Patent ID: 6517502
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for limiting expansion of a patient's chest, the method comprising the steps of:providing an orthotic device sized and adapted to be donned around the patient's chest, the orthotic device having a pair of panel members fabricated from a flexible material and a mechanical advantage device, the pair of panel members bridged at respective end portions to each other by the mechanical advantage device to form a belt with two free end portions detachably connectable to each other, the mechanical advantage device having a drawstring element operably connected to and extending from the mechanical advantage device for causing the mechanical advantage device to move from an expanded state wherein the respective bridged end portions are disposed apart from one another to a contracted state wherein the respective bridged end portions are drawn towards each other; donning the orthotic device about the patient's chest; connecting the free end portions of the orthotic device together while the mechanical advantage device is in the expanded state; and pulling the drawstring element a selected distance thereby moving the mechanical advantage device from the expanded state to the contracted state, the selected distance being commensurate with a desired level of tightening of the orthotic device about the patient's chest to limit the expansion of the patient's chest.