WO2010145767A1

WO2010145767A1 - Support device

Info

Publication number: WO2010145767A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/003404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger Reinhardt; Anke Lehmann
Original assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-06-18
Filing date: 2010-06-07
Publication date: 2010-12-23
Also published as: DE102009029804B4; DE102009029804A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device for the lumbar region, having an elongated, flat base body (2), the ends thereof being connectable to each other, a center stabilizer (3) acting against deformation of the base body (2) perpendicular to the elongation in the plane of the base body (2), two contraction regions (23, 24) disposed on both sides of the center stabilizer (3) and having a front and a rear edge (231, 232; 241, 242), at least one traction mechanism (43, 44) on both sides of the center stabilizer (3) fixed at the ends (431, 432, 441, 442) thereof to the side of the contraction region (23, 24) facing toward or away from the center stabilizer (3), and a tension belt (63, 64) coupled to the traction mechanism (43, 44) and comprising a fastening device for fixing to the base body (2), wherein the traction mechanism (43, 44) is guided between the edges (231, 232, 241, 242) of the contraction region (23, 24) in deflection elements (531, 532, 541, 542), such that the deflection elements (531, 532, 541, 542) are fastened to the base body (2) at opposite edges (231, 232, 241, 242) of the contraction region (23, 24), so that the traction mechanism (43, 44) is guided in a zigzag manner, and that the tension belt (63, 64) is coupled to the traction mechanism (43, 44), wherein an end (631, 641) of the tension belt (63, 64) is fastened to the base body (2) and the other end comprises the fastening device (632, 642).

Description

support means

The invention relates to a support device for the lumbar region with an elongated, flat base body, the ends of which are connected to each other, a Mittelstabilisator, which counteracts a deformation of the body perpendicular to the longitudinal extent in the plane of the body, two contraction regions, which are arranged on both sides of the central stabilizer and have a front and a rear edge, in each case at least one traction means on both sides of the Mittelstabilisators, which is fixed with its ends to the center stabilizer facing and / or opposite side of the contraction region, and a tension belt which is coupled to the traction means and a fixing device for fixing has on the base body. Such a support device is to be used in particular for use in the case of impairments in the area of the lumbar spine.

DE 20 2005 007 124 U1 describes an orthosis for relieving and supporting the spinal column with a belt system having an adjustment section of adjustable length arranged in the back region and a support pelotte arranged with a back region. The Stützpelotte is connected on both sides of the adjustment section with the belt system, wherein at least on one side of a fixedly connected to the belt system fastener is provided, which is connected to the Stützpelotte guided relatively displaceable. An adaptation of the circumferentially applied pressure is carried out by an adjustment handle with adjustment bands. The fixing of the adjusting handle on the belt system is preferably carried out by means of a hook-and-loop fastener, by means of which the adjusting handle is fixed on the outside of the belt system.

US Re.35, 940 describes a back brace with electromechanical means for tensioning the brace around the trunk of a patient. The electromechanical adjustment means may be controlled by the patient to make predetermined adjustments to the magnitude of the voltage. A pulley system allows for tensioning over a relatively small engine. A microprocessor unit controls the motor to repeatably achieve the desired settings.

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE US 4,794,916 describes a lumbar support, which consists of two flat sections. The front ends of the sections can be connected to each other via a buckle, the rear ends are coupled to each other via a belt system whose ends are fixedly connected to the rear ends of the sections. By means of a tension belt, the rear ends of the sections can be moved towards each other in order to increase the supporting force exerted on the spinal column.

No. 5,853,378 describes a lumbar sacral orthosis having a flexible back region and a flexible front region, which are coupled to one another via laterally arranged tension straps. The straps can be fastened via Velcro straps on the front. Depending on the arrangement of the straps results in an increased or reduced compression at the upper and lower ends.

US 6,322,529 Bl describes a protective belt with Velcro straps at the front ends. Connecting plates can be fixed by pins on the straps. The tension between the belt sections can be adjusted by means of a pull handle which can be fixed to the outside of the belt. A drawstring is guided crosswise in eyelets. A similar construction is described in US 7,118,543 B2.

WO 2006/119827 A1 describes a support corset with a two-part main body of a solid band and a plurality of cords, which are defined crossing the band. After applying the band, the crossing cords are tightened to increase tension on the lumbar area. The determination of the cords via tabs, at the ends of Velcro fasteners are formed.

