WO2013070253A1

WO2013070253A1 - Adjustable lumbar brace

Info

Publication number: WO2013070253A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/000418
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas T. Haider
Original assignee: Haider Thomas T
Priority date: 2011-11-07
Filing date: 2012-09-28
Publication date: 2013-05-16

Abstract

An adjustable lumbar brace includes a back plate adapted to be placed against a patient's back with left and right side panels slidably mounted thereon allowing the distal ends of the panels to be moved toward or away from each other, thereby lengthening or shortening the length of the panels extending forwardly of the back plate to accommodate different waist sizes when the proximal ends of the panels are secured together at the patient's front. A manually-operable-variable- position latch is coupled between each panel and the back plate allowing the panels to be secured at selected locations on the back plate. Preferably the latch is in the form of a rack formed in a slot in the distal section of each panel and a pinion gear mounted on the back plate and engaging the rack.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ADJUSTABLE LUMBAR BRACE TECHNICAL FELD

[0001] The present invention relates to lumbar braces and particularly to such braces that are readily adjustable providing the quality of "one size fits all," easy to install, and with a comfortable fit enabling a patient to wear the brace in compliance with a physician's orders.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0002] This application is based in part on my US provisional application number 61/628,815 (hereinafter the '815 appln.) filed November 7, 201 1 , the priority of which is claimed as well as the contents thereof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various types of spinal orthosis supports have been suggested in the past to address both injury and degenerative conditions to stabilize the lumbosacral area of the spine. Many such devices are disclosed in the patent art. For example, see US 7, 186,229, which discloses a corset-type arrangement with left and right belt-like panels extending from the user's back around the waist to be connected adjacent the user's abdominal area. A line, looped through a series of pulleys carried by the distal ends of the panels, allows a user or care provider to pull the distal ends of the panels toward each other and tighten the corset against the user's torso. The system is not only complicated but many different sizes are needed to

accommodate different torso sizes.

[0004] The same brace or a close cousin is advertised by cybertechmedical.com along with a product sizing table illustrating that some 7 different sizes that are necessary to accommodate a population of users, i.e., small (24"-30"), medium (30"- 35"), large (35"- 40"), X-large (40"- 45"), etc. While details may vary this multi-sized brace is probably the most popular brace on the market. The need to inventory so many different sizes is a major problem along with manufacturing issues inherent in this type of brace.

[0005] A variety of back braces are illustrated in the following patents and publications, i.e.; Re: 35,940, US 6,099,490, US 2010/0204630, US

201 1/0213284, US 6,755,799, US 7,364,558, US 5,632,724, US 5,776,087, US 2010/0262056, US 5,346,461 , US 6,962,572, US 7,727,172, US 2009/0192425, and US 2010/0204630.

[0006] There is a need for a lumbar brace which is relatively easy to manufacture, sturdy, user friendly and most importantly highly adjustable to provide the quality of "one size fits all," that is, will accommodate a large population of patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An adjustable lumbar brace, in accordance with the present invention, includes (1) a back plate adapted to be placed against the back of a patient and (2) left and right side panels arranged to wrap around the waist of the patient. The proximal ends of the side panels are designed to be connected at their proximal ends adjacent the patient's front, for example, via conventional straps to an abdominal support plate. The back plate defines an imaginary vertical reference line bisecting the plate..

[0008] The side panels (when assembled) are slidably mounted on the back plate with their distal ends thereof movable laterally toward and away from the reference line to adjust the portion of each side panel extending forwardly of the back plate to accommodate different waist sizes. A manually-operable-variable-position latch is individually coupled between each side panel and the back plate for releasably securing each side panel at a selected position on the back plate.

[0009] In a preferred mounting arrangement vertically spaced L-shaped extensions of the back plate, along with the underlying plate surface form (1) upper- downwardly-facing and (2) lower-upwardly-facing U-shaped guide support channels within which the top and bottom edges of the side panels are slidably inserted.

