Abstract:
An inflatable bladder is used to articulate the spine of a user. A pelvis pad includes a support frame and a pliable cushion positioned thereon. The bladder is supported on the support frame and received by a void in the cushion. In the preferred embodiment the bladder includes two upper portions that extend away from the support frame toward the body of the user. The upper portions of the bladder, or two separate bladders, are cylindrical in shape when expanded. The void in the cushion is also cylindrical in shape and therefore acts to guide the expansion and contraction of the bladders or upper portions of the bladder. The upper portions are preferably positioned eleven inches apart and inflate at least two inches above the support frame. This proximity of the upper portions of the bladder fit the width of the right and left anterior superior illiac spine along the illiac crest of the pelvis. Expansion of the bladder applies a posterior force to the pelvis through the illiac crest and rotates the pelvis. This manipulates the lumbar spine to stretch the muscles of the lower back and increase the posterior disk spacing of the lumbar vertebrae, providing mild lumbar traction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to therapy devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for relief of acute lower back pain.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Low back pain is the fifth-leading cause of trips to the doctor in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic Health Information, Jun. 3, 2004). The same source notes that back injuries are the leading cause of work-related disability. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain. It is also estimated that approximately 80% of all Americans will encounter a bout with low back pain at some time in their lives (Mayo Clinic, 2004). When lost wages and work time are also considered, the loss to the American society is staggering.  
         [0003]     Traction devices have been used for many years with some success. The concept is to apply a tension load to the spine. In theory, by pulling the spine longitudinally, a bulging or otherwise prolapsed disk between the vertebrae would be pulled in and away from the nerve cord located just posterior to the spine. Due to the lordosis or lumbar curve of the spine, applying a random load can cause the muscles to tighten and increase the arch or curve. This may increase the displacement of the disk bulge toward the nerve cord, exacerbating the problem. Traction must be controlled not only by the level of tension but the support of the body. Proper manipulation of the spine and pelvis can in itself provide a controlled traction to the spine.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In one aspect, the invention is a back therapy device, which features a pelvis pad with a pliable portion and at least one cavity preferably being substantially cylindrical in shape. In the preferred embodiment there are two cavities positioned between nine and thirteen inches apart and optimally eleven inches apart. A support frame is provided, being comprised substantially of a channel with a pair of sloping legs and a hollow underside. The support frame is disposed substantially under the pliable portion, which may be a foam rubber pad (such as closed cell polyurethane). At least one collapsible bladder is supported by the support frame and received by the cavity. The bladder includes two upper portions that expand away from the support frame by at least one inch or in the preferred embodiment by at least two inches. These upper portions may be part of the same continuous bladder or they may be two separate bladders each with their own upper portion. The upper portions of the bladder, or the bladders themselves, are preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and comprised of a pliable material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) vinyl.  
         [0005]     A pump is provided in fluid communication with the bladder, whereby actuation of the pump enables expansion of the bladder, thus providing vertical displacement of the upper portions of the bladder relative to the support frame. The pump can be an electrically powered pump such as an air pump or other fluid power pump, or a hand pump. The electrical pump may be operated by use of a switch remotely positioned from the pump, such as positioned adjacent to a face pad, which may also be included in the system.  
         [0006]     The face pad may be comprised of a substantially U-shaped face pad with an open center section and an upper connecting section. The open center section may include an expanded top portion, adjacent to the connecting section, whereby when a user&#39;s face is positioned thereon, the expanded top portion provides room lateral to the eyes of the user for increased comfort. Another addition to increase comfort includes providing a void near the base of the connecting section, thereby providing an air breathing passage for the user.  
