Abstract:
The present invention provides methods to facilitate installation of a lumbar belt. The methods involve looping a belt around a person&#39;s abdomen. The belt provides a pocket on each end of the belt to allow the user easier application and tightening of the belt. In the preferred embodiment, each pocket is divided into two sections-thumb pocket and linger pocket. The user places one hand located within its corresponding pocket around the abdomen positioning the belt. The user then places the other hand located in its corresponding pocket over to meet the hand on the abdomen. The belt then is secured and remains in position around the abdomen. A cover panel also may be provided as a part of the belt to allow convenient access to a person&#39;s lumbar area.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/624,695 filed on Apr. 16, 2012. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to the field of medical products. More specifically, the invention comprises lumbar belt which allows for easier application and adjustment. The lumbar belt may be used in a variety of therapies, including cryotherapy. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Lumbar belts are used as part of a variety of therapies. One example is the use of a “cold therapy” (also known as “cryo therapy”) to minimize swelling following a surgical procedure. Cryo therapy assumes a variety of forms—ranging from simple ice or gel packs to sophisticated chilled water circulating devices. 
         [0008]    One common application for cryo therapy is in post-surgical swelling reduction for lumbar spinal surgery. It is known to use a compressive “belt” to hold cold packs in position over the person&#39;s lumbar spine. The “belt” needs to be properly positioned and easily adjustable for the user. The present invention provides features and methods to facilitate the installation and provide for quick adjustments for such a belt. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention comprises methods for applying a belt around a user&#39;s abdomen and adjusting the belt while it remains on the user. The belt has a pocket located on its right side and left side. One hand is place in its corresponding pocket and that portion of the belt is pressed against the user&#39;s abdomen. The belt is then wrapped around the abdomen. The other hand is placed in its corresponding pocket and is place over the hand currently located on the user&#39;s abdomen. The opposite ends of the belt then are connected and secured around the abdomen. In the preferred embodiment, the pockets are divided into two sections—thumb pocket and finger pocket. Additional methods are disclosed for the application of cold packs to a person&#39;s lumbar area. The cold packs may be attached directly to the belt or to a cover panel that may accompany the belt. The cover panel allows cold packs to be placed on the lumbar area without the removal of the belt. At least one side of the cover panel is detached from the belt exposing the person&#39;s lumbar area. One or more cold packs then may be attached to the inward facing surface of the cover panel. The cover panel is reattached to the belt. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, showing the belt portion of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing the opposite side of the belt of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, showing a cover panel which is used in conjunction with the belt. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view, showing the inclusion of a lumbar stay in the cover panel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view, showing the lumbar panel from the opposite side. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, showing the cover panel and belt assembled together. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed perspective view, showing how the inclusion of finger and thumb pockets on the belt aids the patient in installing the belt. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, showing a patient applying the belt. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, showing a patient applying the belt. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view, showing the cover panel being applied to the belt. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view, showing the belt secured in position on a patient. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, showing the belt being applied with an abdominal pad. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view, showing a patient placed in a position where the cover panel may be opened with the belt still in place. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view, showing the cover panel opened to reveal the window in the belt. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view, showing a pair of cold packs. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view, showing a cold pack of  FIG. 15  being applied to the cover panel. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       [0026]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 belt 
                 12 
                 top edge 
               
               
                 14 
                 bottom edge 
                 16 
                 right thumb pocket 
               
               
                 18 
                 right finger pocket 
                 20 
                 left thumb pocket 
               
               
                 22 
                 left finger pocket 
                 24 
                 tension strap 
               
               
                 26 
                 tension strap 
                 28 
                 tension strap 
               
               
                 30 
                 tension strap 
                 32 
                 window 
               
               
                 34 
                 loop panel 
                 36 
                 4-way stretch panel 
               
               
                 38 
                 cover panel 
                 40 
                 main body 
               
               
                 42 
                 stay pocket cover 
                 44 
                 strap loop 
               
               
                 46 
                 strap loop 
                 48 
                 strap loop 
               
