External spinal brace
OwnerRyan C. Murdockinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include an external spinal brace system. The system may include a plurality of support mechanisms including at least first and second support mechanisms. The first support mechanism may be coupled, during use, to the second support mechanism such that the first and second support mechanisms are inhibited from decoupling. In some embodiments, the system may include a coupling system. The coupling system may couple the plurality of support mechanisms to a subject such that the plurality of support mechanisms are positioned, during use, along at least a portion of the subject's spine. In some embodiments, the external brace system applies a posterior distraction force to the subject.
Claims20
An external spinal brace system for treating a three-dimensional deviation in a spine, comprising:
- a plurality of support mechanisms, comprising:
- a first support mechanism;
- and
- a second support mechanism, wherein the first support mechanism is couplable, during use, to the second support mechanism such that the first and second support mechanisms are inhibited, during use, from decoupling;
- a coupling system which couples, during use, the plurality of support mechanisms to a subject such that the plurality of support mechanisms are positioned longitudinally, during use, directly along at least a portion of the subject's spine such that the external brace system applies a distraction force longitudinally to the subject to adjust a position of a first portion of the spine relative to a second portion of the spine.
A method of treating a three-dimensional deviation in a spine, comprising:
- coupling an external spinal brace system to a subject to such that a plurality of support mechanisms of the external spinal brace system are positioned along at least a portion of a subject's spine, wherein the plurality of support mechanisms comprises:
- a first support mechanism, comprising:
- a first coupling portion at a first end of the first support mechanism;
- a first and second engaging member at the first end of the first support mechanism;
- a first coupling opening at a second end of the first support mechanism, wherein the second end is opposite to the first end of the first support mechanism;
- and
- a first and second opening at the second end of the first support mechanism;
- a second support mechanism, comprising:
- a second coupling portion at a third end of the second support mechanism;
- a third and fourth engaging member at the third end of the second support mechanism;
- a second coupling opening at a fourth end of the second support mechanism, wherein the fourth end is opposite to the third end of the second support mechanism;
- and
- a third and fourth opening at the fourth end of the second support mechanism;
- positioning the first coupling portion of the first support mechanism in the second coupling opening of the second support mechanism;
- positioning the first and second engaging members of the first support mechanism in the third and fourth openings respectively of the second support mechanism;
- and
- adjusting a position of a first portion of the spine relative to a second portion of the spine.
A method of treating a three-dimensional deviation in a spine, comprising:
- coupling an external spinal brace system to a subject to such that a plurality of support mechanisms of the external spinal brace system are positioned longitudinally along at least a portion of a subject's spine;
- positioning a first coupling portion of a first support mechanism in a second coupling opening of a second support mechanism;
- coupling the first support mechanism to the second support mechanism such that the first and second support mechanisms are inhibited from decoupling;
- and
- applying a distraction force longitudinally to the subject such that a position of a first portion of the spine relative to a second portion of the spine is adjusted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.