Abstract: A bone alignment implant includes a first bone fastener with a first bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone and a second bone fastener with a second bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the diaphyseal bone. A link connecting the two fasteners spans across the physis. Alternatively, the bone alignment implant is adapted for fixation into the diaphyseal sections of two adjoining vertebral bodies. These implants act as a flexible tethers between the metaphyseal and the diaphyseal sections of bone during bone growth. These implants are designed to adjust and deform during the bone realignment process. When placed on the convex side of the deformity, the implant allows the bone on the concave side of the deformity to grow. During the growth process the bone is then realigned. A similar procedure is used to correct torsional deformities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fastening mechanism is provided for a field adjustable traction device having first and second supports coupled using one or more lifting mechanisms. A set of one or more posts are configured to be inserted through a set of one or more holes formed in a back strap of a support and also through a selected one of a number of sets of one or more holes formed in a front strap of the support to position the front strap relative to the back strap. A mechanism is configured to engage the set of one or more posts to secure the front strap in position relative to the back strap.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a plurality of measurement belts and a plurality of side plates configured to be positioned around a user's body. A plurality of locking mechanisms each operable to adjustably couple one of the measurement belts and one of the side plates. The measurement device also includes a plurality of canting mechanisms coupling the measurement belts and the side plates. The canting mechanisms allow the associated measurement belt and side plate to rotate about associated pivots to allow the measurement belt and side plate to conform to user's body. The canting mechanisms also synchronize the movement of the side plate and the measurement belt such that movement of one causes an equivalent movement of the other. The point at which each measurement belt is coupled to the associated canting mechanism and the associated side plate is identifiable by one or more measurement indicators.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stabilization brace includes an upper belt configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body, a lower belt configured to be positioned around the portion of the user's body, and one or more supports coupled between the upper and lower belts. Each support includes a housing, a piston slidably engaged with the housing, and a motion limiter adjustably coupled to the housing in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, the support operable to limit flexion of the portion of the user's body to a predetermined range according to the position of the motion limiter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a brace with an integrated lumbar support system includes a belt adapted to be positioned about a user's lower torso, the belt including a tube at least partially integrated within the belt. The brace includes a lumbar pad coupled to the belt, the lumbar pad adapted to be positioned proximate the user's lumbar region and to be inflated to provide lumbar support to the user. The brace includes a pump coupled to the belt, the pump adapted to provide air to the lumbar pad through the tube at least partially integrated within the belt to inflate the lumbar pad.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory cyclic traction device includes two support belts configured to be positioned about a user's body and one or more lifting mechanisms coupled between the support belts, the one or more lifting mechanisms adapted to apply a decompressive force to a portion of the user's body between the support belts. A control system is operable to automatically cause the one or more lifting mechanisms to cyclically apply the decompressive force to the portion of the user's body through the support belts when the support belts are positioned about the user's body, such that the decompressive force is applied for a predetermined time interval during each of a series of traction cycles.

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: In one embodiment, a fastening mechanism is provided for a field adjustable traction device having first and second supports coupled using one or more lifting mechanisms. A set of one or more posts are configured to be inserted through a set of one or more holes formed in a back strap of a support and also through a selected one of a number of sets of one or more holes formed in a front strap of the support to position the front strap relative to the back strap. A mechanism is configured to engage the set of one or more posts to secure the front strap in position relative to the back strap.

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: In one embodiment, a brace with an integrated lumbar support system includes a belt adapted to be positioned about a user's lower torso, the belt including a tube at least partially integrated within the belt. The brace includes a lumbar pad coupled to the belt, the lumbar pad adapted to be positioned proximate the user's lumbar region and to be inflated to provide lumbar support to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stabilization brace includes an upper belt configured to be positioned around a portion of a user's body, a lower belt configured to be positioned around the portion of the user's body, and one or more supports coupled between the upper and lower belts. Each support includes a housing, a piston slidably engaged with the housing, and a motion limiter adjustably coupled to the housing in one of a plurality of predetermined positions, the support operable to limit flexion of the portion of the user's body to a predetermined range according to the position of the motion limiter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ambulatory cyclic traction device includes two support belts configured to be positioned about a user's body and one or more lifting mechanisms coupled between the support belts, the one or more lifting mechanisms adapted to apply a decompressive force to a portion of the user's body between the support belts. A control system is operable to automatically cause the one or more lifting mechanisms to cyclically apply the decompressive force to the portion of the user's body through the support belts when the support belts are positioned about the user's body, such that the decompressive force is applied for a predetermined time interval during each of a series of traction cycles.

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.