Abstract:
A device and a method of using and assembling a device configured to treat a spine of a patient are provided. The method of assembling includes providing a support article configured to be connected to a torso of a patient, wherein the support article includes a front portion and a back portion, connecting a support member to the support article, and connecting an actuator mechanism to the support member, the actuator mechanism configured to extend in a generally superior direction relative to the support member to distract a spine of the patient relative to the torso.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/585,990, filed Aug. 15, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/953,145, filed Dec. 10, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,251,934), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,584, filed Aug. 2, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,573), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/329,866, filed Dec. 26, 2002 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,047), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/728,106, filed Dec. 1, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,213 B2). The entire content of each of these applications is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a new and improved method of using a neck brace. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A known neck brace for stabilizing a neck of a person is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,334. The neck brace disclosed in this patent includes a framework and straps for securing the framework to the body. A chin support member is positioned relative to the framework to present movement of the neck. The chin support member is supported on a strut. The strut is releasably and pivotally mounted to the framework. A brace member extending from the strut provides pivotable movement of the strut. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure provides a method of assembling a device configured to treat a spine of a patient. The method comprises providing a support article configured to be connected to a torso of a patient, wherein the support article includes a front portion and a back portion; connecting a support member to the support article; and connecting an actuator mechanism to the support member, the actuator mechanism configured to extend in a generally superior direction relative to the support member to distract a spine of the patient relative to the torso. The present disclosure further provides a method of using a device configured to treat a spine of a patient. The method comprises connecting a front portion of a support article to a back portion of a support article such that the support article is configured to be connected to a torso of a patient, wherein the support article is connected to a support member and the support member is connected to an actuator mechanism for distracting a spine of the patient relative to the torso; and, distracting the spine by moving at least a portion of a chin of a patient with a chin support connected to the actuator mechanism. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure further provides a device for treating a spine of a patient. The device comprises a support article configured to be connected to a torso of a patient, the support article comprising a front portion and a back portion; a support member connected to the support article; and, an actuator mechanism connected to the support member, the actuator mechanism comprising at least one gear. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a neck brace constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is an illustration of the neck brace of  FIG. 1  connected to a person; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a portion of the neck brace of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view of the neck brace taken generally along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of the neck brace of  FIG. 1  depicting the manner in which the neck brace is operated to move the neck in flexion; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a schematic side view of the neck brace, generally similar to  FIG. 4 , depicting the manner in which the neck brace is operated to move the neck in extension; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a vest of the neck brace of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Neck Brace—General Description 
         [0015]    A neck brace  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 1A ) can be used to move or stabilize a neck  22  of a person. The neck brace  10  includes a T-shaped support member  12  which is connected with a torso  14  of a person. A chin support  16  is connected with a chin  18  of the person. An actuator mechanism  20  moves the chin support  16  relative to the support member  12 . The chin support  16  is moved relative to the support member  12  after the chin support is connected to the chin  18  and the support member is connected to the torso  14  to move the neck  22  of the person. The support member  12  and the chin support  16  may have any desired construction as long as they are effective to engage the torso  14  and the chin  18 . 
         [0016]    A cloth vest  30  ( FIG. 1A ), which will be described in detail hereinafter, connects the support member  12  with the torso  14 . The chin support  16  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a chin portion  32  formed to engage the chin  18 . A back portion  34  of the chin support  16  for engaging the back of the neck  22  is connected to the portion  32  by an elastic band  36 . The elastic band  36  extends through the back portion  34  and has opposite ends connected to the chin portion  32 . Accordingly, the back portion  34  can move relative to the chin portion  32 . 
         [0017]    It is contemplated that the back portion  34  could be connected to the chin portion  32  in any manner that will permit adjustment of the back portion  34  relative to the chin portion and connection of the chin support  16  to the chin  18 . Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the back portion  34  could have any shape which conforms to the back of a person&#39;s neck. The chin portion  32  could have any shape that conforms to the chin  18 . 
         [0018]    A pair of interconnecting members or arms  38  ( FIGS. 1 and 1A ) connect the chin support  16  with the support member  12 . The arms  38  extend from the chin support  16  to the actuator mechanism  20 . Each of the arms  38  has an upper end  40  with a slot  44  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Threaded members  46  ( FIG. 2 ) extend from the portion  32  of the chin support  16  through the slots  44 . Clamping members  48  threadably engage the threaded members  46  to clamp the ends  40  of the arms  38  to the portion  32 . The portion  32  can be positioned relative to the arms  38  when the clamping members  46  are loosened from the threaded members  46 . The portion  32  can be pivoted about the threaded members  46  and the threaded members can be moved between the ends of the slots  44  to position the chin support  16  relative to the arms  38 . 
         [0019]    The actuator mechanism  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is connected to a pivot support  50  connected to a support plate  52  of the support member  12 . The actuator mechanism  20  is connected to the pivot support by a pivot connection  54 . The actuator mechanism  20  transmits force between the support member  12  and the chin support  16  to simultaneously pivot the actuator mechanism about a pivot axis of the pivot connection  54  and move the interconnecting members  38  relative to the actuator mechanism. 
         [0020]    The actuator mechanism  20  transmits force from an input member which in the illustrated embodiment of the neck brace  10 , is a manually rotatable knob  56 . Force is transmitted from the knob  56  through the actuator mechanism  20  to the chin support  16 . Force is transmitted from the actuator mechanism  20  to pivot the actuators mechanism about the pivot connection  54 . In addition, force is transmitted from the knob  56  to move the interconnecting members  38  and the chin support  16  relative to the actuator mechanism  20  as the actuator mechanism pivots about the pivot connection  54 . 
         [0021]    A frame  60  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the actuator mechanism  20  has a lower housing  68  and an upper housing  70  joined by a front plate  72  and a back plate  74 . The back plate  74  is connected to the pivot support  50  by the pivot connection  54 . A drive mechanism  62  for the neck brace  10  is disposed substantially within the frame  60 . The drive mechanism  62  includes the manually actuatable knob  56  which is fixed to a shaft  80 . The shaft  80  ( FIG. 3 ) extends into the frame  60  and a gear  82  is fixed to the shaft. The gear  82  engages external gear teeth  84  on a gear  86 . Rotation of the gear  80  about its axis causes rotation of the gear  86  about its axis. 
         [0022]    The gear  86  ( FIG. 3 ) is fixed to an externally threaded member  92 . The gear  86  is journalled for rotation in the lower housing  68 . The opposite end of the screw  92  is journalled for rotation in a bushing  96  mounted in the upper housing  70  of the frame  60 . A base link  100  has an internally threaded opening  102  through which the screw  92  extends in threaded engagement. As the screw  92  rotates, the base link  100  moves axially along the screw within the frame  60 . 
         [0023]    The interconnecting arms  38  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) are fixedly connected to the base link  100  by screws  110 . The screws  110  also fixedly connect links  120  to the base link  100  and the arms  38 . The links  120  extend from the base link  100  toward the support member  12 . 
         [0024]    A pin  124  ( FIG. 2 ) is connected to ends  126  of the links  120  by screws  128 . The pin  124  extends between the ends  126  of links  120  and through a slot  130  in a cam member  132  connected with the support plate  52 . The slot  130  in the cam member  132  guides movement of the pin  124  relative to the support member  12 . Accordingly, the slot  130  guides movement of the base link  100 , the interconnecting members  38 , and the chin support  16  relative to the support member  12 . 
         [0025]    The slot  130  ( FIG. 2 ) has a first or upper end portion  136  and a second or lower end portion  138 . The upper and lower end portions  136  and  138  of the slot  130  extend in directions generally parallel to each other and the support plate  52 . An intermediate portion  140  of the slot  130  extends between the end portions  136  and  138 . The slot  130  guides movement of the links  120 , base link  100 , interconnecting members  38 , and chin support  16  along paths having first and second end portions extending in directions generally parallel to each other and intermediate portions extending between the first and second end portions. 
