Orthosis device, configured to provide temporary support during a load transfer activity by a user

Abstract

Orthosis device (1), comprising a belt (2), comprising a compression layer (4) comprising opposite ends (5) that are moveable towards and away from each other to tighten and untighten the belt; and an actuator (6) comprising a drive (14), wherein the orthosis device is configured to provide temporary support to a lumbar region of a user during a load transfer activity by the user, the belt further comprising a base layer (3); the compression layer being slidably arranged against at least a part of said base layer during tightening and untightening of the belt; and said actuator being configured to selectively switch the orthosis device between an active state and an idle state, wherein, in order to bring the orthosis device into the active state, the actuator is configured to tighten the belt to provide an increased level of support during the load transfer activity; and in order to bring the orthosis device into the idle state, the actuator is configured to untighten the belt to provide an increased level of wearing comfort.

Description

[0001] Title: Orthosis device, configured to provide temporary support during a load transfer activity by a user

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to an orthosis device, configured to provide temporary support during a load transfer activity by a user. More in particular, it relates to an orthosis device that is configured to provide temporary support to a lumbar region of the user during a load transfer activity by the user, in particular a lifting activity.

[0004] Low-back pain is defined as pain between the costal arch and the gluteal curve (at the dorsal side). The pain can also spread towards the legs. Low-back pain is the most common musculoskeletal problem worldwide and, globally, the fourth leading cause for disability-adjusted life-years or health loss. The prevalence of back pain varies from 12% to 30% in the Western countries, with associated costs for sick leave.

[0005] Although low-back pain is present among the general population, especially people who have to perform physical activities involved with transferring loads are vulnerable to develop such low-back pain. This involves laborers who regularly have to lift heavy loads. Also health care professionals who do nursing tasks have a higher risk of low-back pain, compared to the general population. Handling patients and heavy medical equipment are the highest risk factors for getting low-back pain among health care professionals. A worsening factor is that nurses often have to lift in awkward postures, wherein the spine is bended or twisted to some extent. During a daily working routine, a nurse may perform between 15-20 load transfer activities, that take on average about 7,5 seconds. In total, this sums up to more than 2 minutes of load transfer.

[0006] Preventing low-back pain will improve quality of life, productivity and reduce the sick leave of people. In hospitals and health care facilities, several measures are often taken to prevent low-back pain for the nurses. For handling patients, staff training on lifting technique, using technical equipment such as patient lifts, using sliding sheets, sliding mats, holding belts and roller boards, as well as employing a team specialized in lifting, are current interventions. Exoskeletons define another type of technical aids that are technical devices that are often bulky and heavy, and therefore interfering with the desired flexibility a user requires. This is especially the case for nurses, who need to be able to move in sometimes tight spaces next to a bed of a patient. Moreover, exoskeletons are often time consuming to put on and off, also resulting in resistance of users towards using such exoskeletons. Finally, exoskeletons are technically complex, and often very expensive to purchase.

[0007] United States patent application US 2013 / 345612 A1 is considered to define the closest prior art and discloses an automated orthotic device for rehabilitation purposes. It comprises a single belt that may be tensioned by a drive that pulls cables via a pulley system. This prior art orthotic device is used to follow a treatment regimen to provide a plurality of prescribed tension settings. This addresses the problem of patients being required to visit the physician’s office every time an adjustment must be made in the prescribed tension setting in their automated orthotic device. In this way, the tension may be changed over time in line with the patient’s development during rehabilitation. At least the characterizing features of claim 1 are novel relative to the orthotic device disclosed in US 2013 / 345612 A1.

[0008] The United States patent US 8,591 ,445 B2, French patent application FR 3 096 575 A1 , Chinese patent application CN 112 294 514 A, and the United States patent applications US 2022 / 079797 A1 and US 2022 / 280327 A1 are acknowledged as further prior art.

[0009] An objective of the present invention is to provide an orthosis device, that is improved relative to the prior art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated or alleviated.

