Method of using a neck brace

• US 6,503,213 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2000
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Bonutti 2003 Trust A
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thanh, Quang D
• Application Number:
  US09/728,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5, 602/17-19, 602/32, 602/33, 602/36, 128/DIG.23, 482/10, 601/39
• US Class Current: 602/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/02 Orthopaedic corsets arm-rests for use as writing aids B43L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/055 Cervical collars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/23 Cervical collars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method of using a neck brace to move a neck of a person or stabilize the neck includes connecting a vest of the neck brace to a torso of a person. A support member of the neck brace is connected to the vest. A chin support of the neck brace is connected to a chin of the person. Force is applied between the support member and the chin support to move the chin support relative to the support member. A cam member of the neck brace guides movement of the chin support relative to the support member.

Claims

1. A method of using a neck brace to apply force to a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising the steps of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, and moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along a path having a plurality of portions at least some of which have different configurations, said step of moving the chin support portion includes moving the chin support portion along a straight portion of the path and along a curved portion of the path.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of positioning a support member of the neck brace on a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes transmitting force between the support member and the chin support portion of the neck brace.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along the straight portion of the path includes moving a member connected with the chin support portion along a guide which is stationary relative to a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion along the curved portion of the path includes moving the guide relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along the straight portion of the path includes moving a member connected with the chin support portion relative to a guide which is stationary relative to a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion along the curved portion of the path includes moving the guide relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body while moving the member relative to the guide.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along a path having a plurality of portions which have different configurations includes manually rotating an actuator and effecting relative movement between a cam and a cam follower under the influence of force transmitted from the actuator.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of effecting relative movement between a cam and a cam follower includes moving one of the cam and cam follower relative to the other of the cam and cam follower along a path extending transverse to an axis about which the actuator is rotated.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along the straight portion of the path includes rotating a member about a first axis while preventing pivotal movement of the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis, said step of moving the chin support portion along the curved portion of the path includes pivoting the member about the second axis.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along the straight portion of the path includes rotating a member about a first axis while preventing pivotal movement of the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis, said step of moving the chin support portion along the curved portion of the path includes rotating the member about the first axis and pivoting the member about the second axis while rotating the member about the first axis.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along the straight portion of the path includes manually rotating a member about a first axis extending through anterior and posterior sides of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion along the curved portion of the path includes pivoting the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis while manually rotating the member about the first axis.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace along the path having a plurality of portions which have different configurations includes manually rotating a knob about an axis extending through anterior and posterior sides of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

11. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of interrupting movement of the chin support in a first direction along the path for a predetermined period of time, and, thereafter, resuming movement of the chin support in the first direction along the path.

12. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body in extension.

13. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body in flexion.

14. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion along a straight portion of the path includes moving the chin support portion upward relative to a torso of the patient'"'"'s body and said step of moving the chin support portion along a curved portion of the path includes moving the chin support portion upward and posteriorly relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

15. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion along a straight portion of the path includes moving the chin support portion downward relative to a torso of the patient'"'"'s body and said step of moving the chin support portion along a curved portion of the path includes moving the chin support portion downward and anteriorly relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

16. A method of using a neck brace to apply force to a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising the steps of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, manually rotating an actuator member about an axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace during rotation of the actuator member about the axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of the torso of the patient'"'"'s body, and moving the chin support portion of the neck brace under the influence of force transmitted from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace during rotation of the actuator member about the axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of the torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the chin support portion along a path having a plurality of portions at least some of which have different configurations, said step of moving the chin support portion includes moving the chin support portion along a straight portion of the path and along a curved portion of the path.

18. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace includes transmitting force through a first force transmission member disposed on a first side of a median plane dividing the head and torso of the patient into right and left halves and transmitting force through a second force transmission member disposed on a second side of the median plane.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein said step of rotating an actuator member about an axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body includes rotating the actuator member about an axis which is disposed between an axis coincident with at least a portion of a longitudinal central axis of the first force transmission member and an axis coincident with at least a portion of a longitudinal central axis of the second force transmission member.

20. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said steps of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace includes rotating a threaded member about an axis extending transverse to the axis about which the actuator member is rotated.

21. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of manually rotating the actuator member includes manually rotating the actuator member in a first direction to move the chin support portion to stress tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body, interrupting rotation of the actuator member, and resuming rotation of the actuator member in the first direction after stress in the tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body has at least partially relaxed.

22. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body in extension.

23. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body in flexion.

24. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace during rotation of the actuator member includes transmitting upwardly directed force to the chin support portion of the neck brace, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the chin support portion of the neck brace upward relative to the patient'"'"'s torso.

25. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace during rotation of the actuator member includes transmitting downwardly directed force to the chin support portion of the neck brace, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes moving the chin support portion of the neck brace downward relative to the patient'"'"'s torso.

26. A method of using a neck brace to apply force to a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising the steps of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, rotating an actuator member in a first direction, transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace to stress tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body, interrupting rotation of the actuator member for a period of time sufficient to allow stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body to at least partially relax, and resuming rotation of the actuator member in the first direction after stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body has at least partially relaxed.

27. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of rotating the actuator member in the first direction is performed by the patient.

28. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace includes transmitting upwardly directed force to the chin support portion of the neck brace.

29. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace includes transmitting downwardly directed force to the chin support portion of the neck brace.

30. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace to stress tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body includes stressing the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body in extension.

31. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace to stress tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body includes stressing the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body in flexion.

32. A method of using a neck brace to apply force to a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising the steps of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, rotating an actuator member, transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a first force transmission member connected with the chin support portion of the neck brace on a first side of a median plane dividing a head and torso of the patient into right and left halves, and transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a second force transmission member connected with the chin support portion of the neck brace on a second side of the median plane.

33. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through the first force transmission member includes moving the first force transmission member along a first path disposed on the first side of the median plane, said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion through the second force transmission member includes moving the second force transmission member along a second path disposed on the second side of the median plane.

34. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said steps of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through first and second force transmission members includes moving end portions of the first and second force transmission members connected with the chin support portion straight upward and then upward and posteriorly relative to the torso of the patient.

35. A method as set forth in claim 32 further including the step of positioning a support member and the actuator member on an anterior side of the torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of transmitting force to the chin support portion of the neck brace from the actuator member through first and second force transmission members includes moving the first and second force transmission members upward relative to guide surfaces which are stationary relative the support member and, thereafter, moving the first and second force transmission members upward relative to the guide surfaces while moving the guide surfaces relative to the support member.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35 wherein said step of moving the first and second force transmission members upward relative to the guide surfaces while moving the guide surfaces relative to the support member includes pivoting the guide surfaces and first and second force transmission members about a pivot axis extending transverse to longitudinal central axes of the guide surfaces.

37. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of rotating the actuator member includes rotating the actuator member about an axis which extends transverse to the pivot axis.

38. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said step of rotating an actuator member includes rotating the actuator member in a first direction to stress tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body under the influence of force transmitted from the actuator member to the chin support portion through the first and second force transmission members, interrupting rotation of the actuator member for a period of time sufficient to allow stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body to at least partially relax, and resuming rotation of the actuator member in the first direction after stress in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body has at least partially relaxed.

39. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said step of rotating the actuator member includes rotating the actuator member about an axis extending parallel to the median plane.

40. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said step of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace includes engaging an anterior portion of the patient'"'"'s neck with a back portion of the neck brace.

41. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a first force transmission member includes transmitting upwardly directed force through the first force transmission member to the chin support portion of the neck brace, said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a second force transmission member includes transmitting upwardly directed force through the second force transmission member to the chin support portion of the neck brace.

42. A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a first force transmission member includes transmitting downwardly directed force through the first force transmission member to the chin support portion of the neck brace, said step of transmitting force from the actuator member to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a second force transmission member includes transmitting downwardly directed force through the second force transmission member to the chin support portion of the neck brace.

43. A method of using a neck brace to bend a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body in extension, said method comprising the steps of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction relative to a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, and moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

44. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction and said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction include manually rotating an actuator member about an axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of the patient'"'"'s torso.

45. A method as set forth in claim 43 further including the step of interrupting movement of the chin support portion of the neck brace for a period of time sufficient to allow stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body to relax, and resuming movement of the chin support portion of the neck brace after stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body has at least partially relaxed.

46. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said steps of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction and said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction include transmitting force to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a first force transmission member connected with the chin support portion of the neck brace on a first side of a median plane dividing a head and torso of the patient into right and left halves and transmitting force to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a second force transmission member connected with the chin support portion of the neck brace on a second side of the median plane.

47. A method as set forth in claim 43 further including the step of positioning a support member of the neck brace on the torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said steps of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes transmitting force between the support member and the chin support portion of the neck brace.

48. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction includes moving a member connected with the chin support portion along a guide which is stationary relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction includes moving the guide relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body while moving the member relative to the guide.

49. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction includes manually rotating an actuator and effecting relative movement between a cam and a cam follower under the influence of a force transmitted from the actuator.

50. A method as set forth in claim 49 wherein said step of effecting relative movement between a cam and a cam follower includes moving one of the cam and cam follower relative to the other of the cam and cam follower along a path which extends transverse to an axis about which the actuator is rotated.

51. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction includes rotating a member about a first axis while preventing pivotal movement of the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction includes pivoting the member about the second axis.

52. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction includes rotating a member about a first axis while preventing pivotal movement of the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction includes pivoting the member about the second axis while rotating the member about the first axis.

53. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction includes manually rotating a member about a first axis extending through anterior and posterior sides of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction includes pivoting the member about a second axis while manually rotating the member about the first axis.

54. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction is performed before performing said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction.

55. A method as set forth in claim 43 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction is performed before performing said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction.

56. A method of using a neck brace to bend a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body in flexion, said method comprising the step of engaging a chin of the patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction relative to a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, and moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body.

57. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction and said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction include manually rotating an actuator member about an axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of the patient'"'"'s torso.

58. A method as set forth in claim 56 further including the step of interrupting movement of the chin support portion of the neck brace for a period of time sufficient to allow stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body to relax, and resuming movement of the chin support portion of the neck brace after stress in tissue in the neck portion of the patient'"'"'s body has at least partially relaxed.

59. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction and said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction include transmitting force to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a first force transmission member connected with the chin support portion of the neck brace on a first side of a median plane dividing a head and torso of the patient into right and left halves and transmitting force to the chin support portion of the neck brace through a second force transmission member connected with the chin support portion of the neck brace on a second side of the median plane.

60. A method as set forth in claim 56 further including the step of positioning a support member of the neck brace on the torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said steps of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace includes transmitting between the support member and the chin support portion of the neck brace.

61. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction includes moving a member connected with the chin support portion along a guide which is stationary relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction includes moving the guide relative to the torso of the patient'"'"'s body while moving the member relative to the guide.

62. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction includes manually rotating an actuator and effecting relative movement between a cam and a cam follower under the influence of force transmitted from the actuator.

63. A method as set forth in claim 62 wherein said step of effecting relative movement between a cam and a cam follower includes moving one of the cam and cam follower relative to the other of the cam and cam follower along a path which extends transverse to an axis about which the actuator is rotated.

64. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction includes rotating a member about a first axis while preventing pivotal movement of the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction includes pivoting the member about the second axis.

65. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction includes rotating a member about a first axis while preventing pivotal movement of the member about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction includes pivoting the member about the second axis while rotating the member about the first axis.

66. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction includes rotating a member about a first axis extending through anterior and posterior sides of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction includes pivoting the member about a second axis while moving manually rotating the member about the first axis.

67. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said sep of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction is performed before performing said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction.

68. A method as set forth in claim 56 wherein said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction is performed before performing said step of moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction.

69. A method of using the same neck brace to sequentially bend neck portions of different patients'"'"' bodies, said method comprising the steps of engaging a chin of a first patient with a chin support portion of the neck brace, operating the neck brace to bend the neck portion of the first patient in extension removing the neck brace from the first patient, engaging a chin of a second patient with the chin support portion of the neck brace, and operating the neck brace to bend the neck portion of the second patient in flexion.

70. A method as set forth in claim 69 wherein said step of operating the neck brace to bend the neck portion of the first patient in extension includes rotating an actuator member about an axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of a torso of the first patient'"'"'s body, said step of operating the neck brace to bend the neck portion of the second patient in flexion includes rotating the actuator member about an axis extending through posterior and anterior sides of a torso of the second patient'"'"'s body.

