Multi-axis cervical and lumbar traction table

Abstract

A multi-axis cervical and lumbar traction table and method of using same. The traction table includes a support frame with a first body supporting portion and a second body supporting portion. The first body supporting portion is moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis. A high friction surface is optionally used to secure a patient to at least one of the first and second body supporting portions. Linking mechanism is adapted to move the first body supporting portion along a path relative to the second body supporting portion, wherein the path comprises at least one rotational degree of freedom.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 715,008, filed Nov. 17, 2003, entitled “Multi-Axis Cervical and Lumber Traction Table”, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 054,631, filed Jan. 22, 2002, entitled, “Multi-Axis Cervical and Lumber Traction Table”, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a therapeutic traction apparatus, and in particular, to a multi-axis traction device with a first body supporting portion moveable relative to a second body supporting portion and a method of using the therapeutic apparatus to apply traction to a patient. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Back and neck pain are common conditions that can adversely affect both work and leisure activities. One commonly used non-surgical approach to alleviating back pain in patient...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention provides a multi-axis traction device that is capable of treating back pain for a patient with postural deformities that hinder the traditional application of longitudinal traction force along the spine. The present traction device isolates and concentrates traction force on specific areas of the body, for example, the lumbar region, without applying the force along the entirety of the patient's body.

[0012] The present invention includes a method and apparatus for determining an adjusted traction force for the patient. The first body supporting portion is positioned in a non-horizontal configuration. A compensating force related to a weight of the first body supporting portion, a weight of an applicable portion of a patient's body, and an angle between the first body supporting portion and a horizontal plane is determined. The compensating force is applied to a desired traction force to determine the adjusted traction force. The adjusted traction force is applied to the patient by moving the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis to affect the distance between the first body supporting portion and the second body supporting portion.

Problems solved by technology

Back and neck pain are common conditions that can adversely affect both work and leisure activities.

The system has had only limited success because it does not sufficiently isolate the region of the body to which the force is to be applied.

In addition, the system does not adequately treat patients with painful postural deformities, such as for example a flexed, laterally shifted posture often seen in patients suffering from a herniated lumbar disc.

Furthermore, the assembly does not compensate for a patient's postural deformities.

For example, a patient with a herniated lumbar disc may not be able to lie perfectly straight on the table, reducing the effectiveness of the gravitational force.

Further yet, because the patient is anchored to the table at the neck and ankles, the table does not sufficiently concentrate traction force on the specific area in need of treatment, for example, the lumbar region of the body.

Although the Dyer device avoids the use of weights and pulleys, he still requires a cumbersome harness anchored to the end of the lower-body section of the table.

Dyer does not disclose a multi-axis traction device that can compensate for patient postural deformities that hinder the application of traction forces along the spine.

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