variety of sizes and shapes necessary for various proportioned patients.

In addition many existing braces do not permit simple and economic replacement of any component part should it become defective through accident or through normal wear.

The same is true of a brace where patients who have weight changes during use requiring the brace to be expanded or contracted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel structure for an orthopedic brace which permits the configuration of a great variety of the more commonly used brace types in various sizes and proportions from stock. Such "stock" includes single and double pelvic bands, thoracic bands or cross-piece members, back (both full and partial length) and lateral uprights, cervical attachments and straps or anterior chest plates. A unique screw fastener is used to fasten these elements together in such a manner to permit complete interchangability of the brace elements. Such interchangeability is enabled by the fastener which is embedded in full size within the back center, and, in half size at the ends of the pelvic and thoracic bands. Thus, when a particular configuration is required, the desired elements, in the proper sizes required for the patient are withdrawn from stock and secured together simply by threading screws through the selected back and, if used, lateral uprights with appropriate straps into the full and half fasteners within the pelvic and/or thoracic bands. Each fastener is bowed into a slightly concave configuration when attached to the pelvic and thoracic bands. This concave configuration supplies added resistance against the screws extending through the back and lateral upright and provides a locking action on these screws. In addition the threaded protrusions bear the shear stress between the elements. An apron front or anterior chest plate maybe buckled to the straps to complete the brace.

A cross-piece member fixedly attached to the back upright may be substituted for the thoracic band. When required, the anterior chest plate in combination with the cross-piece member or thoracic band may be adapted to support an adjustable cervical attachment.

Padding and auxiliary straps are affixed prior to assembly and shielding is affixed after assembly.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a typical brace of this invention with a single pelvic band.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled brace with double pelvic band and cervical attachment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cervical attachment adapter for the anterior chest plate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a Taylor cross-piece member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of Taylor cross-piece for cervical attachment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cross-piece for cervical attachment when a thoracic band is used.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an illiac band fastener.

FIG. 8 is a view of the strap with velcro cover.

FIG. 9 is another view of the strap.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembled brace with thoracic band.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembled brace without the thoracic band.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an assembled brace with mid belt lateral uprights.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an assembled brace with mid belt without lateral uprights.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With particular reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the brace of this invention involves several brace elements which are completely interchangeable so as to provide a variety of brace configurations, sizes and shapes from stock items. Each of these configurations corresponds to the structure of a commonly employed spinal brace as will be described hereinafter.

The brace has a pelvic band 10 which comprises a U-shaped rigid metal strip 12 covered by an inside liner 14 and an outside cover 16. The entire band 10 in assembled form, is contoured so as to fit the pelivc contour, partially encircling the lateral circumference thereof and posterior. It should be noted that a straight, upflare, or butterfly pelvic band may be used with equal facility.

Strip 12 is preferably of aluminum with a short straight center 18 and an integral, longer contoured arm 20 on either side. The center 18 is provided with four orifices 22 arranged in parallel and symmetric vertical columns of two holes each and rivet holes 23 disposed therebetween. Each arm 20 is also provided with an orifice 21 and rivet hole 29 at its extremity. Inside liner 14 is a thick or padded layer of fabric, preferably of a vinyl type polymer while outside cover 16 is of similar vinyl material, but unpadded. Cover 16 is preferably provided with centrally disposed means to fasten a shielding, such as section 25 of Velcro hooks; the sections 24 are sewn to the outside of liner 16 to span the uprights. Orifices 15 and 17 correspond to orifices 22 and 21 respectively.

Extending through orifices 22 are fasteners 26 which comprise a thin strip 28 of metal or similar rigid material with a hollow protrusion 30 at each end and a central rivet hole 32. Each protrusion 30 is internally threaded. It should be noted that protrusions 30 do not extend through strip 28 but are merely affixed to one surface thereof.

Pelvic band 10 is assembled in the factory by placing two fasteners 26 in horizontal position, adjacent to rigid band 12 with protrusions 30 extending through orifices 22. Rivets are then inserted through the central rivet holes and the fasteners 26 made secure to the rigid band 12 by flaring the rivets. A half fastener 27 is similarly affixed to the contoured arms 20 of band 12 with its protrusion 30 extending through holes 21 in the extremity of said arm. Upon attachment of fasteners 26 and half fasteners 27 by rivets, they assume a bowed or slightly concave configuration. This concave configuration provides locking force on the connecting screws cooperating therewith as will be fully described hereinafter. Inside liner 14 and outside liner 16 are then placed adjacent band 10 and the overlapping edges sewn together.

Thoracic band 34 is similarly constructed. It too has a rigid strip 36 contoured to partially encircle the rear side of the thorax. A double row of orifices 38 is provided in the center of strip 36 to receive a pair of fasteners 26. The protrusions 30 extend through orifices 38. Rivets (not shown) are passed through orifices 32 and 39 to secure the fastener 26 to the strip 36. A half fastener 27 is affixed to each arm of band 36 with the protrusion 30 extending through holes 37 in the extremities of said arm. Both fastener 26 and half fastener 27 will assume a concave configuration upon being riveted as explained above. An inside padded liner 40 and an outside cover 42 sewn at their overlapping edges encloses band 36. Orifices 41 and 35 of cover 42 correspond to orifices 38 and 37 respectively. Like cover 16, cover 40 is also provided with centrally disposed means to fasten a shielding, such as sections 43 of Velcro hook. Either a straight or downflare thoracic band may be used.

Either a pair of partial length back uprights 44 or a pair of full length back uprights 46 is provided with each brace. Uprights 44 or 46 are each provided with a pair of mating fastener orifices 47 near the lower extremity to mount upon protrusions 30 of fasteners 26 associated with the pelvic band 10. The upper end of uprights 44 and the mid portion of uprights 46 are each provided with mating fastener orifices 49 to mount upon the protrusion of the thoracic band fastener. The full length uprights 46 have an additional shoulder strap orifice 51, located near their upper extremity.

Uprights 44 or 46 are contoured so as to fit the shape of the torso on either side of the spine. Both are bowed and uprights 46 extend to the right and left to bend from the spine. These uprights are preferably constructed of aluminum or other lightweight material of comparable strength.

If desired, lateral uprights 48 may also be used. these are also made of lightweight material, such as aluminum and are provided with orifices 53 at their ends and are slightly bowed inward so as to fit the shape of the human torso.

To fit an individual patient, the orthotist first selects a pelvic band 10, a thoracic band 34, a pair of left and right back uprights 44 or 46 and underarm straps 58, to be described, if full length back uprights 46 are used. These elements are each of a preselected size so as to fit that individual patient. For example, a low waisted, thin individual might require a long pair of uprights 44 or 46 and a small diameter pelvic band 10, and thoracic band 34.

The bands 10 and 34 with underarm straps 58, if used, are then fastened by the orthotist to uprights 44 or 46 by threading screws 50 into fasteners 26 embedded within the bands. As pointed out above each of the full and half fasteners 26 and 27 will have a concave configuration when riveted in place on the brace. This configuration supplies an added resistance in the form of a "pulling force" to the connecting screws. The pulling force thereby created insures a locking relation between the screws and protrusions 30 which prevent accidental detachment of fasteners 26 and 27. In addition protrusion 30 bears the shearing stress between the interconnected elements. Lock washers 52 are made from fibrous or any like material which will compress when sandwiched between a cooperating screw and the portion of the brace to which it is attached. Compression of the washers in this manner also insures a locking relationship between the screws and the protrusions 30. This is accomplished because of the washers spreading into orifices 21, 47, 49 etc., through which the screws 50 or 60 extend.

If a pair of lateral uprights 48 is to be employed these are selected of proper size and padded and secured to the ends of the pelvic and thoracic bands by threading screws 60 into the protrusions of the half fasteners 27 affixed to the arms of bands 12 and 36.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 8 before threading, forwardly extending web belts 67 with end brackets 69 positioned over the protrusion of half fastener 27, are also fastened to the ends of pelvic and thoracic bands. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 Velcro fasteners 71 and 73 are attached to flap 75 and extreme 77 of band 10 to cover screw 60 when the brace is assembled.

The uprights 44 or 46 are padded by slipping cut lengths of padding 70 with holding loops 72 on the outside surface over the uprights prior to assembly.

If full length back uprights 46 are utilized (see FIG. 2) combined padding-shoulder straps 56 in loop form to pad the upper ends of the uprights and to extend over the shoulder of the patent, as a shoulder strap, is then slipped partly over and affixed, via rivet 62 through orifice 51 to said upper ends. A hook fastener 64 is then riveted to the free end of the combined padding-shoulder strap 56 hook fastener 64 is also attached to anterior chest plate 65.

Underarm straps 58 have loops 66 which hook onto plate 65. Alternately loops 66 may be hooked onto the hook fastener 64 to provide a shoulder strap for the brace of this invention without the plate 65. The length may be varied to provide for corrective pressure on the upper torso.

A mid belt 74, may be attached to the lateral uprights 48 (FIG. 12) or the back uprights (see FIGS. 11 and 13) by looping the loop at the end of each belt 74 onto the appropriate back upright. If lateral uprights are not used, the belt 74 may be padded using more of stock padding 70 with loops 72 thereon. The three belts thus formed are each fastened to buckles 76. The mate of each buckle is fastened to the front side of an apron front 78. All connectors, such as screws 50 and 60 and brackets 69 may be shielded preferably using a Velcro hook.

The cross piece member 80 of FIG. 4 and 10 may be used to replace the thoracic band. The full length uprights are connected by means of cross piece fastener 80 or 82 located approximately one third of the way from the upper ends of the uprights. Cross piece fasteners 80 include a bend 84 located in the approximate center and includes four protrusions 30. The bend 84 is provided to allow for any protrusion of the vertebrae of the user of the brace. Consequently chafing of the users back is prevented. It is important to note that cross piece members 80 can be substituted for the full length fasteners 26 when the design of the specific brace structure warrants it.

A cervical attachment may be added to the configuration including the thoracic band 34 by member 90 shown in FIG. 6 or without the thoracic band by member 100 shown in FIG. 5. Member 90 comprises back plate 91 affixed to front plate 92. Front plate 92 is shaped to form three concave bends 93 provided to cooperatively engage uprights 44 or 46. A vertically disposed pair of orifices 94 is formed in each bend 93. Member 90 is fastned over uprights 44 or 46 by fasteners with threaded protursions 30 passing through orifices 94. Member 100 comprises back plate 101 affixed to front plate 102 which includes bend 103 having orifices 104. Attached to each end of plate 140 are protrusions 30. Member 100 is attached by passing protrusions 30 through orifices 49 of uprights 44 or 46 and to secure in place with screws 50. FIG. 3 shows mounting plate 150 having centrally disposed bend 151. Orifices 152 are for securing plate 150 to plate 65. A pair of orifices 152 an used to attache the cervical front support (discussed below).

FIG. 2 shows the cervical attachment attached to the thoracic band 34 and anterior plate 65. The cervical attachment comprises near upright support 110 including a plurality of orifices 112 and forward upright support 114 with a similar plurality of orifices (not shown). Affixed to the upper portions of supports 110 and 114 are rear and forward head supports 116 and 118 respectively, interconnected by adjustable straps 120. Supports 110 and 114 are adjustable vertically by selection of the orifices 112 of support 110 and similar orifices in support 114. Then by passing a common screw through orifices 92 and 112 and similarly orifices 153 in plate 150 of plate 65, the cervical attachment is fixed to the basic brace. When cross piece member 100 is used in place of the thoracic band, orifices 104 are aligned with orifices 112 and secured together by means of a screw or equivalent fastening means.

As shown in FIG. 2 a double pelvic (illiac) band 130 may be added without changing the other elements. Member 140 shown in FIG. 7 is riveted to illiac band 130 through orifice 144. Bends 142 fitting over uprights 44 or 46. The band 130 is then affixed to uprights 44 or 46 by sliding over uprights, unfastened for self adjustment to compensate for various shapes. If lateral uprights are used, a half-fastner 27 secures the illiac band 130 to the upright.

This illiac band 130 may be added to any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 through 13.

With the above construction a unique orthopedic spinal brace is provided which, because of its complete interchangeability of elements can be assembled in any one of several brace types.

Thus, when needed, the following typical brace types may be made:

Taylor Spinal Brace

Wilcox or Lipscomb Brace

McCausland Chair Back Brace

Knight Spinal Brace

Butterfly Pelvic Band

Straight Pelvic Band

Double Pelvic Band

Cervical Attachment

or any combination of the above.

When needed the brace elements may be selected out of stock according to size and proportion to fit an individual and immediately assembled. Thus it is even feasible for an individual physician to maintain his own supply of brace elements and assemble braces for his own pateints should an orthotist not be readily available.

The brace elements may be easily replaced should they become damaged or outgrown or require supplemental bracing as the patient's treatment progresses.

These features, and others, are all made possible by the unique fastener. Not only rigidity to but also ease of assembly of the elements of the brace is provided therefrom.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is:

1. An orthopedic spinal brace comprising: a pelvic band, a pair of back uprights secured to said pelvic band, securing means attached to the upper portion of said back uprights to fix the position of said uprights relative to one another, affixing means attached to said pelvic band to strap said brace to a human torso, said pelvic band being detachably secured to said uprights by a fastener connected to said band; said fastener comprising a concave resilient strip having a pair of spaced threaded hollow protrusions extending from one common face thereof, each said protrusion extending through one of a pair of spaced orifices formed in said pelvic band and through a pair of correspondingly located orifices formed in said uprights, threaded connectors extending into the threaded hollow of each said protrusion; the spaced relation of said protrusion relative to the spaced relation of said orifices formed in said pelvic band being such as to bias said resilient strip away from said pelvic band to lock said uprights against said pelvic band.

2. The brace of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a cross piece fastener connected to said uprights, said corss piece including a strip having a centrally located indentation, at least one hollow threaded protrusion mounted on each end of said cross piece, each of said protrusions connected to an upright by means of a threaded connector extending into the threaded hollow of said protrusions in locking relation thereto such that said cross piece is detachably connected to said uprights; said cross piece arranged relative to said uprights such that said indentation is positioned in non-engaging relation to protruding vertebrae of the human torso on which said brace is mounted.

3. The brace of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises thoracic band detachably secured to said uprights by a second fastener connected to the band; said second fastener comprising a concave strip of metal having a threaded hollow protrusion on each end extending from one common face of said strip, each protrusion extending through orifices located in said uprights and said pelvic band, said protrusion connected thereto by connectors fixedly engaging the threaded portion of said protrusion, said strip of said second fastener arranged into a substantially concave configuration when connected to said pelvic band such that said protrusion of said second band is biased away from said band.

4. The brace of claim 3 wherein the lateral uprights are positioned between the ends of said pelvic band and the ends of said thoracic band, said lateral uprights being secured to each of said bands by half-fasteners which are connected to both said pelvic and thoracic bands, each said half-fastener comprising a concave strip connected to each said band, an internally threaded protrusion mounted on one end of said strip, said half-fasteners connected to said lateral uprights by means of a threaded connector cooperating with said protrusion which extends through an orifice in said lateral upright, such that a pulling force is exerted on said threaded connector by means of the concave configuration of the strip whereby a locking force is exerted on said connector.

5. The brace of claim 1 wherein said back uprights extend from said pelvic band to said securing means.

6. The brace of claim 1 wherein said back uprights extend from the pelvic band beyond said securing means into the region of the shoulders of the brace user, said uprights each having a shoulder strap affixed to its end which goes over the shoulder and connects to the junction of said thoracic band and said uprights.

7. The brace of claim 1 wherein said affixing means comprises a first pair of straps fixed to said pelvic band and at least one second pair of straps fixed to said uprights said corresponding pairs of straps are positioned about the front of the patient and locked to one another.

8. The brace of claim 1 wherein said affixing means comprises first a pair of straps fixed to said pelvic band and at least one second pair of straps fixed to said uprights, said first and second pair of straps attaching to an anterior chest plate.

9. The brace of claim 8 further including an adjustable cervical attachment means, said cervical attachment means comprising a rear upright support attached to said securing means and a forward upright support attached to said anterior chest plate, a forward head support attached to the upper portion of said forward upright support and a rear head support attached to the upper portion of said rear upright support, said forward and rear head supports being interconnected by strap means.

10. The brace of claim 1 further including an illiac band attached to said pelvic band and said back uprights to provide additional spinal support.

11. The brace of claim 10 wherein said illiac band cooperatively engages said back uprights such that said illiac band is adjustable vertically relative to said pelvic band.

12. The brace of claim 1 wherein said affixing means are secured to said protrusions.

13. The brace of claim 1 wherein said affixing means comprises a first pair of straps fixed to said pelvic band and at least one second pair of straps fixed to said uprights, said straps attaching to a front apron to fix said brace to the patient.

14. The brace of claim 1 wherein said connectors are covered by velcro fasteners.

15. A body band to partially encircle the lateral circumference and posterior portion of a human torso comprising a U-shaped strip covered by an inside layer of fabric and an outside layer of fabric, a pair of spaced orifices formed at the center extending through said U-shaped strip and said outside layer of fabric, a fastener connected to said U-shaped strip, said fastener comprising a concave resilient strip having a pair of spaced threaded hollow protrusions extending from one common face thereof, each protrusion extending through one of said orifices and said outside layer of fabric and said inside layer of fabric, the spaced relation of said protrusion relative to the spaced relation of said orifices formed in said pelvic band being such as to bias said resilient strip away from said pelvic band to lock said uprights against said pelvic band.

16. The body band of claim 15 wherein half-fasteners are connected to the ends of said U-shaped strip, said fasteners comprising a concave strip such that force is exerted on connector means due to the configuration of said half-fasteners when the body band is attached to other structural elements.

17. The body band of claim 15 wherein said band is in the form of a pelvic band comprising at least two fasteners connected in a parallel spaced relation at the center of said pelvic band.

18. The body band of claim 17 further including cervical support means.

19. The body band of claim 17 further including an illiac band attached to said pelvic band to form a double pelvic band.