Method of forming a scoliosis brace
First Claim
1. A method of forming a brace for a scoliosis patient, the patient including a torso portion and a spine having a lateral scoliotic curve, the scoliotic cure having an apex and having opposite ends, said method comprising:
- a. determining the location of the apex and ends of the scoliotic curve relative to the exterior of the torso portion of the patient;
b. positioning the patient in a laying-down treatment position on a casting board;
c. applying pressure to opposite sides of the torso portion of the patient utilizing at least three pressure pads, the pressure pads being positioned on the casting board in pressure applying positions in which the pressure pads are operative for applying desired amounts of pressure to the spine at substantially the ends and apex of the scoliotic curve in directions tending to straighten the scoliotic curve;
d. removing the patient from the casting board;
e. applying an uncured cast to the torso portion of the patient;
f. repositioning the patient in the treatment position on the casting board with the at least three pressure pads in the pressure applying positions thereof on the casting board;
g. allowing the uncured cast to cure;
h. removing the patient from the casting board;
i. removing the cast from said patient; and
j. forming the brace so that it has an internal configuration which corresponds substantially to that of the cast.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for forming a brace for a scoliosis patient includes a casting board for receiving a patient in a laying-down position and a plurality of pressure pads which are releaseably securable on the casting board for applying lateral pressure to the torso portion of the patient. The apparatus is operative in a method for forming a brace by first positioning the patient in a treatment position on the casting board in which the pressure pads are assembled with the patient to apply predetermined amounts of lateral pressure to precisely defined areas of the torso portion of the patient. The patient is then removed from the casting board, an uncured cast is assembled on the torso portion of the patient and the patient is repositioned in the same treatment position on the casting board while the cast is allowed to cure. The cast can then be used to form a scoliosis brace for the patient by conventional techniques.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of forming a brace for a scoliosis patient, the patient including a torso portion and a spine having a lateral scoliotic curve, the scoliotic cure having an apex and having opposite ends, said method comprising:
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a. determining the location of the apex and ends of the scoliotic curve relative to the exterior of the torso portion of the patient; b. positioning the patient in a laying-down treatment position on a casting board; c. applying pressure to opposite sides of the torso portion of the patient utilizing at least three pressure pads, the pressure pads being positioned on the casting board in pressure applying positions in which the pressure pads are operative for applying desired amounts of pressure to the spine at substantially the ends and apex of the scoliotic curve in directions tending to straighten the scoliotic curve; d. removing the patient from the casting board; e. applying an uncured cast to the torso portion of the patient; f. repositioning the patient in the treatment position on the casting board with the at least three pressure pads in the pressure applying positions thereof on the casting board; g. allowing the uncured cast to cure; h. removing the patient from the casting board; i. removing the cast from said patient; and j. forming the brace so that it has an internal configuration which corresponds substantially to that of the cast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming a cast for a brace for a scoliosis patient, the patient including a torso portion and a spine having a lateral scoliotic curve, the scoliotic curve having an apex and having opposite ends, said method comprising:
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a. determining the locations of the apex and ends of the scoliotic curve relative to the exterior of the torso portion of the patient; b. positioning the patient in a laying-down treatment position on a casting board; c. applying pressure to opposite sides of the torso portion of the patient utilizing at least three pressure pads, the pressure pads being positioned on the casting board in pressure applying positions in which the pressure pads are operative for applying desired amounts of pressure to the spine at substantially the ends and apex of the scoliotic curve in directions tending to straighten the scoliotic curve; d. removing the patient from the casting board; e. applying an uncured cast to the torso portion of the patient; f. repositioning the patient in the treatment position on the casting board with the at least three pressure pads in the pressure applying positions thereof on the casting board; g. allowing the uncured cast to cure; h. removing the patient from the casting board; and i. removing the cast from the patient. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification