Orthosis closure system with mechanical advantage

A lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace, comprising:

• a first segment conforming to a first region of a patient's torso, the first segment including a first plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels formed by C-shaped walls spaced from a plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances, the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels respectively extending around the corresponding plurality of teardrop-shaped protuberances extending perpendicular to a surface of the first segment;
• a second segment conforming to a second portion of the patient's torso, the second segment including a second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels formed by C-shaped walls spaced from a plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances, the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels respectively extending around the corresponding plurality of teardrop-shaped protuberances extending perpendicular to a surface of the second segment;
• and
• an elongated flexible pull member operatively extending through, and guided by, the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels and around the first and second plurality of teardrop-shaped protuberances, to allow the first and second segments to be detachably connected together around the patient's torso, wherein the C-shaped walls forming the first plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels extend to an edge of the first connector member wherein the elongated flexible pull member is received, and wherein the C-shaped walls forming the second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels extend to an edge of the second connector member wherein the elongated flexible pull member is received, so that the C-shaped walls and the plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances restrict movement of the flexible pull member within the first and second plurality of plastic molded covered C-shaped channels.

A lumbo-sacral orthopedic brace, comprising:

• a first segment conforming to a first region of a patient's torso, the first segment including at least a first plastic molded covered C-shaped channel being formed by a C-shaped wall spaced from a corresponding plastic molded protuberance having a teardrop configuration, the first plastic molded covered C-shaped channel being defined by and extending around at least the first plastic molded protuberance having a teardrop configuration;
• a second segment conforming to a second portion of the patient's torso, the second segment including at least a second plastic molded covered C-shaped channel being formed by a C-shaped wall spaced from a corresponding plastic molded protuberance having a teardrop configuration, the second plastic molded covered C-shaped channel being defined by and extending around at least the second plastic molded protuberance having a teardrop configuration;
• and
• means for allowing the first and second segments to be detachably connected together around the patient's torso, including a cord operatively connected to the first and second segments, the cord passing through, and guided by, the at least first and second covered plastic molded C-shaped channels and wrapping around the at least first and second protuberances having teardrop configurations, wherein the C-shaped walls forming the at least first plastic molded covered C-shaped channel extend to an edge of the first connector member wherein the cord is received, and wherein the C-shaped walls forming the at least second plastic molded covered C-shaped channel extend to an edge of the second connector member wherein the cord is received, so that the C-shaped walls and the plurality of corresponding plastic molded teardrop-shaped protuberances restrict movement of the cord within the plastic molded covered C-shaped channels.

A method for assembling a closure system for art orthosis, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first connector member having a first plurality of plastic molded protuberances having a teardrop shape, the first plurality of protuberances defining a first plurality of plastic molded C-shaped channels, the first plurality of C-shaped channels being further defined by a first plurality of C-shaped walls spaced from the first plurality of plastic molded protuberances;
• providing a second connector member having a second plurality of plastic molded protuberances having a teardrop shape, the second plurality of protuberances defining a second plurality of plastic molded C-shaped channels, the second plurality of C-shaped channels being further defined by a second plurality of C-shaped wails spaced from the first plurality of plastic molded protuberances;
• and
• wrapping a pull member around the first and second plurality of protuberances having a teardrop shape to allow the pull member to slide within, and be guided by, the first and second plurality of plastic molded C-shaped channels, wherein each of the first and second plurality of C-shaped walls extends to an edge of the first connector member wherein the pull member is received, and wherein each of the second plurality of C-shaped walls extends to an edge of the second connector member wherein the pull member is received, so that the C-shaped walls and the corresponding plastic molded protuberances having a teardrop shape restrict movement of the pull member within the first and second plurality of plastic molded C-shaped channels.