[0010] In another mounting arrangement the central section of the back plate or the side panels are formed with laterally extending slots and the other member(s) carry guide posts extending into the slots.

[0011] A manually-operable-variable-position latch is individually coupled between each side panel and the back plate for releasably securing each side panel in a selected position relative to the back plate. In one embodiment each latch includes (1) a laterally extending rack formed on each respective side panel with a locking thumb wheel associated with each rack mounted on the back plate or (2) a laterally extending rack formed on the back plate and a thumb wheel carried on each side panel arranged to engage the rack.

[0012] As an example, each side panel may be formed with a central slot extending laterally from its distal end and a rack formed on an edge of the slot. A geared thumb wheel, individually associated with each rack, may be rotatably and slidably mounted on a pivot post carried by the back plate and positioned within the associated slot. A locking post carried by the back plate serves to selectively stop rotation of the thumb wheel and the lateral movement of the associated side panel.

[0013] In another embodiment the manually-operable-variable-position latch may comprise a plurality of laterally-spaced-fixation openings in the back plate or the side panels and cooperating fixation pegs located on the other member(s), the fixation pegs being arranged to be inserted into selected openings to thereby hold the side panels in selected positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is an anterior perspective view of an assembled lumbar brace in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention (minus one possible strap from a back plate to an abdominal panel);

[0015] Figure 2 is a posterior perspective view of the assembled back plate and side panels, minus the abdominal support member; [0016] Figure 3a is a cross sectional view taken along line 3a-3a of Fig.2 showing only the assembled back plate and right side panel;

[0017] Figure 3b is a blown up side view of the upper and lower guide-support channels for securing the side panels to the back plate;

[0018] Figure 4 is an anterior view of the assembled back plate and side panels showing the left and right side panels in their fully extended and retracted positions, respectively;

[0019] Figure 5 is a top view of the assembly of Fig. 4;

[0020] Figure 6 is an unassembled cross sectional view, partly broken away, of the locking thumb wheel and associated pivot and locking posts (the posts are shown mounted on the back plate) and rack (shown formed in the side panel);

[0021] Figure 7 is a cross sectional perspective view of the thumb wheel positioned on the pivot post and shown in a side panel locked position;

[0022] Figure 8 is the same view as Fig.7 showing the thumb wheel in an unlocked position so that rotation of the wheel moves the side panel laterally toward or away from the vertical reference line shown in Fig. 2;

[0023] Figure 9a is an anterior view of the thumb wheel showing outwardly projecting lugs on its rim for engaging the locking post and the pinion with inwardly projecting gear teeth for engaging the rack;

[0024] Figure 9b is a posterior view of a portion of the back plate and left side panel with the thumb wheel in place and the rim lugs thereof engaging the locking post;

[0025] Figure 10 is a posterior view of an assembled brace having an alternative slidable mounting and latch arrangement;

[0026] Figure 1 1 is an anterior perspective view of the brace of Fig.10 as assembled with an abdominal support member in place;

[0027] Figures 12a and 12b are posterior and anterior views, respectively, of the back plate for the Fig.10 brace, see the '815 appln. for a more detailed description;

[0028] Figures 13a and 13b are posterior and anterior views of the back plate for the Fig. 10 brace with the thoracic support member mounted thereon and the right side panel is shown in place in Fig. 13b; [0029] Figures 14a and 14b are posterior and anterior views of one of the side panels of the Fig. 10 brace; and

[0030] Figure 15 is a posterior view of a thoracic support member for optional use with the back plate of Figs 10a and 10b;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

Overview of the brace

[0031] Referring now to Fig. 1 the lumbar brace of the present invention is shown, as though wrapped around a patient not shown, with cushioning pads 1 1 in place. The brace includes a back plate 10 left (12) and right (14) side panels, the side panels being slidably mounted to the back plate. The slidable arrangement allows the length of each side panel, extending forwardly of the back plate, to be adjusted to accommodate different waist sizes providing the "one size fits all". The proximal ends 12a and 14a of the side panels are connected together adjacent the front of a patient via flexible straps 15 extending through vertical openings 12b and 14b in the side panels and then through openings 16a in an abdominal support member 16 as illustrated. Another strap or straps may be used to connect the opening 10a at the top of the back plate to upper openings 16b in the member 16. The ends of the straps may be equipped with conventional hook and loop fasteners. The back plate, side panels and the abdominal support member are molded (or formed) of a suitable polymeric material cable of retaining their shape while allowing the side panels to wrap around a patient's waist while secured to the back plate.