[0010] Said objective is achieved with the orthosis device according to claim 1 of the present invention, said orthosis device comprising:

[0011] - a belt, configured to be worn around a trunk of the user, said belt comprising a compression layer that comprises opposite ends that are moveable towards each other to tighten the belt around the trunk, and moveable away from each other to untighten the belt around the trunk; and

[0012] - an actuator comprising a drive, - wherein the orthosis device is configured to provide temporary support to a lumbar region of a user during a load transfer activity by the user, in particular a lifting activity, wherein:

[0013] - the belt further comprises a base layer, configured to be arranged against and extend around at least a part of a circumference of the trunk;

[0014] - wherein the compression layer is slidably arranged against at least a part of said base layer during tightening and untightening of the belt; and

[0015] - wherein said actuator is configured to selectively switch the orthosis device between an active state and an idle state, wherein:

[0016] - in order to bring the orthosis device into the active state, the actuator is configured to force the opposite ends of the compression layer towards each other to thereby tighten the belt around the trunk to provide an increased level of support to the lumbar region of the user during the load transfer activity; and

[0017] - in order to bring the orthosis device into the idle state, the actuator is configured to allow the opposite ends of the compression layer to move away from each other to thereby untighten the belt around the trunk to provide an increased level of wearing comfort.

[0018] Because the orthosis device according to the invention can be switched between an active state and an idle state, it is able to provide sufficient support when required in the active state, but also allows the orthosis device to be comfortably worn in an idle state in between successive active states.

[0019] The orthosis device according to the invention is thus able to switch easily between an active state and an idle state, for use cases wherein such a switch may take place relatively often in a short time interval. For example, in a nursing day routine, a nurse may put on the orthosis device in the beginning of the morning shift, where it is expected that a high number of patients need to be helped out of bed, and / or need to be washed or treated. While wearing the orthosis device, the nurse may on the one hand benefit from the support provided by the orthosis device in its active state during load transfer activities, in particular when lifting a patient. On the other hand, the nurse may also comfortably wear the orthosis device in between the load transfer activities, when the orthosis device is in its idle state. This is very different from the automated orthotic device disclosed in the closest prior art document US 2013 / 345612 A1 . This prior art orthotic device comprises a single belt that is tightened, and that remains tightened. This also makes sense, because the automated orthotic device of US 2013 / 345612 A1 is intended for rehabilitation purposes, and the tension settings are consequently adjusted only occasionally in accordance with a treatment regimen of the rehabilitation process. The tension may be changed over time in line with the patient’s development during rehabilitation without the patient requiring to visit the physician’s office every time an adjustment must be made.

[0020] The drive of the actuator guarantees that adaptations between the idle state and the active state can be easily made, without requiring any manual effort other than perhaps pushing a button to provide a control signal to a controller that is configured to control the drive in dependence of said control signal. Such a control signal may be a simple push on a button by the user, a voice command of the user, etc. The controller may also store a preset level of tightening in its memory, optionally allowing a user to set such a preset level, for example within a predetermined range of compression that is known to provide sufficient lumbar support. Due to the drive facilitating easy adaptations from the idle state to the active state, and vice versa, there is only a very limited effort required from the user, which is an important advantage to guarantee that such an orthosis device is actually used during most of the load transfers performed by its user.

[0021] In the active state, the orthosis device provides short-time high lumbar compression during force-intensive load transfer activities resulting in spinal peak loadings, and possibly unfavorable postures by limiting the range of motion during the active state, to prevent low-back pain. During the load transfer activity, a high compression may be applied. Application of such a high compression, as can be measured between the posterior side of the iliac crest and a rib, such as the twelfth rib, of a user, may be in the range of 5,33 kPa - 18,67 kPa (40 - 140 mmHG) or more specifically in the range of 9,33 - 16,00 kPa (70 - 120 mmHG) such as between 12,00 - 14,67 kPa (90 - 110 mmHG), is proven to improve spine stability. Weightlifting belts also apply an effective compression in this range. However, weightlifting belts are known to be uncomfortable, and are therefore taken off immediately after the lifting exercise.

[0022] The orthosis device according to the invention combines a high level of temporary support - similar or even better than a weightlifting belt - when needed during a load transfer activity on the one hand, with comfort when no supports is required on the other hand. To this effect, the orthosis device also exhibits an idle state, wherein the compression may be released, allowing the user to comfortably wear the orthosis device in between load transfer activities.

