Abstract:
A brace for treating scoliosis, the brace comprising: a lower portion for disposition about the hips of a patient; an upper portion for disposition about the thorax of a patient; a first support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the first support rod being disposed at least in part along one of the front side of the patient and the back side of the patient; a second support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the second support rod being disposed at least in part along one side of the patient; wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, the first support rod and the second sup port rod are configured such that (i) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set substantially parallel to the lower portion, and (ii) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set canted at an angle to the lower portion.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.  62 / 090 , 937 , filed Dec.  12 ,  2014  by Allen Carl et al. for METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING SCOLIOSIS (Attorney&#39;s Docket No. CARL-3A PROV), which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to anatomical braces in general, and more particularly to braces for treating scoliosis. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person&#39;s spine is curved laterally. As a result, when viewed from the rear, the person&#39;s spine may exhibit a curved and/or twisted configuration rather than a straight and aligned (i.e., with the longitudinal axis of the body) configuration. See, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which show a curved and/or twisted spine S which is typical for a person exhibiting scoliosis. 
         [0004]    Where the scoliosis is modest, the quality of the patient&#39;s life may not be significantly affected and treatment may consist primarily of observation. However, where the scoliosis is substantial, the quality of the patient&#39;s life may be significantly impacted, e.g., the patient may exhibit substantial physical deformity, may have difficulty walking, standing and/or sitting, may suffer excessive fatigue of the spine&#39;s supporting musculature, may experience structural pain, etc. Orthopedic spinal bracing is frequently prescribed for patients whose scoliosis is progressing or suggests future complications and reductions in quality of life. In extreme cases, surgical intervention may be required, however, such surgery is generally complex and often results in reduced mobility of the spine. 
         [0005]    Current orthopedic braces generally fall into two categories, i.e., they are either a “full time” support brace (sometimes also referred to as a “day brace” or an “18 hour day brace”) for providing a modest level of support for the patient while the patient is awake or asleep, or an “overcorrection” brace for providing an aggressive level of overcorrection (e.g., while the patient is supine, generally while sleeping). Current orthopedic braces are designed to provide one or the other of these bracing therapies, but not both. Patient compliance (and therapeutic outcome) may vary depending upon the type of brace selected. Thus, patients must generally purchase two different braces in order to obtain both bracing therapies, i.e., a “full time” support brace and an “overcorrection” brace. Since a scoliosis brace typically costs approximately $1500.00-$4000.00, the need to purchase two separate braces in order to obtain both bracing therapies represents a substantial financial burden, particularly inasmuch as insurance reimbursements have been reduced. 
         [0006]    Thus there is a need for a new and improved scoliosis brace which is capable of functioning as both a “full time” support brace and an “overcorrection” brace, thereby providing the benefit of both bracing therapies in a single brace. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This and other objects of the present invention are addressed by the provision and use of a new method and apparatus for treating scoliosis. 
         [0008]    Among other things, the present invention provides a new and improved scoliosis brace which is capable of functioning as both a “full time” support brace and an “overcorrection” brace, thereby providing both bracing therapies in a single brace. 
         [0009]    In one preferred form of the invention, there is provided a brace for treating scoliosis, the brace comprising: 
         [0010]    a lower portion for disposition about the hips of a patient; 
         [0011]    an upper portion for disposition about the thorax of a patient; 
         [0012]    a first support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the first support rod being disposed at least in part along one of the front side of the patient and the back side of the patient; 
         [0013]    a second support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the second support rod being disposed at least in part along one side of the patient; 
         [0014]    wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, the first support rod and the second support rod are configured such that (i) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set substantially parallel to the lower portion, and (ii) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set canted at an angle to the lower portion. 
         [0015]    In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a method for treating scoliosis, the method comprising: 
         [0016]    providing a brace for treating scoliosis, the brace comprising:
       a lower portion for disposition about the hips of a patient;   an upper portion for disposition about the thorax of a patient;   a first support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the first support rod being disposed at least in part along one of the front side of the patient and the back side of the patient;   a second support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the second support rod being disposed at least in part along one side of the patient;   wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, the first support rod and the second support rod are configured such that (i) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set substantially parallel to the lower portion, and (ii) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set canted at an angle to the lower portion;       
 
         [0022]    positioning the brace on the patient; 
         [0023]    adjustably fixedly setting the upper portion substantially parallel to the lower portion; and 
         [0024]    thereafter adjustably fixedly setting the upper portion canted at an angle to the lower portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein: 
           [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are exemplary views showing scoliosis in a patient; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a front schematic view showing a novel scoliosis brace formed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are front and side schematic views, respectively, showing further aspects of the scoliosis brace shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a front schematic view showing the novel scoliosis brace of  FIG. 3  being used in its “overcorrection” brace position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a front schematic view showing a modified form of the novel scoliosis brace of  FIG. 3  being used in its “full time” support brace position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a front schematic view showing the novel scoliosis brace of  FIG. 7  being used in its “overcorrection” brace position; and 
           [0032]      FIGS. 9-12  are schematic views showing another novel scoliosis brace formed in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    The present invention provides a new and improved scoliosis brace which is capable of functioning as both a “full time” support brace and an “overcorrection” brace, thereby providing both bracing therapies in a single brace. 