               
                 50 
                 strap loop 
                 54 
                 lumbar stay 
               
               
                 56 
                 stay pocket 
                 58 
                 hook tab 
               
               
                 60 
                 inward facing surface 
                 62 
                 left hook panel 
               
               
                 64 
                 right hook panel 
                 66 
                 assembly 
               
               
                 68 
                 hand 
                 70 
                 left hand 
               
               
                 72 
                 right hand 
                 73 
                 abdominal pad 
               
               
                 74 
                 hook panel 
                 76 
                 hook panel 
               
               
                 78 
                 left edge 
                 80 
                 right edge 
               
               
                 82 
                 soft surface 
                 112 
                 cold pack 
               
               
                 114 
                 vent 
                 116 
                 relief 
               
               
                 118 
                 hook panel 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows the outward facing side of belt  10 . The belt  10  is generally rectangular, being bounded by top edge  12 , bottom edge  14 , right edge  80  and left edge  78 . A substantial portion of the outward facing side of belt  10  is covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a window  32  is provided in the middle of the belt  10 . The window  32  provides convenient access to a person&#39;s lumbar area. Further, tension straps  24 ,  26  lie on the right side of window  32  and tension straps  28 ,  30  lie on the left side of window  32 . Tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  are an example of the attachment features provided around the window  32  in order to attach a cover panel  38  (to be discussed later) to belt  10 . Tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  preferably include an elastic portion to allow flexibility. The free end of each tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  preferably includes hook panels (facing assay from the viewer in  FIG. 1 ). The hook panels are made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® hook fastener. The outward facing side of the anchored portion of each tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  preferably is covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. The free end of the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  may be pressed back against the anchored portion of the respective tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30 —or any other portion of the outward facing side of the belt  10  which is covered by loop covering. 
         [0029]    Pockets are provided proximate to the right edge  80  and left edge  78  of belt  10 . The right pocket has its opening accessible from the outward facing side of belt  10 . The opening of the right pocket is facing away from the right edge  80  and the closed end is opposite the opening. Similarly, the left pocket has its opening accessible from the outward facing side of belt  10 . The opening of the left pocket is facing away from the left edge  78  and the closed end is opposite the opening. The pocket may be completely closed or only partially closed. It could also be “closed” via segregating the thumb and finger pocket with a stitched web in between. The pockets assist the user in applying belt  10 —as will be explained subsequently. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , each pocket is divided into a finger pocket and a thumb pocket. Thus, the right pocket proximate right edge  80  is divided into right thumb pocket  16  and right finger pocket  18 . Similarly, the left pocket proximate to left edge  78  is divided into left thumb pocket  20  and left finger pocket  22 . The outward facing sides of thumb pockets  16 ,  20  and finger pockets  18 ,  22  are optionally covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows the inward facing side of belt  10 . The inward facing side provides a hook panel  76  proximate to right edge  80 . The hook panel  76  is made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® hook fastener. An elongated loop panel  34  is provided proximate left edge  78 . The loop panel is covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. A 4-way stretch panel  36  is also provided proximate to the left edge  78 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows the outward facing surface of cover panel  38 . The cover panel  38  has main body  40  and stay pocket cover  42 . A substantial portion of the exterior of stay pocket cover  42  is covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. 
         [0032]    Attachment features are provided to facilitate the attachment of the cover panel  38  to the belt  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , strap loops  44 ,  46  lie on the right side of the stay pocket cover  42  and strap loops  48 ,  50  lie on the left side of stay pocket cover  42 . Strap loops  44 , 46 , 48 , 50  cooperate with the tension straps  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  found on belt  10 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of cover panel  38 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 , cover panel provides a stay pocket  56  with a hook tab  58 . Stay pocket  56  is formed between main body  40  and stay pocket cover  42 . Hook tab  58  preferably includes a hook panel. The hook panel is made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® hook fastener. Hook tab  58  may be curled over the top and secured to the loop covering on the exterior of stay pocket cover  42 . 
         [0034]    Stay pocket  56  may optionally be used to house lumbar stay  54 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , lumbar stay  54  is inserted into stay pocket  56  through the top opening. Lumbar stay  54  is preferably a semi-rigid material such as a sheet of flexible plastic. It is preferably contoured to match the shape of the user&#39;s lumbar area. It is possible to provide a variety of different shapes for lumbar stay  54 . It is also possible to provide an embodiment in which lumbar stay  54  may be selectively deformed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows the inward facing surface of cover panel  38 . Inward facing surface  60  is the surface which faces the user of the belt  10 . A substantial portion of the inward facing surface  60  is covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , left hook panel  62  and right hook panel  64  provide an intermediate securing means for cover panel  38 . Hook panels  62 ,  64  are made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® hook fastener. Hook panels  62 ,  64  can be pressed against the loop covering on the outward facing side of belt  10  in order to hold cover panel  38  in position before the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  are suitably tightened. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows cover panel  38  in place on belt  10  to form assembly  66 . The cover panel  38  is held in position using the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30 . The tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  attached to belt  10  are threaded through the corresponding strap loops  44 , 46 , 48 , 50  on cover panel  38 . As an example, tension strap  24  is threaded through strap loop  44  and pressed back on itself. The assembly  66  is thus united so that it may be handled as one unit and placed on the user as one unit. In addition, the inclusion of the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  allow the assembly  66  to be progressively tightened after it is in place as will be explained in detail later. 
         [0037]    The reader will recall from the prior description that each side of belt  10  preferably includes a pocket to facilitate placement of belt  10 .  FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the right pocket in detail. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the right pocket is divided into two portions—right thumb pocket  16  and right finger pocket  18 . Right hand  72  is inserted into the two pockets as shown. 
         [0038]    As further shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the pockets facilitate proper placement of belt  10 . In  FIG. 8 , left hand  70  is inserted into left thumb pocket  20  and left finger pocket  22  proximate left edge  78 . Right hand  72  is placed in the corresponding right thumb pocket  16  and right finger pocket  18  (not seen by the viewer) proximate right edge  80 . Left hand  70  is placed over the abdomen—holding the left portion of belt  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Right hand  72  is extended away from the body to hold right edge  80  clear. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , right hand  72  is then placed over left hand  70 . Hook panel  76  will be pressed against the loop covering on the outward facing side of belt  10 . The left hand  70  and right hand  72  are removed from the pockets. Belt  10  will remain in position. The reader will recognize that in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , right edge  80  overlaps left edge  78  (not seen by the viewer). This overlap may be varied in order to adjust the circumference of belt  10  to suit the needs of the user&#39;s anatomy. The belt is essentially a loop of material with a break in it. The break is closed by overlapping the two ends. 
         [0040]    When cover panel  38  is attached to belt  10 , and assembly  66  is fastened onto the user as shown in  FIG. 9 , the assembly  66  may be also tightened to create a more desired fit.  FIGS. 10 and 11  show this process. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows the tightening of tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  from the vantage point behind the user of belt  10 . With the belt  10  positioned around the user&#39;s abdomen, the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  may be grasped and progressively tightened. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , a gripping feature such as an oval hole provided through the end of each tension strap  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  is included so that the user may easily grasp the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  and pull. 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  shows an example of the completed tightening process. In the embodiment shown FIG  11 , the free end of each of the tension straps  24 , 26 , 28 , 30  is secured to belt  10 . 
