Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Patent
1998-12-28
2000-12-26
Lewis, Kim M.
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
A61F 500
Patent
active
06165146&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a cervical brace.
A cervical brace which can be placed about the neck of a patient has been made common knowledge by EP 0 385 114 B 1. The cervical brace of that patent has proved itself in practice. A disadvantage thereof, is that this cervical brace can slide on the neck of the patient.
A cervical brace, which is within the generic concepts of claim 1 is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,623. This known cervical brace exhibits a brace element, with is comprised of two roll shaped segments, which are arranged in a hose-like element, one above the another. The roll shaped segments are filled with soft material. The disadvantage is, that the lower segment does not closely fit the neck contact piece, whereby in this area only a small restriction of movement freedom is assured.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the present invention has the purpose of creating a cervical brace with increased limitation of motion and at the same time possessing a high degree of comfort in wearing, and in which cervical brace there is no danger of slippage.
The brace body of the cervical brace in accord with the invention, is made from an upper and lower segment, which are separated from one another by a weakened zone. The upper segment is seated in the neck area in the manner of a conventional cervical brace, while the lower segment tightly encompasses the entire neck complex. This lower segment, which so encompasses the entire neck complex, prevents a slipping of the cervical brace in a circular direction, so that these cervical braces can be worn by the patients even in the night.
Without encroaching upon the wearing comfort, the lower segment enhances a greater degree of limitation of the movement possibilities of the spinal column in the neck and keeps the musculature warm. This gives rise to a better muscle relaxation then is the case with conventional cervical braces.
The brace body possesses, at least over a part of its length, a profile which connects it to the lower rim. Although that portion of the brace body, which encircles the neck area, that is, the upper segment, is relatively stable as to shape, that portion of the brace body which encircles the neck complex, that is, the lower segment, possesses greater flexibility, so that this part fits more closely about said neck complex.
From the standpoint of an optimum shape for fitting, the weakened zone advantageously does follow the lower circumferential contour of the brace element.
Advantageously, a groove, provided in the brace body, comprises the weakened zone. Because of the lessened material thickness of the brace body because of the groove a sufficient flexibility in the transition zone between the upper and lower segments is achieved. Instead of a groove, material strips can be inlaid, which provide a higher degree of flexibility.
In a preferred embodiment, the groove is provided on the outside of the brace body, wherein, this groove exhibits, an upper side running at an essentially right angle to the surface of the brace body and a lower side running at an angle thereto. The advantage of this embodiment is, that the upper side of the groove forms a detent for the lower segment of the brace body. The angle between the sides of the groove can be so dimensioned, that at a particular degree of slant to the lower segment in the area of the weakened zone, the brace body again achieves a measure of rigidity.
The brace body is advantageously comprised of elastic foamed rubber, which yet retains sufficient stability of shape. This said brace body, in case of necessity, can have a casing of skin-friendly textile material. Advantageously, the brace body is of one piece foam and is fashioned to be round in shape.
The cervical brace can also, of course, be designed as a flat body, which is wrapped around the neck of a patient. It can be made available in various sizes in order to find a well fitting shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be more closely descr
REFERENCES:
patent: 3024784 (1962-03-01), Monfardini
patent: 3189026 (1965-06-01), Barnett
patent: 3364926 (1968-01-01), Alderson
patent: 4958631 (1990-09-01), Sarkozi
patent: 5211623 (1993-05-01), Sarkozi
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