         [0026]    The actuator mechanism  20  is operable to move the chin support  16  and the chin  18  prom an initial position, such as the one shown in  FIG. 4 , to actuated positions, such as the one shown in  FIG. 5 . Operation of the actuator mechanism  20  moves the chin support  16  along, the path having first and second end portions extending in directions generally parallel to each other and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions. As this occurs, the frame  60  pivots about the pivot connection  54  and the interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame. 
         [0027]    Moving Neck in Extension 
         [0028]    When the input knob  56  is manually rotated in the direction of arrow  150  in  FIG. 1 , the actuator mechanism  20  is operated. Operation of the actuator mechanism  20  transmits force from the knob  56  to the base link  100 . The base link  100  and arms  38  move in an upward direction as view in  FIG. 4  from the orientation shown in  FIG. 4  toward the orientation shown in  FIG. 5  to move the neck  22  in extension. 
         [0029]    Operation of the actuator mechanism  20  moves the base link  100  and the interconnecting members  38  away from the lower housing  68 . As the base link  100  moves away from the lower housing  68 , the links  120  move with the base link. Accordingly, the pin  124  moves along the slot  130  from the lower end portion  138  to the intermediate portion  140  and to the upper end portion  136 . As the pin  124  moves along the slot  130 , the frame  60  pivots in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) about the pivot connection  54 . Simultaneously therewith, the interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame  60 . Pivotal movement of the frame  60  causes the chin support  16 , the interconnecting members  38 , and the base link  100  to move about the pivot axis of the pivot connection  54 . As the interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame  60  and the frame pivots about the pivot connection  54  toward the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 , the neck  22  is moved in extension. 
         [0030]    During movement of the interconnecting members  38  relative to the frame  60  and movement of the neck  22  in extension, the actuator mechanism  20  transmits force to the chin support  16 . The interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame  60  and the frame pivots about the pivot connection  54 . In the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure, the interconnecting members  38  and the frame  60  are moved by the actuator mechanism  20  through a range of movement from the positions shown in  FIG. 4  to a condition of maximum extension as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the links  120  are in the positions showing in  FIG. 5 , notches  152  in the links  120  extend around screws  154  of the pivot connection  54 . It should be understood that the foregoing specific range of movement of the neck brace  10  has been set forth herein for purposes of clarity of description and that it is contemplated that specific embodiments of the neck brace will have interconnecting members  38  and a frame  60  which move through different distances relative to each other and are movable to different angular orientations relative to the support member  12 . 
         [0031]    It is contemplated that the specific procedure which is followed to move the neck  22  in extension will vary depending upon the conditions of the neck and the desires of a surgeon or therapist supervising the use of the neck brace  10 . However, it is believed that it may be preferred to use a static progressive stretch procedure during movement of the neck  22 . This procedure is implemented by operating the actuator mechanism  20  to move the neck  22  in extension to a limit of tolerance of the neck without severe pain. This position of the neck  22  is held for a period of time, for example, five minutes, to allow the tissue of the neck to relax. As the tissue relaxes, stress decreases. After the period of time has elapsed, the input member is manually rotated to again stretch the tissue of the neck  22  to the limit of tolerance. This condition is again held for a period of time, for example, five minutes, to allow the tissue in the neck  22  to again relax. The process is repeated for the duration of a therapy session which, may be approximately 30 minutes long. 
         [0032]    The input knob  56  may be manually rotated by either the patient, that is, the person having the neck  22  on which the neck brace  10  is mounted, or by a supervisory personnel, such as a therapist. However, it is believed that it will be desired to have the patient actuate the neck brace  10  to affect movement of the neck  22 . The patient can feel when the tissue has tightened and the neck  22  has been moved to the limit of its tolerance, without severe pain. The patient can also feel when the tissue has relaxed and further actuation of the neck brace  10  to further move the neck  22  in extension can be undertaken. 
         [0033]    Moving Neck in Flexion 
         [0034]    When the neck  22  is to be moved in flexion, the input knob  56  is manually rotated, in the direction of arrow  158  in  FIG. 1 , to operate the actuator mechanism  20 . Operation of the actuator mechanism  20  transmits force from the input knob  56  to the base link  100 . As the input knob  56  is manually rotated, the actuator mechanism  20  moves the base link  100  toward the lower housing  68  and away from the tipper housing  70 . Thus, the links  120  are moved from the position shown in  FIG. 5  toward the position shown in  FIG. 4  as the input knob  56  is manually rotated. 
         [0035]    As the base link  100  is moved toward the lower housing  68 , the links  120  move downward, as viewed in  FIG. 5 . As the links  120  move downward, the pin  124  moves along the slot  130  from the upper end portion  136  through the interconnecting portion  140  to the lower end portion  138 . Thus, the interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame  60  and the frame pivots in a clockwise direction (as viewed in  FIG. 5 ) about the pivot connection  54 . As the interconnecting members  38  move and the frame  60  pivots, the neck  22  is moved in fe ion from the initial condition shown in  FIG. 5  toward the condition shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0036]    As the interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame  60  and the frame pivots about the pivot connection  54 , the chin support  16  and the chin  18  are moved from the position shown in  FIG. 5  toward the position shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, force is transmitted from the actuator mechanism  20  to the interconnecting members  38  to move the chin support  16  along a path having first and second end portions extending in directions generally parallel to each other and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions. 
         [0037]    It is believed that a static progressive stretch procedure may be preferred for moving the neck  22  in flexion. Thus, the input knob  56  is manually rotated to operate the actuator mechanism  20  and affect movement of the chin support  16  to move the neck  22  in flexion until the patient feels tissue tightness, but not severe pain. The neck brace  10  is maintained in that position for a period of time, which may be five minutes. When the tissue relaxes, the input knob  56  is again rotated to stretch the tissue. The steps of operating the neck brace  10  to stretch the tissue, interrupting operation of the neck brace to allow the tissue to relax and then again operating the neck brace to again stretch the tissue is repeated for the duration of a therapy session. 
         [0038]    As was previously mentioned, the knob  56  may be manually rotated by a therapist or surgeon. However, it is believed that it will be preferred to have the patient manually rotate the knob. Thus, the person having the neck  22  will rotate the knob  56  until he or she feels the tissue tighten and will further rotate the knob to further move the neck when he or she feels the tissue relax. 
         [0039]    In the example of moving the neck  22  in flexion, illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the neck is moved from an initial condition illustrated in  FIG. 5 . However, it is believed, that under certain circumstances, the neck may initially be in a condition between the conditions shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and moved in flexion to the condition in  FIG. 4 . When this is to be done, the neck brace  10  is operated to move the neck  22  in flexion toward the condition illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0040]    Stabilizing Neck 
         [0041]    The neck brace  10  can be used to stabilize the neck  22  in a desired position. When the neck brace  10  is to be used to stabilize the neck  22 , the vest  30  is connected with the torso  14 . The support member  12  is placed over the chest and connected with the vest  30 . The actuator mechanism  20  is operated by turning the knob  56  in the direction of arrow  150  or arrow  158  to move the interconnecting members  38  relative to the support member  12 . 
         [0042]    Operation of the actuator mechanism  20  transmits force from the input knob  56  to the base link  100 . As the input knob  56  is rotated, the base link  100 , the links  120 , and tile interconnecting members  38  move relative to the frame  60 . The pin  124  moves along the slot  130 . Accordingly, the interconnecting members  38  move along paths having first and second end portions extending in directions generally parallel to each other and intermediate portions extending between the first and second end portions. The interconnecting members  38  move relative to the flame  60  and the frame pivots about the pivot connection  54 . 
         [0043]    When the interconnecting members  38  have been moved to a desired position, the chin support  16  is connected with the chin  18 . The chin support  16  is positioned relative to the interconnecting members  38 . The clamping members  48  are threaded onto the threaded members  46  to clamp the interconnecting members  38  to the chin support  16 . Once the neck brace  10  is connected to the person, operation of the actuator mechanism  20  is prevented so that the neck  22  is stabilized. 