US 5,634,891 describes a spinal orthosis having vertically spaced bands that overlap at the forward end of the brace to tension the brace. The bands are at one end at lateral edges of a

Attached to the frontal section and extending rearward through metal rings, the the lateral edges of a rear portion of the orthosis are arranged. The bands are then deflected forward and run together in a common ring.

The DE 198 55 923 B4 describes a bandage for body parts, which is contractible in an overlap region by two on the bandage with its one end of fastened in symmetrical arrangement straps whose respective other end as Zugende to the bandage is tightly fixed. On both sides of the overlap region, a contraction region consisting of elastic material follows. Each tension band is reciprocated by two deflection rings, which are fastened at a distance from one another with the inclusion of a contraction region on the bandage such that tensile forces which are exerted on the mutually aligned tensile ends of the tension bands, in the manner of a pulley, the contraction regions Contract shortening of the bandage.

Based on this prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a support means with which a high compression effect can be provided with a small force and in which an auto-adaptive adjustment of the support device takes place in a body change.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a support device with the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are listed in the subclaims.

The support device according to the invention for the lumbar region with an elongated, flat base body, the ends of which are connected to each other, a center stabilizer, which counteracts a deformation of the body perpendicular to the longitudinal extent in the plane of the body, two contraction regions, which are arranged on both sides of the central stabilizer and a vorem and a rear edge, in each case at least one traction means on both sides of the central stabilizer, with its ends on the central stabilizer facing and / or opposite side of the contraction region is fixed, and a tension belt which is coupled to the traction means and having a fastening device for fixing to the base body, provides that the traction means is guided between the edges of the contraction region in deflecting elements, that the deflection elements are fixed on opposite sides of the contraction region on the base body, so that the traction means is guided in a zigzag manner and that the tension belt is coupled to the traction means, one end of the tension belt is fixed to the base body and the other end has the fastening means. The traction means guided in deflecting elements between the edges of the contraction region make it possible to apply high compressive forces due to the bottle-pull-like design, without the user of the support device having to expend high forces. Often people with back pain have only low power in the upper extremities, so that it is favorable to reduce the force to be applied via a pulley-like arrangement of the traction means, without the possibility of a sufficiently strong compression is given up. By arranged on both sides of the stabilizing element contraction areas a symmetrical application of tensile forces on the edges of the compression regions is possible, whereby a uniform pressurization in the lumbar region of a once applied support means is ensured. Due to the fact that the deflection elements are fixed on opposite edges of the contraction region on the base body, so that the traction means are guided in a zigzag, it is possible that an adaptation of the shape of the support means in the contraction region, when the user of the support means moves or the body changes. The arrangement of one end of the tensioning belt on the base body, while the other end has the fastening device, allows an additional deflection and thus an additional cylinder pull effect, the determination of one end of the tensioning belt on the base body allows a firm assignment of the tension belt. In addition, a symmetrical force application is possible by the two-sided arrangement of the tension straps, so that the spine is always loaded on both sides. The deflecting elements can be designed as flat eyelets, hooks or tabs, so that the support device can be carried inconspicuously even underneath the clothing.

The fastening device for the tensioning belt or for the tensioning straps are preferably designed as a Velcro fastener in order to be able to determine the tensioning belt at a large number of points. As a result, an individual adaptability of the support device is ensured.

The contraction regions may have reinforcing elements at their front edges, ie those edges which face the ends of the open base body, which counteract a deformation of the base body perpendicular to the longitudinal extent in the plane of the base body. Thus, the contraction areas are located between the reinforcing elements at the front edges and the centrally located center stabilizer, on either side of the center stabilizer. The front reinforcing elements prevent that due to the force components perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the base body and the zigzag-like guidance of the traction means of the main body is contracted. Rather, due to the reinforcing elements, the assignments of, for example, the deflecting elements to each other are retained, as is the overall shape of the supporting device in the lumbar region.

The traction means may be formed as a flat belt, on the one hand to transmit high tensile forces and on the other hand, the entire support means as flat as possible, so that they can be worn under garments.

A variant of the invention provides that the traction means is fixed at one end to the rear edge and the other end to the front edge of the contraction region. The rear edge, ie the area that the

Medium stabilizer is assigned, either the upper or lower end of the Take traction means, the front edge of the corresponding other end. This makes it possible to perform a gradation of the applied force or a force distribution between the upper end and the lower end. Due to the lower number of deflections at that end, in which the Zugmittelende is attached to the front edge, followed by a change in the lower end force application. In principle, however, it is also possible to provide both ends of the traction means either at the front or at the rear edge to provide a substantially symmetrical force distribution in the longitudinal direction of the center stabilizer.