[0023] In a nursing day routine, a nurse may put on the orthosis device in the beginning of the morning shift, where it is expected that a high number of patients need to be helped out of bed, and / or need to be washed or treated. Shortly before the nurse performs the first load transfer activity, the orthosis device is brought into the active state. To do so, the actuator may be actuated, for example by pushing a button or by giving a voice command while the nurse stands besides the patient’s bed. Actuation of the actuator to bring the orthotic device from its idle state to the active states involves operating the drive of said actuator to force the opposite ends of the compression layer towards each other. Thus, still in this standing position besides the patient’s bed, the orthosis device starts to build up compression by tightening of the belt. As soon as the active state is reached, the nurse can perform the load transfer activity. After the load transfer activity, the orthosis device is brought back into the idle state, until support for a next load transfer activity is desired. In this way, the nurse may wear the orthosis device during a prolonged period of time in a comfortable manner, while also benefiting from a high level of support during load transfer activities.

[0024] Besides offering user comfort, another important advantage of having an idle state is that long-term negative side effects are prevented. Such a negative side effect of long-term continuous use of a lumbar support belt could be that the body might become physically dependent, such as being less capable of applying intraabdominal pressure without the orthosis device and that the a structural peak intraabdominal pressure might result in harm, discomfort or pain. However, because the support is offered during the active state only, such potential negative side effects are prevented.

[0025] The belt comprises a base layer and a compression layer. The base layer is configured to be arranged against and extend around at least a part of a circumference of the trunk, whereas the compression layer is slidably arranged against at least a part of said base layer. In the idle state, the orthosis device is mainly supported on the user’s body by the base layer, that is preferably a flexible layer providing a high level of comfort. The base layer may be stretchable to further improve the level of comfort. In the active state, the actuator moves the opposite ends of the compression layer towards each other, thereby tightening the compression layer of the belt. Consequently, in the active state, it is mainly the compression layer that is responsible for supporting the orthosis device on the user’s body. After all, in the active state, the level of compression exerted by the compression layer onto the trunk exceeds the comfortable wearing level of the base layer of the belt. The base layer thus guarantees a comfortable and secure fit of the orthosis device in its idle state. As a result, thanks to the belt comprising a base layer and a compression layer, additional support, such as could be provided by shoulder straps, is redundant. The orthosis device being designed as a belt only, i.e. without shoulder straps, allows it to be easily arranged on the user’s body, and easily removed from the user’s body. Because only a limited effort is required from the user to put the orthosis device on or off, the likelihood that the orthosis device is actually used during most of the load transfers performed by its user is increased.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the drive of the actuator is arranged in between the opposite ends of the compression layer. In this way a symmetric load distribution relative to the user’s body is obtained, thereby further improving user comfort.

[0027] According to an even further preferred embodiment, the orthosis device comprises a belt guide to further reduce the likelihood of an untightened, i.e. loose, compression layer that carries the actuator, slipping downwards relative to the base layer. In this preferred embodiment, the belt guide that is configured to:

[0028] - allow the compression layer to slide along the base layer in a circumferential direction during tightening and untightening of the belt; and

[0029] - in the idle state of the orthosis device, restrict a relative movement between the compression layer and the base layer along the trunk in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction.

[0030] According to an even further preferred embodiment, the belt guide comprises:

[0031] - at least one guide slot, that is arranged in the compression layer of the belt; and - at least one protrusion, that is arranged on the base layer of the belt, and that extends outward relative to said base layer through the at least one guide slot.

[0032] Even further preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0033] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, and in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, may be an invention in its own right that is related to a different problem relative to the prior art.

[0034] In the following description preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective back view of an orthosis device according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is a perspective frontal view of the orthosis device of Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the orthosis device of Figure 1 , with the protective cover removed to expose the inner structure; and

[0038] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the actuator.

[0039] The orthosis device 1 shown in the Figures is configured to provide temporary support to a lumbar region of a (not shown) user during a load transfer activity by the user. Such a load transfer activity is in particular a lifting activity, but also comprises pushing or pulling a load, etc.

[0040] The orthosis device 1 comprises a belt 2 that is configured to be worn around a trunk of the user. The belt 2 comprises a base layer 3, that is configured to be arranged against and extend around at least a part of a circumference of the trunk; and a compression layer 4. The compression layer 4 is slidably arranged against at least a part of said base layer 3, wherein said compression layer 4 comprises opposite ends 5 that are moveable towards each other to tighten the belt 2 around the trunk, and moveable away from each other to untighten the belt 2 around the trunk.

