Cervical Traction System and Method

Abstract

Embodiments may include a traction system, for example a cervical traction system for a neck of a user. Systems may include a housing assembly, plate assembly, handle assembly, and cable assembly. The housing assembly may include a drive assembly. The plate assembly may be operatively connected to the drive assembly. The handle assembly may be operatively connected to the drive assembly. The handle assembly may be configured to actuate movement of the plate assembly relative to the housing assembly. Embodiments may be configured to apply traction to the neck thereby providing a distraction distance or force to a portion of the cervical spine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cervical traction system for a neck of a user, the system comprising;
 a plate assembly including first and second supports configured to engage a portion of a head of the patient, the plate assembly including a transverse drive member configured to adjust a transverse distance between the first and second supports;   a housing assembly including a longitudinal drive member configured to move the plate assembly relative to the housing assembly; and   a handle assembly operatively connected to a longitudinal drive member,   wherein movement of the plate assembly urges the first and second supports against the head to apply traction to the neck.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a knob operative to actuate the transverse drive member to adjust the first and second supports. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a trigger configured to actuate the longitudinal drive member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a knob configured to actuate the longitudinal drive member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal drive member includes a worm gear or pulley. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal drive member is non-pneumatic. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neck includes a portion of the cervical spine. 
     
     
         8 . A cervical traction system for a neck of a user, the system comprising:
 a housing assembly including a drive assembly;   a plate assembly operatively connected to the drive assembly; and   a handle assembly operatively connected to the drive assembly,   wherein the handle assembly is configured to actuate movement of the plate assembly relative to the housing assembly to apply traction to the neck.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a knob operative to actuate the transverse drive member to adjust the first and second supports. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a trigger configured to actuate the longitudinal drive member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a knob configured to actuate the longitudinal drive member. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the longitudinal drive member includes a worm gear or pulley. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the longitudinal drive member is non-pneumatic. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the neck includes a portion of the cervical spine. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using a cervical traction device for a neck of a patient, the method comprising:
 providing the cervical traction device including a housing assembly having a longitudinal drive, plate assembly having a transverse drive, and handle assembly;   positioning a neck of a patient with respect to the plate assembly; and   actuating a fraction knob or a trigger of the handle assembly to advance the longitudinal drive member,   wherein the longitudinal drive member is configured to move the plate assembly relative to the housing assembly to provide a traction force to at least a portion of the neck.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of rotating a limit knob to set a desired traction limit on the longitudinal drive; 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the act of rotating a support knob of the housing assembly to adjust a transverse distance between first and second supports to engage at least a portion of the neck. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the longitudinal drive member includes a worm gear or pulley. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the longitudinal drive member is non-pneumatic. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the neck includes a portion of the cervical spine.