Patent ID: 7591797

Claim:
A device for applying force to a person's spine, the device comprising: a first body-encircling member configured to wrap around and grip the person's torso at a first location; a second body-encircling member configured to wrap around and grip the person's torso at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location in a first direction along the person's torso; and at least one actuator connected between the first and second body-encircling members, the at least one actuator arranged to extend around the person's back and sides, the at least one actuator comprising an inflatable bladder having an asymmetrically elastic wall wherein, upon inflation, the wall constrains the bladder to expand preferentially along an axis extending between the first and second body-encircling members such that when the first and second body-encircling members are wrapped around the person's torso, inflation of the bladder forces the first and second body-encircling members apart, thereby applying traction to the person's spine wherein the device is configured to be free of actuators in its portion extending across a front of the person.