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EP-4301293-B1 - ADJUSTABLE MULTI-BAND SPINE BRACE SYSTEM WITH AN OPTIONAL SLIDABLE INTERNAL LATERAL PANEL

EP4301293B1EP 4301293 B1EP4301293 B1EP 4301293B1EP-4301293-B1

Inventors

  • ROMO, ALBERT V.
  • PRICE, Jane
  • WONG, Geoffrey

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220305

Claims (12)

  1. A spine brace comprising: a plurality of arms including a_first arm (105) and a second arm (106), wherein each of the plurality of arms comprises: an upper band (124a); a lower band (126a), and a middle band (122a) disposed between the upper band (124a) and the lower band (126a); and an adjustment mechanism (300) that allows for independent adjustment of the upper band, the middle band and the lower band, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism (300) comprises a pulley base (305) including a plurality of pulleys (340a, 340b, 340c), wherein the pulley base (305) includes a first slot (310) for receiving the upper band, a second slot (320) for receiving the lower band, and a third slot (330) for receiving the middle band, wherein the first slot (310) is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from vertical to allow the upper band to extend downward towards the middle band and the second slot (320) is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction from vertical to allow the lower band to extend upward towards the middle band.
  2. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein the middle band (122a) includes a channel (1132) and a panel (1128) disposed within the channel, a lateral movement of the panel in the channel is constrained by a first boundary at a first end of the channel and a second boundary at a second end of the channel.
  3. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein the third slot (330) has a T-shaped opening.
  4. The spine brace of claim 3, wherein the opening narrows in a center of the adjustment mechanism (300).
  5. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein the first arm (105) of the plurality of arms further comprises: a cord coupled to the first arm (105), wherein the cord is configured to pass around each of the plurality of pulleys and to independently tighten each of the upper band, the middle band, and the lower band associated with the first arm.
  6. The spine brace of claim 5, wherein the plurality of pulleys comprises at least three pulleys and an anchor for the cord.
  7. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein the third slot (330) for the middle band includes an opening that narrows at a center region of the opening and is longer in length than an opening of the first slot (310) associated with the upper band and the second slot (320) associated with the lower band.
  8. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein each of the upper band, the lower band and the middle band are adapted to be independently tightened by changing a size of a looped end securely attached to the first slot, the second slot and the third slot of the attachment mechanism.
  9. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein the middle band (122a), the upper band (124a) and the lower band (126a) collectively form a first arm of the plurality of arms.
  10. The spine brace of claim 2, wherein a loop connector is coupled to the panel to facilitate movement of the panel within the channel.
  11. The spine brace of claim 2, wherein the middle band (122a) further includes a plurality of openings positioned along a lateral side surface on the middle band to allow for movement of the panel by tactile contact with the panel and adjustment of the panel.
  12. The spine brace of claim 1, wherein the first slot (310) and the second slot (320) are angled with respect to the third slot (330) such that, a folded portion of the upper band is configured to be fastened to the upper band, a folded portion of the middle band is configured to be fastened to the middle band, and a folded portion of the lower band is configured to be fastened to the lower band.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 17/687567 filed March 4, 2022, which claims the benefit of priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/157,424 filed March 5, 2021, and U.S. Application No. 17/687,592 filed March 4, 2022 which claims the benefit of priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/157441 filed March 5, 2021. FIELD Embodiments of the disclosure relate to the field of medical devices. More specifically, one embodiment of the disclosure relates to an adjustable spine braces and components thereof. GENERAL BACKGROUND The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the described invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Orthopedic braces (orthoses) usually need to be adjusted or customized in some manner to conform to the body part(s) being braced, and then properly positioned. A typical orthosis commonly has at least two portions, a rigid portion supporting a body part, and a flexible or semi-flexible portion securing the orthosis to the body. Various types of spine braces, such as a thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis (TLSO) for example, are used to provide support and stabilization of the spine normally after a back injury and/or surgery, and in some cases, may be utilized to address spinal pathologies. A TLSO is a brace that limits movement in a wearer's spine from the thoracic area (mid-back area) to the wearer's sacrum (lower-back area). Conventional adjustable braces typically have a narrow anterior region, i.e., the front, and the area where the adjustment is done is typically on the side. A loop-and-hook mechanism is usually used to shorten/adjusting the length of the brace. The adjustment process is vital, as a proper fit of the brace provides the wearer with improved pain reduction and promotes healing. However, one common problem with the adjustment process is that the brace needs to apply the proper compression and stabilization to achieve pain reduction and promoted healing. If the circumference is inadequate or the contours of the belt cannot accommodate the user, the fit (e.g., proper compression and stabilization) will be inadequate. Therefore, there is a need for a spine brace that is easily adjustable to provide proper fit to the wearer. WO 03/088877 relates to a low-profile lumbo-sacral orthosis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is defined in claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: FIG. 1A is a perspective outside view of an exemplary embodiment of a spine brace system.FIG. 1B is a perspective inside view of an exemplary embodiment of a spine brace system of FIG. 1A.FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of three bands of the spine brace system of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.FIG. 3A is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an adjustment mechanism featuring a pulley system and slots implemented with the spine brace system of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.FIG. 3B is a top view of an angled configuration of the upper and lower slots with respect to the middle slot implemented within the adjustment mechanism of the spine brace system of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.FIG. 4A is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the first side pulley system implemented with the spine brace system of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.FIG. 4B is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the second side pulley system implemented with the spine brace system of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.FIG. 5 is a perspective outside view of an exemplary embodiment of a spine brace system.FIG. 6 is a perspective outside view of a first exemplary embodiment of a spine brace system with slidable, internal lateral panel.FIG. 7 is a perspective outside view of a second exemplary embodiment of the spine brace system with slidable, internal lateral panel of FIG. 6.FIG. 8 is a perspective outside view of a third exemplary embodiment of the spine brace system with slidable, internal lateral panel of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION As noted above, conventional adjustable spine braces are adjusted on the side via a loop-and-hook mechanism. Further, conventional braces provide for partial or substantial immobilization of the torso, back or other portion of a wearer's body. The thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis back brace with adjustable sliding back panel fail to use any lateral panels. There is a need for an improved brace with repositionable lateral panels that provide support, comfort and ease of use to the patient. In order to tackle this issue, a brace with slidable, internal lateral panel is disclosed. Herein, the circumference and contour of the brace can be adjusted to proper relevant circumferential lengths.