Abstract: A chest brace and method of using same that prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during patient breathing by providing a distending force on the patient's thorax. The chest brace also restores the normal anterior-to-posterior chest dimensions by providing a distending force in this direction. The chest brace includes an anterior member adapted to overly a patient's chest. An adhesive mechanism secures the anterior member to a surface of such a patient. A support structure is coupled to the anterior member such that, in use, the support structure imparts a force on the anterior member in a manner so as to distend a thorax of such a patient.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 16, 2003
Publication date:
May 29, 2003
Applicant:
The Penn State Research Foundation & Respironics, Inc.
Inventors:
Charles Palmer, Jerome Matula, Lance Busch, Eugene N. Scarberry