Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
LOWER BACK PAIN TREATMENT AND SPINAL PROTECTION DEVICE
INVENTORS
Rosalie Dudkiewicz
Dariusz Dudkiewicz
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application claims priority of the U.S. utility application number
14/615,841 filed on
February 6, 2015 and U.S. provisional patent application number 62/122,467
filed on October
22, 2014,
FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The invention and its embodiments relate to medical devices, namely a device
that is
capable of alleviating lower back pain. In particular, the present invention
and its embodiments
relate to a device that prevents the lumbar spine process and its peripheral
nerves from being
touched or compressed.
BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS
There are about 150 - 200 million adults that suffer from low back pain in
United States,
and it is the second most common reason people seek a doctor. This health
problem results in
about 2.4 million Americans chronically disabled and temporarily on
disability. Lower back pain
affects the spine's stability, flexibility, and strength as result cause pain,
discomfort and stiffness
during daily living activities such as sitting, driving or sleeping. A great
majority of back pain
experienced by the general population occurs in the lower portion of the back
generally referred
to as the lumbar area or the spinal segments L-3 through S-1 specifically. In
order to comprehend
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the most causes of low back pain, it is essential to understand the
functioning of the spinal
column. The purpose of the human spinal column is to support and protects the
body. The most
common area of low back pain is at the spinal process segment L-3 to S-1. The
spine process is
composed of twenty four individual vertebrae. Each vertebra is attached and
support by
cartilages, muscles and ligaments to allow flexibility to bend over, and to
rotate the torso. Each
vertebra is connected by an intervertebral disc that functioning to provide
cushion, and prevent
compression to the peripheral spinal nerves. Whenever there is a shift of the
vertebrae from its
normal position caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, fractures,
osteoarthritis or injury, it
presses against the spinal nerves, and as a result it stimulates pain during
daily living activities
such as a sitting, sleeping, driving or bending. Likewise, low pain back is
also caused by, the
shifting of the 2 vertebrae caused by unequal pressure of the muscles
supporting the spine
column. This can occur due to overuse or injury of the muscles or ligaments,
uneven muscular
stress, emotional tension. The majority of low back pain is managed with
conservative treatment
such as rest, analgesic, anti- inflammatory medications in conjunction with
physical therapy to
strength the back muscles to support the spine column to relief pain or
eliminate it. Another
conventional treatment used to address back pain due to injury or non- injury
is applying
pressure to the area with orthopedic belt devices.
Review of related technology:
U.S. Patent No.: 8.226,587 pertains to a spinal support and brace device
configured to
support the lower back and that anchors on portion for the pelvis and are
configured to support
and align one or more lumber vertebrae.
International Patent Application No.: W02007027573 pertains to a lumbar
lordosis
correction brace comprised of a lower portion, adapted to be comfortably
affixed to the lower
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truck of a patient, and upper portion, adapted for comfortably encircling the
upper trunk of a
patient such that the two portions work together to provide uniform pressure
against a patient's
spine. This patent application also provides for the ability to displace, in a
controlled manner, to
provide additional support of the lumbar.
US Patent No.: 5,405,313 pertains to an adjustable back support comprising a
pelvic
girdle that has been adapted to fit snugly around a user's waist, a pair of
hip crutches adapted to
be vertically disposed on each side of a user's body, wherein each hip crutch
extends upwardly at
a small forward angle between the pelvic girdle and the corresponding armpit.
US Patent Publication No.: 2010/0168630 pertains to a rigid lumbar compression
piece,
that includes first and second, separate, opposing and mating front attachment
panels; and a
separate, laterally adjustable, rigid lumbar compression piece configured for
positioning only at
the rear of a wearer, wherein pulling of a cord causes the brace both
circumferentially to tighten
and to concentrate compression and pressure of the separate, laterally
adjustable, rigid lumbar
compression piece pushed directly against a spinal region of a wearer's back
with the aid of a
number of apertures through which the cord or cords pass.
