Ambulatory traction
A device and method for applying intermittent passive traction (IPT) that includes an initial phase followed by a sustained traction phase and finally a relaxation phase. During the first phase of IPT, the spinal elements are placed under gentle traction. This period of time reduces the normal forces across the vertebral bodies, facet joints, paraspinal musculature, etc. The second phase holds the spine in sustained traction, further reducing the forces across the spinal elements, encouraging natural healing to occur and allowing the muscles a period of relaxation. The third phase includes the gradual reduction of traction. During this final phase, the normal forces across the spine are reestablished as the IPT device slowly releases traction. The method resolves many of the most limiting problems associated with traction, CPM, and passive treatment modalities.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/284,250 filed Nov. 21, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/094,862 filed Mar. 31, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/035,485 filed Jan. 15, 2005, now abandoned, which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/640,479 filed Sep. 30, 2004, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to medical treatment modalities, and more particularly relates to a device and method for implementing intermittent passive traction (IPT) therapy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Continuous passive motion (herein after referred to as CPM) is a well known and established technique used by the medical community to benefit a patient's recovery. The modality relies on passive movement of a joint through a predetermined range of motion to reestablish the kinematics of the joint and surrounding soft tissues. This is typically achieved by a device in which the joint and associated soft tissues are secured and gently moved through a predetermined motion cycle. CPM devices typically allow the range of motion, rate of motion, and other parameters to be adjusted per patient comfort and therapeutic parameters outlined by their health care provider. Most patients tolerate the device administering the passive range of motion and see it as an adjunct in their care and rehabilitation program. The benefits of CPM have been well established in therapeutic centers and have been extensively documented in the medical literature.
Traction is another treatment modality frequently used by the medical/therapeutic community to relieve pain, muscle spasms, and general discomfort to joints and surrounding soft tissues involved. The application of traction across a body region has been achieved in many different ways. Chiropractors often use a number of techniques and positional maneuvers to place a region of the spine in traction. Other health care providers use traction devices; these typically require patients to lie down on a specialized traction table in which traction across the spine is applied. Most health care providers require patients to visit clinics or therapy centers to have access to these devices. The benefits of traction are well established in the medical/chiropractic communities and well documented in the medical literature.
The benefits of traction and CPM are substantial. A significant draw back with these modalities however, lies in the cost of the devices and/or the time required to frequent health care professionals administering the technique(s). The purchase price of CPM machines and traction tables can be thousands of dollars. Most patients cannot afford to purchase these devices for self-directed care. Because of this, patients frequent treatment centers in order to gain access to these devices/techniques. Treatment regimens are typically set up by health care professionals in which the CPM and/or traction devices are used. Patients spend time, and often substantial amounts of money to be treated.
In view of the foregoing background, it would be extremely beneficial and advantageous to provide an intermittent passive traction (IPT) device that will combine the effects of traction and continual passive motion. These devices would be reasonably priced so patients who respond to these treatment techniques can purchase the device outright and use it when they deem necessary. Patients would take control of their own care without requiring inconvenient and expensive clinic treatment regimens devised by others. Many of the most limiting problems associated with traction, CPM and passive treatment modalities could then be resolved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to an intermittent passive traction (IPT) device that combines the effects of traction and continual passive motion therapy. These devices are reasonably priced so patients who respond to these treatment techniques can purchase the device outright and use it when they deem necessary. Patients will be able to take control of their own care without requiring inconvenient and expensive clinic treatment regimens devised by others. Many of the most limiting problems associated with traction, CPM and passive treatment modalities would then be resolved.
The IPT therapy device in one embodiment consists of two principal elements: 1) a soft vest combined with 2) an electromechanical traction unit. The soft vest is provided with features necessary to isolate one or more desired regions of the spine requiring treatment. These regions can include cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar. Each vest in contoured in such a fashion that it will accommodate a variety of body habitues. The electromechanical traction unit (ETU) is incorporated within the vest and functions in principal similar to a CPM device.
The motion across the patient's spine is directed along the longitudinal axis of the spine to effectively apply traction across the spine. The traction is most preferably applied in an intermittent fashion as typically implemented via CPM devices. Parameters such as rate of motion, length of distraction, force of distraction, and the like will be controllable. The IPT device applies traction in such a manner as to create longitudinal forces and also flexion/extension or lateral bending forces depending upon the specific needs of the patient.
Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing figures wherein:
While the above-identified drawing figures set forth particular embodiments, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents illustrated embodiments of the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSLooking now at
Keeping the above principles in mind, a method of providing intermittent passive traction according to one embodiment of the invention is now described below. Subsequent to selecting an IPT vest such as one of those described herein before, the IPT vest is placed on a patient and adjusted according to the patient's physical characteristics and also according to a selected treatment regimen. The CPM motion across the patient's spine will be directed along the longitudinal axis of the spine as stated herein before. This in effect will apply traction across the spine. The traction will be applied in an intermittent fashion as typically seen in CPM devices. Parameters such as rate of motion, length of distraction, force of distraction, and the like will be controllable. The application of traction may be applied in such a manner as to create longitudinal forces and also flexion/extension or lateral bending forces, depending upon the specific needs of the patient.
In view of the above, the initial phase of operation will involve a gradual application of traction across the spinal elements. The term gradual as used herein means increasing or decreasing by fine or slight or often imperceptible degrees. The initial phase will be followed by a sustained traction phase and finally a relaxation phase. During the first phase of IPT, the spinal elements will be placed under gentle traction. This period of time will reduce the normal forces across the vertebral bodies, facet joints, paraspinal musculature, etc. The second phase will hold the spine in sustained traction, further reducing the forces across the spinal elements, encouraging natural healing to occur and allowing the muscles a period of relaxation. The third phase will be the gradual reduction of traction. During this final phase, the normal forces across the spine will reestablish as the IPT device slowly releases traction.
The IPT vests discussed above are most preferably contoured in such a fashion that they will accommodate a variety of body habitues, as stated herein before. The foregoing IPT modalities and devices may also be employed by the patient in a variety of selected therapy environments such as, but not limited to, the hydrotherapy setting as illustrated in
A portion of one simple IPT vest 600 that may be suitable for IPT hydrotherapy is shown in
In summary explanation, IPT modalities are provided to benefit the spinal elements, similar to the benefits provided by CPM and traction in other areas of the body. The IPT units, such as described herein above with reference to the figures, will be dynamic in nature, allowing the patient freedom of movement, i.e. an ambulatory traction device. Desired therapeutic effects than can be achieved by combining the traction effect, CPM, and ambulation.
The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this specification are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. An ambulatory cervical spinal unloading apparatus configured to provide a desired amount of traction force to a spine of a patient and to absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected shock and/or vibration, with the traction force provided via a plurality of lifter assemblies, comprising:
- an upper jaw collar;
- a lower support collar;
- a residual cushioning device; and
- the plurality of lifter assemblies;
- wherein the plurality of lifter assemblies each independently expands or retracts to control distance between the orthotic belts to provide the traction force to a cervical portion of a spine of a patient, and each of the lifter assemblies further comprises a residual cushioning device that independently provides a desired residual cushioning effect by compression of a spring and/or damper to thereby absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected shock and/or vibration, wherein the spring and/or damper is effective to provide the residual cushioning for the lifting assembly in a deactivated state.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 with the lifter assemblies each comprising a worm gear tuning a threaded rod or a piston actuated fluidic lifting device.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, with at least one of the lifter assemblies comprising a piston actuated fluidic lifting device.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the piston actuated fluidic lifting device comprises a pneumatically operated piston.
31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the piston actuated fluidic lifting device comprises a pair of pistons connected by a piston rod, and with each piston fitting a pneumatic cylinder.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 her comprising a gel-filled chamber that provides the residual cushioning.
33. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein at least one orthotic belt comprises integrated electrodes selectively positioned to provide a desired level of muscle or nerve stimulation in response to a desired electrical bias.
34. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a plurality of contact electrodes to deliver transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
35. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the upper orthotic belt and/or the lower orthotic belt comprises a plurality of contact electrodes to deliver transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
36. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the residual cushioning device comprises a gel-filled chamber.
37. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the residual cushioning device comprises the spring.
38. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the residual cushioning device comprises the damper.
39. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein each of the plurality of lifter assemblies comprises no more than one fluidic chamber.
40. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of lifter assemblies each comprise at least one electric motor configured in combination with a mechanical extension shaft assembly to selectively control the distance.
41. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the mechanical extension shaft assembly comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of belts, pulleys, cables, threaded shafts, and gears.
42. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising a hot pack.
43. The spinal unloading apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a recording apparatus operational to selectively record desired information associated with at least one parameter selected from the list consisting of traction, spinal unloading, stimulation, and/or therapeutic parameters.
44. A method of spinal unloading comprising:
- providing an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus that comprises a first collar, a second support collar, and a plurality of lifter assemblies configured to selectively vary a distance between the collars comprising a residual cushioning device that provides a desired residual cushioning effect achieved by compression of a spring and/or damper to thereby absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected shock and/or vibration for at least one of the lifter assemblies in a deactivated state.
45. The method of claim 44 further comprising providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation through a plurality of contact electrodes.
46. The method of claim 44 further comprising providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation through a plurality of contact electrodes located on the upper collar or the support collar.
47. The method of claim 46 further comprising providing a heat source in combination with the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
48. The method of claim 46, with at least one of the lifter assemblies comprising a piston actuated fluidic lifting device that comprises a pneumatically operated piston.
49. The method of claim 46 wherein the piston actuated fluidic lifting device comprises a pair of pistons connected by a piston rod, with each piston fitting a pneumatic cylinder, and further comprising supplying a gas to one of the cylinders for moving the piston rod.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 10, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2009
Applicant:
Inventors: Mark A. Wikenheiser (Woodbury, MN), Matthew J. Dunfee (Belle Plaine, MN)
Application Number: 12/283,172
International Classification: A61F 5/00 (20060101); A61B 17/00 (20060101);