Abstract:
Spinal correction comparable to that achieved through mastery of the specific upper spinal correction procedure may be produced through the simple application of harmonic vibrations and light long axis traction to the spine. Accordingly, complex spine correction may be achieved through a relatively simple procedure, apt for automation. During the procedure the patient may be placed in a supine position and the patient&#39;s head supported. The patient&#39;s head may be elevated and/or positioned forward with respect to the rest of the body. Light long axis traction is then induced along the spine. During the induction of traction, vibrations are applied to the spine.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Utilizing a very sophisticated system of specific upper spinal correction a small segment of chiropractors successfully achieve therapeutic spinal correction. Successfully practicing the specific upper spinal correction procedure entails delivering an extremely light, accurately placed force to the upper cervical spine to return the head, neck and spine to their normal orthogonal anatomical relationship. The location, direction and magnitude of the forces applied are generally determined by exacting X-ray analysis. Accordingly, precision X-ray alignment and accurate patient placement for X-rays are critical for successful specific upper spinal correction. After the required direction and amplitude of the force required is determined from X-ray analysis, the patient&#39;s head must be properly positioned and the force must be accurately applied with respect to both direction and amplitude. The complexity of specific upper spinal correction makes it difficult to learn and even more difficult to master. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Spinal correction comparable to that achieved through mastery of the specific upper spinal correction procedure may be produced through the simple application of harmonic vibrations and light long axis traction to the spine. Accordingly, complex spine correction may be achieved through a relatively simple procedure, apt for automation. During the procedure the patient may be placed in a supine position and the patient&#39;s head supported. The patient&#39;s head may be elevated and/or positioned forward with respect to the rest of the body. Light long axis traction is then induced along the spine. During the induction of traction, vibrations are applied to the spine. 
         [0003]    Directing the patient to lie down or otherwise placing the patient in a supine position helps the muscles along the spine to relax, lessening forces exerted on the spine by muscle guarding. During normal movement, joints, ligaments and/or muscles along the spine transmit signals to the central nervous system in response to being stretched. In response to stretch signals, the central nervous system directs muscles to contract to resist stretching of the spine. During daily activities these autocorrect signals assist in maintaining balance, posture and/or coordinated movement. However, stretch triggered autocorrect signals can also contribute to misalignment of the spine and can act against efforts to return the spine to proper alignment. Accordingly, in some instances it may be advantageous to lessen muscle guarding by having the patient relax in a supine position. 
         [0004]    It may also be advantageous to avoid the induction of muscle guarding during correction. Avoiding muscle guarding can be accomplished by inducing light long axis traction along the spine. Light long axis fraction applied to the spine in some instance may be below the threshold that would induce firing of neurological receptors in joints, ligaments and muscles in response to stretching. In some instances light long axis traction induced along the spine may be less than therapeutic traction. Accordingly, long axis fraction of 27 pounds applied to the neck may be sufficient in some embodiments. In other instances, long axis fraction of 12-13.5 pounds may be sufficient. Measuring the caudal force applied to the head may be done to monitor the amount of the traction. 
         [0005]    Light long axis traction induced along the spine may, in some instances, provide a force urging the spine towards proper alignment. The ability of light long axis traction to urge the spine toward alignment may be enhanced by supporting the head equally on both lateral occipital regions of the skull. Additionally, during the induction of light long axis traction inferior movement of the skull may be inhibited. 
         [0006]    Inducing light long axis traction may be accomplished by placing the patient in an inclined supine position so that traction is provided by the force of gravity. The use of gravity to supply light long axis traction may permit the spine to be consistently pulled in an exact direction. In some instances, the patient may find it more comfortable to have his head elevated above his feet. 
         [0007]    Having the patient lay flat on his back on a tilted surface may be sufficient, in some instances, to induce light long axis traction along the spine. When so positioned, especially when inferior movement of the head is inhibited, the resulting light long axis traction may induce the spine to slide down the incline and into alignment, like a crooked rope being pulled straight. In some instances, movement of the spine down the incline may be assisted by the patient&#39;s tissue located between the spine and the inclined surface. The tissue may provide a surface of reduced friction along which the spine may move. Thus, in some instances, the spine may float upon underlying tissue and slide down the incline into alignment. 
         [0008]    In addition to light long axis traction, vibrations applied to the spine may induce movement of the spine in the direction of induced light long axis traction. Accordingly, in some instances the combination of light long axis and vibrations applied to the spine may induce corrective force. If the patient is placed at an incline such that the force gravity supplies light long axis fraction, then the spine may be pulled into perfect alignment. Vibrations may be applied for any length of time. With some patients, a five to eight minute application of light long axis traction and vibrations to the spine may be sufficient. In some instances, vibrations may be applied to multiple regions of the spine simultaneously. Accordingly, simultaneous movement and alignment of multiple regions of the spine may be induced. In some instances, the vibrations may be applied to the spine through surface supporting the patient. In other instances, vibrations may be applied to specific regions and/or points along the spine. For example, vibrations may applied the transverse process of C-1, the posterior aspect of C-1, the skull, the cervical region , the thoracic region, and the lumbar region. Sequential application of vibrations to various regions and/or locations of the spine may induce sequential movement and alignment. In some instance it may be desirable to induce harmonic vibrations along the entire spine and/or in one or more specific regions of the spine. 
