US369803A - Joel mcoombee - Google Patents

Description

J. MQGOMBER. SPINAL DISTORTION APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

Paten'ted Se t. 13,1887.

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llNrTnn STATES PATENT Trice.

JOEL MCOOMBER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPINAL DISTORTION APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,803, dated September 13, 1887.

Application filed May 23, 1887. Serial No. 239,053. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOEL MOCOMBER, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spinal-Distortion Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the same.

This invention relates to that class of surgical appliances that are employed to reduce spinal curvature and to restore the spine, shoulders, and other affected parts of the body to their normal condition.

The present invention consists of a new and improved pressure-applying spring apparatus which, by its simplicity of structure and adjustability in application, is adapted to correct spinal curvature and accompanying or similar displacementsin the quickest and most effective manner.

I will now proceed to describe the special form of apparatus that I have chosen to illustrat'e my invention and explain how this particular form can be modified.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus as constructed and adjusted for use to reduce an outward curvature of the spine. Fig. 2 shows the same in side elevation as applied to the body of a man, the dotted lines representing the position of the parts before the apparatus is strapped down. Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the same; and Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the pelvic parts of the apparatus as they are while upon the perso'nthat is, this View represents what may be termed a section of a mans figure having the apparatus secured thereto, the section being taken just above the hips.

Referring to the views in detail, A and 13 represent two flat metallic back springs secured to a broad hip-spring, 0. These springs A and B are made of any suitable material, being preferably broader at their lower ends than at their top ends. They are secured to the hip spring 0 by any suitable means-as the rivets D-and may be adj ustably secured thereto so as to be variously positioned thereon, as required by the demands of different cases. This hip-spring is constructed of thin sheet metal, and is curved so as to partially approximate to the form of the back of a wearer. It is also bent over at its upper end corners, E, so as to curve inwardly over the top of the hip-bones. The back-springs are crossed, as shown, and at their point of crossing are secured together by a screw, F, which is adapted to be removed, if required to change or adjust this point of crossing, either in a vertical orlateral direction. A pad, G, may

be attached at this point to bear directly upon the part to be treated and to cushion the springs. The top of the back -springs are Irepresents abroad abdominal belt attached to the ends of the hipspring. This belt may be in two parts, as shown, or in one part, and is provided with buckles or other suitable fastening devices for securing the belt around the person.

J are button-loops by which the trousers of the wearer may be supported; or these loops may be otherwise arranged to support any other article of wear.

Fig. 2 shows an outward spinal curvature or protrusion and how the apparatus is applied thereto to reduce the same. The arms are passed through the loops formed by the back springs and the shoulder -straps, the backsprings passing just over the outer ends of the shoulders, as seen in Fig. 3. The lower part of the apparatus will new spring from the body, about as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The abdominal belt will now be secured around the person and the backsprings will thereby be bent inwardlynvhile the broad hip-spring will be bent to a form substantially that ofthe person, thereby causingthe back-springs to bear with an elastic lever-like action upon the protruding part as a fulcrum. By these means an elastic or yielding leverage pressure is eX- erted upon the protuberant portion ofthe spine, that can be made to act by adjustment with more orless force, as the case may require. At

the same time it will be observed that the upper portion of the trunk is free to move, being unconfined or Wrapped in with bandages or straps. Also, the shoulders, which in this kind of troubles are always bent forward, are subjected to a leverage pressure constantly acting to throw them back, and,if deflected, to

lift them into position and thereby expand" and round out the shrunken chest or lung portions of the body; and, furthermore, the abdomen, which also protrudes, is subjected to a gentle and sustaining compression, which lifts its contents and relieves the walls thereof from undue strain, thus permitting the muscles to contract and regain their normal place and tone.

In thislatter connection it is to be specially noted that the broad hipspring sustains an important function. Usually in similar apparatus for this kind of treatment it is the practice'to employ bands or belts surrounding the waist and located above the hip; but these really tend to still further extend the abdominal protrusion,as they bind in the muscles of the Waist and by compression at that place press down and displace the pelvic contents.

v The waist should be absolutely unrestricted in treating this class of distortion cases, so that the displaced pelvic contents can be raised to their natural position in the trunk. This is accomplished by my apparatus, the broad abdominal belt being low enough to sustain and lift the pelvic contents, and-there being no constriction at the waist to prevent their return to their natural position. To this end the hip-spring is shaped as described and passes around to or near the front of the hip-bones, Fig. 2, so that the compression applied to the walls of the abdomen is not exerted upon the hips, and leaves them free to move unrestrained in any direction, Fig. 4. The compression applied to the abdominal parts, therefore, is exerted only on the soft yielding walls thereof, and not upon or so as to impede or confine the waist or hips. This hip-spring is admirably adapted also to reduce abdominal protrusion, whether accompanied by spinal distortion or not, in which case the back-springs may be used, (which, indeed, would be the best method,) or some other support therefor may be employed. It is also adapted to treating the special diseases of women, and generally all troubles of abdominal displacements or weakness.

In the case of other forms of curvature the back-springs would be adjusted to cross at a point more to one side of or above or below the place of crossing shown in Fig. 1, and the springs would be shortened or lengthened or made longer, one or both, as the position of the shoulders and the locality of the curvature might demand. So, too, for special cases other parts may be added to this structure; but this structure would, however, constitute the basic or essential part of such apparatus. Thus the hip -spring is particularly well adapted to serve as the foundation-support for crutch devices or mechanism for applying to either or both shoulders a lifting or elevating pressure, and other braces or sustainingparts may be added to the apparatus. to extend or localize its action; but in all such cases the apparatus here shown and its general operation would be but modified without changing the principle of the invention.

It will be obvious that the parts composing this apparatus may be and usually would be provided with some suitable textile or leather covering to protect the person of the wearer from cont-act with the metal parts.

What is claimed as new is- 1. In a spinal-distortion apparatus, the combination, with a hip-spring secured upon the back parts of the hips, of two back-springs attached to said hipspring and crossing each other over or adajcent the curvature and extending to and secured upon the shoulders.

2. In combination, the hip-spring G, bent as shown at E, to extend inwardly over the hip-bones and provided with the belt I, the back-springs A and B, the pad G, and the shoulders-straps H, combined substantially as set forth.

JOEL MOOOMBER.

Witnesses:

J ANDINE LYNG, ROBL; F. GAYLORD.

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