Intermittent passive traction device and method of use

Abstract

A device and method for applying intermittent passive traction (IPT) that includes an initial phase followed by a sustained traction phase and finally a relaxation phase. During the first phase of IPT, the spinal elements are placed under gentle traction. This period of time reduces the normal forces across the vertebral bodies, facet joints, paraspinal musculature, etc. The second phase holds the spine in sustained traction, further reducing the forces across the spinal elements, encouraging natural healing to occur and allowing the muscles a period of relaxation. The third phase includes the gradual reduction of traction. During this final phase, the normal forces across the spine are reestablished as the IPT device slowly releases traction. The method resolves many of the most limiting problems associated with traction, CPM, and passive treatment modalities.

1 . A method of physical therapy comprising the steps of: 
 providing an intermittent passive traction (IPT) device having at least one adjustable lifter controllable via algorithmic software;    controlling the at least one adjustable lifter via the algorithmic software to gradually apply a light traction across a patient's spinal elements;    controlling the at least one adjustable lifter via the algorithmic software to hold the patient's spinal elements in a state of traction for a predetermined period of time subsequent to the application of the light traction; and    controlling the at least one adjustable lifter via the algorithmic software to gradually reduce the traction applied to the patient's spinal elements subsequent to the predetermined period of time, such that normal forces across the patient's spine will reestablish as the traction is released.    
   
   
       2 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the IPT device is configured to allow physical therapy of a patient's thoracic region.  
   
   
       3 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the IPT device is configured to allow physical therapy of a patient's lumbar region.  
   
   
       4 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the IPT device is configured to allow physical therapy of patient's cervical region.  
   
   
       5 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable lifter is selected from the group consisting of a fluidic pressure device, an electromechanical device, and a mechanical device.  
   
   
       6 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the IPT device further comprises a plurality of electrodes operational to selectively stimulate a patient's muscles or nerves.  
   
   
       7 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the IPT device further comprises a lumbar pillow region configured to selectively receive a cold pack or a hot pack.  
   
   
       8 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the algorithmic software is embedded within a controller unit integrated into the IPT device.  
   
   
       9 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the algorithmic software is embedded within a controller unit that is external to the IPT device.  
   
   
       10 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 1 , wherein the algorithmic software is stored in a storage medium that is transportable between different IPT devices.  
   
   
       11 . A method of physical therapy comprising the steps of: 
 gradually applying a light traction across a patient's spinal elements;    holding the patient's spinal elements in a state of traction for a predetermined period of time subsequent to the application of the light traction; and    gradually reducing the traction applied to the patient's spinal elements subsequent to the predetermined period of time, such that normal forces across the patient's spine will reestablish as the traction is released.    
   
   
       12 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 11 , wherein the application, holding and reduction of traction is implemented via an intermittent passive traction (IPT) device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 12 , wherein the IPT device consists of at least one device selected from the group consisting of a lumbar intermittent passive traction device, a thoracic intermittent passive traction device, and a cervical intermittent passive traction device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 13 , wherein the IPT device comprises at least one lifter device selected from the group consisting of a fluidic adjustable device, an electro-mechanically adjustable device, and a mechanically adjustable device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 14 , wherein the IPT device further comprises: 
 a lifter controller; and    an algorithmic software, wherein the at least one lifter is adjusted via the lifter controller in response to the algorithmic software such that the at least one lifter operates to provide the gradual application, holding and gradual reduction of traction.    
   
   
       16 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 15 , wherein the algorithmic software is embedded within the controller.  
   
   
       17 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 15 , wherein the algorithmic software is transferred to the controller via an external transportable storage medium storing the algorithmic software.  
   
   
       18 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 15 , wherein the controller is programmable by an IPT device user.  
   
   
       19 . The method of physical therapy according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one lifter device comprises a stabilizer mechanism configured to provide a residual cushioning effect subsequent to removal of traction via the IPT device.  
   
   
       20 . A physical therapy device comprising: 
 means for gradually applying a light traction across a patient's spinal elements;    means for holding the patient's spinal elements in a state of traction for a predetermined period of time subsequent to the application of the light traction; and    means for gradually reducing the traction applied to the patient's spinal elements subsequent to the predetermined period of time, such that normal forces across the patient's spine will reestablish as the traction is released.