Patent ID: 8701674

Claim:
An immobilization device, comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid anterior component having opposed inner and outer surfaces and defining portions arranged to contour to a shape of a lower chest or abdominal region, the anterior component having a bottom portion defining a central lower region having first and second opposed sides, the first and second sides of the central lower region forming first and second belt loops, respectively, protruding outwardly from the bottom portion and first and second wings, respectively, extending from beyond the corresponding first and second belt loops, a lip portion on the outer surface protruding from and extending along the upper and lower edges of a periphery of the central lower region, the central lower region forming first and second living hinges located near the corresponding first and second belt loops, the first and second living hinges are formed by opposed indentations located along the lip portion and extending a thickness into the bottom portion from an outer surface of the bottom component, the first and second living hinges biased so as to facilitate drawing the first and second opposed sides of the central portion inwardly toward one another and against a wearer's abdominal region; a posterior component defining portions contoured to a shape of a human back; and a strapping system connecting the posterior component to the central lower portion of the anterior component.