Portable lumbar traction device

Abstract

A portable lumbar traction device is wherein a variable tension system allows the user to manually manipulate a level of tension using a ratcheting device while undergoing a traction procedure. The invention easily and quickly anchors to a door frame and includes one or more springs to create tension in the device. A belt or harness worn by the user couples to a cable or tether in tension with the spring, and the ratcheting device incrementally increases the tension when actuated by the user until the desired tension level is achieved.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to apparatus used to treat lower back pain, and more particularly to a portable lumbar traction device used for applying therapeutic tension of varying magnitudes to a patient. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Back pain is the most frequent and expensive health care problem in adults between the ages of 30-50, and is the most common cause of work loss and disability. Eighty-five percent of the people will suffer some form of back discomfort ranging from intermittent back pain to disability at some time during their lives. For all ages, back pain is the most common cause of activity avoidance (such as golf, gardening, hiking, etc.). Noted back specialists concur that back pain is a symptom of physical dysfunction—i.e., the back is not moving and working as it should. Recovery and relief of pain depends on getting one's back moving and working again and restoring normal function. Medical science has proven that si...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Back pain is the most frequent and expensive health care problem in adults between the ages of 30-50, and is the most common cause of work loss and disability.

Medical science has proven that sitting compresses the spine more than any activity and is a major cause of spinal dysfunction.

Americans are sitting more and more each year, which is a major reason why back pain has become an epidemic and is currently the most expensive medical diagnosis in America—over $100 billion a year.

Forces of this magnitude can require special equipment that is usually limited to doctors and chiropractor's offices.

This can be both inconvenient and expensive for the patient, and unnecessarily crowd therapist's offices while patients undergo lumbar or other tractions.

Currently, the fear of being stranded with back pain keeps countless back pain sufferers restricted in their ability to travel and participate in outdoor activities.

Moreover, the traveler, camper, hiker, golfer, etc. who is in need of relief and away from his practitioner may have to forego treatment due to a lack of available equipment.

Attempts to create a sufficiently low cost portable traction device for home use have thus far produced unsatisfactory results.

For one, they create considerable intracranial pressure that can lead to several ill effects such as headaches and ocular dysfunction.

Second, when in acute pain these devices are very difficult to get in and out of, often causing additional pain or leading to further injury.

Third, they commonly rely on an “all or nothing” force, where the patient is fully suspended or not suspended at all with no intermediate position.

Fourth, the maximum force is limited by one's body weight.

Fifth, the are very bulky and heavy, making them extremely difficult to travel with.

Consequently, in the beginning of treatment the force is often too much, and then insufficient in the latter stages of therapy.

This can be tiring for the patient, and uneven or misapplied tension can result that can further injure the patient.

Hydraulic cylinders have the disadvantage of the weight of the hydraulic fluid, making travel with such devices impractical.

Pneumatic cylinders with low pressure inputs typically can not maintain an adequate traction force for a sufficient period of time to be effective in a traction device.

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