[0041] The orthosis device 1 further comprises an actuator 6, that is configured to selectively switch the orthosis device 1 between an active state and an idle state. In order to bring the orthosis device 1 into the active state, the actuator 6 is configured to force the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 towards each other to thereby tighten the belt 2 around the trunk to provide an increased level of support to the lumbar region of the user during the load transfer activity. In order to bring the orthosis device 1 into the idle state, the actuator 6 is configured to allow the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 to move away from each other to thereby untighten the belt 2 around the trunk to provide an increased level of wearing comfort.

[0042] Because the orthosis device 1 can be switched between the active state and the idle state, it is able to provide sufficient support when required in the active state, but it also allows the orthosis device 1 to be comfortably worn in the idle state in between successive active states. More in particular, the base layer 3 provides comfortable wearing in the idle state, because it provides sufficient support to keep the orthosis device 1 in place, i.e. prevent it from slipping down. To the contrary, the compression layer 4 provides a high level of support in the active state, tightening the bel 2 around the trunk to a much higher compression level than the base layer 3.

[0043] For example, the active state is preferably associated with a minimum compression level of 5,33 kPa (40 mmHG), more preferably of 9,33 kPa (70 mmHG), and most preferably of 12,00 kPa (90 mmHG), that is, during use, exerted to the trunk by the compression layer 4. The active state is preferably associated with a maximum compression level of 18,67 kPa (140 mmHG), more preferably of 16,00 kPa (120 mmHG) and most preferably of 14,67 kPa (110 mmHG). The idle state is preferably associated with a maximum compression level of 2,67 kPa (20 mmHG), more preferably of 2,00 kPa (15 mmHG), and most preferably of 1 ,33 kPa (10 mmHG), that is, during use, exerted to the trunk by the base layer 3. These compression levels may be measured with a load sensor 7 anywhere along the perimeter of the trunk for instance between the posterior side of the iliac crest and the twelfth rib of a user.

[0044] It is conceivable that a further (not shown) protective layer may be arranged outside the compression layer 4, for example to prevent fingers or other body parts of the user to get stuck in between the base layer 3 and the compression layer 4.

[0045] The opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 are configured to face each other, during use, at a lateral side or at a back side of the trunk. In this way, the opposite ends 5, and the actuator 6 associated with these opposite ends 5, may be positioned at a position where is does not interfere with load transfer activities. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the opposite ends 5 face each other at the back side of the trunk. Not only allows this for a minimum risk of interference, it also has the further advantage of providing a symmetric load distribution of the actuator 6 relative to the spine of the user.

[0046] The base layer 3 is configured to extend, during use, at least along a part of the circumference of the trunk at a back side of the user. In the preferred embodiment that is shown in the Figures, the base layer 3 extends, during use, along substantially the complete circumference of the trunk of the user. In this way, the base layer 3 can support the orthosis device 1 relative to the user’s body, and thereby prevent it from slipping down along the body in the idle state. After all, the belt 3, and more in particular the compression layer 4 thereof, is untightened in the idle state. However, if the base layer 3 fully surrounds the trunk, it may support the orthosis device 1. The base layer 3 comprises a flexible strap. Moreover, the base layer 3 is preferably stretchable to provide comfort and allow minor length adjustments, e.g. during breathing, or to compensate for muscle tensioning as result of the user moving his / her body. The base layer 3 may comprise a Velcro connection for easy length adjustments, and flexible adaptation to trunk sizes of different users. The belt 2 as a whole also provides protection against pinching, rubbing or hurting.

[0047] Orthosis device 1 further comprises a back support 8 that comprises a substantially rigid plate 10 arranged at an inner side 9 of the base layer 3, and configured to contact the back side of the trunk of the user to provide support to the user’s back. In conjunction with the base layer 3 extending fully around the trunk, the back support 8 helps to maintain the orthosis device 1 in its desired, comfortable, position.

[0048] The compression layer 4 is configured to extend, during use, at least along the circumference of the trunk at a belly side and at opposite lateral sides of the user. In this way, the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 may be arranged at a back side of the trunk, where the actuator 6 may be positioned for optimal user comfort. After all, if the actuator 6 is arranged at a back side of the user, it is very unlikely to interfere with any load transfer activity in the active state, but also allows to be symmetrically arranged relative to the user’s spine to guarantee a symmetric load on the user’s body in the idle state. In order to allow for an effective compression around the trunk, the compression layer 4 is preferably substantially non-stretchable. For example, the compression layer 4 may be flexible members, e.g. made of nylon. Preferably, the compression layer 4 comprises at least two members 11 that are releasably connectable to each other by a connection 12. The shown embodiment comprises two such members 11 , and the connection 12 is embodied as a quick release buckle 13. It is however that another type of connection is applied, such as a Velcro connection.