         [0009]    The vibrations applied to the spine may be a progressed from a low frequency to a high to frequency. Progressing the vibration across a frequency range may, in some embodiments, permit the induction of harmonic vibrations within each region of the spine. In some instances the vibrations applied to the spine may be between approximately 5 and approximately 85 Hertz. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    A detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention is hereafter provided which makes specific reference to the following figures. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a spinal correction device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts an instance of applying light long action traction with the spinal correction device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of a spinal correction device comprising spine supports and leg supports. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of a clam clamp that may be associated a head support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    While the invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. 
         [0016]    For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features, unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0017]    An embodiment of a light long axis traction spinal correction device  100  which may be used to practice the above procedure is shown in  FIG. 1 . Correction device  100  comprises base  101  supporting table top  102 . Pivot joint  103  connects table top  102  to the base  101 . Head support  104  on table top  102  supports a patient&#39;s head in an elevated position. Vibration element  105  in contact with table top  102  induces vibrations within table top  102  which are applied to the patient&#39;s spine. 
         [0018]    As show in  FIG. 1 , a patient lies supine on table top  102 . The patient&#39;s head is supported by head support  104 . In some embodiments, head support  104  may be configured to support the patient&#39;s head equally on both lateral occipital regions of the skull behind the mastoid bone. In some embodiments, a head support  104  may prevent inferior movement of the head. Inferior movement of the head may be prevented by strap  115  associated with head support which secures the patient&#39;s head to head to support  104 . 
         [0019]    In combination or the alternative, head support  104  may include a clam clamp  400 .  FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of clam clamp  400  having a bottom  401  matching the inward slop of the lower portions of the back of the head. The upper half  402  of the clam clamp  400  may be configured to extend over the patient&#39;s forehead and hook over the upper portion of the eye orbit, without pushing on the eye. Clam clamp  400  may be motorized or manually set. In some embodiments a force limited may be included to limit the force applied by clam clamp  400 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, a patient may be provided with a release the patient could actuate to release the head restraint associated with head support  104 . In combination or the alternative, head support  104  may be configured to release the patient&#39;s head if traction applied to the neck exceeds a predetermined limit. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, head support  104  may comprise cephaled adjustment mechanism  106  permitting the patient&#39;s head to be positioned forward with respect to the body along arc  107 . In combination or the alternative, head support  104  may comprise vertical adjustment mechanism  108  permitting raising and lowering of the patient&#39;s head above table top  102 . A variety of adjustment mechanisms may be utilized in association with head support  102  to elevate and/or position the patient&#39;s head forward. The adjustment mechanisms associated with head support  104  of correction device  100  comprise vertical rail  109  and a horizontal rail  110  along which head support  104  may slide. Screws  111  and  112  secure head support  104  in position along rails  109  and  110 , respectively. 
         [0022]    After the patient lays supine on table top  102  with his head supported by head support  104 , light long axis traction is induced along the spine by placing table top  102  at an incline, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The amount of traction applied may be measured and/or calculated. Protractor  113  measuring the angle of incline of table top  102  may permit the amount of tract induced along the spine to be calculated from the patient&#39;s weight. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , protractor  113  may be associated with pivot joint  103 . In combination or the alternative, protractor  113  may be associated with table top  102  and/or otherwise positioned to measure the incline of table top  102 . In some embodiments, the incline of table top  102  may be limited to 12 degrees. 
         [0023]    In combination or the alternative to calculating traction from the incline of table top  102 , a traction force meter associated with head support  104  may permit the amount traction applied along the spine to be measured. 
         [0024]    While table top  102  is inclined, vibrations are generated within table top  102  by vibration element  105 . The vibrations generated within table top  102  are applied to the patient&#39;s spine. Accordingly, during the induction of light long axis fraction vibrations generated by vibration element  105  are transferred through table top  102  into the patient&#39;s spine. When transferring vibrations to the patient&#39;s spine, vibrating table top  102  moves up and down with respect to the patient&#39;s spine. As vibrating table top  102  moves upward it exerts an increasing force against the patient. Likewise, as vibrating table top  102  moves down the force exerted against the patient decreases. The maximum force exerted against the patient by the upward movement of table top  102  is referred to as the force amplitude of the vibrations. In some embodiments, the force amplitude of the vibrations applied to the spine may be between approximately 0.2 and approximately 2.0 pounds. 
