Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-07
2003-04-29
Hindenburg, Max F. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06554781
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a spinal monitor apparatus and method. This invention has particular application to a spinal monitor apparatus and method for use in diagnosis and treatment of lumbar dysfunction and training desirable postural habit and hereinafter this invention will be described in terms of this application. However, it is envisaged that a spinal monitor apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention will find other applications such as on other portions of the spine, or in other applications such as encouraging good lifting practices.
The prevention and treatment of back problems including those caused by poor posture and poor work practices such as unsafe lifting practices is important economically and in terms of quality of life. The underlying causes of poor posture for example are many, and include acquired habits and injury. Treatment may include surgical intervention or physiotherapy, and the use of prostheses such as back braces or corsets. The palliative apparatus are also restrictive, uncomfortable and carry negative social implications. Further, restriction by these means may interfere with nutrition of the intervertebral discs which is usually enhanced or encouraged by flexion in the normal range.
A further problem resides in the fact that the inter-vertebral discs have a negligible nerve supply. Therefore, under normal circumstances, they feel no pain. When a person habitually assumes incorrect posture (whether sitting, standing or lifting) damage is being done unwittingly because there is no pain to act as a warning of impending and cumulative damage.
The disadvantages of the traditional palliative measures, the limitations of physiotherapeutic treatment and the drastic nature of surgical intervention, have led to development of several non-invasive posture training aids. One of the characteristics of the human spine which distinguishes it from the spine of most other vertebrates is the sinuous form, presenting a substantially concave lumbar region, transforming into a substantially convex dorsal presentation in the thoracic region. A key element in maintenance of good posture and ameliorating or preventing injury is the maintenance of the appropriate lumbar curvature or lordosis. Several prior art apparatus-have been suggested for this purpose.
United Kingdom Patent No. GB-2205039 (Williams) discloses an apparatus for monitoring spinal flexion and including a casing adapted to be supported in the region of the 12th thoracic (or dorsal) vertebra and forming a first reference point and an elongate monitoring member in the form of a resilient extension extending from the casing to bear on the spine in the region of the first sacral vertebra, thus forming a second reference point. In use, the apparatus emits a noise or vibration when the spatial relationship between the second reference point, resiliently biased toward the spine, and the casing, approaches that which would be induced when the reference points correspond to a selected loss of lumbar lordosis.
A disadvantage of the apparatus disclosed in the Williams reference is that the two reference points utilized do not measure the loss of lordosis as such. The apparatus merely monitors the spatial relationship between the two reference points. The disclosed apparatus does not monitor and respond to changes in curvature of the spine directly or indirectly. Where the Williams apparatus does indicate loss of lumbar lordosis, it does so incidentally. With reference to the example disclosed at page 3, line 5 through to 7 of the Williams reference, there is reference to touching the knees and bending over, clearly flexion type movement not directly dependent upon a change occurring in the curvature of a particular portion of the spine.
The Williams apparatus would not detect flattening of the lumbar curve if the user is sitting upright in a chair but still slumping in the lumbar spinal region.
The lumbar curvature may be lost without inclining. This may be demonstrated by the observation that a person may bend forward at the hip joint without flattening the lumbar curvature.
In one aspect the present invention resides broadly in a method for the prevention and treatment of posture deficiencies including the steps of:
monitoring a selected portion of a spine for functions of curvature;
producing a signal corresponding to said monitored curvature, and
using said signal to provide an indication of said curvature.
The function of curvature may be selected from the displacement of curvature, rate of change or velocity of curvature, or acceleration of curvature change.
The monitoring of the function of curvature may be continuous or intermittent monitoring. The type of signal generated by the signal means may take any form determined by the choice of monitoring means and signal means, as well as the type of indication of curvature required. The functions of curvature expressed by the indicator means may for example represent displacement of curvature, or alternatively some other function such as rate of change of curvature or accelerations of that rate.
In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in apparatus for the prevention and treatment of posture deficiencies including:
monitoring means adapted to directly or indirectly monitor the curvature of a portion of a spine; and
signal means responsive to said monitoring means and adapted to generate a signal indicative of said curvature.
The portion of the spine may be any portion for which conditions of adverse curvature are relevant to matters of prevention, treatment, training or maintainence of posture. Examples include the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine. The curvature may be in the dorsal, sagittal or any other plane.
The monitoring means may be adapted to monitor the curvature of the selected portion of the spine as a continuous smooth curve or alternatively may monitor the curvature by reference to discrete positions on the spine.
However, where the monitoring of discrete positions on the spine is used, the monitoring means must monitor the actual curvature of the spine directly or indirectly, rather than from inference. Accordingly, where the monitoring means monitors the spatial relationship between discrete selected locations on the spine, there must be at least three of the selected locations to provide a first approximation of the curvature.
The monitoring means may be adapted to monitor curvature and provide a signal dependent on the angular displacement between adjacent monitor elements of a plurality of monitor elements attached to or in contact with the selected plurality of selected spinal locations. Alternatively, the monitoring means may include a unitary body member secured to the selected spinal region and including internal signal generating means responsive to the direct correspondence between the body member and the spinal curve to which it is attached.
The monitoring means may advantageously include a flexible body member adapted to conform in use to the lumbar portion of the wearer's spine, and securing means. The securing means may also take any form consistent with the function of maintaining the body member in position on the wearer. For example, the securing means may comprise one or more of adhesive pads or tape members, straps or any other suitable means. The monitoring means may for example comprise an elastomeric housing having a surface adapted to engage the skin of the user by way of an adhesive layer. For example, the adhesive may comprise a medical grade hypoallergenic adhesive. Preferably the securing means, and indeed the body member and securing means in assembly, are such that they are unobtrusive to avoid embarrassment of the wearer in use. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the securing means may adjustably mount the body member to provide an element of fine-tuning to the positioning the body member relative to the part to be monitored.
The signal means may comprise electromagnetic, electronic, optical, electromechanical, pneumatic or mechanical signal means. Preferably, the
Bull David John
Carter Michael Anthony
Hamilton Christine
Hill Peter Wilson
Jull Gwendolen Anne
Heslin Rothenberg Farley & & Mesiti P.C.
Hindenburg Max F.
Spinal Sensor Technologies Limited
Wingood Pamela L
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