[0049] In order to allow the connection 12 to be easily reachable by the user, yet also preventing interference with a load transfer activity, such as lifting, the connection 12 of the shown preferred embodiment is configured to be arranged, during use, at a lateral side of the trunk of the user.

[0050] The actuator 6 could be manually operated, such as by manually pulling cables through a pulley system. Alternatively, the actuator 6 comprises a drive 14 to force the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 towards each other to bring the orthosis device 1 to the active state thereof. In order to obtain a symmetric load distribution relative to the user’s body, the drive 14 of the actuator 6 is arranged in between the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4. As discussed above, these opposite ends 5 are preferably arranged such that they face each other at the back side of the trunk.

[0051] Although a skilled person will acknowledge that many options are available for the drive 14 of the actuator 6, such as using a guide slot, articulated members, a spindle drive, etc., it is preferred that the drive 14 comprises a spool 15 with cables 16. In Figures 3 and 4, the protective cover 20 is removed from the orthosis device 1 , thereby exposing the actuator 6 and the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4. The actuator 6 comprises a spool 15, a cable 16, and a plurality of pulleys 17. The drive 14 of the actuator 6 is configured to drive the spool 15 to thereby wind and unwind the cable 16 that is guided around the plurality of pulleys 17 that are arranged at the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 of the belt 2. More in particular, the pulleys 17 may be arranged in housings 18 that are connectable to the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4. A drive 14 with cables 16 provides an actuator 6 that is able to adapt to a curvature of a user’s trunk. When the cables 16 are wound around the spool 15, the opposite ends 5 are moved, i.e. pulled, towards each other to tighten the belt 2 around the trunk. Conversely, for allowing the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4 to move away from each other to thereby untighten the belt 2, it suffices if the drive 14 simply releases its force, thereby allowing the cable 16 to unwind as a result of the pretension in the compression layer 4.

[0052] If the actuator 6 comprises a spool 15 that is arranged in between the opposite ends 5 of the compression layer 4, cables 16 extending towards opposite ends 5 relative to the spool 15 are wound in opposite winding directions. This results in both sides winding or both sides unwinding, at the same time, when the spool 15 is driven by drive 14. Moreover, the forces exerted by the cables 16 from the opposite sides of the spool 15 cancel each other out to some extent. Therefore, a drive support 19 that supports the drive 14 may be build relatively light weight, because it is exposed to limited forces. A light weight design contributes to increased user comfort, especially when the belt 2 is untightened in the idle state.

[0053] In the shown preferred embodiment, the drive 14 of the actuator 6 is supported by the back support 8. More in particular, the drive 14 of the actuator 6 is arranged on the drive support 19 that is connected to the back support 8. In this configuration, the weight of the drive 14, that is a relatively heavy component of the actuator 6, is arranged central relative to the user’s body, e.g. directly behind the spine. In this way, user comfort is improved.

[0054] In order to further reduce the likelihood of an untightened, i.e. loose, compression layer 4 that carries the actuator 6, slipping downwards relative to the base layer 3, the orthosis device preferably comprises a belt guide 21. The belt guide 21 configured is to, on the one hand, allow the compression layer 4 to slide along the base layer 3 in a circumferential direction during tightening and untightening of the belt 2. On the other hand, the belt guide 21 may restrict a relative movement between the compression layer 4 and the base layer 3 along the trunk in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction, in the idle state of the orthosis device 1.

[0055] Such a belt guide 21 may comprise a (not shown) loop arranged on the base layer 3, similar to a belt loop on a pair of jeans, wherein said loop surrounds the compression layer 4. However, in the shown preferred embodiment, the belt guide 21 comprises at least one guide slot 22, that is arranged in the compression layer 4 of the belt 2, and at least one protrusion 23, that is arranged on the base layer 3 of the belt 2, and wherein the protrusion 23 extends outward relative to said base layer 3 through the at least one guide slot 22. If the compression layer 4 has more than one member 11 , preferably each member 11 of the compression layer 4 comprises at least one guide slot 22, and an associated protrusion 23 being arranged on the base layer 3.