71. A method as set forth in claim 69 wherein said step of operating the neck brace to bend the neck portion of the first patient in extension includes moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight upward direction relative to a torso of the first patient'"'"'s body and moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in an upward and posterior direction relative to the torso of the first patient'"'"'s body, said step of operating the neck brace to bend the neck portion of the second patient in flexion includes moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a straight downward direction relative to a torso of the second patient'"'"'s body and moving the chin support portion of the neck brace in a downward and anterior direction relative to the torso of the second patient'"'"'s body.

72. A neck brace for use in applying force to a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body, said neck brace comprising a chin support portion which is engagable with a patient'"'"'s chin, a base which is at least partially postionable on an upper portion of a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, and a force transmitting assembly connected with said chin support portion and said base, said force transmitting assembly being operable to move said chin support portion of said brace along a path having a plurality of portions at least some of which have different configurations, said force transmitting assembly being operable to move said chin support portion of said brace along a straight portion of the path and along a curved portion of the path.

73. A neck brace as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes a guide surface and a member which is movable along said guide surface while said guide surface is stationary relative to said base to move said chin support portion of said brace along the straight portion of the path, said guide surface being movable relative to said base, said member being movable along said guide surface during movement of said guide surface relative to said base to move said chin support portion of said brace along the curved portion of the path.

74. A neck brace as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes a manually rotatable actuator, a cam, and a cam follower disposed in engagement with said cam, said actuator being connected with one of said cam and said cam follower and being rotatable to effect movement of said one of said cam and cam follower relative to said base.

75. A neck brace as set forth in claim 74 wherein said manually rotatable actuator is rotatable about an axis which extends through said base and transverse to a path of movement of said one of said cam and cam follower.

76. A neck brace as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes a force transmitting member which is rotatable about a first axis during movement of said chin support portion along the path having portions with different configurations, said force transmitting member being pivotal about a second axis extending transverse to the first axis during movement of said chin support portion along a portion of the path having a first configuration, said force transmitting member being held against pivotal movement about the second axis during movement of said chin support portion along a portion of the path having a second configuration.

77. A brace assembly as set forth in claim 76 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes an actuator which is manually rotatable about an axis extending transverse to said second axis.

78. A brace assembly as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes an actuator which is manually rotatable about an axis extending through said base and through anterior and posterior sides of the patient'"'"'s torso.

79. A neck brace as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes a frame which is pivotally mounted on said base, a drive member which is mounted on said frame and is rotatable relative to said frame, and a cam which effects pivotal movement of said drive member and frame relative to said base.

80. A neck brace as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmitting assembly includes a first force transmission member which is connected with said chin support portion at a location disposed on a first side of a plane extending through said base and through anterior and posterior sides of the patient'"'"'s torso, and a second force transmission member which is connected with said chin support portion at a location disposed on a second side of the plane extending through said base and through the anterior and posterior sides of the patient'"'"'s torso.

81. A neck brace as set forth in claim 72 wherein said force transmission assembly includes a member which is connected with said first and second force transmission members and is rotatable relative to said base to effect movement of said first and second force transmission members along said base.

82. A neck brace for use in applying force to a neck portion of a patient'"'"'s body, said neck brace comprising a chin support portion which is engagable with a patient'"'"'s chin, a base which is at least partially positionable on a torso of the patient'"'"'s body, and a force transmitting assembly connected with said chin support portion and said base, said force transmitting assembly includes a first force transmission member which is connected with said chin support portion on a first side of a median plane extending through said base and dividing a head and torso of the patient'"'"'s body into a right and left halves and a second force transmission member which is connected with said chin support on a second side of the median plane.

83. A neck brace as set forth in claim 82 wherein said force transmission assembly includes a drive member connected to said first and second force transmission members, a manually rotatable actuator member, and a drive mechanism which is connected with said drive member and said actuator member and is operable to move said drive member, said first and second force transmission members, and said chin support portion relative to the patient'"'"'s torso.

84. A neck brace assembly as set forth in claim 83 wherein said drive mechanism is operable to move upper end portions of said first and second force transmission members straight upward relative to the patient'"'"'s torso and is operable to move said upper end portions of said first and second force transmission members upward and toward a posterior side of the patient'"'"'s torso.

85. A neck brace as set forth in claim 82 wherein a portion of said first force transmission member has a first longitudinally extending central axis and a portion of said second force transmission member has a second longitudinally extending central axis, said force transmitting assembly includes an actuator which is rotatable about an axis disposed between said first and second longitudinally extending central axes, said axis about which said actuator is rotatable extends transverse to said first and second longitudinally extending central axes.