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  Ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060161083Title: Ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus Abstract: An ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus are implemented by first defining a set of desired human characteristics and/or parameters and then implementing an ambulatory traction and cushioning apparatus structure based on the set of human characteristics/parameters to achieve a desired minimum level of residual cushioning, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, upon deactivating the biasing force applied to the associated apparatus tensioning and/or compression mechanism(s). (end of abstract) Agent: Dwight N. Holmbo - Waterville, MN, US Inventors: Matthew J. Dunfee, Susan J. Dunfee USPTO Applicaton #: 20060161083 - Class: 602019000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery: Splint, Brace, Or Bandage, Orthopedic Bandage, Splint Or Brace, Body (e.g., Scoliosis Brace) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060161083. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for alleviating pain due to abnormalities associated with, but not limited to, body weight, internal organs, muscles and various spinal infractions, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for implementing ambulatory spinal unloading. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Traction has long been the treatment of choice for alleviating pain due to certain bodily abnormalities associated with, but not necessarily limited to, internal organs, muscles, body and various spinal infractions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,579 B1, entitled Traction Garment, issued Jun. 15, 2004 to Schroder, for example, discloses a non-stationary or ambulatory traction garment that includes a plurality of tension spreaders to provide injury-specific traction while restricting unwanted and potentially injurious motions. [0005] Other U.S. patents, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,904, issued Jan. 6, 1998 to Dunfee; U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,993, issued Mar. 10, 1998; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,628, issued Sep. 14, 1999 to Dunfee, the inventor of the present invention, each disclose use of an ambulatory, wearable support for applying an extending force or traction to a portion of the human anatomy while being worn. These wearable supports employ a plurality of extender sets having at least one selectively inflatable bladder. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,082 B2, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,767 B2, issued Feb. 10, 2004 and Aug. 17, 2004 respectively to Reinecke et al., disclose an ambulatory traction device that employs one or more lifting mechanisms configured to apply a decompressive force to a portion of a user's body when positioned around the user's body. [0007] A flexible fluidic force generator capable of applying both an extending (traction) force and a compressive force to a portion of the human anatomy while being worn is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,602 B1, entitled Flexible Fluidic Force Generator, issued May 29, 2001, to Nickels et al. [0008] While all of the devices described herein above have provided some advances in the field of ambulatory traction devices, they remain deficient in providing an effective residual spinal cushioning or spinal unloading condition, without restrictively binding at least a portion of a user's thorasic region, in the absence of a biased tensioning and/or compressive force. [0009] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable and advantageous in the art to provide a method and apparatus for implementing ambulatory spinal unloading, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, even in the absence of a biased tensile or traction force to those areas to relieve a portion of the compressive load on the spine to alleviate pain, and to optionally allow proper healing of bodily injuries. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is directed to an ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus that are implemented by defining a set of desired human characteristics and/or parameters and then implementing an ambulatory traction and cushioning apparatus structure based on the set of human characteristics/parameters to achieve a desired minimum level of residual cushioning, without restrictively or tightly binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, upon deactivating the bias applied to the associated apparatus tensioning and/or compression mechanism(s). The method and apparatus eliminate the absolute necessity for trial and error testing by an end user, and further allow the ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus to be optimized to the desired human characteristic(s) and/or parameter(s). A substantial benefit provided by this optimized apparatus is the avoidance of further inadvertent injuries experienced by an end user due to undesirable trial and error techniques such as those generally associated with apparatus that are already known in the related art. Further, the optimized apparatus will allow an end user in many instances, to wear the apparatus for much longer periods of time than that achievable using known apparatus, without experiencing fatigue. This feature is particularly desirable since it will decrease the level of discomfort generally associated with bodily injuries and thereby benefit a user who is wearing the optimized spinal unloading apparatus. This method and apparatus therefore importantly allows a doctor to prescribe both a tension time period and a compression (non-biased) time period, to yield long term spinal relief. The desired human characteristics and/or parameters may include, but are not limited to, height, weight, percent of body fat, a plurality of desired circumferential measurements, relative location of human anomaly(s), period of time in traction, amount or percent of body weight, desired traction level(s), and length of time and percent of body weight to be subjected to spinal cushioning apparatus, and so on. [0011] In one aspect of the invention, an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus absorbs undesirable pressure caused by degenerative disc or nerve faucets, using both compression and expansion features provided via a lifter assembly or mechanism. [0012] In another aspect of the invention, an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus eliminates the necessity to develop time tables and data necessary to formulate correct orthotic belts. [0013] In yet another aspect of the invention, an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus provides flexible stabilizing effects to yield a desired level of user comfort, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, even in the absence of activation or biasing of any lifter mechanism(s). [0014] One embodiment of the invention provides a spinal unloading apparatus comprising: [0015] a biased spinal unloading mechanism; and [0016] an unbiased spinal unloading mechanism, wherein the unbiased spinal unloading mechanism is configured in combination with the biased spinal unloading mechanism, to provide a desired residual cushioning effect, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, in the absence of a bias applied to the biased spinal unloading mechanism. [0017] Another embodiment of the invention provides a spinal unloading apparatus comprising: [0018] means for unloading a user's spine in response to a biasing force; and [0019] means for providing a desired level of residual spinal unloading, without restrictively binding any portion of a user's thorasic region, in the absence of a biasing force applied to the biased spinal unloading mechanism. [0020] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a method of configuring a spinal unloading apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: [0021] selecting at least one desired body characteristic; [0022] configuring a biased spinal unloading mechanism to accommodate the at least one selected desired body characteristics; and Continue reading... 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