         [0034]    More particularly, and looking now at  FIGS. 3-6 , there is shown a novel scoliosis brace  5  formed in accordance with the present invention and which is capable of functioning as both a “full time” support brace and an “overcorrection” brace.  FIGS. 3-5  show the novel scoliosis brace in its “full time” support brace position.  FIG. 6  shows the novel scoliosis brace in its “overcorrection” brace position. 
         [0035]    More particularly, the novel scoliosis brace  5  generally comprises a lower portion  10  for positioning about the hips of the patient; an upper portion  15  for positioning about the thorax of the patient; a front rod  20  for adjustably connecting upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 ; and a side rod  25  for adjustably connecting upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . The disposition of upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is adjusted vis-à-vis the disposition of lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  in order to apply the desired force vectors to the patient&#39;s anatomy, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. 
         [0036]    In one preferred form of the invention, scoliosis brace  5  also comprises a cinching mechanism  27  for selectively applying forces to upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  vis-à-vis lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and for restricting movement of upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , so as to facilitate functioning of scoliosis brace  5 , particularly when scoliosis brace  5  is in its “overcorrection” position. 
         [0037]    One or more straps  30  may also be used to secure upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to the patient, and/or to secure lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  to the patient, and/or to connect upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . Straps  30  allow further “on the fly” adjustment of the force vectors which are applied to the patient&#39;s anatomy by scoliosis brace  5 . 
         [0038]    If desired, padding (not shown) may be introduced between the patient&#39;s body and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and/or between the patient&#39;s body and upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 . This padding allows further adjustment of the force vectors being applied to the patient&#39;s anatomy, whereby to allow for controlling and re-aligning of the deformity of spine S with the desired anatomical alignment. 
         [0039]    In one form of the invention, novel scoliosis brace  5  may also comprise a “velcro” shirt  35  which is worn over the body of the patient and beneath scoliosis brace  5 . This “velcro” shirt allows one or more of lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 , strap(s)  30  and/or the aforementioned padding to adhere to the “velcro” shirt, whereby to further stabilize and further re-align the elements of the scoliosis deformity (including higher up relative to scoliosis brace  5 ) relative to the patient&#39;s anatomy. 
         [0040]    Lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  is preferably formed out of a stiff material (e.g., molded plastic, carbon fiber, a composite material, etc.). Lower portion  10  may comprise two halves (e.g., a front half and a back half) which are secured together about the patient&#39;s anatomy so as to form the complete lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . Alternatively, lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  may comprise a single piece of material which is slit vertically and which is flexible enough to allow lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  to be temporarily forced apart for fitting over the patient&#39;s anatomy and thereafter grasps the patient&#39;s anatomy in an acceptable fashion. 
         [0041]    Upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is also preferably formed out of a stiff material (e.g., molded plastic, carbon fiber, a composite material, etc.). Upper portion  15  may also comprise two halves (e.g., a front half and a back half) which are secured together about the patient&#39;s anatomy so as to form the complete upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 . Alternatively, upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  may comprise a single piece of material which is slit vertically and which is flexible enough to allow upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to be temporarily forced apart for fitting over the patient&#39;s anatomy and thereafter grasps the patient&#39;s anatomy in an acceptable fashion. 
         [0042]    Front rod  20  adjustably connects upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  so as to allow upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to be set a desired distance from lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and so as to allow upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to be inclined (or “tilted”) at a desired angle relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . More particularly, in one preferred form of the invention, front rod  20  comprises a bottom end  40  which is fixed to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and a top end  45  which is adjustably received in a front mount  50  provided in upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 . This front mount  50  allows the upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to be selectively fixed in various positions vis-à-vis the top end  45  of front rod  20 . More particularly, front mount  50  is constructed so that upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  can be selectively moved up or down, and/or tilted, relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  by selectively adjusting the connection between front mount  50  and the top end  45  of front rod  20 , and thereafter securing top end  45  of front rod  20  to front mount  50  (i.e., when upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is disposed at the desired height and at the desired angle relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 ). As a result of this construction, upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  can be set the desired distance from lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  can be set at the desired angle of tilt relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . 
         [0043]    In one preferred form of the invention, front mount  50  may comprise an inclined slot  52 , with top end  45  of front rod  20  being slidably mounted to inclined slot  52  via a screw-and-washer mechanism which may be loosened/tightened as desired. By way of example but not limitation, a bolt  53  may extend through inclined slot  52  formed in upper portion  15  and through a slot (or hole or holes)  54  formed in top end  45  of front rod  40 . A nut  56  may be secured over bolt  53 , whereby to lock upper portion  15  to front rod  40  in a desired position. See  FIG. 4 . If desired, inclined slot  52  may be replaced with a pattern or template of holes, or one or more oversized openings, etc., i.e., so as to allow for alignment variability by choosing the holes or openings used for securing upper portion  15  to front rod  20 . 
         [0044]    Side rod  25  also adjustably connects upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . More particularly, in one preferred form of the invention, side rod  25  comprises a bottom end  55  which is fixed to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and a top end  60  which is adjustably slidably received in a side mount  65  provided in upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 . This side mount  65  allows the upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  to be selectively fixed in various positions vis-à-vis top end  60  of side rod  25 . More particularly, side mount  65  is constructed so that upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  can be selectively moved up and down relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , by selectively adjusting the connection between side mount  65  and the top end  60  of side rod  25 , and thereafter securing top end  60  of side rod  25  to side mount  65  (i.e., when upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is disposed in the desired position relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 ). 
         [0045]    In one preferred form of the invention, side mount  65  may comprise a slot  66  formed in side rod  25  for receiving a protrusion (e.g., a bolt)  67  which is secured to upper portion  15 . Protrusion  67  is sized to slide within slot  66  when upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is moved up or down relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . And in a preferred form of the present invention, a nut  71  is provided which may be secured over protrusion (e.g., a bolt)  67 , whereby to lock upper portion  15  to side rod  25  in a desired position. See  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]    In one preferred form of the invention, a cinching mechanism  27  is provided to selectively apply forces to upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  vis-à-vis lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and for restricting movement of upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , whereby to facilitate functioning of scoliosis brace  5 , particularly when scoliosis brace  5  is in its “overcorrection” position. Cinching mechanism  27  generally comprises a length of material  68  which extends between upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  and which may be shortened as desired, whereby to selectively apply forces to upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and to restrict movement of the upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . 
         [0047]    In one preferred form of the invention, cinching mechanism  67  comprises a length of web  68  which extends between upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and which includes a tightening buckle  69  which allows the length of web  68  to be shortened as desired. By way of example but not limitation, tightening buckle  69  may comprise a cinching buckle which can releasably lock web  68  under tension, or tightening buckle  69  may comprise a sliding buckle and web  68  may be locked to itself (e.g., with a Velcro mechanism, etc.). 
         [0048]    On account of the foregoing construction, when scoliosis brace  5  is to be used as a “full time” support brace for providing a modest level of deformity support/correction to the patient (e.g., while the patient is awake or asleep), upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is positioned the appropriate distance from lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , with upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  positioned substantially parallel to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , and front rod  20  is secured in mount  50  and side rod  25  is secured in side mount  65 . See  FIG. 3 . When scoliosis brace  5  is in this configuration, front rod  20  will be secured “higher up” in front mount  50  and side rod  25  will be secured “lower down” in side mount  65 . In one preferred form of the invention, cinching mechanism  27  is used to restrict movement of upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  when the scoliosis brace is disposed in the proper position. And in one preferred form of the present invention, “velcro” fitted shirt  35  is worn by the patient so as to be disposed between the body of the patient and scoliosis brace  5 , and the “velcro” fitted shirt  35  is used to further adjust the scoliosis deformity and stabilize it to the upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . In addition, one or more straps  30  may also be used to adjust the position of the upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 , so as to adjust the force vectors applied to the patient&#39;s body from various positions and/or heights. Alternatively and/or additionally, padding may be introduced between the patient&#39;s body and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  and/or between the patient&#39;s body and upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 , so as to adjust the force vectors applied to the patient&#39;s body from various positions and/or heights. 
