Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Having common force transmitting support frame for user and...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-22
2003-11-25
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Having common force transmitting support frame for user and...
C482S133000, C482S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06652430
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices employed for the rehabilitation and/or strengthening of the lower back area (i.e., the “pelvic girdle” region and/or “lumbar” region) of an individual. More particularly, the invention relates to devices that utilize progressive resistance training to rehabilitate and or strengthen the pelvic girdle/lumbar region of an individual.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following background information is provided to assist the reader to understand the invention described and claimed herein. Accordingly, any terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless specifically so indicated.
Back and neck pain is one of the most widespread and troublesome of human maladies, and one that is frequently of a chronic nature. Of the total population, an extremely high proportion experience some form of back or neck pain at some time in their lives. For example, in Advances in Therapy, Volume 15, No. 3, May/June 1998, it is stated that, “[Lower Back Pain] is the leading cause of disability in people younger than 45, [and] is the second most prominent cause of industrial absenteeism, affecting up to 60% of all employees at some time in their careers. In 1990, costs associated with [lower back pain] were more than $50 billion in the United States alone. That year, workers' compensation costs for [lower back pain] exceeded $11 billion and have been rising steadily each year.” For some, pain reaches debilitating levels.
It is widely believed that a relatively large proportion of back pain is due to the shifting and/or bulging of the spinal discs that are located between consecutive spinal column segments. These discs can become misaligned by shifting toward the front of the patient (“anterior”), toward the back of the patient (“posterior”) or toward either side of the patient (“lateral”). Frequently, the aim of therapy is to bring a particular disc or discs back into proper alignment with the spinal column segments between which it is located. Thus, the spinal column has often been subjected to some type of elongating force, in order to relieve the pressure between the spinal segments and allow the misaligned and/or bulging disc(s) to return to proper alignment.
Various apparatuses have been devised for the non-surgical treatment through spinal manipulation, including spinal elongation. A number of such apparatuses are discussed immediately below. In general, such apparatuses can be subdivided into “active” vs. “passive”. In a passive device, the spinal column of the patient is subjected to forces, and in fact some movement, however slight, while the patient remains essentially passive, i.e., exerting no muscular forces. In contrast, when using an active device, the patient performs movements, generally against some resistive force. As pointed out below, it is believed that the active form of therapy, particularly a progressive resistance form of training, has particular benefits over the passive type of therapy. In active therapy, the activation of all of the physiology within and surrounding the pelvic girdle region of the patient is activated, resulting in improved circulation that removes toxins from and carries nutrients to the activated physiology. In addition, a progressive resistance form of training is vitally needed to restore integrity of soft tissue (e.g., ligamentous structures, muscles, tendons, and capsules) of which the ligamentous structure in the pelvic girdle and lumbar area is very pronounced.
Such apparatuses can also be generally subdivided between “linear” vs. “curvilinear” (i.e., non-linear) devices. In a linear device, the spinal column of the patient is subjected to tensile forces acting essentially in a straight line along the axis of the spinal column. In contrast, in the use of a curvilinear device, the spinal column of the patient is subjected to a bending moment. Several advantages of curvilinear
on-linear motion are discussed in the article “Non-Linear Spinal Disc Traction-Medical Sciences' Ultimate Answer to One of Humanities Oldest Problems”, which appeared in the December , 1999 issue of California Journal of Alternative Medicine. This article discusses how curvilinear motion can produce sufficient negative pressures in the spinal column (i.e., “intradiscal pressures”) to literally “suck” the “nucleus pulposus” back into the torn annulus fibrosis. This reduces disc bulge, herniation, and surgical intervention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
A device generally referred to by its tradename of “Medex” is designed with the belief that back pain could be cured by isolating very specific muscles of the lower back in a resistance training program. Thus, the Medex provides a locking mechanism to keep the femur and hip axis of the individual from moving forward or backward with adjustable pads, one pad being located in the lumbar region and the other, a pressure pad, that forces the femur back against the lumbar pad. The Medex also employs an adjustable belt, which holds the user against the seat with pressure applied high up on the thighs. When locked in this position, the individual has to perform a torso extension motion against a backrest that is connected to adjustable resistance weights. However, the Medex, by locking the individual into a rigid position, does not involve a synergistic activity of related soft tissue or decompression at various vertebral joints. Moreover, it does not provide opportunities for the development of a multitude of new recruitment pathways. The term “new recruitment pathways”, as used herein, refers to the means by which selected muscle cells are activated. For example, in a particular movement, motor units are selected for use depending on the relative location of stress in the movement.
A device generally referred to by its tradename of “Vivatek” uses a table in which the patient lies, face up, in a completely horizontal position with his/her back against the tabletop. While the patient is in a passive mode, the device is electronically controlled to provide a lifting action (i.e., through the elevation of various portions of the table's upper surface) at a variety of locations along the vertebral column of the patient. The time interval of the elevated position and the frequency of the application of the lift are controlled electronically. During this passive mechanical manipulation of the spinal column, electronic controlled pulses, similar to sonar, are generated and projected through the lifting mechanism. These pulses are intended to stimulate better blood flow during the spinal manipulation. However, the Vivatek is passive in nature. Therefore, the patient does not have the additional benefit of muscular activity and the associated improvement in transportation of toxins from the soft tissue and transportation of nutrients to the soft tissue. Additionally, the patient is not involved in progressive resistance training.
However, the “Vivatek device”, which is presumed by many to effect spinal decompression, has been significantly recognized in the industry, for example, by being awarded the 1998 “Therapeutic Product of the Year Award” by the World Health News Network. The present invention is believed to also perform spinal decompression, but with an apparatus which is significantly less expensive to manufacture.
An apparatus generally referred to by its tradename of “Vax-D” employs a table, upon which the patient assumes a prone, face down, position. The treatment provides a linear decompression of the spine by having the patient reach out, with both arms, and hold on to two vertical non-moveable posts. A harness is attached to the hip area of the patient and connected to a mechanical traction device. This traction device is electronically controlled as to the magnitude of force, the duration of the force, and the frequency of the force applied. Like the Vivatek device discussed above, the Vax-D apparatus is passive in nature. Therefore, the patient does not exp
James Ray & Associates
Richman Glenn E.
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