         [0007]     The system my also include a substantially flat chest mat connected to the pelvis pad and to the face pad. A pliable substantially cylindrical shin pad may also be added. The shin pad provides support for the lower legs of a user in a prone position when the midsection of the user is positioned on the pelvis pad.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the invention includes a method of manipulating the spine of the user providing a structure as previously noted. The method includes positioning a user in a prone position with the user&#39;s illiac crest over the bladder. The user actuates the pump, thereby expanding the bladder, displacing it away from the frame. In doing so, this provides posterior rotation of the user&#39;s pelvis by a force applied to the illiac crest from the expanding bladder. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the various features thereof, as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understood from the following description, when read together with the accompanying drawings, described:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1   a  is a side view of a person lying in a prone position on a flat surface.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1   b  is a side view of a person lying in a prone position with the pelvis on an inflated pelvis pad, the head supported on a face pad and the lower legs supported on a leg roll pad, the device in combination produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a version of a back therapy device including a pelvis pad, face pad and a leg roll pad, the device in combination produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a version of a back therapy device including a pelvis pad with inflated bladders and a face pad, the device produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4   a  is a schematic of the electrical and pneumatic systems of one version of the device with a common bladder, the device produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4   b  is a portion of the schematic similar to that shown in  FIG. 4   a , showing an alternative valve to enable two unique bladders, the device produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of a version of a pelvis pad of a back therapy device, the device produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a version of a back therapy device including a pelvis pad with one inflated bladder and one deflated bladder and a face pad, the cushion of the pelvis pad shown displaced, the device produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a version of a back therapy device including a pelvis pad with deflated bladders and a face pad, the cushion of the pelvis pad shown displaced, the device produced in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a version of a back therapy device including a pelvis pad with deflated bladders and a face pad, the cushion of the pelvis pad shown vertically displaced and the electric pump replaced with a hand pump, the device produced in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
       [0020]     For the most part, and as will be apparent when referring to the figures, when an item is used unchanged in more than one figure, it is identified by the same alphanumeric reference indicator in all figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     The present invention is a back therapy device. The general function of the device is shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . In  FIG. 1   a , a person  10  is shown lying in a face down in a prone position on a flat surface  12 . The pelvis  14  of the person  10  is illustrated in its natural position with the lumbar spine  16  including its natural curve or lordosis. The front sweeping portion of the pelvis is the illiac crest  18 . Toward the anterior (in this view the lower) portion a bony protrusion exists. This protrusion is the anterior, superior illiac spine  20 . The pelvis is supported by the long bones of the upper legs or the femur (not shown).  
         [0022]     The same body is shown while using the device  22  in  FIG. 1   b . The invention may include some peripheral components, as will be disclosed in detail, but the primary component is the pelvis pad  24 . This is positioned under the pelvis  14  of the user  10  with an upper portion  26  of a bladder  28  positioned under the illiac crest of the user. Optimally the anterior, superior illiac spine is targeted. The bladder  28  is shown here to be inflated and thereby rotating the pelvis  14  toward the back or posterior side of the user  10  as indicated by the arrow  30 . In doing so, the lordosis of the lumbar spine is reduced to be substantially flat. Upon closer examination of the distances between the posterior aspects of the lumbar vertebrae, it can be seen that they are dramatically increased from that in the flat condition  32   a  to that in the posterior pelvic tilt position  32   b . The nerve cord runs posterior to the disks between these vertebrae and therefore any bulge in these disks will likely protrude toward the nerve cord. This spinal manipulation not only stretches the muscles of the lower back, but also acts to mildly pull the posterior aspects of these vertebrae apart ( 32   a  to  32   b ). This provides a mild traction to the lumbar spine  16 .  
         [0023]     Other aspects of the invention  22  include the sloped section  34  of the pelvis pad  24  to more comfortably support the legs of a user  10 . Additionally, a face pad  36  is positioned in front of the pelvis pad  24  and used to comfortably support the head of the user  10  in a face down or prone position. A shin pad  38  is also provided to allow the user  10  to lie in this position with the knees slightly bent allowing the biceps femoris, semitendinosus and other muscles of the hamstrings to relax.  
         [0024]     The device  22  is shown alone in  FIG. 2 . The face pad  36  is connected to the pelvis pad  24  by a chest mat  40 . The chest mat  40  is not a required element of the invention, but it functions to tether the face pad  36  to the pelvis pad  24  as well as offering a clean environment as opposed to the floor, where the device  22  would typically be positioned when in use. The user&#39;s face is positioned within the open center section  42  of the substantially U-shaped pad  44  of the face pad  36 . Therefore movement of air for breathing will partially come from under the user&#39;s chest, which would be on top of the chest mat  40 . Since the mat  40  is not walked on as much as a typically floor, it is easier to prevent contaminants from being sucked into the respiratory system of the user. Additional airflow is provided by the air tunnel  46 , which is a void near the base of the connecting section  48  of the U-shaped face pad  44 .  
