Apparatus and method for spinal distraction

• US 9,681,977 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TARLA R
• Application Number:
  US14/230,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20140228728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 602 17- 19, 128870, 128874-875
• 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 device and a method of using and assembling a device configured to treat a spine of a patient are provided. The method of assembling includes providing a support article configured to be connected to a torso of a patient, wherein the support article includes a front portion and a back portion, connecting a support member to the support article, and connecting an actuator mechanism to the support member, the actuator mechanism configured to extend in a generally superior direction relative to the support member to distract a spine of the patient relative to the torso.

Claims

1. A device configured to treat a spine of a patient, comprising:

a neck support configured to engage a back of a neck of the patient;

a frame supporting the neck support; and

an actuator mechanism operatively connected to the frame and configured to drive movement of the neck support in a generally superior direction relative to the frame to distract a spine of the patient in use, wherein the actuator mechanism includes a single rotatable knob configured to be operated by the patient for driving movement of the neck support when the device is donned on the patient.

2. A method of using a device configured to treat a spine of a patient, the method comprising:

donning a support article such that a front portion of the support article covers at least a portion of a chest of the patient and a back portion of the support article covers at least a portion of a back of the patient, wherein a support member is connected to the front portion of the support article and an actuator mechanism is connected to the support member for distracting a spine of the patient, wherein the actuator mechanism includes a single rotatable knob configured to be operated by the patient for driving movement of the neck support when the device is donned on the patient; and

distracting the spine of the patient using the single rotatable knob of the actuator mechanism by moving at least a portion of a chin of a patient with a chin support connected to the actuator mechanism.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the front portion of the support article includes a first side portion and a second side portion.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising fixedly connecting a catch member to the first side portion;

and, releasably connecting the catch member to the second side portion.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the support article further includes a shoulder portion, wherein the shoulder portion connects the front portion of the support article to the back portion of the support article.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the support article further includes at least one shoulder strap, wherein the at least one shoulder strap connects the support member to the support article.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising connecting a torso strap to the support article such that the support article is connectable to a torso of the patient.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the support article further includes at least one strap retainer and at least one shoulder strap, at least one torso strap, or a combination thereof, wherein at least one of the at least one shoulder strap and the at least one torso strap extends through the at least one strap retainer to connect the support member to the support article.

9. A device for treating a spine of a patient, the device comprising:

a support article including a front portion and a back portion, the support article configured to be donned by a patient such that the front portion covers at least a portion of a chest of the patient and the back portion covers at least a portion of a back of the patient;

a support member connected to the front portion of the support article;

a chin support moveably coupled to the support member and configured to supportably engage the chin of the patient; and

an actuator mechanism operably connected between the chin support and the support member to selectively move the chin support relative to the support member and thereby move the chin of the patient relative to the chest of the patient to distract the spine of the patient, wherein the actuator mechanism includes a single rotatable knob configured to be operated by the patient for driving movement of the neck support when the device is donned on the patient.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the support article further comprises a catch member.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the support article further comprises at least one shoulder portion.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the support article further comprises at least one shoulder strap.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the support article further comprises at least one torso strap.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the support article further comprises at least one strap retainer.