Discussion of the side panel edge mounting

[0032] A posterior view of the back plate with the side panels slidably mounted thereon is illustrated in Fig. 2. The mounting arrangement is shown in more detail in Figs. 3a and 3b in which the back plate is molded with outwardly projecting upper (10b) and lower (10c) L-shaped facing extensions. The extensions, together with the underlying surface (l Od) of the back plate, form symmetrical upper downwardly facing (lOe) and lower upwardly facing (l Of) C-shaped (or U-shaped) guide and support channels. The rear upper (12d, 14d) and lower (12e, 14e) edges of the distal portions (12f, 14f) of the panels slide within the respective channels. Figure 5, a top view partially cut away of the side panels mounted on the back plate, also illustrates this mounting arrangement.

[0033] Referring again to Fig. 2 an imaginary vertical reference line x-x bisects the back plate. To accommodate different waist sizes the distal ends 12c and 14c of the left and right end panels, respectively, are movable toward and away for the reference line. The left and right, side panels are shown in their maximum and minimum extended positions, respectively. As example, there may be

approximately 10- 13mm increase per side. Fig.4 shows the left panel 12 fully extended. Fig. 5, a top view of the back plate and side panels, further illustrates the sliding arrangement between the panels and back plate

Discussion of the rack and pinion manually-operable-variable-position latch

[0034] a manually-operable-variable-position latch is coupled between the distal portion 12f/14f of each side panel and the back plate. This latch preferably comprises (1) a geared rack 12g 14g formed on an upper edge of a U-shaped slot 12h/14h, in the distal portion of each side panel and (2) a pinion in the form of a geared thumb wheel 18 mounted on the back plate engaging the rack and selectively engaging a locking post l Oi. See Fig. 2

[0035] Referring now to Figs. 6-8 (which depict a section of the back plate and right side panel) the thumb wheel 18 is formed with a through hole 18a arranged to slide over an outwardly projecting pivot post l Oh formed (for example, molded) on the back plate. The thumb wheel has a lower pinion gear 18b arranged to engage the rack 14g and an upper rim 18c with radially projecting stubs 18d arranged to selectively engage a locking post lOi, formed on the back plate. The locking post is spaced radially outwardly from the pivot post as shown. A compression spring 19 is positioned within the upper portion of the bore 18a between an inwardly projecting shoulder 18g, at its lower end 19a, and a stop plate 20, at its upper end 19b. When assembled the plate 20 is secured to the top of the pivot post 1 Oh, as is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The thumb wheel is biased against the back plate by the compression spring 20 to lock the wheel lugs against the locking post. See Fig.9b. At the same time the pinion gear teeth 18b are in engagement with the rack gear teeth 14g, thus securing the associated side panel in place. See Fig. 7. The pivot and locking posts are given the same reference numerals on the left side of the back plate, see Fig. 2.

[0036] To unlock the side panel it is necessary to simply pull the thumb wheel outwardly away from the back plate as is illustrated in Fig. 8. This action disengages the rim wheel lugs 18d from the locking post and allows the distal end (12c or 14c) of the associated side panel to be moved toward or away from the reference line, thereby lengthening or shortening the portion of the side panels extending forwardly of the back plate. Preferably the pinion gear teeth remain engaged with the rack gear teeth when the thumb wheel is pulled out, as is illustrated in Fig. 8, so that the thumb wheel can be rotated to move the associated side panel. Thus a health care provider or user can readily adjust the forward length of the side panels by simply pulling out the thumb wheels and rotating the wheel(s). When the adjustment is completed the thumb wheel is released allowing the spring to push the wheel forward engaging the wheel locking lugs with the locking post(s).

Discussion of an alternative slidable mounting and latch arrangement

[0037] The alterative brace arrangement includes the same basic elements as the brace just described, that is a back plate 30, left 32 and right 34 side panels and an abdominal support member 36. See Figs. 10-13 herein. As a reminder, Fig. 10 is a posterior view of the assembled brace including an optional thoracic support member38 mounted on the back plate. Fig. 1 1 is an anterior view of the assembled brace (minus a patient) but including the abdominal support member 36, discussed previously. Straps 15 secure the proximal ends 32b and 34b to the abdominal support at the patient's front. Figs.12a and 12b are posterior and anterior views of the back plate, respectively. Figs.13a and 13b are posterior and anterior views of the back plate with the thoracic support mounted thereon. The right side panel 34 is also shown as being mounted on the back plate in Fig. 13b. Figs. 14a and 14b are posterior and anterior views of the right side panel 34 showing the mounting guide posts and locking peg. Figure 15, a posterior view of the thoracic support showing the mounting guide posts and fixation openings.

[0038] The primary differences between the earlier brace and this one relate to the method of supporting and locking the side panels in the selected positions on the back plate and the addition of an optional thoracic support member 38. Only the highlights of this embodiment will be discussed here. The reader is directed to the '815 application (incorporated herein by reference) for a detailed description of the brace.

[0039] Referring now to Figs. 12a and 12b the back plate 30 defines the same imaginary reference line x-x discussed previously and in addition defines a horizontal reference line y-y (as shown) for the purpose of aiding in the description of the allowable vertical movement of thoracic support member 38. The back plate includes upper 30a and lower 30b parallel slots for receiving guide posts 34a projecting inwardly from the distal ends 34b of the side panels, see Fig. 14b. The side panels are identical so only the right side panel is shown and described in any detail with the understanding that the features noted for the right panel apply equally to the left panel with the substitution of the prefix of 32. After assembly, Caps 40 are forced into the exposed ends of the guide posts to secure the side panels to the back plate (Fig. 13b) while allowing the distal ends (34b, 34b) of the panels to be moved toward or away from the vertical reference line to increase or decrease the length of the side panels extending forwardly of the back plate as is discussed in more detail in the '815 appln.

[0040] This brace employs a manually-operable-variable-position latch (referred to in the '815 appln. as a multi-position latch) in the form of laterally spaced fixation openings 30c (on each side of the line x-x) in the back plate (Fig. 12a or 12b) and fixation peg 5 carried by a resilient tongue 34d formed in the distal end 34b of the panel, see Fig. 14b. Once the appropriate length of the portion of the side panels, extending forwardly of the back plate, has been decided upon the fixation pegs are inserted into the aligned fixation openings. When worn the tensile stress present in the side panel serves to maintain the pegs in place.

[0041] As an option, a thoracic support member 38 may be slidably mounted on the back plate via spaced vertical slots 30d in the back plate (Fig. 12) and cooperating guide posts 38a projecting inwardly from the thoracic support member 38 ( Fig. 15). Locking caps 40 (Fig.10) complete the assembly of the thoracic support member. This mounting arrangement allows the bottom 38c to be moved up or down relative to the horizontal reference line y-y. It is to be noted that the thoracic support is preferably located anteriorly (forwardly) of the back plate.

[0042] The manually-operable-multi-position latch for this member is formed by vertically spaced fixation openings 38b in the thoracic support member and a cooperating fixation peg 30e carried by a resilient tongue 30f located on the back plate 30 as shown.