         [0049]    When scoliosis brace  5  is to be used as an “overcorrection” brace for providing an aggressive level of overcorrection (e.g., while the patient is in a supine position such as when sleeping), upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  is repositioned so that it is set at an angle (i.e., pivoted) relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  (i.e., upper portion  15  is canted clockwise, off of the horizontal, when viewed from the frame of reference of  FIGS. 3 and 6 ), whereby to apply an overcorrective force to the anatomy of the patient. See  FIG. 6 . When this occurs, front rod  20  is secured “lower down” in front mount  50  and side rod  25  is secured “higher up” in side mount  65 . In one preferred form of the invention, cinching mechanism  27  is used to apply forces to upper portion  15  as needed, and is then set so as to restrict movement of upper portion  15  relative to lower portion  10  when scoliosis brace  5  is disposed in the proper position. In one preferred form of the invention, “velcro” shirt  35  is worn by the patient underneath scoliosis brace  5 , and “velcro” fitted shirt  35  may be used to further stabilize upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  and to further stabilize the higher scoliotic curve relative to scoliosis brace  5 . In addition, one or more straps  30  may also be used to adjust the position upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and to further stabilize the scoliotic curvature relative to scoliosis brace  5 , so as to adjust the force vectors applied to the patient&#39;s body from various positions and/or heights. Alternatively and/or additionally, padding may be introduced between the patient&#39;s body and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  and/or between the patient&#39;s body and upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 , so as to adjust the force vectors applied to the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0050]    It will be appreciated that upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  may be provided in various shapes and/or sizes in order to contour to the anatomy of a given patient. See for example,  FIGS. 7  and  8 , which show further exemplary configurations for the upper portion of the scoliosis brace and the lower portion of the scoliosis brace. 
         [0051]    It will also be appreciated that front rod  20  of scoliosis brace  5  may be set on either the left side of the torso, the right side of the torso or, less preferably, the center of the torso. See, for example,  FIGS. 7 and 8 , which show front rod  20  set on the opposite side of the body from the position shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . Front rod  20  can also be configured to cant the brace in a way that rotates, derotates or untwists the spine between the upper and lower attachment points. Furthermore, front rod  20  of scoliosis brace  5  may be set on the back side of the body. 
         [0052]    It will also be appreciated that side rod  25  of scoliosis brace  5  may be set on either the left side of the torso or the right side of the torso. See, for example,  FIGS. 7 and 8 , which show side rod  25  set on the opposite side of the body from the position shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
         [0053]    And it will be appreciated that cinching mechanism  27  may be set on either the left side of the torso or the right side of the torso, although it will generally be set on the side of the torso to which upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  will be tilted when scoliosis brace  5  is set in its “overcorrection” position (since positioning cinching mechanism  27  on this side of the torso allows it to “pull down” on upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and thereby apply the desired forces to the body when scoliosis brace  5  is to be used in its “overcorrection” position). 
         [0054]    And it will be appreciated that front rod  20  of scoliosis brace  5 , front mount  50 , side rod  25  and/or side mount  65  of scoliosis brace  5  may take various configurations consistent with the present invention. 
         [0055]    By way of example but not limitation, in another preferred form of the present invention, and looking now at  FIGS. 9-12 , there is shown a novel scoliosis brace  5  wherein upper portion  15  is mounted to lower portion  10  by way of a centrally-located front rod  20  and a centrally-located front mount  50 . If desired, front mount  50  may comprise a slot, or a pattern or template of holes, or one or more oversized openings, etc., i.e., so as to allow for alignment variability by choosing the holes or openings used for securing upper portion  15  to front rod  20 . Side rod  25  comprises a lower half  70  fixedly mounted to lower portion  10 , and an upper half  75  fixedly mounted to upper portion  15 , with upper half  75  being slidably mounted to a lower half  70 . Upper half  75  of side rod  25  comprises a slot  80  for receiving one or more protrusions (e.g., a bolt)  85  which are secured to lower half  70  of side rod  25  (e.g., with a nut  87 ), such that protrusions  85  slidably connect upper half  75  to lower half  70 , whereby to form the aforementioned side mount  65 . Cinching mechanism  27  comprises a cable tensioning mechanism  90  which is preferably mounted opposite side rod  25 . Cable tensioning mechanism  90  preferably comprises a plurality of mounting points  95  for receiving a cable loop  100 , as will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. Mounting points  95  are preferably mounted to both upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . A tensioning knob  105  is mounted to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  ( FIG. 11 ). Cable loop  100  is passed through the plurality of mounting points  95  and engages tensioning knob  105  such that cable loop  100  extends between lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  and upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 . Cable loop  100  engages tensioning knob  105  such that rotation of tensioning knob  105  causes cable loop  100  to be effectively shortened, whereby to pull upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  towards lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , whereby to selectively and controllably pivot upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 . By virtue of this construction, upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  can be pivoted about the point where front rod  20  is mounted to upper portion  15  (i.e., front mount  50 ) and upper half  70  of side rod  25  can slide relative to lower half  75  of side rod  25  (i.e., within side mount  65 ). It will be appreciated that front mount  50 , side mount  65  and cinching mechanism  27  are locked in position when scoliosis brace  5  is disposed in the desired position. 
