Pressure application unit for positioning vertebra
First Claim
1. A device for applying external pressure to one or more of a patients vertebra for repositioning the same and/or maintaining the position thereof in the patients spine, or for forcing and maintaining segments of a broken vertebra in healing contact with each other, said spine lying generally along a spinal axis, said device comprising an upper body vest means adapted to substantially surround the upper body of a patient from adjacent the waist to adjacent the neck in a snug manner, said vest means having front and back sections provided with cooperating segments of attachment means for clamping said sections to each other to snugly surround said upper body, said back section having an elongated, substantially rigid portion extending substantially the length of said back section and formed to closely conform to the curvature of the patients spine and lie adjacent thereto, a first element of a pressure applicator means provided on said elongated portion, thrust means providing a second element of said applicator means and being mounted on said first element for controlled, reciprocable movement relative to said first element in a direction generally normal to said spinal axis for applying external pressure in a controlled manner to a selected portion of said spine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for applying external pressure to one or more vertebra for repositioning the same and/or maintaining the position thereof in the spinal column, or for forcing and maintaining segments of a broken vertebra in healing contact with each other. The device has an upper body vest adapted to substantially surround the upper body of a patient in a snug manner whereby the vest is substantially immovable relative to the upper body. The vest has front and back sections provided with cooperating elements of an attachment mechanism such as Velcro or belt and adjustable buckle, for clamping the sections to the upper body. The back section has a pressure applicator unit extending substantially the length of the back section for applying external pressure, generally posteriorly to one or more vertebra. The applicator has a plunger such as a screw mounted for controlled, reciprocable movement in a direction toward the spine for applying the external pressure in a controlled manner to one or more vertebra areas.
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Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A device for applying external pressure to one or more of a patients vertebra for repositioning the same and/or maintaining the position thereof in the patients spine, or for forcing and maintaining segments of a broken vertebra in healing contact with each other, said spine lying generally along a spinal axis, said device comprising an upper body vest means adapted to substantially surround the upper body of a patient from adjacent the waist to adjacent the neck in a snug manner, said vest means having front and back sections provided with cooperating segments of attachment means for clamping said sections to each other to snugly surround said upper body, said back section having an elongated, substantially rigid portion extending substantially the length of said back section and formed to closely conform to the curvature of the patients spine and lie adjacent thereto, a first element of a pressure applicator means provided on said elongated portion, thrust means providing a second element of said applicator means and being mounted on said first element for controlled, reciprocable movement relative to said first element in a direction generally normal to said spinal axis for applying external pressure in a controlled manner to a selected portion of said spine.
Specification