The main body may consist of a flexible, inelastic material and is preferably continuous, flat. The design of the base body of a flexible, but inelastic material has the advantage that the entire support means consists of the same material, which is easy to work with. Instead of a combination of elastic and inelastic materials, it is envisaged to form the base body of only flexible material.

The strap may be coupled via a Spanngurtumlenkelement to the traction means to allow by a simple deflection of the tension belt force reinforcement and beyond the ends of the tension belt easy and easy to fix in front of the body to the body.

The Spanngurtumlenkelement can be arranged in the region between two deflecting elements, which are arranged directly above one another at the rear edge of the contraction region to form the front deflecting element for the traction means. The Spanngurtumlenkelement is preferably formed as an eyelet or a ring which is slidably disposed on the traction means and the tension belt, whereby an easy adjustability and adjustability of both the tension straps and deflection position of the traction means can be achieved. The deflecting elements can be fixed by means of tabs on the base body in order to achieve a certain flexibility in the arrangement of the deflecting elements. A Variant of the invention provides that at least a part of the deflecting elements is fixed elastically displaceable on the base body in order to form a certain elasticity and flexibility for the support means. Due to the elastic mounting of the deflecting elements, it is possible for the front and rear edges of the contraction region to displace relative to one another during a movement of the user of the support device and to be acted upon by an elastic restoring force.

Preferably, the contraction regions are arranged symmetrically to the center stabilizer to form a uniform compressive force on the lumbar region.

In order to achieve increased elasticity and flexibility, a part of the traction means can be designed to be elastic, for example in the region of the fixation at the edges of the contraction region. The longer the traction means is elastic, the greater the range of motion.

Preferably, the deflecting elements are arranged perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent offset from one another on the base body, so that the lower, front deflecting element is arranged directly below the lower rear deflecting element. As a result, it is possible for the front edge and the rear edge of the contraction regions to approach each other almost completely when the deflecting elements are arranged one above the other in almost a line. Without the height offset the opposing deflecting elements would block.

The deflecting elements can be arranged pivotably on the base body and orientable in the main force direction, in order to achieve the greatest possible load on the deflecting elements, in that the deflecting elements can orient themselves in such a way that the traction means abut against them as completely as possible. Orientability in the main force direction is achieved by a movable, optionally articulated mounting on the body.

A development of the invention provides that the contraction areas are part of

Base body and the main body has a continuous, planar shape. The contraction regions may be integrally formed with the base body, it is also possible that the contraction regions, which preferably also consists of flexible, inelastic material attached to parts of the body, in particular sewn, thereby achieving a flat body.

The reinforcing elements and the center stabilizer can be arranged in pockets on the base body.

A variant of the invention provides that mutually opposite ends of the traction means are guided crosswise overlapping each other and fixed on opposite sides of the Mittelstabilisators. The upper end of the right pulling means may be fixed to the rear edge of the contraction region, while the upper end of the left pulling means is located at the rear edge of the right contraction region. The ends are preferably arranged at the same height at the respective rear edges, so that forcibly results in a crosswise overlap.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Like reference numerals in the figures indicate like components. Show it:

Figure 1 - a plan view of a support device in the extended state;

Figure 2 - a schematic view of the support device according to Figure 1 in the closed state;

Figure 3 - a variant of the invention in plan view in expanded condition;

Figure 4 - a support device according to Figure 3 in the closed state; such as

FIG. 5 shows a variant of the support device according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a support device 1 for the lumbar region of a patient in an extended position. In FIG. 1, the outside of the support device 1 is shown, the inside is substantially smooth and closed and has a flexible, optionally skin-friendly and breathable upholstery.

The support device 1 has a base body 2, which is formed substantially symmetrically folding. In the middle of a center stabilizer 3 is arranged. The center stabilizer 3 prevents the widest point of the support device 1, which lies in the middle of the base body 2, from folding over when the support device 1 is applied. Of the center stabilizer 3, the contour of the base body 2 is curved sloping to the outer ends of the base body 2 or curved rising from the lower end of the central stabilizer. 3

Laterally, on both sides next to the center stabilizer 3, contraction areas 23, 24 are arranged, which have a rear, the medium stabilizer facing edge 232, 242 and a front, the open ends of the base body 2 facing edge

