IMPROVED THERAPEUTIC BELT

Abstract: An improved therapeutic belt which is peculiarly adapted for the sacro-lumbar region of the body is disclosed. The belt appliance, in essence, is comprised of an elongated support surface formed from material that is bendable when sub­ jected to forces encountered thereby; a flexible cover disposed on said support surface secured thereto along its edges, thereby forming an envelope; a source of fluid; a means introducing said fluid into said envelope for inflating and retaining said fluid, causing said surface to bend to assume a predetermined curvature, which is preferably in the shape of a crescent; and a means removably securing the free ends of said support surface.

Description: Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to therapeutic devices and more particularly to a corset appliance which may be applied to the sacro-lumbar region of the human body in order to prevent or treat injuries to the aforestated region. Background of the Invention As is well known, the human vertibrae or spinal column is comprised of seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, and five lumbar vertebrae. The vertebrae are disposed in a stacked array and interposed between the same are fibrocartilages or discs. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves are also associated with the spinal column, and the nerves are sometimes adversely affected by means of the relative disposition of one or more vertebrae whereby severe pain results. For example, on accident, fall, uneven stress, tension, over-exertion, or the like, can cause a minor displacement or misalignment of one or more of the vertebrae which, in turn, can cause pressure to be exerted upon spinal nerve roots. It has additionally been found that if the particular misaligned vertebrae is re-aligned in conjunction with the residual, properly aligned vertebrae, the pressure upon the spinal nerves is alleviated and, consequently, the pain suffered by the person is relieved. The re-alignment of the misaligned vertebrae is normally accomplished as a result of pressure being applied to the particularly afflicted areas of the body, and in accordance with these principles, prior art therapeutic appliances have been developed in order to provide such counterpressure to the affected body regions. Prior art appliances of the aforenoted type are exemplified by those disclosed in US-A-4,178,922 (J.D. Curlee) and FR-A-1,461,408 (M. Gross). These appliances include an inflatable bladder means which seeks to exert counterpressure at a precise body location as a result of the inflated expansion thereof. It has been found, however, that such appliances, and, in particular, US-A-4,178,922, while exerting the desired counterpressure at the precise body locations, do not and cannot, in fact, provide an effective and comfortable support to the entire muscle mass related to the lumbar region of the lower back. This is particularly characteristic of appliances applied to the posterior lumbar region of the body, where, due to the necessity of providing specific counterpressure to a precise spinal location, by means such as an inflated bladder, such prior art appliances have been unable to provide simultaneous deliberate and comfortable counterpressure and support to the muscle mass connected with the lumbar region. In the early devices made by the inventor, described in US-A-4,178,922 and 4,178,923, the devices were limited commercially and therapeutically by their structure and ability to conform to the human body. For example, the air pockets of the early Curlee patents were generally pocketed in shape, as opposed to the present invention's serrated configuration. The present invention is finally crescent shaped when inflated and more adequately conforms to the contours of the body. See Figure 3 for an illustration of the improved elements which constitute the present invention. It is evident further that the original Curlee patents were restricted to use by people in a work environment. Further, when such prior art appliances such as Gross, above, are normally employed, adequate contact and pressurization of the afflicted body region is attempted to be accomplished by means of increased tightening of the appliance about the wearer's body or increasing the degree of pressurization of the bladder generally. Such modes of practice can be dangerous in that other portions of the body are deleteriously affected. Particularly, where increased tightening of the appliance is attempted to affect greater pressurisation of the afflicted body region, such tightening serves to dangerously constrict the cardiovascular network of the body and generally provides increased discomfort to the wearer. Similarly, as a result of elastic properties in the case of bladder devices, wherein bladders have a high coefficient of stretchability, as the pressure therein is increased, the contact area defined between the bladder and the body is increased and the cardiovascular network of the body is severely constricted in a manner similar to that accomplished by means of a conventional blood pressure cuff. Prolonged usage of such appliances can result in major complications, such as, for example, renal isclemia, muscle spasms, or arteriosclerosis-related problems. Still further, in the case of such prior art appliances utilizing individual longitudinal air cell pockets of material exhibiting a low coefficient of stretchability, adequate contact and counterpressure at precise body locations is accomplished and maintained without the threat of constricting the body's cardiovascular network, but at the expense of failing to provide a more generalized and effective support to the muscle structure of the lower back region related to the sacro-lumbar region of the spinal column. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved therapeutic appliance which is adapted to be applied to the lumbar region of the human back in order to relieve or prevent the occurrence of lower back pain afflictions, and in which an inflatable air bladder shapes the support provided by the appliance. US-A-4135503 discloses a therapeutic appliance according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1. According to this invention there is provided a therapeutic appliance for supporting the sacro-lumbar region of a person's body comprising belt means for extending about the body, the inner surface of the belt means facing the sacro-lumbar region of the body, and an inflatable fluid bladder secured to the belt means, characterized in that the fluid bladder is elongate so as to extend lengthwise of the belt means and includes a plurality of interconnected fluid cells each extending perpendicularly to the lengthwise dimension of the belt means, the attachment of the fluid bladder to the belt means being such that when the fluid bladder is inflated, said inner surface of the belt means becomes curved about said region. Description of the Figures The invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved therapeutic belt appliance; Figure 2 is an expanded view of the inflatable support unit showing its constituent parts; Figure 3a is a diagrammatic plan view of the inflatable bladder as attached to the support surface; Figure 3b is a diagrammatic plan view of an alternative disposition of the inflatable bladder on the support surface; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the air pump attachment means; Figure 5 is an expanded view of the inflatable support unit with optional padding; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of additional embodiments of optional inflatable padding means. Specific Disclosures The improved therapeutic belt appliance of the present invention is generally disclosed in Figure 1 wherein the therapeutic belt 10 is shown. The belting material 11 can be made of leather or any material suitable for wrapping around the waist. Secured to the belting material 11 is the inflatable support padding means 12. Said padding 12 is secured to the belting material 11 on the side closest to the wearer. The padding 12 may be slightly wider than the belting material 11 in order to provide additional comfort to the wearer. The belting material is fitted with a fastening means 13, such as a buckle or the like, capable of securing said belt about the wearer. An inflation device 14 can be attached to the outside of the belt 11 by any means capable of holding it in position. The preferred method of attaching said inflation device is by means of a "C" ring clip holder consisting of a spring clasp node of suitable plastic, steel or other suitable material as in Figure 4. With reference to Figure 2, the therapeutic belt consists of an inflatable fluid bladder 21, support surface 22, padding means 23, and liner 24. The fluid bladder 21 of the appliance is directed into at least two intercommunicating cells 25, which in the present embodiment are arranged as multiple ribs 26 in a nesting parallel configuration perpendicular to the axis of the belting means 11. The bladder 21 is secured to the the support surface 22 which can be constructed of any suitable semi-rigid material that is bendable when subjected to forces encountered thereby. Disposed against the bladder 21 on the side closest to the wearer is a padding means 23, which may be constructed of foam-like or any other suitable material. The liner material 24 is disposed so as to surround the bladder 21, support surface 22, and padding 23, and may be sewn or otherwise bonded around its entire perimeter 30. Fastening studs 27 may be disposed on the side of the support surface facing away from the wearer. Such studs 27 may protrude through holes 28 in the liner 24 and through holes 29 in the belting material 11. Said studs 27 line up with holes 28 in the belting material and attach securely by means of rivet heads 31 or other suitable means. This method of construction allows for versatile attachment of the inflatable support padding means 12 to a variety of belt lengths. Such construction also allows for the ability to extend the padding means 23 beyond the length of the fluid bladder 21 on either side of the bladder to give added comfort to the wearer, particularly at the hips and ribs. In addition, Figure 1 shows the disposition of additional padding 16 which may be disposed on the belt fastening means 13. Returning to Figure 2, the fluid bladder 21, which is capable of inflation, is a substantially rectangular configuration, although said bladder may be tapered at its extremities 34 or constructed to assume an oval shape in order to avoid interference with the wearer's hip and rib area so as to provide additional comfort. Fluid may be introduced into the bladder by means of a circular cavity 35 into which a tube 36 or other suitable means is attached and secured so as to effect a seal and provide a duct through which fluid can be transferred from a means such is an air pump device. The support surface 22, liner 24, and belting material 11 contain access holes 37 through which the tube 36 from the bladder extends and onto which in air pump is attached (see Figure 4). Figure 4 shows the air pump attachment means 40, which can be secured to the belting material 11, by rivets 41, or other suitable fastening means. The air pump attachment means 40 is disposed on the belting material 11 directly below the access hole 37, through which the tube from the fluid bladder extends 36. The air pump attachment consists of a "C" ring or spring clasp 42, which can be constructed from any suitable material having elastic properties such as plastic or stainless steel. Figures 3a and 3b respectively show diagrammatic plan views of two arrangements of the disposition of