Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
129S~
Fiel(~ ~f the Invent~
_ ____ _ _
The pres~ vention relates generally to
thera~e~tic device- ~nd rore particularly to a corset or
belt appliance whieh may be applied to that region of
the human body comprised of the sacro-lumbar or the
sacro-lumbar and thoracic areas in order to prevent or
treat injuries to the aforenoted regions.
Background of the Invention
As is well known, the human spine or spinal
column is comprised of seven cervical vertebrae, twelve
thoracic vertebrae, and five lumbar vertebrae. The
vertebrae are disposed in a stacked array and interposed
between the same fibrocartilages or discs. Thirty-one
pairs of spinal nerves are also associated with the
spinal column and the nerves are sometimes adversely
affected by means of the relative disposition of one or
more vertebrae whereby severe pain results. For
example, when the back area sustains a contusion or is
subjected to uneven stress or the like, a displacement
or misalignment of one or more of the vertebrae can
occur which is capable of causing pressure to be exerted
on the spinal nerve roots.
In light of the above, it is commonly recog-
nized that where a particular misaligned vertebrae is
re-aligned in conjunction with the residual, properly
aligned vertebrae, the pressure upon the spinal nerves
is alleviated with a consequent lessening of pain
suffered by the patient. Such re-alignment of the
misaligned vertebrae is normally accomplished as a
result of pressure being applied to the afflicted areas
of the body by means of direct application of pressure
to the afflicted area. In accordance with these prin-
ciples, prior art therapeutic appliances have been
developed in order to attempt to provide such counter-
pressure to the affected body regions.
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Appliances o~ the aforenoted type are exempli-
fied by those disclos~d in French Patent No. 1,461,408
issued to M. Gross, U.S. Patent No. 4,135,503 to Romano,
and U.S. Patent No. 4,178,923 issued to Curlee. The
appliances include an inflatable bladder which seeks to
exert the aforementioned counterpressure upon the
afflicted body portions as a result of the inflated
expansion thereof. It has been found, however, that
devices such as those exemplified by French Patent
1,461,408, while providing a generalized support to the
afflicted region generally, are not capable of exerting
the desired counter-pressure at the precise body loca-
tion as required. This characteristic can be seen in
those therapeutic corset appliances which, when applied
to an area of the back encompassing the sacro-lumbar and
thoracic regions, is incapable of providing adequate
contact and necessary directed counterpressure to
specific areas such as the peculiar spinal curvature of
the sacro-lumbar region. Further, when such prior art
appliances are normally employed, adequate contact and
pressurization of the afflicted body region is usually
accomplished by means of increased tightening of the
; appliance about the patient's midsection (torso) or
increasing the degree of pressurization of the bladder
generally. These methods can be dangerous in that other
portions of the body may thereby be deleteriously
affected. This is particularly true where increased
tightening of the appliance is utilized as a means of
affecting increased pressurization of the afflicted body
region, since such tightening serves to dangerously
constrict the cardiovascular network of the body and
generally provides increased discomfort to the wearer.
Another disadvantage has presented itself as a
result of elastic properties of many prior art bladder
devices, wherein bladders have a high coefficient of
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ela-~icity. Ac the pltssure therein is increased, the
contact area delined between the bladder and the body is
increased and t},e cardiovascular network of the body is
severely constricted in a manner similar to that accom-
plished by means of a conventional blood pressure cuff.
Prolonged usage of such appliances can result in major
complications, such as, for example, renal isclemia,
muscle spasms, or arteriosclerosis-related problems.
Where prior art appliances, such as Curlee and Romano,
supra, have utilized individual air cell pockets of
material exhibiting a low coefficient of stretchability,
adequate contact and counterpressure at precise body
locations has been accomplished and maintained without
threat of constricting the body's cardiovascular net-
work, but at the expense of failing to provide a more
generalized and effective support to the muscle struc-
ture of the back area related to the lumbar thoracic
region of the spinal column.
It has also been found that prior art thera-
peutic devices, such as that shown in Curlee above,while exerting the desired counterpressure at precise
body locations, do not and cannot, in fact, provide an
effective and comfortable support to the entire muscle
mass related to the lumbar and thoracic regions of the
lower back. This is particularly characteristic of
corset appliances which, when applied to the lumbar/-
thoracic regions of the human back in instances
requiring the application of specific counterpressure to
precise spinal locations. In such circumstances,
utilizing means such as an inflated bladder device,
such prior art appliances have been unable to provide
simultaneous, deliberate and comfortable counterpressure
supportive to the general muscle mass connected with the
lumbar/thoracic region.
In light of the above, the present invention
will provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance
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which will overcome the various disadvantages of prior art
appliances and provide a device which is adapted to be applied
to the sacro-lumbar/thoracic area of the body. Said device of
the present invention is adapted to be applied to the sacro-
lumbar and/or thoracic area of the human back and is capable of
applying precisely localized counterpressure to specifically
afflicted areas of the aforesaid back region and will
accommodate the unique curvature of the sacro-lumbar area of
the aforenoted region. Such accommodation, as well as the
needed localized counterpressure, may be provided in the
context of a broader support to the general muscle mass
connected with the sacro-lumbar and thoracic region of the
human back.
Such advantages will be gained by the present
invention's use, in its preferred embodiment of a plurality of
vertically spaced inflatable air cells mounted on a backing
wherein padding can be applied at various positions to fill
contours of the back to insure total contact with the
aforementioned region, and/or to provide an adjustable means of
regulating the application of precise localized counterpressure
to afflicted areas as desired. Such objects are further
enhanced by means of a tapered support which will avoid
interference with the wearer's hip region or ribcage and
provide maximum comfort and increased sacrum, lumbar and
thoracic region support.
Objects of the Invention
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance.
Another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved therapeutic appliance which is adapted to be
applied to the lumbar region of the human back in order to
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61954-16
relieve or prevent the occurrence of lower back pain
afflictions.
Still another object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance for relieving
or preventing the occurrence of pain within the sacro-lumbar
region of the human back and which overcomes the various
disadvantages characteristic of prior art appliances.
Yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance which is
adapted to be applied to the sacro-lumbar region of the human
back in order to apply precisely localized counterpressure to
specific areas of the aforenoted back region.
Still yet another object of the present invention is
to provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance adapted to
be applied to the sacro-lumbar region of the back which is
capable of applying supportive counterpressure to the muscle
structure of the lower back generally, while providing
localized counterpressure to specific areas of the aforenoted
back region.
A further object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance which employs
a plurality of vertically spaced inflatable air cells mounted
on a backing wherein padding can be applied at various
positions to "fill" contours of the back and insure total
contact with the aforementioned region.
A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance adapted to be
applied to the sacro-lumbar region of the back which is tapered
so as not to interfere with the wearer's hip region or ribcage
to provide maximum comfort and concentrate pressure more
directly against back muscles.
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'
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61954-16
A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved therapeutic appliance which can be
simply, easily, and economically manufactured by means of mass
production techniques.
Summary of the Invention
The foregoing and other objectives of the present
invention are achieved through provision of a therapeutic
appliance which consists of an elongated support surface
vertically disposed to encompass the sacro-lumbar, or the
sacrum, lumbar, and thoracic areas of the human back. Said
support surface is formed from material that is bendable when
subjected to forces encountered thereby. Disposed on said
support surface is a flexible bladder possessing a low
coefficient of stretchability which is secured thereto along
its edges and in its corset-like embodiment, may also be
secured along a horizontal line bisecting the support surface
nearest the wearer at a point equidistant to its edges.