         [0044]    Actuator Mechanism 
         [0045]    The actuator mechanism  20  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is supported on the pivot support  50  of the support member  12 . The actuator mechanism  20  includes the externally threaded member  92  which is rotatably supported within the frame  60 . A central axis of the screw  92  extends through the center of the base link  100 . 
         [0046]    The manually rotatable knob  56  is fixedly connected to the shaft  80 . The shaft  80  ( FIG. 3 ) has the gear  82  in meshing engagement with the gear  84  connected with the screw  92 . The base link  100  has internal thread convolutions which engage with external thread convolutions on the screw  92 . In the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure, the base link  100  is movable relative to the frame  60  and the screw  92 . However, the frame  60  and the screw  92  could be movable relative to the base link  100 . If this was done, the base link  100  would be connected with the support member  12  and the frame  60  would be connected with the interconnecting members  38 . 
         [0047]    Upon rotation of the input member or knob  56 , the base link  100  moves relative to the screw  92  and the frame  60 . As this occurs, the links  120  move with the base link  100  relative to the frame  60 . Also, the interconnecting members  38  and the chin support  16  move relative to the frame  60  and the frame pivots about the pivot connection  54 . Of course, movement of the interconnecting members  38  and the frame  60  moves the neck  22  with which the neck brace  10  is connected. Movement of the base link  100  toward the upper housing  70  moves the neck in extension. Movement of the base link  100  away from the upper housing  70  moves the neck  22  in flexion. 
         [0048]    The base link  100  and the frame  60  can be moved from an initial condition between the conditions shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to one of the actuated conditions shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The base link  100  and the interconnecting members  38  move along paths having first and second end portions extending in directions generally parallel to each other and interconnecting portions extending between the first and second end portions. The base link  100  and the interconnecting members  38  are guided along the paths due to engagement of the pill  124  in the slot  130  of the cam member  132 . 
         [0049]    In the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure, the screw  92  has a thread so that the knob  56  is manually rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow  150  in  FIG. 1 , to move the base link  100  toward the upper housing  70 . When the knob  56  is manually rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the base link  100  moves away from the upper housing  70 . It should be understood that an input member other than the knob  56  could be used to operate the actuator mechanism  20  if desired. 
         [0050]    Vest 
         [0051]    The support member  12  ( FIGS. 1A and 6 ) is connected with the torso  14  of the person using the, vest  30 . The vest  30  ( FIG. 6 ) has a front portion  170  and a back portion  172 . The front portion  170  has side portions  174  and  176 . A catch member  177  is fixedly connected to the side portion  174  and is releasably connected to the side portion  176  to bold the side portions together when the vest  30  is worn. Shoulder portions  178  interconnect the front portion  170  and the back portion  172 . 
         [0052]    The shoulder portions  178  extend over the shoulders or the person when the vest  30  is connected to the torso  14 . The front portion  170  covers the chest of the person. The back portion  172  covers the back of the person when the person is wearing the vest  30 . 
         [0053]    Shoulder straps  180  ( FIGS. 1A and 6 ) are connected with the back portion  172  and extend over the shoulder portions  178  to connect the vest  30  to the person. The straps  180  also connect the support member  12  to the vest  30 . The straps  180  extend through retainers  184  connected to the support member  12  to secure the support member to the vest  30 . 
         [0054]    A suitable strap  190  ( FIGS. 1A and 6 ) extends around a mid-section of the person and through loops (not shown) on the back portion  172  of the vest  30 . The strap  190  has opposite end portions  192  and  194 . The end portions  192  and  194  of the strap  190  extend through retainers  198  connected with the support member  12  to further connect the support member to the vest  30  and the vest to the person. 
       Conclusion 
       [0055]    The present disclosure provides a new and improved method for using a neck brace  10 . The neck brace  10  can be used to stabilize the neck  22  or to move the neck in extension or flexion. The support member  12  is connected with a torso  14  of the person and a chin support  16  is connected with a chin  18  of the person. An actuator mechanism  20  is operated to move the chin support  16  relative to the support member  12 . The chin support  16  is guided along a path by the pin  124  extending into the slot  130  of the cam member  132 . 
         [0056]    From the above description of the disclosure, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.