the inflatable fluid bladder on the support surface. The bladder 21 can be constructed of any material capable of holding compressed air or other fluid under pressure. The cell structure 25 of the bladder 25 may be created by means of stitching the bladder material along certain lines forming ribs 26 or otherwise forming a bond of the two sides of the bladder material so as to effect a suitable structure. The bladder may then be secured at both ends 51,52 to the support surface Fig. 3a. When the bladder is inflated, such attachment acts to pull the extremeties of the support surface to a crescent shape in excess of 30° corresponding to the natural shape of the human body at the sacro-lumbar area of the torso. Attachment only at the bladder ends permits each communicating section to inflate to its fullest potential. Utilizing this principle, Figure 3b shows where attachment of the bladder to the support surface 22 by adhesion of one entire surface 54 will limit the amount of volume each air cell will assume while the whole unit curves naturally into a crescent shape. Thus, by choosing the exact method of attachment the amount of volume the fluid cells take up can be controlled. This allows for a reduction of bulk by means of attachment method while maintaining the pressure equivalent of a non-attached bladder. Left unattached to the support surface 22, the sectioned bladder would shrink in length during inflation. Thus, the method of attachment of the bladder 21 to the support surface 22 will dictate the degree of shrinkage and thus the ultimate shape of the support at full inflation. Figure 5 reveals the disposition of additional padding 61 which can be applied to the therapeutic belt appliance on the side next to the user for the purpose of providing more precise lateral counterpressure for controlling the stability of the sacro-lumbar region. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a trapezoidal pad 71 can be applied to the padding means 23 at any point for the purpose of "filling" the contours of the back, thus assuring total contact and, where necessary, the application of additional counterpressure to provide needed support. Figure 6 shows some additional embodiments of various padding means 73, 74, and 75, which are capable of being incorporated onto the therapeutic belt appliance by means of a liner or other suitable methods of attachment. Said padding means can be inflated separately or along with the preferred bladder, thus permitting the flexibility of applying support at various pressures as necessary.

Claims: A therapeutic appliance for supporting the sacro-lumbar region of a person's body comprising belt means (10,11) for extending about the body, the inner surface of the belt means facing the sacro-lumbar region of the body, and an inflatable fluid bladder (21) secured to the belt means, characterized in that the fluid bladder (21) is elongate so as to extend lengthwise of the belt means and includes a plurality of interconnected fluid cells (25) each extending perpendicularly to the lengthwise dimension of the belt means, the attachment of the fluid bladder (21, 25) to the belt means being such that when the fluid bladder is inflated, said inner surface of the belt means becomes curved about said region. The inflatable therapeutic belt-type appliance of claim 1, wherein said fluid bladder (21) is disposed on said inner surface of said belt means (22). An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said fluid bladder (21) is tapered at its extremities (34) or constructed to assume an oval shape to avoid the hip and rib area of a user of said therapeutic appliance. An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising liner means (24) disposed around said belt means (10, 11) and said fluid bladder (21) for forming a module unit. An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fluid bladder (21) has a surface thereof secured to the inner surface of said belt means along the entire length of said fluid bladder. An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one surface of said fluid bladder (41) is corrugated and forms a plurality of recesses when said fluid bladder is inflated, each of said recesses being between an adjacent pair of said fluid cells. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said fluid bladder is secured to said belt means only at said opposite ends of said fluid bladder (21). An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an inflating device including an air tube (14) connected to said fluid bladder and wherein said belt means (10, 11) has connected thereto a spring clasp (42) which detachably secures a free end of said air tube (14) to said belt means. An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising padding means (23) disposed on said belt means for providing comfort to the user of said therapeutic appliance, said fluid bladder (21) being disposed between said belt means (10, 11)) and said padding means (23). An appliance as claimed in claim 9, further comprising additional padding means (71, 73, 74, 75) disposed on said belt means for providing more precise counterpressure to the sacro-lumbar region, said additional padding means comprising at least one inflatable pad connected to a means for supplying fluid thereto. An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fluid cells (25) are separated by a plurality of ribs (26) formed in said fluid bladder, said ribs being substantially parallel to each other and extending in a direction perpendicular to said lateral direction with one of said ribs located between each adjacent pair of said fluid cells (25). An appliance of claim 11, wherein said ribs (26) comprise areas of contact between opposing sides of said fluid bladder.

Inventors: CURLEE,JAMES D.
Applicants: SAFEGUARD INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5