         [0043]    Other components may be added to belt  10 . For example,  FIG. 12  shows an abdominal pad  73  placed on the user&#39;s abdomen. Abdominal pad  73  is used to spread the force of belt  10  across the patient&#39;s abdomen. Abdominal pad  73  is preferably provided in a variety of sizes and possibly shapes. 
         [0044]    On the outward facing side (i.e. the side facing away from the user) of abdominal pad  73  is a hook panel  74 . The hook panel  74  generally is located in the center of abdominal pad  73 . Hook panel  74  preferably is made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® hook fastener. In cooperation with hook panel  74 , a loop panel  34  is provided on belt  10  proximate left edge  78 . The exposed area of loop panel  34  preferably is covered in loop covering. The loop covering can be made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® loop fastener. Loop panel  34  is positioned to engage hook panel  74  when belt  10  is installed in the previously-described way (i.e. overlapping right edge  80  over left edge  78 ). Abdominal pad  73  is thereby properly positioned with respect to belt  10 . Even if belt  10  is removed and reinstalled, hook panel  74  will remain engaged to loop panel  34  and retain the proper position. 
         [0045]    One of the advantages of the present invention is that it allows cryo therapy cold packs to be added or exchanged without requiring the removal of belt  10 .  FIGS. 13-16  illustrate an example of this process.  FIG. 13  shows belt  10  and cover panel  38  is placed on the user. Having access to cover panel  38 , tension straps  24  and  26  can be disconnected from belt  10  and the right hook panel  64  is freed from the loop covering on belt  10 . The right side of cover panel  38  now is free to swing open.  FIG. 14  shows the right side of the cover panel  38  open revealing inward facing surface  60 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 15  shows two cold packs  112  which are suitable for application to the lumbar area. The two cold packs  12  are identical. Each cold pack  112  has two sides. Soft surface  82  is a smooth surface which may be placed directly against skin. This surface is facing upward for cold pack  112  illustrated near the top of  FIG. 15 . 
         [0047]    The opposite surface is intended to face away from the skin. This opposite surface is facing upward for cold pack  112  illustrated near the bottom of  FIG. 15 . Cold pack  112  can include one or more hook panels  118 . Hook panels  118  preferably are made of any material that is similarly found in a VELCRO® hook fastener. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , cold pack  112  includes the optional features, relief  116  and vent  114 . Relief  116  allows cold pack  112  to better conform to portions of a person&#39;s anatomy. Vent  114  allows the volume inside cold pack  112  to freely expand and air to escape when necessary. 
         [0048]      FIG. 16  shows a cold pack  112  attached to cover panel  38 . The cold pack  112  is placed on inward facing surface  60  of cover panel  38 . Hook panels  118  on cold pack  112  attaches to the loop covering on inward facing surface  60  of cover panel  38 . Cold pack  112  may be placed in a variety and many different positions. As previously mentioned, more than one cold pack  112  may be placed on the inward surface  60  of cover panel  38 . 
         [0049]    Once cold pack  112  is in the desired position, cover panel  38  is closed covering window  32 . Right hook panel  64  will engage the loop covering on belt  10  and hold cover panel  38  in place. Tension straps  24  and  26  may be reattached and tightened to complete the process. 
         [0050]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the process thus described allow for the quick exchange of cold packs. During cryo therapy to the lumbar region, it is necessary to exchange cold packs approximately every four hours. Using the present invention, the exchange may be made without removing the belt. One simply opens a panel providing access to the existing cold packs; the existing cold packs are peeled away and replaced with new cold packs. The panel then is closed. 
         [0051]    Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the convenient access to the lumbar region allows a wound dressing to be more rapidly inspected and changed. Further, the present invention facilitates the addition of other treatment devices, such as a TENS unit. 
         [0052]    In any instance, the belt remains around the person&#39;s anatomy. The belt&#39;s presence provides structural reinforcement, which is particular important in cases where the lumbar fascia has been incised. It is important to limit motion in such cases. The cover panel not only retains the cold packs, it also provides a significant retention force across a person&#39;s lumbar area. 
         [0053]    The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Many more embodiments following the same principles will occur to those skilled in the art. As a first example, the order of the process presented in the descriptions of how the belt is applied and removed are generally unimportant. One may choose to attach the cover panel prior to applying the belt. One may also choose to attach the cover panel after the belt is in place. As a second example, snaps or buckles could be substituted for the hook-and-loop attachments described. As a third example, one side of the cover panel could be permanently attached to the belt, leaving the other side to swing open. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims rather than by the examples given.