241, 231. The contraction regions 23, 24 serve to adjust the circumference of an applied support device 1, in particular to shorten, by the front and rear edges 231, 241, 232, 242 are moved towards them. For this purpose, traction means 43, 44 are provided, which are fastened in the illustrated embodiment with their upper ends 431, 441 to the front edge 231, 241. With its lower end 432, 442, the traction means 43, 44 are attached to the rear edge 232, 242. The traction means are, starting from the lower end 432, 442, guided in a zigzag-like guide between the front edge 231, 241 and the rear edge 232, 242 of the contraction regions 23, 24. The guide takes place in deflection elements 531, 532, 541, 542, which at the front and rear edges 241,

242, 231, 232 of the contraction regions 23, 24 are arranged. From the attachment point of the lower end 432 of the left traction means 43, the traction means 43 extends obliquely upwards to the first deflecting element 531 at the front edge 231 of the left contraction region 23. The deflecting element 531 is designed as an eye with a substantially rectangular cross section, so that the band-like traction means 43 rests over its entire surface on a longitudinal strut. From the first deflecting element 531, the traction means 43 is guided obliquely upward in the direction of a second deflecting element 532, which is arranged on the rear edge 223 of the contraction region 23. The second deflecting element 532 is located above the first deflecting element 531. The tensioning element 43 is guided by the second deflecting element 532 to a tensioning belt deflecting element 73, which is likewise designed as an eyelet, analogous to the deflecting elements 531, 532 is mounted displaceably on a tension belt 63, there is also a zigzag-like guidance of the belt-like traction means 43rd

Of the Spanngurtumlenkelement 73, which is positioned in the position shown in front of the front edge 231, the traction means 43 is guided to a further, rear deflecting element 532, from there to the upper attachment point at the front edge 231. By the described guidance of the traction means 43 results in a zigzag, flat pulley structure, which is a very flat realization of Supporting device 1 allows.

The tension belt 63 is also zigzag-like, partially overlapping. The one, first end 631 is attached to the front end of the base body 2. From there, the tension belt 63 is guided by the cantilever Spanngurtumlenkelement 73 and then with the free end 632 at an attachment point 21 at the outer end of the

Support device 1 set. The determination of the free end 632 at the

Attachment point 21 can via a hook / Velcro closure, a so-called

Velcro, to be realized. For this purpose, the attachment point 21 is formed over its entire surface as a fleece area, while the free end 632 has an area with hooks.

The structure of the left side of the support device 1 has been described above, mirror-symmetrical to the center stabilizer 2, the right side is constructed.

Reinforcing elements 25, 26, 27, 28 may be arranged at the ends of the contraction region in order to prevent compression of the main body 2 due to the force components acting perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the support device 1 via the traction means 43, 44. Thereby, it is possible to maintain the basic structure of the support portion formed around the center stabilizer 3. The main body 2 itself is flexible, but inelastic, the compression effect is achieved by the application of the support means 1 to the torso and the tensioning of the traction means 43, 44 via the tension straps 63, 64. The closing of the support belt 1 via the attachment portions 21, 22, preferably also via a Velcro closure device. Other closure devices are also possible and provided.

In the figure 2, the closed support means 1 is shown, wherein the right half of the support means 1 is shown. It can easily be seen that two deflection elements 541, 542 are arranged underneath the tension belt deflection element 74, while only one deflection element 542 is disposed above the tension belt deflection element 74 is arranged. The deflecting elements 541, 542 are movably arranged, at least pivotably, at the ends 241, 242 of the contraction region 24 via tabs 551, 552, which are optionally elastic. The design as tabs, it is possible that the eyelets 541, 542 adapt to the force curve, which is determined by the traction means 44, to a certain extent. In an elastic embodiment of the tabs 551, 552 a certain flexibility is given even after applied and fixed strap 64. In principle, it is also possible that a certain elasticity of either the traction means 44 or the tension belt 64 is given, if desired. The Spanngurtumlenkelement 74 is freely slidably mounted both on the traction means 44 and on the tension belt 64.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the support device 1 according to FIG. 1, in which the basic structure corresponds to that of FIG. However, instead of providing a total of three deflection elements 531, 532, 541, 542, a total of five deflection elements 531, 532, 541, 542 are provided in the variant according to FIG. 3, of which three are arranged below and two above the positioning of the tension belt deflection elements 73, 74. This results in a greater force amplification effect and a denser application of tensile forces. The pulley effect is increased by the two other deflections. Again, the arrangement of the upper ends 431, 441 is not on the same side as the arrangement of the lower ends 432, 442. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower end 432, 442 disposed on the front edge 231, 241, while the upper end 431 , 432 is disposed on the rear edge 242, 232. In principle, it is also possible to turn over the support device 1, so that the side with the larger number of deflection elements 531, 532, 541, 542 above the Spanngurtumlenkelemente 73, 74 is arranged. The application depends on where a greater degree of stability of the support device 1 is desired.

In the figure 4, the modified Zugmittelführung can be seen. It can also be seen that the arrangement of the deflection elements 541, 542 offset in height from each other is also maintained. This makes it possible for the Fully exploit contraction region 24 and pull it together until the flat deflecting elements 541, 542 lie in a line on top of each other.

A further variant is shown in FIG. 5, in which an arrangement of the deflecting elements is provided similar to that in FIG. 3, but with the larger number of deflecting elements 531, 532, 541, 542 above the tensioning belt deflecting elements 73, 74. The upper ends 431, 441 of the traction means 43, 44 are arranged crossing each other on the opposite, ie opposite side of the center stabilizer 3, the upper end 431 of the left traction means 43 is thus arranged on the side of the rear edge 242 of the contraction region, the upper end 441 of the right traction means 44 is set at the rear edge 232 of the contraction region. Such an arrangement can also take place at the lower end of the traction means 43, 44.

The medium stabilizer 43 may be designed to be elastic to a certain extent, for example made of plastic, also an inelastic design is provided, for example by inserting a pad or the like.

Claims

claims

1. Support device for the lumbar region with an elongated, flat base body (2), whose ends are connected to each other connectable, a center stabilizer (3), the deformation of the base body (2) perpendicular to

Counteracts longitudinal extension in the plane of the base body (2), two contraction regions (23, 24) which are arranged on both sides of the central stabilizer (3) and have a front and a rear edge (231, 232; 241, 242), in each case at least one traction means (43, 44) on both sides of the central stabilizer (3), which with its ends (431, 432, 441, 442) at the

Mittelstabilisator (3) facing and / or opposite side of the contraction region (23, 24) is fixed, and a tension belt (63, 64) which is coupled to the traction means (43, 44) and a fastening device for fixing to the base body (2 ), characterized in that the traction means (43, 44) between the edges (231, 232, 241, 242) of the

Contraction region (23, 24) in deflection elements (531, 532, 541, 542) is guided, that the deflection elements (531, 532, 541, 542) on opposite edges (231, 232, 241, 242) of the contraction region (23, 24 ) are fixed to the base body (2), so that the traction means (43, 44) is guided in a zigzag manner, and that the tensioning belt (63, 64) is coupled to the traction means (43, 44), one end

(631, 641) of the tension belt (63, 64) on the base body (2) is fixed and the other end of the fastening means (632, 642).

2. Support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflecting elements (531, 532, 541, 542) are designed as flat eyelets, hooks or tabs.

3. Support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening means (632, 642), is designed as a hook and loop fastener.

4. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the contraction regions (23, 24) have at their front edges (231, 241) reinforcing elements (25, 26) which counteract a deformation of the base body (2) perpendicular to the longitudinal extent in the plane of the base body (2).

5. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traction means (43, 44) is formed as a flat belt.

6. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traction means (43, 44) with its one end (432, 442) on the rear edge (232, 242) and with its other end (431, 441) on the front edge (231, 241) of the contraction region (23, 24) is fixed.

7. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) made of a flexible, non-elastic

Material exists.

8. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning belt (63, 64) via a Spanngurtumlenkelement (73, 74) to the traction means (43, 44) is coupled.

9. Support device according to claim 8, characterized in that the Spanngurtumlenkelement (73, 74) in the region between two deflecting elements (532, 542) is arranged at the rear edge (232, 242) of the contraction region (23, 24) directly above one another are arranged.

10. Support device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the Spanngurtumlenkelement (73, 74) slidably on the traction means (43, 44) and the tension belt (63, 64) is arranged.

1 1. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflecting elements (531, 532, 541, 542) are fixed on the base body (2) via tabs.

12. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the deflecting elements (531, 532, 541, 542) is fixed elastically displaceable on the base body (2).

13. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contraction regions (23, 24) are arranged symmetrically to the central stabilizer (3).

14. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the traction means (43, 44) is designed to be elastic.

15. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflecting elements (531, 532, 541, 542) are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal extent offset from each other on the base body (2).

16. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection elements (531, 532, 541, 542) pivotally mounted on the base body (2) and are orientable in the main force direction.

17. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contraction regions (23, 24) are part of the base body (2) and the base body (2) has a continuous, planar shape.

18. Support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that opposite ends (431, 441) of the traction means (43, 44) are guided crosswise overlapping each other and at opposite

Side of the central stabilizer (3) are fixed.