The bladder of the belt or corset is further divided
into at least two intercommunicating cells that are formed by
dividing the bladder along certain lines by stitching or other
suitable means. A means of retaining fluid and a means of
introducing fluid into said bladder is utilized for inflating
same. While inflated, a means will cause said support surface
to bend to assume a predetermined curvature or crescent of no
less than 30. Disposed upon said support surface are means
removably securing said support to a belting material which in
turn is provided with means removably securing same to the
wearer. The wider corset-like arrangement of the support will
contain a bladder latitudinally divided along the axis of the
corset. Said bladder will contain multiple ribs in a nesting
parallel configuration perpendicular to the axis of the corset.
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61954-16
The bladder is preferably stitched to form the cells.
Additional padding may be applied to the belt and secured to
the support surface on the side next to the user to cushion,
fill, and provide additional directed counterpressure to
specific areas of the back. Padding may also be disposed
wrapped around the top of the belting material and the bladder
and backing may be contoured and narrowed in width along its
ends to avoid the hip and ribcage of the user.
There is thus disclosed an inflatable therapeutic
belt-type appliance suitable for treating the sacro-lumbar
region of a person's body, comprising: belt means extending in
a lateral direction for securing said therapeutic belt-type
appliance about the abdominal region of a person's body, said
belt means including an inner surface adapted to face the
person's body when in place therearound; means disposed on said
belt means for causing said belt means to bow in an arcuate
manner when said therapeutic appliance is inflated so that said
inner surface of said belt means is deformed from a
substantially flat planar surface when said therapeutic device
is not inflated to a concave surface when said therapeutic
device is inflated, said means comprising an air bladder
secured to said belt means and adapted to apply pressure to the
sacro-lumbar region of a person's body when said appliance is
inflated and said belt means is secured around the abdominal
region of the persons's body, said air bladder including a
plurality of air cells, each of said air cells extending
longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to said lateral
direction and being spaced apart from each other in said
lateral direction, said air cells expanding to shrink said air
bladder when said air bladder is inflated to thereby cause said
inner surface of said belt means to deform from said
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61954-16
substantially flat planar surface when said air cells are not
inflated to said concave surface when said air cells are
inflated; and means disposed on said belt means for supplying
fluid to said air bladder whereby said air cells can be
inflated.
There is further disclosed an inflatable therapeutic
belt-type appliance for treating the sacro-lumbar region of a
person's body, comprising: belt means extending in a lateral
direction for securing said therapeutic belt-type appliance
about the abdominal region of a person's body, said belt means
including an inner surface adapted to face the person's body
when in place therearound; means disposed on said belt means
for causing said belt means to bow in an arcuate manner when
said therapeutic appliance is inflated so that said inner
surface of said belt means is deformed from a substantially
flat planar surface when said therapeutic device is not
inflated to a concave surface when said therapeutic device is
inflated, said means comprising an air bladder secured to said
belt means and adapted to apply pressure to the sacro-lumbar
region of a person's body when said appliance is inflated and
said belt means is secured around the abdominal region of the
person's body, said air bladder including a plurality of air
cells, each of said air cells extending longitudinally in a
direction perpendicular to said lateral direction and being
spaced apart from each other in said lateral direction, said
air cells expanding to shrink said air bladder when said air
bladder is inflated to thereby cause said inner surface of said
belt means to deform from said substantially flat planar
surface when said air cells are not inflated to said concave
surface when said air cells are inflated, said air bladder
including opposite ends spaced apart in said lateral direction,
7a
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61954-16
said air bladder being secured to said belt means only at said
opposite ends of said air bladder; and means disposed on said
belt means for supplying fluid to said air bladder whereby said
air cells can be inflated.
Description of the Figures
Various additional objects, features, and advantages
of the invention will be better understood from the following
description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying figures, to wit:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved
therapeutic appliance onto which an inflatable unit is
attached.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the inflatable unit
showing its disposition in relation to other components of the
therapeutic appliance.
Figure 3a is a plan view of the inflatable unit in a
non-inflated state.
Figure 3b is a perspective view of the inflatable
unit in an inflated state.
Figure 4 is a front and side view of the support
backing.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the air pump
attachment means.
Figure 6 is an exploded view of the appliance and
inflatable unit with additional padding means.
Figure 7 are front views of additional embodiments of
optional inflatable padding means.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a narrow belt-like
embodiment of the improved therapeutic appliance.
7b
.
- 129S~f)l
Specific Disclosures
Referring to the drawings and more
particularly Figure 1 thereof, the improved therapeutic
appliance is generally indicated by character 10. The
appliance is comprised of a flexible belting material 11
which is capable of wrapping around the waist of the
user. The belting material is further equipped with a
fastening means for removably securing same to the
wearer, such as a buckle device 12 or any other suitable
mechanism. Suitable padding 83 may be disposed upon the
buckle device 12 to provide additional comfort. An
inflation device such as an air pump 13 (Figure 1) can
be attached to the outside of the corset 10 by any means
capable of holding it in position. The preferred method
of attaching said inflation device is by means of a "C"
ring clip holder consisting of a spring clasp made of
suitable plastic, steel or other suitable material.
Figure 5 shows the air pump attachment means
40, which can be secured to the belting material 11, by
rivÇts 42, or other suitable fastening means. The air
pump attachment means 40, is disposed on the belting
material 11, directly below the access hole 31, through
which the tube 35 from the air bladder 21 extends. The
air pump attachment consists of a "C" ring or spring
clasp 45, which can be constructed from any suitable
material having elastic properties such as plastic or
stainless steel. _ -
With reference to Figure 2, the therapeuticappliance consists of a support surface 20, which can be
formed from material that is bendable when subjected to
forces encountered thereby. A flexible bladder 21
consisting of material possessing a low coefficient of
stretchability is disposed on said support surface 20,
secured or bonded by any suitable means along its edges
25, 26. The bladder 21 can also be ~ecured at a point
along the horizontal axis of the corset device 27,
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thereby forming at least two intercommunicating cells
28, 29 in a parallel configuration, disposed along the
latitudinal axis of the corset. The configuration will
permit coverage of a wider area of the back region.
Said bladder 21 will thereby form an inflatable support
surface of a substantially rectangular configuration,
although said surface may also be disposed in an
eliptical configuration. Fluid may be introduced into
the bladder 21 by means of a circular cavity 34 or other
suitable means to which a tube 35 or the like is
attached and secured so as to effect a seal and provide
a duct through which fluid can be transferred into the
bladder from an air pump or other suitable device 13.
Disposed against the bladder 21 on the side
closest to the wearer, is a padding means 14, which may
be constructed of any suitable material. Liner material
16 is disposed so as to surround the bladder 21, support
surface 20, and padding 14, and may be sewn or otherwise
bonded around its entire perimeter 17. Fastening studs
18 may be disposed on the side of the support surface
away from the wearer. Such studs 18 may protrude
through holes 19 in the liner 16 and the belting
material 11. Said studs line up with holes in the
belting material 19 and attach securely by means of
D riv~t heads 15 or other suitble means. In addition, the
support surface 20, liner 16, and belting material 11
contain access holes 3~ through which the air tube 35
extends from the bladder 21, and to which the air pump
13 is attached.
The construction and application of the
bladder itself can best be understood in light of
Figures 3a and b, wherein Figure 3a shows an embodiment
of the bladder 21 with means 34 of introducing fluid
therein. The bladder 21 can be made of any type of
material possessing a low coefficient of elasticity
capable, when formed into a bladder, of holding
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compressed air or other fluid under pressure. Said
bladder 21, in its preferred embodiment, will be di~ided
into at least two intercommunicating cells 41 nesting in
a parallel configuration perpendicular to the axis of
the belting means (Fig. 1). Said cells can be formed by
stitching or other suitable means to form ribs 43 which
will permit the passage of fluid from one cell to
another to effect inflation. Stitching may also be
utilized along the longitudinal axis of the appliance to
further divide the bladder.
The appliance is constructed, as can be
readily observed in Figure 3b, by attaching the bladder
21 to a rigid or semirigid support surface 20 at its
ends 51, 52, around its perimeter 53, or overall with
adhesive. When the envelope is inflated, as can be seen
in Figure 3b, such attachment acts to pull the
extremities of the support surface 55, 57 into a
crescent shape in excess of 30 corresponding to the
natural shape of the human body at the sacro, lumbar and
thoracic region of the torso.
Left unattached to its rigid or semirigid
backing or support surface 20, the entire bladder 21 of
cells 41 would shrink in length during inflation. Thus,
the support surface 20 controls the amount of shrinkage,
which is important in maintaini~g where each individual
cell 41 will apply counterpressure. Thus, the method of
attachment of the envelopè to the backing will dictate
the degree of shrinkage and the ultimate shape of the
support 20 at full inflation.
Also, by choosing the exact method of attach-
ment of the bladder 21 to the support surface 20, the
amount of fluid volume of the cells 41 can be con-
trolled. This reduces bulk while maintaining the
pressure equivalent of a non-attached bladder. When the
bladder is divided 43 to form such cellular configu-
ration, each cell 41 balloons to form a pressure pad of
certain size and configuration.
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The preferred construction of the support
surface 20 can itself be seen in Figure 4, wherein it
can be seen that the support 20 may be of flat rigid or
semirigid construction and may consist of two indepen-
dent but intercommunicating sections 61, 62 which, while
of substantially rectangular configuration, can be
tapered 64, 65 at its extremities so as to accommodate
the wearer's hips and ribcage. The construction of the
support surface itself may be such as to incorporate a
longitudinal reinforcement 66 in the shape of an arc 67,
the apex of which would face the inside of the appliance
and extend outward on the side of the appliance away
from the wearer. Such construction would allow the
~sg~face 20 to remain rigid against bending in a vertical
plane and yet allow it to remain flexible and able to
bend horizontally into a crescent shape.
Figure Ç reveals the disposition of additional
padding 91, 92 which can be applied to the appliance and
secured to the support surface 20 and bladder 21 on the
side next to the user for the purpose of "filling" the
unique contours of the sacro-lumbar region of the spine,
or for providing more precise counterpressure or comfort
to specific areas while controlling the overall
stability of the sacrum-thoracic spinal region. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 6, a trapezoidal pad can be
applied to the appliance at any point for the purpose of
filling the contours of the back, thus assuring total
contact. At Figure 7 are shown other embodiments of
various additional padding and support means 93, 94 and
95, which are constructed in a manner similar to the
bladder, and which are capable of being inflated sepa-
rately, or along with the bladder. Said additional
padding and support means are capable of being incor-
porated onto the support surface and preferred bladder
by utilizing a liner or other suitable means. The use
and flexible disposition of said additional padding and
~2956~
support means serve to permit a flexible application of
pr~cise supportive counterpressure at various locations
and pressures as required.
Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of
the improved therapeutic appliance suited to provide
support to the sacro-lumbar region of the back. As in
the previous corset-like embodiment, belting material 11
can be madè of leather or any material suitable for
wrapping around the waist. S~cured to the belting
material 11 is the inflatable support padding means 12.
Said padding 12 is secured to the belting material 11 on
the side closest to the wearer. The padding 12 may be
slightly wider than the belting material 11 in order to
provide additional comfort to the wearer. The belting
material is fitted with a fastening means 13, such as a
buckle or the like capable of securing said belt about
the wearer. An inflation device 14 can be attached to
the outside of the belt 11 by any means capable of
holding it in position. The preferred method of
attaching said inflation device is, again, by means of a
"C" ring clip holder consisting of a spring clasp made
of suitable plastic, steel or other suitable material.
