Patent ID: 7549968

Claim:
A dynamic, adjustable orthopedic device for providing support to the spine of a vertebrate, the device comprising: (a) a waist belt; (b) a vest having portions that are capable of surrounding the torso of the vertebrate above the waist belt, wherein the portions of the vest that surround the torso can attach to each other; and (c) a support column comprising: (i) an elongated rod attached to the vest and extending substantially the length of the vest adjacent and parallel to the spine of the vertebrate; (ii) an elongated spring surrounding the rod and extending substantially the length of the rod, the spring fixed in relation to the rod at the top and bottom of the spring; and (iii) a mechanism having a top, a bottom and an adjusting device, the top of the mechanism attached to the vest near a central portion of the rod and the bottom of the mechanism attached to the waist belt, wherein actuating the adjusting device lengthens or shortens the distance from the top to the bottom of the mechanism.