GB2472808A - A lumbar spinal traction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A lumbar spinal flexion traction device comprising a support structure with a horizontal cross member 1. Horizontally adjustable guide means 2 direct an elongate flexible member 4 between a user and a variable tension load 7. The tension is eased and the load reduced when the operative moves down a bed. The load means may be a solid or fluid weight and may comprise two guide means 6 above and below the variable tension means and the variable tension means may be a spring or elasticated means. The device may also have a tension governor 8, attached between the variable tension means and the support structure base. The tension applied to the user may be further varied by varying the angle of the elongate flexible member 4 from the load to the horizontally adjustable guide means 2. The device can optionally include an elongate flexible member arresting element and a spring return belt and trip mechanism 10.

Description

Bed Apparatus This invention concerns Lumbar Flexion apparatus for the management of Low Back Pain.

Research in recent years has shown that the Fowler position, (lying supine with legs raised to ninety degrees), produces a previously unrecognised natural intrinsic load to the lumbar spine, it is also recognised that this intrinsic load, can be beneficial in the management of low back pain in a sustained situation.

Raising one's legs when in low back pain can increase pain and is not sustainable, but to replicate the equivalent natural intrinsic load to the lumbar spine without raising the leg's requires a precise degree of specific pelvic tilt, along with the required amount of tension via flexible members from a pre-set load to a specific pelvic belt.

It is the nature of these systems when applied over a period of time that the operative is naturally drawn down the bed by flexible members towards the force being applied, in the case of spinal traction a horizontal pull will remain constant and the suspended load can remain the same irrespective of the operatives position on the bed so long as the load has not become grounded and none effective.

In the case of lumbar flexion the elongate flexible member requires a precise elevated angle of tension along with a specific predetermined load to produce the correct lumbar flexion leverage (Nm) for the particular operative and in this situation as the operative moves down the bed the desired angle will alter to a more acute undesirable angle and if the load remained the same, that too is undesirable.

As a consequence a more sensitive and responsive system in relation to the position of the operative and the angle of the elongate flexible member and the load has been devised providing a movement activated variable tension load device.

The apparatus may be presented as a free standing unit for attachment to the end of a bed or canter levered from the bed structure, alternatively the apparatus may be incorporated within the structure of a bed and may be electrical power assisted although the concept is presented without electrical input that is not to say that the system may not be assisted in that fashion and the position of the operative similarly recorded by sensors to operate a power sources.

The proposed specific pelvic belt may be flexible cotton aridIor elasticated material which also provides a lordosis pocket for the insertion of a resilient pad of natural material such as sheep skin or such like resilient fibre pile to accept a flattening of the lordosis of the spine. A remote control device may be incorporated within the specific pelvic belts releasable connectors for convenience of use to lock and release a spring return belt mechanisem whilst providing separate adjustment of the effective length of the flexible member 2.

Anchorage points are located adjacent to the lordosis pad pocket and adjustment provided by steel sliding buckles to anchorage points on the front of the belt, fastening of the belt is off centre to accommodate variable posture of the operative.

An inconvenient with elevated elongate flexible members is that bed cloths or covers slide down or between the members causing the user/operative to be uncovered, to this end bed covers with vents to allow the elongate flexible members to pass through and are designed to allow the user to move without becoming uncovered.

The present invention has been conceived initially with a view to ensuring the safety of the operative in preventing excess load being applied as the angle of the flexible member alters as the operative moves down the bed, conversely, it will alter if the operative moves up the bed and in this situation a pre-set tension governor is provided a solid or liquid weight container has attached two opposite sited guide means for both flexible member and elasticated or spring tension means which may be suspended from an extendable support structure carrying horizontally adjustable guide means It is envisaged that the structure would have a convenient enclosure or cover for both aesthetic and hygiene procedure along with devices for the recorded use by the operative.

By way of example the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

This invention concerns lumbar spinal flexion apparatus and more particularly such apparatus of the kind including a support structure with horizontal cross member I carrying horizontally adjustable guide means 2 which said guide means serve to direct an elongate flexible member 4 between the operative and a movement activated variable tension load 7 which said tension will ease and reduce the load in controlled adjustment of the applied tension to the operative as the said operative moves down the bed, which movement activated variable tension load 7 will include a solid or fluid weight has two opposite guide means above and below and variable tension means of elasticised bow or spring tension 9 with a tension governor 8 which may be attached to the support structure base.

which horizontally adjustable guide means provides adjustment of the applied tension by varying the angle of the elongate flexible member 4 from said load to the horizontally adjustable guide means 2 as a additional means of tension setting to the operative.

Said horizontally adjustable guide means 2 has a flexible member arresting element of a vee formed entrapment to retain the elongate flexible member 4 when said member is elevated as to secure and hold a movement activated variable tension load device 7 in a suspended state.

Wherein a spring tension return belt and trip mechanism 10 at the base of the support structure has a spring tension return belt and belt guide attachment 3 located on the horizontal cross member above the load 7 and maybe operable by electronic mechanical or dynamic trip mechanism to further serve as a means to suspend the movement activated variable tension load 7.

Item 5 is a spring tension return belt attachment. Item 6 is a static guide means for item 4. 3.