US Patent Publication No.: 2013/0090585 pertains to a neuromuscular training
device for
enhancing the alignment of the upper torso of a user. The device is preferably
configured
specifically to provide scapula retraction and stabilization while providing
stated and dynamic
neuromuscular training.
US Patent No.: 5,334,134 pertains to a lumbosacral back support member which
is
releasably secured to the user by a stabilizing belt. Generally, this device
is used over a user's
clothes. This stabilizing belt may be inserted into the belt loops of a user's
pants, attached to
these belt loops, or engaged within the narrow portions of the user's waist.
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US Patent No.: 5,399,150 pertains to a lumbosacral back support system with
interchangeably and postionally-adjustable lumbosacral orthopedic support
members for
supporting the spine of a user during physical activity, athletics activities,
or for use by industrial
workers.
US Patent No.: 8,012,113 pertains to a spinal brace that includes a flexible
air injectable
band configured to be disposed about a torso of a user and to provide traction
to a spine of the
user. The device also comprises at least one support panel configured to
provide support by
compression to at least one region of a user's torso.
US Patent Publication No.: 2014/0221892 pertains to a maternity support belt
that
includes a curved support edge which matches the female pelvic curve, to
support a gravid
abdomen.. The maternity belt includes a lumbosacral supporting section that
applies a
compressive force against the lumbosacral portion of the wearer's back, and a
pair of gravid
abdominal support sections on opposite lateral sides of the lumbosacral
supporting section and
contiguous thereto. The gravid abdominal support sections adjustably overlap
and connect to
each other on the wearer's front side.
US Design Patent No.: D657063 pertains to a back support.
Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of
operation
are substantially different from the present invention. Such devices fail to
provide a device that
can be easily operated through medical gloves and that provide a tool that can
be used on a wider
array of hemorrhoidal tissue. At least one embodiment of this invention is
presented in the
drawings below and will be described in more detail herein.
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SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides for a device, comprising: a back member having
a front
surface, a rear surface, a left side and a right side; at least two raised
portions or protrusions said
at least two raised protrusion being fixed to the front surface of said back
member; and which
create a cavity between said at least two raised protrusions for receiving a
spinal column of an
individual; a first extension piece, attached to said left side of said back
member; a second
extension piece, attached to said right said of said back member; and a
mechanism for attaching
said first extension piece to said second extension piece. The at least two
raised portions or
protrusions can be comprised from any material selected from the group of
cushion, rubber,
foam, wool, feathers, hair, or paper.
The present invention is a device to help individuals suffering from acute or
chronic
lower back pain to perform their daily living activities such as sitting,
sleeping or driving without
or with less pain. The invention also allows individuals recovering from back
surgery or back
injury to recovery fast. It accomplishes it by the following: It protects the
incision site (stitches)
at the spine from been compressed and contact with any object during sitting
(chair or sofa) or
sleeping (mattress), driving or riding in a car; air can flow freely to the
surgical site, as a result
promote healing; the individual is able to sit or lie down in a back resting
position without
having pressure against the incision site. In another embodiment of the
invention, the cushion
pads may be carved lateral to the spine to accommodate rods or others device
placed in the back
during back surgery. This feature prevents the rods or devices from being
compressed during
sleeping/ sitting or driving which can be uncomfortable to the wearer. ln
addition, the device can
be continuing used for long period of time post- surgery in people who has to
return to work and
they perform desk work such as secretary or job as truck driver. It also
promotes good posture
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which in turn prevents future low back pain. The present invention's function
is to reduce or
eliminate pain by preventing the lumbar spine process and its peripheral
nerves from being
touched or compressed by any object during sitting, sleeping, or driving. The
device
accomplishes this by helping the erector spinae muscles to support the spine
process to be in
proper alignment, and by preventing the spine from touch any object that has
potential to
compress it, and stimulate pain. Another feature of the device is that the
front embodiment
spandex fabric gently compresses the abdominal cavity, and intra- abdominal
pressure is
increased, and as a result the lumbar is supported and corrected. This
mechanism relief pain and
promote proper posture. Moreover, it can be used comfortable 24/7 hours week
discreet under
the wearer garment. The inside back part is enclosed by an envelope case
appropriate designed
for female, male and pregnant woman. In addition, the Low Back Pain solution
device has a tail
end piece that fits well inside the user's underwear, and it is hidden well
that only the individual
knows that she/he is wearing it. as a result it ease the user's pain, without
feeling embarrassed to
use it. In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the
following, and other not
mentioned, benefits and objectives.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for relieving back
support.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for removing
pressure from a
user's lumbar.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that supports the
erector spinae
muscles.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for protecting
surgical incisions
along the spine.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a right side view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a left side view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a back member of an embodiment of the
present
invention.
