GB2482309A

GB2482309A - Lumbar flexion belt

Info

Publication number: GB2482309A
Application number: GB1012623.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Singleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-28
Filing date: 2010-07-28
Publication date: 2012-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-28
Also published as: GB201012623D0; GB2482309B

Abstract

A belt to promote lumbar flexion has a lumbar pocket 2 that can stretch in the direction parallel to the spine of the wearer but not in the longitudinal direction of the belt. Lateral extensions 3 are attached to the pocket at its selvedge 10 and may stretch longitudinally. They can include boning 8 of reinforced stitched seams or flexible plastic or steel. Fixing straps may extend from one end of the belt and attach to a fixing panel 1 at the other end, by hook and loop fastening or a buckle. A fulcrum strap 7 can be incorporated to apply pressure to the lumbo sacral joint. D rings 9 or other attachment points may be mounted on the belt and a lumbar pad containing boning, preferably of a V shape, may be inserted into the pocket to promote flexion of the higher lumbar vertebrae.

Description

Lumbar Flexion Belt.

This present invention relates to a lumbar flexion belt which is used in the relief of chronic idiopathic low back pain and is also seen as a diagnostic aid.

Chronic low back pain is one of the most common and costly burden sufferers have to contend with, some 700,000 consultations take place in the UK each year. Recent research now reveals that chronic pain, the result of nerve compression produces a cognitive deficit to the brain, despite the use of analgesics and of all kinds positive exercise.

Compression of the nerve can be relieved and the cognitive deficit avoided conservatively by the use of sustained lumbar flexion with the aid of a lumbar flex ion belt used in a reclined or supine position.

Prior art.

Previous inventors have taken a different approach's to backache, by providing suppprt belts and corsets of various design, in particular and more recently Lionel Anquetil US Mr Anquetil teaches a lumbar support belt which "holds the patient in appropriate position" in "an hour glass shape when worn" and "the tight hour-glass configuration".

This concept constricts the torso in its entirety and seeks to maintain the lordosis of the lumbar spine, It contrasts entirely with the proposed Lumbar Flexion belt which as the title suggests seeks to provide flexibility as a means of pain relief.

"The two essential aspects of the Anquitil belt namely the V' boning arrangement of the boning elements which converge towards the patients lumbosacral joint and the tight hour-glass configuration" Both these aspects are each dependant on the constriction of the torso which may be uncomfortably tight, and have an undesirable effect at the lumbosacral joint.

There is no independently controlled pressure to the lumbosacral joint without compromising the tightness or support of the belt as there is on the Lumbar Flexion Belt In this manner the purpose of the Anquitial belt differs completely in concept and construction with that of the Lumbar Flexion Belt.

The Anquitil belt is directed primarily to patient comfort and reducing pressure on the abdomen when in a sitting position, This belt is not designed or conducive to the beneficial flattening of the lumbar spine, nor is it implied that it should be. 2.

Discription.

Research in to loads in the lumbar spine has revealed a natural intrinsic load, the result of flexion of the Spine via pelvic tilt and leg movement, whilst in a supine or recumbent position.

This natural intrinsic load can be used to relieve pressure on compressed nerves when applied by a specific lumbar flexion belt of the type to be described by way of example.

A lumbar fiexion belt maybe constructed preferably from a strip of cotton and elastic textile material (1) such material having particularly a longitudinal warp stretch An essential characteristic of the lumbar flexion belt is a lumbar envelope or pocket (2) which pocket has transverse stretch to that of the warp stretch of the lateral extensions which make up the belt length, and which are secured to the selvage edge(10) of the pocket (2) the pocket being purposely without wefi stretch and consequently only extendable along and in line with the spine, thus providing potential convexity in an area of lesser transverse resistance to that of the lateral extensions (3) or torso surrounding belt material The absence of wefl stretch in the back pocket provides resistance against which the belts lateral extensions (3) stretch and are secured anterolaterally around the torso to fasten by hook and loop (4) method in the abdominal area.

A further characteristic is a resilient lumbar pad (5)for insertion into the lumbar pocket (2) containing boning (6)which boning can further defme the area of the convexity, one embodiment being of a V' shape configuration, but not restricted to any particular shape, parallel or U' shapes are some alternatives.

The convexity may extend the full depth of the belt from the lumbosacral joint area to the top edge of the belt, the lumbar sacral joint being contained by external pressure to extend the natural intrinsic load to higher vertebra, this is assisted and stability enhanced by at least one fulcrum strap (7) applied outside and over the lumbar pad insert and the said joint and tightened to the wearers comfort the lumbar pad insert (5)may be of fibre or foam of such like resilient material The said envelope or pocket (2)having at least the outer material of transverse elasticised orientation and this being a flexion belt boning is influenced by the need to prevent rucking or riding up of the belt, reinforced stitched material seams (8) are preferred, that is not to say that flexible steel or plastic boning may not be used on the belt within appropriate covering.

Tension line securing points of D ring (9) or sliding bar buckle type are sited in the lumbar and abdominal area to effect sustained lumbar flexion via mechanical means and on the domestic bed. 3.

Flexion in this situation will enlarge the foramina through which nerves pass thus reducing pressure on the inflamed or painful nerve.

The lumbar flexion belt need not be removed during toilet and may be considered for day 05. and night wear, the reinforcement or boning configuration further acts as stabilisers to the spine if the user becomes peripatetic for toilet need.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein by way of none-limiting example which may also have abdominal transverse panels and consequent convexity but may encompass all embodiments thereof 4.