         [0025]    The combination of the induced light long axis traction and vibrations applied to the spine through table top  102  induces the spine to slide down the incline of table top  102  and into alignment, like a crooked rope being pulled straight. In some embodiments, movement of the spine into alignment may be facilitated by leg support  114  on table top  102 . Positioning leg support  114  beneath the patient&#39;s knees may remove resistance to movement from the patient&#39;s leg. Leg support  114  may be a cushion, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternative embodiment of a light long axis traction spinal correction device. Table top  102  of light long axis traction spinal correction device  300  depicted in  FIG. 3  is balanced about pivot joint  103 . Balanced about pivot joint  103 , table top  102  may be inclined with reduced effort. The incline of table top  102  of device  300  may be measured by a protractor associated with table top  102 . 
         [0027]    Device  300  comprises spine supports  301  on table top  102 . Adjusting the vertical placement of spine supports  301  allows support of the patient in a supine position with the spine curved as in the standing position. The vertical placement of spine supports  301  may be adjusted using vertical adjustment mechanisms associated with spines supports  301 . Movement of the spine during correction may be enhanced in some embodiments with rollers and/or slides incorporated into spine supports  301 . 
         [0028]    In addition to spine supports  301 , device  300  supports the patient in a supine position with leg supports  114 . Adjusting the vertical placement of leg supports  114  may permit the patient to be supported in a supine position with their legs positioned with respect to the spine as if in a standing position. The vertical placement of leg supports  114  may be adjusted using vertical adjustment mechanism associated with leg supports  114 . Movement of the legs during correction may be enhanced in some embodiment with rollers and/or slides incorporated into leg supports  114 . 
         [0029]    In addition to supporting the patient in a supine position, head support  104  and/or spine supports  301  may transfer vibrations to the spine. The vibrations applied to the spine by head support  104  and/or leg supports  301  may be generated by vibration element  105  in contact with table top  102 . Accordingly, in some embodiments vibrations generated by vibration element  105  may be transferred through table top  102 , up supports  104  and/or  201  and into the patient&#39;s spine. 
         [0030]    In combination or the alternative, head support  104  and/or at least one spine supports  301  may be associated directly with individual vibration elements. Vibrations generated by vibrations elements could then be transferred directly from supports  104  and/or  301  to the patient&#39;s spine. In some embodiments, a vibration element may be positioned at the portion of head support  104  and/or at least one spine supports  301  contacting the patient. In such embodiments, vibrations generated would be applied directly to the patient&#39;s spine. 
         [0031]    Device  300  depicted in  FIG. 3  incorporates vibration elements  105  atop of head support  104  and spin supports  301 . In some embodiments force meters may be associated with head support  104  and spine supports  301  for measuring the force amplitude of the vibrations applied to the spine at head support  104  and spine supports  301 . In combination or the alternative, fore meters measuring the force amplitude of vibrations applied to the spine may associated with base  101  and/or table top  102 . In some embodiments, a force meter measuring the force amplitude of the vibrations may be a transducer. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments a computer with software may interface with the spinal correction device. The software may accept as input patient data, reference previous treatment data and determine recommended treatment parameters. The software may then, in some embodiments, display the recommended treatment parameters to the clinician who sets the correction device accordingly. In combination or the alternative, the software may set the correction device to all or some of the recommended parameters by controlling the vibration element and/or incline of the table top. 
         [0033]    The patient data inputted into the software may include age, weight, body type, gender and/or various physiological measurements. The accepted physiological measurements may include height, postural measurements such as standing weight difference, pelvic rotation, fixed point deviation, leg length inequality, uneven shoulders and/or head tilt, and/or x-ray measurements such as atlas lateral displacement, lower cervical angle, C2 rotation and/or atlas rotation. 
         [0034]    The recommended treatment parameters may include the incline of the table top, force amplitude of the applied vibrations, frequency of the applied vibrations and/or duration of treatment. 
         [0035]    Previous treatment data may include patient data, treatment parameters and/or outcome data such post treatment physiological measurements. 
         [0036]    In determining recommended treatment parameters, the software may compare inputted patient data to previous treatment data. In some embodiments, the comparison entails searching and selective previous treatment data matching one or more elements of patient data, such as weight. The software may then output and/or set the correction device to all or some of the treatment parameters associated with the returned previous treatment data. In some situations it is possible the software may identify multiple previous treatment data matching the patient data. In such situations, the software may select the previous treatment data best matching the patient data. In combination or the alternative, the recommend treatment parameters may the mean, median and/or other mathematical representation of the previous treatment data associated with the returned previous treatment data. 
         [0037]    The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. 
         [0038]    Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below. 
         [0039]    All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0040]    A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is also provided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. 
         [0041]    This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.