CONCLUSION

[0043] There has been described and illustrated a novel and simple lumbar brace which represents a significant advance in the art. The brace is adjustable laterally to accommodate a wide variety of patient waist sizes, that is "one sizes fits all" thereby eliminating the common inventory of different sized braces. Modifications and perhaps even improvements will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An adjustable lumbar brace comprising:

(a) a back plate arranged to be placed against a patient's back and defining an imaginary vertical reference line bisecting the plate;

(b) left and right side panels slidably mounted on the back plate with their proximal ends extending forwardly and arranged to be wrapped around the patient's waist and secured together at the front of the patient, the distal end of each panel being movable toward and away from the reference line to adjust the length of the portion of each side panel extending forwardly of the back plate to accommodate different waist sizes; and

(c) a manually-operable-variable-position latch individually coupled between each side panel and the back plate for releasably securing each side panel at a selected position relative to the back plate.

2. The lumbar brace of claim 1 wherein each latch comprises a laterally extending rack formed on each respective side panel with a locking thumb wheel associated with each rack mounted on the back plate and arranged to engage the associated rack or a laterally extending rack formed on the back plate and a locking thumb wheel carried on each side panel arranged to engage the rack.

3. The lumbar brace of claim 2 wherein a rack is formed in each of the side panels and the thumb wheels are mounted on the back plate on opposite sides of the reference line.

4. The lumbar brace of claim 3 wherein each thumb wheel is rotatably mounted on a separate pivot post, the pivot posts extending outwardly from the back plate, the thumb wheel forming a pinion gear on the lower end thereof which engages the rack and a rim on the upper end, the rim having outwardly projecting locking stubs, the back plate forming an outwardly extending locking post associated with each pivot post, the locking post being spaced radially outwardly from the pivot post, the locking stubs being arranged to selectively engage the locking post and secure the respective side panel in a fixed lateral position to the back plate.

5. The lumbar brace of claim 4 wherein each thumb wheel is movable inwardly along the pivot post to a position in which the locking stubs engage the locking post securing the respective side panel in place on the back plate and outwardly to a position in which the locking stubs are free of the locking post allowing the respective side panel to be moved laterally along the back plate.

6. The lumbar brace of claim 5 further including a spring biasing each thumb wheel to the inward position locking the respective side panel in place on the back plate.

7. The lumbar brace of claim 6 wherein the thumb wheel gear engages the rack regardless of the position of the wheel so that in the wheel's outer position the rotation of the thumb wheel moves the associated rack and the distal end of the side panel toward or away from the reference line.

8. The lumbar brace of claim 1 in which the back plate forms upper downwardly facing and lower upwardly facing generally U-shaped support channels extending on each side of the reference line with the side panels slidably mounted in the support channels.

9. The lumbar brace of claim 2 in which the back plate forms upper downwardly facing and lower upwardly facing generally U-shaped support channels extending on each side of the reference line with the side panels slidably mounted in the support channels.

10. The lumbar brace of claim 3 wherein the back brace forms upper downwardly facing and lower upwardly facing generally U-shaped support channels and wherein the side panels have distal portions with side edges which are slidably mounted in the support channels.

1 1. The lumbar brace of claim 4 wherein the back plate forms upper downwardly facing and lower upwardly facing generally U-shaped support channels extending on each side of the reference line and wherein the left and right side panels have rear upper and lower edges slidably mounted in the respective support channels.

12. The lumbar brace of claim 5 wherein the back plate forms upper downwardly facing and lower upwardly facing generally U-shaped support channels extending on each side of the reference line, the side panels having rear upper and lower edges slidably mounted in the support channels.

13. The lumbar brace of claim 6 wherein the back plate forms generally U- shaped upper and lower facing support channels on each side of the reference line, the side panels being slidably mounted in the support channels.

14. The lumbar brace of claim 7 wherein the back plate forms generally U- shaped vertically separated facing support channels extending on each side of the reference line, the side panels having upper and lower rear edges slidably mounted in the support channels.

15. The lumbar brace of claim 1 wherein the latch comprises a plurality of laterally spaced fixation openings in the back plate or the side panels and cooperating fixation pegs secured in fixed positions on the other members) for insertion into the selected openings to thereby hold the side panels in the selected positions.

16. The lumbar brace of claim 15 wherein spring biased tongues are formed adjacent the distal end of the side panels with the fixation pegs carried by the tongues and the fixation openings are located in the back plate.

17. The lumbar brace of claim 16 wherein the slidable mounting arrangement between the back plate and the side panels is formed by laterally extending slots in the back plate and guide posts carried by the side panels extending into the side slots.

18. The lumbar brace of claim 17 further including a thoracic support member slidably mounted on the back plate in vertical direction with a manually-operable-variable-position latch coupled between the thoracic support member and the back plate for releasably securing the thoracic member in a selected position on the back plate.

19. An adjustable lumbar brace comprising:

(a) a back plate adapted to be positioned against a patient's back, the back plate defining an imaginary vertical reference line and forming upper downwardly facing and lower upwardly facing C- shaped guide and support channels on each side of the reference line;

(b) left and right side panels having proximal and distal ends with the proximal ends being adapted to extend around a patient's waist and to be secured together at the patient's front, the side panels having top and bottom edges extending forwardly of the distal ends with the edges being slidably inserted in the channels so that the distal ends are movable toward and away from the reference line to lengthen or shorten the length of the panels extending forwardly of the back plate to accommodate different waist sizes; and

(c) a manually-operable-variable-position latch individually coupled between each of the side panels and the back plate to releasably secure the side panels in selected positions to the back plate.

20. The lumbar brace of claim 19 wherein the latch comprises a rack formed in each of the side panels extending outwardly from the respective distal end thereof or in the back plate extending laterally on each side of the reference line and a locking thumb wheel(s) carried by the other member(s) and arranged to engage the rack and lock each side panel in a selected position relative to the back plate.

21. The lumbar brace of claim 20 wherein the rack is formed in each of the side panels and an individual locking thumb wheel is carried by the back plate associated with each rack.

22. The lumbar brace of claim 21 wherein each of the side panels includes a lateral slot extending outwardly away from the distal end thereof with a rack formed on an edge of the slot, the back plate including an outwardly projecting pivot post and locking post positioned within each of the slots and a thumb wheel rotatably and slidably mounted on each pivot post, the thumb wheels having a pinion gear engaging the rack, the thumb wheels being movable inwardly along the respective pivot post to engage the locking posts and outwardly along the posts to allow the side panels to be moved laterally along the back plate.

23. The lumbar brace of claim 22 wherein the thumb wheel is constantly engaged with the rack whereby when the wheel is moved outwardly the wheel may be rotated to move the side panels laterally.

24. A universally adjustable lumbar brace comprising:

(a) a back plate defining an imaginary vertical reference line and

formed with a plurality of lateral slots extending at right angles to the reference line and on each side thereof;

(b) left and right side panels, each panel having a proximal and a

distal end, the panels further including protruding guide posts arranged to extend into the slots in the back plate so that distal ends are movable toward and away from the vertical reference line, the panels being arranged to wrap around the waist of a patient with their proximal ends secured together adjacent the abdominal area of the patient; and

(c) a manually-operable-variable-position latch individually coupled between each of the side panels and the back plate to releasably secure the side panels in selected positions on the back plate.

25. The lumbar brace of claim 24 wherein the latch comprises a plurality of laterally spaced fixation openings located in either the back plate or the side panels and cooperating fixation pegs carried by the other member(s) for insertion into selected fixation openings to thereby hold the side panels in the selected positions relative to the back plate.

26. The brace of claim 25 wherein the fixation openings are located in the back plate and the fixation pegs are carried by the side panels.

27. The brace of claim 26 further including a thoracic support member slidably mounted to the back plate and movable in a direction parallel to the vertical reference line, and an additional manually-operable-variable position latch coupled between the thoracic support member and the back plate for releasably securing the thoracic support member in a selected position relative to the back plate.

28. The brace of claim 21 wherein the additional latch comprises a plurality of vertically spaced fixation openings in the thoracic support member and a fixation peg carried by the back plate, the peg being insertable into a selected fixation opening.