Patent US3771518A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3771518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for specific lumbar traction treatments
Assignee: STATIC SpA
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Filing: 1972-02-16
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1992-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for selectively and specifically exerting either continuous or intermittent traction and complementary treatments to the lumbar spine region of a patient accomodated on a platform system and having pelvic and thoracic belts secured to traction and counter traction applying bars. The platform system includes a thoracic platform supported for selective lateral tilting adjustment, a lumbar support the upward projection of it can be selectively adjusted and a pelvic and leg platform supported for lengthwise displacement. The apparatus comprises also a mechanism for applying either continuous or intermittent motion to one bar to apply the traction with a selectively adjusted maximal tractive force. Further, the apparatus is preferably complemented with an anti-scoliosis unit wherein a selectively positionable and rotatable leg supporting platform is provided for positioning the patient for specific anti-scoliosis treatments.
Inventors
- 👤 H Greissing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0218; A61H1/0222; A61G; A61G13/00; A61G13/009; A61H2001/0203; A61H2203/00; A61H2203/04; A61H2203/0443; A61H2203/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for mechanically, adjustingly and selectively exerting specific treatments including a traction applied to the lumbar region of a patient having a thoracic halter belt adapted to be and a pelvic halter belt secured about his body regions bordering his said lumbar Region, the traction treatment comprising applying oppositely directed pulls on said halter belts, the said apparatus comprising, in combination: a stationary structure having head and foot ends and supporting at its upper surface an essentially horizontal patient supporting platform system having a longitudinal symmetry axis and comprising a thoracic platform, a pelvic and leg platform, and a lumbar support between said platforms and upwardly projecting above the plane generally defined by said platform systems, one of said platforms being selectively tiltable in either direction about said longitudinal axis, cross-bars arranged adjacently to said head and foot ends and adapted for connecting thereto straps secured to said thoracic and respectively pelvic halters and a mechanism for controlledly applying to one of said cross-bars a selectively adjustable force tending to increase the spacing between said cross-bars and therefore a preselected traction to said patient''s lumbar region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus for mechanically, adjustingly and selectively exerting specific treatments including a traction applied to the lumbar region of a patient having a thoracic halter belt adapted to be and a pelvic halter belt secured about his body regions bordering his said lumbar Region, the traction treatment comprising applying oppositely directed pulls on said halter belts, the said apparatus comprising, in combination: a stationary structure having head and foot ends and supporting at its upper surface an essentially horizontal patient supporting platform system having a longitudinal symmetry axis and comprising a thoracic platform, a pelvic and leg platform, and a lumbar support between said platforms and upwardly projecting above the plane generally defined by said platform systems, one of said platforms being selectively tiltable in either direction about said longitudinal axis, cross-bars arranged adjacently to said head and foot ends and adapted for connecting thereto straps secured to said thoracic and respectively pelvic halters and a mechanism for controlledly applying to one of said cross-bars a selectively adjustable force tending to increase the spacing between said cross-bars and therefore a preselected traction to said patient''s lumbar region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the said thoracic platform is supported for lateral tilting about said symmetry axis, is connected to an operator controlled mechanism including irreversible transmission means for selectively and adjustably lateral tilting of said platform and maintaining said platform at the inclination at which it has been set, and wherein the said traction force applying mechanism is drivingly connected to the cross-bar located adjacent to said foot end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the said pelvic and leg platform is supported upon said stationary structure for lengthwise guided displacement for frictionlessly accommodating the motions of the patient''s pelvic and leg regions when subjected to traction treatment, and wherein spring biasing means are provided for returning same pelvic and leg platform to its position nearest to said thoracic platform when the said traction treatment is discontinued.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the said lumbar support is supported upon said stationary structure for vertically guided displacement and is connected to an operator controlled mechanism including irreversible transmission means for selective adjustment of the height at which said lumbar support projects above the plane generally defined by adjacent platform and maintaining said lumbar support at the height at which it has been set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said lumbar support comprises a lumbar supporting body having an upper lumbar curve supporting surface of cylindrical configuration about an axis horizontal and transversal, said body being supported for rotating about said axis for frictionlessly accommodating the lengthwise motions of the lumbar region of the patient when subjeced to traction treatment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 1, which is complemented by an anti-scoliosis unit comprising a leg supporting platform having a vertical longitudinal symmetry plane and a longitudinally and upwardly extended middle portion defining the actual direction of the patient''s legs when set on said platform, means for positioning and sustaining at adjustable height said platform above the pelvic portion of the said pelvic and leg platform, and means for operator controlledly rotating the said leg supporting platform about a vertical axis in its said vertical symmetry plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said traction applying cross-bar has opposite portions symmetrical to a middle point, is supported for operator adjustable lateral tilting about an axis parallel to and above the said longitudinal symmetry axis, and is vertically adjustably connected to said mechanisms, and wherein the straps secured to said pelvic halter belt are connected to buckle means individually and selectively positionable along the one and respectively the other of said cross-bar opposite portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
158 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the said force of traction applying mechanism comprises a driven assembly supported for reciprocation in tHe direction defined by said symmetry axis and having the said cross-bar adjacent to said apparatus foot end adjustably connected thereto, a driving assembly urged in a given direction by a source of force, of adjustably selected maximal value, a variable ratio transmission connecting said driving assembly to said driven assembly for applying to said driven assembly and cross-bar an actual traction treatment force corresponding to the force applied by said source by the ratio at which said transmission has been set upon operator contol, and means for controlledly cyclically applying to said driven assembly a counter force exceeding the actually applied force for cyclically urging said assembly and cross-bar in direction opposite to that in which the traction treatment is being applied for consequently providing for intermittent traction by discontinuing the application of said traction force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said source of force comprises spring means connected to apply a load in a given direction, means for compensating the variation of said load as resulting by a variation of the elastic deformation of said spring means to provide an essentially constant given load and wherein said transmission comprises a lever oscillatably supported about a pivotal axis, means for drivingly applying said given load to a first point of said lever at a first interval from said pivotal axis, means for drivedly connecting said reciprocatable driven assembly to a second point of said lever at a second interval from said pivotal axis, and operator controlled means for selectively modifying the length ratio of said first interval by said second interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the said counter force applying means comprise a motor operated crank means having a crank pin adapted for operator activated continuous revolution, and a flexible and not extensible link connecting said crank pin to said reciprocatable driven assembly, said crank and link means being arranged and dimensioned for undisturbing the stroke of said reciprocatable assembly and cross-bar in the traction applying direction under said force, when said crank pin is turned or maintained at its position near to said assembly, while when said crank pin travels along or is maintained in the arc of its revolution, far from said assembly, said link imparts to said assembly a counter stroke of amplitude such to minimize the traction applied to the patient''s lumbar region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |