Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for adjusting the length of a belt having right and left front portions and a back portion, the right and left front portions of the belt each moveable with respect to the back portion of the belt. Opposite ends of a strap are attached to the right and left front portions of the belt. The strap includes a middle section including opposing portions detachably coupled to one another. The strap is coupled to the back portion of the belt between the opposite ends of the strap such that movement of the right and left front portions of the belt away from the back portion of the belt causes detachment of the opposing portions of the middle section of the strap from one another.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory traction device includes a first support configured to be positioned on a user's body and a second support configured to be positioned on the user's body spaced apart from the first support such that a portion of the user's body is positioned between the first and second supports. The traction device also includes one or more lifting mechanisms that each couple the supports and apply a decompressive force to the portion of the user's body when the supports are positioned on the user's body. Each lifting mechanism includes a sleeve having a non-circular cross-section and operable to contain a fluid. Each lifting mechanism also includes a piston configured to move within the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure within the sleeve.

Abstract: An ambulatory support device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a user's body. At least one of the support belts includes a canting mechanism that couples opposing right and left portions of the support belt. The canting mechanism allows the opposing right and left portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user's body and synchronizes the movement of the opposing right and left portions of the support belt such that movement of the right or left portion causes and requires movement of the opposing left or right portion, respectively, of a substantially equivalent magnitude. The traction device also includes one or more supports. Each support is coupled between the support belts and provides stability to the user's body.

Abstract: An ambulatory support device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a user's body. At least one of the support belts includes a canting mechanism that couples opposing portions of the support belt. The canting mechanism allows the opposing portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user's body and synchronizes the movement of the opposing portions of the support belt such that movement of one portion causes a substantially equivalent movement of the other portion. The support device also includes one or more support mechanisms. Each support mechanism is coupled between the support belts and provides stability to the user's body.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body and one or more lifting mechanisms. Each lifting mechanism is coupled between the support belts and operable to apply a decompressive force to the portion of the user's body when the support belts are positioned around the user's body.

Abstract: An ambulatory support device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a user's body. At least one of the support belts includes a canting mechanism that couples opposing right and left portions of the support belt. The canting mechanism allows the opposing right and left portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user's body and synchronizes the movement of the opposing right and left portions of the support belt such that movement of the right or left portion causes and requires movement of the opposing left or right portion, respectively, of a substantially equivalent magnitude. The traction device also includes one or more supports. Each support is coupled between the support belts and provides stability to the user's body.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the length of a belt having first and second front portions and a back portion, the first and second front portions each moveable with respect to the back portion, includes attaching opposite ends of a strap to each of the front two portions. The strap includes a middle bonding section bound together. The method further includes coupling the strap to the back portion between the opposite ends such that movement of the first and second front portions away from the back portion causes detachment of portions of the middle bonding section and moving each of the two front portions away from the back portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for adjusting the length of a belt having right and left front portions and a back portion, the right and left front portions of the belt each moveable with respect to the back portion of the belt. Opposite ends of a strap are attached to the right and left front portions of the belt. The strap includes a middle section including opposing portions detachably coupled to one another. The strap is coupled to the back portion of the belt between the opposite ends of the strap such that movement of the right and left front portions of the belt away from the back portion of the belt causes detachment of the opposing portions of the middle section of the strap from one another.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory traction device includes a first support configured to be positioned on a user's body and a second support configured to be positioned on the user's body spaced apart from the first support such that a joint of the user is positioned between the first and second supports. The traction device also includes one or more lifting mechanisms that each couple the supports and apply a decompressive force to the joint when the supports are positioned on the user's body. Each lifting mechanism includes a sleeve having a substantially elliptical, noncircular cross-section and operable to contain a fluid. Each lifting mechanism also includes a piston configured to move within the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure within the sleeve. In other embodiments, the sleeve and piston may have circular or other suitable cross-sections.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction device includes a first support configured to be positioned on a user's body and a second support configured to be positioned on the user's body spaced apart from the first support such that a joint of the user's body is positioned between the first and second supports. The traction device also includes one or more lifting mechanisms that couple the supports and that apply a decompressive force to the joint when the supports are positioned on the user's body. Each lifting mechanism includes a sleeve having a substantially elliptical cross-section and a piston configured to move within the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure within the sleeve.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body and one or more lifting mechanisms. Each lifting mechanism is coupled between the support belts and operable to apply a decompressive force to the portion of the user's body when the support belts are positioned around the user's body.

Abstract: An ambulatory traction device includes a first support configured to be positioned on a user's body and a second support configured to be positioned on the user's body spaced apart from the first support such that a joint of the user's body is positioned between the first and second supports. The traction device also includes one or more lifting mechanisms that couple the supports and that apply a decompressive force to the joint when the supports are positioned on the user's body. Each lifting mechanism includes a sleeve having a substantially elliptical cross-section and a piston configured to move within the sleeve in response to an increase in pressure within the sleeve.