         [0025]     When positioned for a prolonged period on a typical face down pad, the user&#39;s eye sockets can experience pressure from the pad  44  and cause discomfort. To solve this problem, the open center section  42  includes an expanded top portion  50  adjacent to the connecting portion  48 . This expanded portion  50  on each side allows for the forehead and the side of the face of the user to support the weight of the head, avoiding contact with the area around the eyes. This reduces pressure on the zygomaticofacial nerve and middle temporal vein next to the eye.  
         [0026]     The pelvis pad  24  is the primary functional unit of the device  22 . It is shown here with the pad cover  52 , typically a vinyl or leather material, removed to better show the components of the pelvis pad  24 . The pad cover  52  is in a flat pattern to illustrate what it is and how it might be manufactured. The cuts  54  would be sewn together to provide a “cap” that fits over the pelvis pad structure and fastened to the base of the pelvis pad  24 . An elastic section  56  is shown as a mesh element secured into the pad cover  52 . This is done to allow for the vertical displacement of the upper portions  26  of the bladder  28 . The elastic properties of the elastic section  56  could alternatively be incorporated into the material of the pad cover  52 , making it a homogenous material that is capable of deformation with memory. This would enable the bladder  28  to expand and deflate repeatedly over time without a structural failure of the pad cover  52 . The alternative is to sew in an elastic section  56  comprised of a specialized material with good elastic properties that will allow for the deformation. This is the embodiment illustrated here.  
         [0027]     The pelvis pad  24  further includes the bladder  28  with two upper portions  26 . This will be shown in greater detail later in the disclosure. The upper portions  26  are the parts of the bladder that expand upward toward the user to apply a force to manipulate the pelvis. In the preferred embodiment, this can be accomplished by two separate bladders, each with an upper portion, or by one bladder with two upper portions. A single bladder with one upper portion can also be used which would manipulate one side of the pelvis at a time. Though this could be made functional, it is considered by the inventor that the preferred embodiment includes two upper portions that contact each side of the user&#39;s illiac crest simultaneously or alternatively but without the need for the user to move their body from one side to the other. As such, the disclosure only shows two upper portions  26 , though it is understood that one could be made to work.  
         [0028]     The pad  24  includes a flat section  58  and a sloped section  34 . The flat section  58  provides a general support platform for the user&#39;s midsection. The flat section  58  can be manufactured of a semi-rigid material, but it is considered desirable for comfort that the flat section  58  and the sloped section  34  be manufactured of a pliable material such as foam rubber. A molded piece of closed cell polyurethane that incorporates both the flat  58  and sloped  34  sections is preferred. As noted prior, the sloped section  34  is provided to more ergonomically support the upper legs of the user. For male users, a center cutaway  60  is provided to allow extra room for the groin.  
         [0029]     A shin pad  38  is provided to offer support for the lower legs of the user. This can take a variety of forms and is shown here as a cylindrical block. The specific shape is not critical to the invention but the cylindrical form is considered optimal in that while the user is positioned face down, the user can roll the shin pad  38  closer to the feet or further from the feet with minimal effort in order that a comfortable position can be attained. As with a portion of the pelvis pad  24 , a foam rubber material is preferred.  
         [0030]     Greater detail of the pelvis pad  24  and face pad  36  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The pelvis pad  24  is changed in that the upper portions  26  of the bladder  28  have been expanded to extend up beyond the top of the flat surface  58  of the pad  24 . Here it can be seen that the upper portions  26  are substantially cylindrical in shape. Again, this can be one continuous bladder with two upper portions  26  or two unique bladders  28 . The dimension “x” designates the relative location of these upper portions  26 . The upper portions  26  are intended to support each of the two anterior aspects of the superior illiac spine on the right and left side of the pelvis of the user. The lateral spacing of these pelvic bones is between nine and thirteen inches apart, with an optimal positioning of eleven inches (x). The vertical displacement of these upper portions  26  is at least one inch and preferably at least two inches when not under load. The bladder  28  is supported by an internal frame, which will be later disclosed in more detail. The bladder  28  is preferably collapsible in that it can be deflated when air or other fluid is allowed to exit the bladder  28 , thus allowing the upper portions  26  to retract back toward the frame located within the pelvis pad  24 . A suitable material for the bladder  28  is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) vinyl. This is a pliable plastic material that is very durable and commonly used for inflatable products such as pool toys.  
         [0031]     In this embodiment of the invention, a pump is housed within the pelvis pad  24 . This is preferably an electrically powered air pump. This will be further disclosed in more detail. The control of this pump and the rest of the fluid power system are remotely operated by one or more switches. In this embodiment, three switches are used and located on the base of the face pad  36 . The switches can be of any form to control the pump and other aspects of the fluid power controlling the bladder  28 . A common form would be electric switches, but pneumatic switches would also work with an air actuated system. Given that electrical communication is more easily achieved between the face pad  36  and the pump and other controls in the pelvis pad  24 , an electric system is preferred.  
         [0032]     A start button  62  is a switch positioned near the face pad  36  and thereby easily accessible to the user in a face down position. A single raised dot  64  can be used as a sightless communication of this the proper button to initiate the action of the pump to expand the bladder  28 . When an air, hydraulic or other fluid power pump is used to expand the bladder  28 , a pressure switch is used to shut the pump off at a predetermined maximum pressure. In the event that the user desires to stop the pump prior to maximal expansion, a stop switch  66  is provided. As before, a sightless identifier is provided with two raised dots  68  next to this switch  66 . Finally to release the air or other fluid from the bladder  28 , an exhaust switch  70  is used. A raised three-dot group  72  is located next to the exhaust button  70 .  
         [0033]     In this form of the invention, electric, spring return momentary switches are used. This system is detailed by a schematic in  FIG. 4   a . A current is provided to the circuit upon closing the start switch  62 . This actuates a relay switch  74 , such as a double pole double throw (DPDT) solenoid relay switch. Energizing the coil  76  of the relay switch  74  closes two normally open switches. The first relay switch  78  closes the electric circuit from a battery  80  to the motor of the pump  82 . This circuit also provides voltage to energize the solenoid of a 3-way solenoid valve  84 . The second relay switch  86  provides a closed circuit from the battery  80  to the coil  76 , thus enabling the relay switches ( 78  &amp;  86 ) to remain closed after the start switch  62  (normally open momentary switch) is released. The valve  84  provides fluid communication between the pump  82  and the bladder  28 . In that the two separate structures  28  are connected by a common airline  88 , the two-bag structure functions as one bladder  28  with two unique upper portions  26 . Upon reaching maximum pressure, the normally closed pressure switch  90  opens or the stop switch  66  (normally closed momentary switch) is opened, thus interrupting the voltage to the coil  76  of the relay switch  74 . This opens the relay switches ( 78  &amp;  86 ) stopping the current flow to the motor of the pump  82  and returning the 3-way valve  84  to the relaxed position shown. This traps the fluid in the bladder  28 .  
         [0034]     To release the fluid from the bladder  28 , the exhaust button  70  (normally open momentary switch) is actuated completing the circuit from the battery  80  to the solenoid of the 2-way solenoid valve  92 . This provides an escape for the air or other fluid within the bladder  28 . Upon release of the exhaust switch  70 , the 2-way valve  92  returns to the relaxed locked position To release more fluid, the user depresses and holds the exhaust switch  70 . Upon release of the exhaust switch  70 , the valve automatically resets to hold fluid in the bladder  28 .  
         [0035]     A 4-way valve  94  could be substituted for the 3-way valve  84 , thus separating and thereby providing a unique substantially cylindrical shaped first bladder  96  and a second bladder  98 . This is shown in  FIG. 4   b . The pump  82  provides fluid flow through the check valve  100  and then to the 4-way valve  94 . The 4-way valve  94  directs fluid flow to either the first bladder  96  (relaxed valve) or the second bladder  98  (energized valve). The exhaust of each bladder is controlled by the 2-way valve  92  and prevented from back flowing through the pump  82  by the check valve  100 . By shuttling the 4-way valve  94  in either the stage of inflow from the pump  82  or exhaust through the 2-way valve  92 , each of the first and second bladders ( 96  &amp;  98  respectively) can be controlled independently. If a consistent inflow or exhaust is desired, the 4-way valve  94  can be actuated at a relatively high rate (over 2 Hz) to fill or exhaust both bladders with frequent small changes. This system would be especially valuable for electronically programmed sessions where one bladder is desired to expand or deflate independently of the second bladder.  
         [0036]     An exploded view of the pelvis pad  24  is shown in  FIG. 5 . As stated earlier the pad cover is not shown though it is understood that some type of covering may be used to provide a surface that is easily cleaned between uses. The pelvis pad  24  includes a pliable portion  102  (preferably manufactured of foam rubber) that includes two cylindrical shaped cavities  104 . These cavities  104  act to guide the expansion and deflation of the bladders  28 , which have the spacing relative to each other as previously noted. The bladders  28  (shown here in a deflated state) are supported by a support frame  106 , which is comprised substantially of a channel with two sloping legs  108 . The channel form of the support frame  106  allows for a substantially hollow underside  110 . This hollow underside  110  with the base  112 , together provides a structural container to house and support the drive and control components for the pelvis pad  24 .  
         [0037]     The bladders  28  are mounted to the top of the support frame  106 , thus providing a secure base of support from which the bladders  28  can expand up through the voids  104  in the pliable portion  102 . The support frame  106  can be part of the base  112 , or as shown here to be mounted thereto. The relay switch  74 , valves ( 84  &amp;  92 ) and pressure switch  90  are all mounted to the support frame  106 . The pump  82  may be mounted to the support frame  106  by way of the clip  114  shown here. The batteries  80  are mounted to the base  112 , on a battery door  116 , which is pivotally mounted to the base  112 . This facilitates replacement of the batteries  80  when they run low. A series of feet  118  are provided to elevate the bottom of the base  112  off the floor or other supportive surface during use and storage.  
         [0038]     The pelvis pad  24  with the chest mat  40  and face pad  36  are shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  in slightly different views with the pliable portion  102  displaced. The pelvis pad  24  is assembled with the exception of the pliable portion  102 .  FIG. 6  shows the pelvis pad  24  with one bladder inflated  28 ′ and one deflated  28 . This can be achieved by use of the system as previously disclosed in  FIG. 4   b . Though possible to use the afore disclosed start, stop, exhaust system, it is more likely this would be used with a programmable system utilizing a microprocessor to actuate the valves and pump in accordance with a predetermined protocol. An infinite number of protocols can be provided to the user to quickly or slowly inflate or deflate one or both bladders  28 . In view of this use, a series of buttons  120  can still be used, each for a pre-programmed protocol, each potentially lasting several minutes. Fig,  7  shows a similar view with two bladders  28  that are both deflated. In both cases the bladders  28  are mounted to the support frame  106 . The pliable portion  102  is revealed showing the under side. An additional void  122  is provided to receive the structure of the pelvis pad  24  that is mounted to the base  112 .  
         [0039]     An alternate version of the invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . Here the electric pump has been replaced with a hand pump  124 . This pump can be similar to the hand pump used on a mechanical blood pressure cuff or sphygmomanometer. It consists of a bulb  124  with a screw valve  128 . When the valve  128  is closed a pumping action of the bulb  126  pumps air into the bladder  28 . By unscrewing the valve  128 , air is allowed to exit the system and deflate the bladder  28 . In this version no batteries or other valves are needed. As such, the face pad  130  is simplified to eliminate the base support, which previously housed the switches. The chest mat has also been eliminated in this version in that there are no wires traveling between the simplified face pad  130  and the modified pelvis pad  132 .  
         [0040]     The invention as shown and described herein is the preferred embodiment of the invention as seen by the inventor. It is understood that an infinite number of variations of certain details are possible and therefore are inherently included in this disclosure.