         [0056]    It should be appreciated that, if desired, upper portion  15  can be made to twist relative to lower portion  10  so as to apply torsion forces to the torso of the patient. 
         [0057]    To this end, if desired, the mounting points  95  discussed above can be located so as to apply torsional forces to upper portion  15  (and hence to the torso of a patient) when cable loop  100  is shortened, as will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. More particularly, the locations of mounting points  95  can be tailored to induce the desired torsional forces on upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  so as to maximize the therapeutic benefit of scoliosis brace  5 . By way of example but not limitation, mounting points  95  can be mounted to upper portion  15  “off center” (i.e., relative to tensioning knob  105 ) and/or to the front or back of upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  so as to “twist” upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  when cable loop  100  is shortened by rotating tensioning knob  105 . In other words, by varying the location of mounting points  95 , upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  can be caused to both pivot (off the horizontal) and twist (circumferentially) relative to lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5 , thereby increasing the range of therapeutic options available when using scoliosis brace  5 . 
         [0058]    Furthermore, as discussed above, in one form of the present invention, front rod  20  is slidably mounted to upper portion  15  by way of a bolt-and-nut mechanism. More particularly, bolt  53  extends through the inclined slot  52  formed in upper portion  15  and through a slot (or hole)  54  formed in top end  45  of front rod  20  and a nut  56  is provided to lock upper portion  15  to front rod  25  in a desired position. Where this construction is utilized, one way of applying torsion forces to the torso of a patient is by canting inclined slot  52  relative to the plane of front mount  50 , such that movement of the bolt within the canted inclined slot  52  causes upper portion  15  to twist (circumferentially) relative to lower portion  10 . 
         [0059]    Similarly, as discussed above, side rod  25  is slidably mounted to upper portion  15  by way of a protrusion  67  which is slidably received in slot  66  formed in side rod  25 . More particularly, protrusion (i.e., a bolt)  67  extends through a hole formed in upper portion  15  such that it extends outwardly from upper portion  15  and is slidably received in slot  66  formed in side rod  25  and nut  71  is provided, which may be secured over protrusion  67 , whereby to lock upper portion  15  to side rod  25  in a desired position. Where this construction is utilized, another way of applying torsion forces to the torso of a patient is by canting slot  66  relative to the plane of side mount  65 , such that movement of protrusion  67  within the canted slot  66  causes upper portion  15  to twist relative to lower portion  10 . 
         [0060]    Torsion can also be applied to the torso of the patient by varying the shape/geometry of one or both of front rod  20  and side rod  25 . By way of example but not limitation, front rod  20  and/or side rod  25  may be twisted so as to induce torsion forces on the patient&#39;s torso. Alternatively, front rod  20  and/or side rod  25  may incorporate a bend so as to induce torsion forces on the patient&#39;s torso. 
         [0061]    Additionally, it should further be appreciated that torsion forces may be imposed on the patient&#39;s torso by varying the mounting points of cinching mechanism  27 , e.g., by mounting one end of cinching mechanism  27  to the front or back of upper portion  15  and mounting the other end of cinching mechanism  27  to the side of lower portion  10  (or, optionally, by mounting one end of cinching mechanism  27  to the side of upper portion  15  and mounting the other end of cinching mechanism  27  to the front or back of lower portion  10 ). By virtue of this construction, when cinching mechanism  27  is tightened, upper portion  15  can be made to twist (circumferentially) relative to lower portion  10 . 
         [0062]    And it should also be appreciated that upper portion  15  may be mounted to front rod  20  of scoliosis brace  5  via a bolt (or bolts) disposed in one or more holes formed in upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5 , or via a bolt disposed in a sliding hole or slot (e.g., such as the slot  52  shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 ). To this end, upper portion  15  can comprise a “template” having a plurality of holes, slots, sliding holes, etc., in order to provide various options for mounting upper portion  15  to front rod  20  of scoliosis brace  5 . 
         [0063]    Furthermore, it should also be appreciated that upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  may be provided in different sizes/shapes/geometries in order to accommodate the specific anatomy of a given patient. Upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  may be provided “off the shelf” in common sizes/shapes/geometries, or upper portion  15  of scoliosis brace  5  and lower portion  10  of scoliosis brace  5  may be custom-fitted to a given patient or even custom designed and generated (e.g., via 3D printing). 
       Modifications 
       [0064]    It should also be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention.