Ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus

Abstract

An ambulatory spinal unloading method and apparatus are implemented to achieve a desired minimum level of residual cushioning in response to a biasing force applied to the associated apparatus tensioning and/or compression mechanism(s). The ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus may further include a treatment system to provide desired levels of nerve and/or muscle stimulation in addition to hot and/or cold elements to provide further therapeutic effects as desired or necessary.

1 . An ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus configured to provide a desired amount of traction force to a spine of a patient and to absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected shock and/or vibration, with the traction force provided via a plurality of lifter assemblies, comprising:
 an upper orthotic belt;   a lower orthotic belt;   a residual cushioning device; and   the plurality of lifter assemblies;   wherein the plurality of lifter assemblies each independently expands or retracts to control distance between the orthotic belts to provide the traction force to a spine of a patient, and each of the lifter assemblies further comprises a residual cushioning device that independently provides a desired residual cushioning effect by compression of a spring and/or damper to thereby absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected shock and/or vibration, wherein the spring and/or damper is effective to provide the residual cushioning for the lifting assembly in a deactivated state.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  with the lifter assemblies each comprising a worm gear turning a threaded rod or a piston actuated fluidic lifting device. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , with at least one of the lifter assemblies comprising a piston actuated fluidic lifting device. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the piston actuated fluidic lifting device comprises a pneumatically operated piston. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the piston actuated fluidic lifting device comprises a pair of pistons connected by a piston rod, and with each piston fitting a pneumatic cylinder. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a gel-filled chamber that provides the residual cushioning. 
   
   
       7 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one orthotic belt comprises integrated electrodes selectively positioned to provide a desired level of muscle or nerve stimulation in response to a desired electrical bias. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of contact electrodes to deliver transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper orthotic belt and/or the lower orthotic belt comprises a plurality of contact electrodes to deliver transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a lumbar pad assembly that comprises a plurality of contact electrodes to deliver transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. 
   
   
       11 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the residual cushioning device comprises a gel-filled chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the residual cushioning device comprises the spring. 
   
   
       13 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the residual cushioning device comprises the damper. 
   
   
       14 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of lifter assemblies comprises no more than one fluidic chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lifter assemblies each comprise at least one electric motor configured in combination with a mechanical extension shaft assembly to selectively control the distance. 
   
   
       16 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the mechanical extension shaft assembly comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of belts, pulleys, cables, threaded shafts, and gears. 
   
   
       17 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lumbar support apparatus selectively positioned between the upper and lower belts. 
   
   
       18 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the lumbar support comprises a hot pack. 
   
   
       19 . The spinal unloading apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a recording apparatus operational to selectively record desired information associated with at least one parameter selected from the list consisting of traction, spinal unloading, stimulation, and/or therapeutic parameters. 
   
   
       20 . A method of spinal unloading comprising:
 providing an ambulatory spinal unloading apparatus that comprises a first orthotic belt, a second orthotic belt, and a plurality of lifter assemblies configured to selectively vary a distance between the orthotic belts a residual cushioning device that provides a desired residual cushioning effect achieved by compression of a spring and/or damper to thereby absorb an intermittent and/or unexpected shock and/or vibration for the threaded rod or for the piston actuated fluidic lifting device in a deactivated state.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation through a plurality of contact electrodes. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation through a plurality of contact electrodes located on the upper belt, the lower belt, and/or a lumbar belt. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising providing a heat source in combination with the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  comprising providing a pocket for a hot pack at or near the plurality of contact electrodes. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , with at least one of the lifter assemblies comprising a piston actuated fluidic lifting device that comprises a pneumatically operated piston. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the piston actuated fluidic lifting device comprises a pair of pistons connected by a piston rod, with each piston fitting a pneumatic cylinder, and further comprising supplying a gas to one of the cylinders for moving the piston rod.