[0056] In the shown embodiment, the at least one protrusion 23 is defined by a housing 24 of load sensor 7. In this way, the housing 24 of the load sensor 7 fulfils a double functionality, and moreover allows for relatively large pressure sensors to be used, because they extend through the compression layer 4.

[0057] The above described embodiment is intended only to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. The scope of protection is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Orthosis device, comprising:- a belt, configured to be worn around a trunk of the user, said belt comprising a compression layer that comprises opposite ends that are moveable towards each other to tighten the belt around the trunk, and moveable away from each other to untighten the belt around the trunk; and- an actuator comprising a drive, characterized in that the orthosis device is configured to provide temporary support to a lumbar region of a user during a load transfer activity by the user, in particular a lifting activity, wherein:- the belt further comprises a base layer, configured to be arranged against and extend around at least a part of a circumference of the trunk;- wherein the compression layer is slidably arranged against at least a part of said base layer during tightening and untightening of the belt; and- wherein said actuator is configured to selectively switch the orthosis device between an active state and an idle state, wherein:- in order to bring the orthosis device into the active state, the actuator is configured to force the opposite ends of the compression layer towards each other to thereby tighten the belt around the trunk to provide an increased level of support to the lumbar region of the user during the load transfer activity; and- in order to bring the orthosis device into the idle state, the actuator is configured to allow the opposite ends of the compression layer to move away from each other to thereby untighten the belt around the trunk to provide an increased level of wearing comfort.

2. Orthosis device according to claim 1 , wherein the opposite ends of the compression layer are configured to face each other, during use, at a lateral side or at a back side of the trunk.

3. Orthosis device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base layer is configured to extend, during use, at least along a part of the circumference of the trunk at a back side of the user.

4. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the base layer extends, during use, along substantially the complete circumference of the trunk of the user.

5. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the base layer comprises a flexible strap.

6. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the base layer is stretchable.

7. Orthosis device according to any of claims 3-6, comprising a back support that comprises a substantially rigid plate arranged at an inner side of the base layer, and configured to contact the back side of the trunk of the user to provide support to the user’s back.

8. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the compression layer is configured to extend, during use, at least along the circumference of the trunk at a belly side and at opposite lateral sides of the user.

9. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the compression layer is substantially non-stretchable.

10. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the compression layer comprises at least two members that are releasably connectable to each other by a connection.

11. Orthosis device according to claim 10, wherein said connection is configured to be arranged, during use, at a lateral side of the trunk of the user.

12. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive of the actuator is arranged in between the opposite ends of the compression layer.

13. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive of the actuator is configured to drive a spool to thereby wind and unwind a cable that is guided around a plurality of pulleys that are arranged at the opposite ends of the compression layer of the belt.

14. Orthosis device according to claim 12 or 13, in dependency of at least claim 7, wherein the drive of the actuator is supported by the back support.

15. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, comprising a belt guide configured to:- allow the compression layer to slide along the base layer in a circumferential direction during tightening and untightening of the belt; and- in the idle state of the orthosis device, restrict a relative movement between the compression layer and the base layer along the trunk in a direction transverse to the circumferential direction.

16. Orthosis device according to claim 15, wherein the belt guide comprises:- at least one guide slot, that is arranged in the compression layer of the belt; and- at least one protrusion, that is arranged on the base layer of the belt, and that extends outward relative to said base layer through the at least one guide slot.

17. Orthosis device according to claim 16, wherein, the compression layer, preferably each of two members thereof, comprises at least one guide slot.

18. Orthosis device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the at least one protrusion is defined by a housing of a load sensor.

19. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the active state is associated with a minimum compression level of 5,33 kPa (40mmHG), more preferably of 9,33 kPa (70 mmHG), and most preferably of 12,00 kPa (90 mmHG), that is, during use, exerted to the trunk by the compression layer.

20. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the active state is associated with a maximum compression level of 18,67 kPa (140 mmHG), more preferably of 16,00 kPa (120 mmHG), and most preferably of 14,67 kPa (110 mmHG), that is, during use, exerted to the trunk by the compression layer.

21. Orthosis device according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the idle state is associated with a maximum compression level of 2,67 kPa (20 mmHG), more preferably of 2,00 kPa (15 mmHG), and most preferably of 1 ,33 kPa (10 mmHG), that is, during use, exerted to the trunk by the base layer.

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