US 3,945,376 AGranted

Orthopedic brace (orthesis)

AssigneeOtto Bock Orthopedic Industry, Inc.

InventorWalter Kuehnegger

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Abstract

An orthopedic brace for correction of spinal deformities is constructed forming a three dimensional space structure having a rigid pelvic band encompassing the hip portion of the pelvic region of the wearer. A pair of vertical posterior paraspinal upright members conforming to and following the general curvature of the back of the wearer at a nearly constant distance is secured at their lower ends to the pelvic band and an anterior vertical upright member conforming in general to the curvature of the chest of the wearer is secured to its lower end to the pelvic band. A sternal cross bar is fixedly secured to the upper end of the anterior upright member and a scapular cross bar is fixedly secured to the upper ends of the pair of posterior paraspinal upright members. A pair of curved shoulder bars, amply spaced from the shoulders, serve as a structural link between the sternal and scapular cross bars. A pair of flexible iliac crest members (segments) are securely fastened to an anterior (gusset type) closure plate at one end and to a posterior band at the other end. The anterior closure plate is attached to the anterior upright while the posterior band spaces and connects the posterior paraspinal uprights.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An orthopedic brace for correction of the spinal deformities comprising:

a. a rigid pelvic band constructed and arranged to engage in close contour fitting relationship, the anterior, posterior and lateral hip portions of the pelvic region of a wearer;
b. a pair of posterior paraspinal upright members conforming to the general curvature of the back and pelvic region of a wearer, said paraspinal upright members being spatially disposed from each other and fixedly secured to said pelvic band at their lower ends;
c. an anterior upright member fixedly secured to said pelvic band at its lower end and formed so as to engage the abdominal region and gradually extend upwardly and outwardly to clear the xiphoid of the patient and follow the general anterior curvature in spatially disposed relationship;
d. a sternal cross bar fixedly secured to the upper end of said anterior upright member;
e. a scapular cross bar fixedly secured to the upper ends of said pair of posterior upright members;
f. a pair of rigid shoulder bars rigidly secured to the ends of said sternal and scapular cross bars and extending in curved, spatially disposed relationship to the contour of the shoulders of a wearer;
g. and a pair of flexible iliac crest members pivotally secured at each end thereof between said anterior and posterior uprights, the ends of said iliac crest members being disposed vertically above said pelvic band whereby said brace forms a three dimensional space structure.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.