Lower Spine Brace

Abstract

A brace comprises one or more panels having an aperture or slit that is at least partially defined by a first portion and a second portion. Each panel can couple with a lateral support that is configured to wrap around a portion of a wearer's body. One or both of the first and second portions can comprise an arc that is configured to prevent a twisting of the panel when the brace is tightened around a wearer. One or both of the first and second portions can additionally or alternatively comprise a plurality of protrusions configured to interact with a portion of a lateral support to thereby assist in maintaining a vertical position of the lateral support with respect to the panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brace configured to provide support to a lower spine of a wearer, comprising:
 a first panel having a first aperture;   a first lateral support having a first fastener;   wherein a first end of the first lateral support is sized and dimensioned to thread through the first aperture and fasten upon itself; and   wherein an edge portion of the first aperture is arced such that when the brace is worn, and a pressure is applied to the first panel via the first lateral support, the edge portion can flex inwardly towards a lordotic curve of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the arced edge portion is at least three millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel comprises a single integral piece. 
     
     
         4 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture is a through-hole. 
     
     
         5 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel comprises an inward curve configured to fit a lordotic curve of the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The brace of  claim 5 , wherein the arced edge portion comprises the inward curve. 
     
     
         7 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein a second edge portion of the first aperture perimeter edge is substantially flat. 
     
     
         8 . The brace of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a set of cord guides coupled to the first panel, wherein each cord guide of the set of cord guides is configured to receive a first cord; and   wherein the first panel includes a cord retention aperture having a first end and a second end, where the first end comprises a first width and is sized and dimensioned to allow receipt of a cord block of the first cord, and where the second end comprises a second width smaller than the first width to prevent the cord block from passing through the second end.   
     
     
         9 . The brace of  claim 8 , wherein the first width is at least twice as large as the second width. 
     
     
         10 . The brace of  claim 8 , wherein the first panel comprises a single integral piece that includes the first set of cord guides, and the cord retention device. 
     
     
         11 . A panel for a wearer of a brace including a lateral support, comprising:
 a aperture sized and dimensioned to receive a first end of the lateral support, wherein the panel is configured to couple with the lateral support via the aperture to maintain a position of the lateral support with respect to the panel;   wherein an edge portion of the aperture is arced and configured to flex inwardly towards the wearer when a pressure is applied to the panel; and   a set of cord guides sized and dimensioned to receive a cord, wherein the arced edge portion is positioned between the aperture and the set of cord guides.   
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein a second edge portion of the first aperture comprises a plurality of protrusions that are configured to couple with the lateral support to maintain the position of the lateral support with respect to the panel. 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 12 , wherein the first panel comprises a single integral piece that includes the plurality of protrusions, and the set of cord guides. 
     
     
         14 . A brace portion for a lower back of a wearer, comprising:
 a first panel, a second panel, and a connector material extending between the first and second panels;   wherein the first panel includes first and second panel portions that at least partially define a first aperture, and wherein the first panel portion includes an arced edge;   wherein the second panel portion includes third and fourth panel portions that at least partially define a second aperture, and wherein the third panel portion includes a second arced edge;   wherein the first aperture is sized and dimensioned to receive an end of a first lateral support that is configured to fold around the second panel portion and fasten upon itself; and   wherein the second aperture is sized and dimensioned to receive an end of a second lateral support that is configured to fold around the fourth panel portion and fasten upon itself.   
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the first panel portion comprises a plurality of protrusions that are configured to couple with the first lateral support to maintain a position of the first lateral support with respect to the first panel. 
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the third panel portion comprises a second plurality of protrusions that are configured to couple with the second lateral support to maintain a position of the second lateral support with respect to the second panel. 
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the first panel comprises a first set of cord guides, wherein the second panel comprises a second set of cord guides, and further comprising a cord that is coupled with the first and second set of cord guides, and sequentially thread back and forth across a portion of the connection material. 
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 17 , wherein pulling on the cord in a first direction shortens a distance between a bottom portion of the first panel and a bottom portion of the second panel.