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a right side view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 13 is a left side view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 14 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a back member of an alternative
embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the
present
invention.
FIG. 18 is a front view of another alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
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FIG. 19 is a rear view of another alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 20 is a right side view of another alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 21 is a left side view of another alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 22 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 23 is a bottom view of another alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a back member of another alternative
embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 25a is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention while in
use.
FIG. 25b is a perspective view of an embodiment illustrating the rear cushion
pads of the
present invention.
FIG. 26 is a right side view of an embodiment of the present invention while
in use.
FIG. 27 is a right side view of an embodiment of the present invention while
in use by a
male who is sitting.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 29a is a perspective view of the cushion pads of the present invention.
FIG. 29b is a sectional side view of the cushion pads of the present invention
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with
reference
to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with
the same reference
numerals.
Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present
invention. Such
embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which
is not intended
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to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may
appreciate upon reading the
present specification and viewing the present drawings that various
modifications and variations
can be made thereto.
Low Back Pain solution device features two main components: the outside
envelope and
the back section. These components can be constructed from, by non-limiting
example ethyl
vinyl acetate (EVA) or nitrile butadiene rubber foam. In one embodiment, the
back section is a
single piece shaped similarly to a human buttocks. In a preferred embodiment,
the back section
features two cushion pads, as well as a cavity. Preferably, this cavity will
be 6 centimeters wide.
The purpose of this cavity is to protect the spinal column and peripheral
nerves from being
touched or compressed by any object. Objects that can frequently cause such
touching or
compression include chairs, sofas, beds or car seats. This function also
prevents pressure against
incision site of post-spine surgery individual or individual with injured
back. It allows the
individual to perform daily activities such as sleeping, sitting or driving.
Further, any spinal incision is protected from being touched by any object
during the
above activities, which makes a user's healing process fast and effective. In
turn, this makes the
recovery period shorter. Another significant feature of this device is the two
soft yet firm
cushioned pads. Preferably, these pads have rectangular base with a rounded
top, however, this
does not mean that other shapes would not be suitable. This rounded top lies
on the erector
spinae muscles allowing the spine process and its nerves to be free from
contact due to any
object. In a preferred embodiment, these pads are aligned parallel to a user's
lower spine
processes and erector spinae musculature. These pads hold the muscles in place
to support the
spine; allowing good blood flow to the area, and it prevents the muscles to
fatigue, which also
promotes healing.
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The present invention also facilitates the correction of curvature and
extension of a user's
spine. This facilitation results in easing a user's back pain while helping
them maintain proper
posture. Additionally, the outside part has the purpose to enclose the back
piece, as well it front
is made of spandex material that helps support the abdominal muscles, a result
promote proper
posture and support the spine. In yet another preferred embodiment, the cavity
has preferred
dimensions of 7cm wide while being and 2.5cm deep, having a layer of 2.4mm
sheet of EVA and
NBR foam. In one embodiment, the back section is enclosed by a comfortable non-
spandex and
washable fabric, but this should not be construed as the invention being
limited to these fabrics.
In another embodiment, the present invention is equipped with a flap for
providing
privacy shaped to fit well under or over the wearer's underwear to keep the
device secure in
place. The present invention also includes two pieces of extension fabrics to
provide a gently
firm compression in the abdominal muscles to better fit and promote good
posture.
Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an embodiment of the present invention is detailed.
Specifically,
FIG. 1 shows back member 103, cushions 101, cavity 102, first and second
extensions fabrics
104, and mechanism for attaching 105. In the depicted embodiment, the
mechanism for attaching
is one strap equipped with hoop fasteners and two straps equipped with loop
fasteners. FIG. 8
depicts the back member.
Referring to FIGS. 9-15, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is
shown.
This embodiment is substantially similar to the one depicted in FIGS. 1-7,
however, the
mechanism for attaching 105 is different. This embodiment is provided to show
that a number of
different mechanisms for attaching are contemplated by the present disclosure.
It should be noted
that the back member of FIG. 15 is identical to the back member of FIG. 8.
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Referring to FIGS. 16-24, yet another alternative embodiment of the present
invention is
provided. FIG. 15 shows back member 103, cushions 101, cavity 102, and
mechanism for
attaching 105. Here, mechanism for attaching 105 takes the form of a plurality
of elastic straps
equipped with complimentary hook and loop fasteners. The embodiment of FIG. 15
is provided
to show that the first and second extension fabrics located in the other
depicted embodiments are
optional. It should be noted that the back member of FIG. 24 is identical to
the back members of
FIGS. 8 and 16.
Referring to FIGS. 25a-27, various views of an embodiment of the present
invention are
provided. These views are provided to illustrate where the present invention
is placed on a user
.. while in use. Specifically, FIGS. 25a-27 highlight that a user's spine is
positioned in the cavity of
the present invention. This provide significant benefits to the user in that
the position of the spine
is secured and any incision that might exist along a user's spine will not be
aggravated by the use
of the present invention.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 28, the
invention may be
.. adapted and configured to protect the user's lower spine and the user's
spine at the rear and base
of the neck. In this alternative embodiment, the invention may be unfolded
into three separate
pieces and placed over or attached to the back spine of a chair or seat where
the user's lower
spine may fit into the channel or cavity created by the protruding pads. In
addition, the upper
spine on the neck portion of a user may rest on the upper portion of the
invention. In another
.. embodiment of this invention, the full length of a user's spine is
supported. In another
embodiment, the channel where the user's spine is supported spans the entire
length of the
invention such that the user's entire spine fits into the cavity or channel of
the apparatus. In
another embodiment, the apparatus may be in one piece or be folded into 2 or
more components.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the cushion pads can also be
carved
lateral to the spine to accommodate the rods or others devices placed in a
user's back during
surgery (as show in FIG. 29a and FIG. 29b). This feature prevents the rods or
devices
from being compressed during sleeping/ sitting or driving, which can be
uncomfortable to the
user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the invention may be
adapted and
configured to support other bones of the body, including but not limited to
supporting the bones
of the arms and legs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the pads
that create the
channel or cavity where the user's spine fits into may be a unitary component.
In another
embodiment, the present invention may be worn as an outer garment such as a
corset. In another
embodiment, the present invention may be completely waterproof. In another
embodiment, the
interior pads may be removable, adjustable and detachable. In another
embodiment of the
invention, a user may insert the pads into the device and the pads are
customizable and may be
placed to fit any user's spine or measurements. In another embodiment, the
pads can be of any
material and of various thicknesses to confirm to a user's body. In another
embodiment, the
present invention may contain heating or cooling pads within the pads or
within the channel or
cavity.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s)
thereof, the
articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more
of the elements.
Similarly, the adjective "another," when used to introduce an element, is
intended to mean one or
more elements. The terms "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive
such that there
may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
While the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by
those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for
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elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In
addition, many
modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a
particular instrument,
situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing
from the spirit thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular
embodiments
disclosed.
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